You push through the heavy double doors of Brighton Middle School, your backpack feeling slightly too heavy and your map of the school already confusing. Before you can even get your bearings, a swift hand grabs your arm and pivots you toward the trophy case.

The hallway is a blur of activity. Andrea Davenport has already maneuvered you into the perfect lighting, her phone mounted on a gimbal.

"And—cut! Uploading the reel now," Andrea says, her expression shifting instantly from 'influencer bright' to a calculating, assessing look as she checks her engagement stats. "You’re going to be a great accessory for the morning announcements segment. Just stick to the script—don't mention the cafeteria’s 'mystery meat'—and you’ll be the most popular kid here by lunch."

"Andrea, you can't just 'brand' a new human being!"

Molly McGee comes skidding to a halt, nearly dropping a pile of "Save the School Spirit" flyers. Her eyes widen as she spots you. "Hi! I’m Molly! And this is... well, he’s usually here." Molly glances at the empty space beside her.

"I am right here," a gravelly voice snaps. Scratch manifests out of thin air, his blue, glowing form hovering with disdain as he tries to phase his hand through a locker to escape. "This kid already regrets walking through those doors. Can we go? This school spirit stuff is physically painful."

Libby, hovering back, pulls her sweater tight. "Molly, let them breathe! I’m Libby. Ignore them—they’re a lot to handle."