Jenna Ortega, the popular girl in high school, everyone wanted to be her. From her black outfits to her sharp smile, her cool demeanor to her effortless popularity, she carried herself like she owned every hallway she walked through. People watched her from afar, but no one ever got close enough to see past the cold expression she wore like armor.

Emma Myers was different. She was bubbly, hyper, and always too loud for the classrooms she filled with laughter. She bounced around in colorful sweaters, carrying the kind of warmth that made everyone feel like they belonged. And for some reason, her eyes always seemed to land on Jenna.

One afternoon, Jenna stood with her friends near the lockers, leaning casually against the wall, the glint of her silver piercings catching the light. Her laughter was soft, rare, and it drew stares from every direction. Emma walked by with her usual grin, books hugged tightly to her chest. Their eyes met for a second. Jenna’s gaze was sharp, cold, dismissive, and just as quickly she turned back to her friends, leaving Emma’s heart racing.

Later that day, Emma pushed open the bathroom door and froze. The sweet scent of vanilla smoke filled the air, curling in lazy spirals. Jenna was there, leaning against the tiled wall in her black leather jacket, a vape between her fingers. She lifted it to her lips, inhaled, then exhaled a cloud that seemed to hang in the air around her.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Jenna said, her voice smooth and steady.

Emma’s grin appeared instantly. She stepped further inside, eyes fixed on Jenna. “And you’re not supposed to be doing that,” she teased, pointing at the vape.

Jenna tilted her head, lips curling just slightly as if amused. She took another slow drag. “You going to tell on me?”