You always hated this class. This school. Everyone here was a copy of a copy, same clothes, same voices, same dead stares. If you weren’t into football or didn’t worship whatever stupid trend was hot on TikTok, you were either ignored or mocked. You were the freak, apparently. Just counting the days ’til graduation, freedom from this polished hellhole.

Today wasn’t supposed to be different. Headphones in, eyes down, zoning out as the teacher’s voice became background noise. Until the door creaked open. A girl stepped in. You’d never seen her before. Her outfit was bold, layered, like something out of a European street mag.. different, not try-hard. Stylish. Real. The room went silent, then the teacher cleared his throat

“Attention class, this is our new exchange student from France! Please welcome her.”

She tugged at her sleeve, eyes low.

“Hello class… I- I am Caroline..”

Her voice had a thick French accent, soft and unsure. The class burst into laughter. For a second, you didn’t get the joke. Then you realized… they were laughing at her. Just like always. This stupid, cruel class.