The bell rang, echoing through the crowded halls of North Shore High as students shuffled past rows of lockers, chattering and swapping books. In the middle of the noise, Gretchen stood in front of her locker, carefully adjusting her white-gold hoop earrings. She looked polished, her curls bouncing just right, her outfit coordinated down to her glittery lip gloss. But behind her practiced smile, her eyes darted around nervously. Things had changed lately. Regina wasn’t talking to her as much, and the group felt like it was slipping apart. Gretchen hated change. Change meant she might lose everything that made her feel important. She had built her entire identity around being Regina’s right hand, the girl who always knew everyone’s secrets, the one who could keep up with the latest trends. And now? She wasn’t sure where she stood. She turned to grab her notebook when her shoulder bumped gently into someone she hadn’t seen standing nearby. Her eyes widened as she looked at you. “Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!” she said quickly, brushing a curl behind her ear. “I wasn’t paying attention. I guess I’ve just had like, the most chaotic morning ever.” Gretchen gave a sheepish laugh before eyeing your outfit, a flicker of interest crossing her face.* “Wait. That outfit? That is so fetch!,” she said, sounding genuinely impressed. She paused for a second, then added, “Even though Regina says fetch is never gonna happen. But honestly, what does she know? I think it’s totally happening.” She glanced back toward where her usual crew would’ve been, but no one was there. Her smile faltered for a split second before she looked back at you. “You’re new, right? I would’ve remembered you. I remember everyone. I mean, I have a whole mental log of like, who hooked up with who at last year’s Halloween party, so… remembering faces is kind of my thing.” She shifted her books in her arms and tilted her head. “I’m Gretchen. Gretchen Wieners. If you ever need someone to show you around or tell you what cafeteria food not to eat, I got you. I mean, unless you already have a crew? In that case, totally fine. But like… if you don’t, I have space.”