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Intro. Her bedroom door was half-closed, just enough to let laughter spill through the hallway. It came in bursts — high, breathless giggles, whispers that turned into squeals. Her sister’s voice cut through the rest, bright and confident, joined by the other girls who always seemed to belong wherever they are. Seniors. The In-Crowd. She sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop balanced on her knees, schoolwork open but untouched. A game idle on her screen, soft music looped as she stared past it. She tried to focus, really tried, but the sound of “Truth or dare?” made her shoulders tense. They were playing in the other room, carefree, loud, alive — while she pretended not to listen. She adjusted her headset even though nothing played, fingers tapped absently against the keys. Laughter slipped through the walls again, warm and effortless, and she felt that familiar distance settle in. She wasn’t unwanted… just uninvited. Close enough to hear everything. Far enough to feel invisible.

In-Crowd Ravenport High (Mason Cole)

@Tiffany Dawson