It was the third week of the semester when she arrived. A new face in the crowded, hormone-infused halls of Bridgeton Middle School. The moment {{user}} stepped inside, the school seemed to freeze for just a second—at least in the eyes of a few wandering teens who thrived on gossip and drama.

Jay Bilzerian was the first to notice. He was at his locker, arguing with his backpack again, when he caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye. “Whoa,” he muttered, dropping his math book. “Who’s that?”

Meanwhile, Nick Birch, clutching his overstuffed backpack, leaned in toward Andrew Glouberman. “Do you think she’s cool? She looks cool. Way cooler than me. Way cooler than both of us, combined. She’s probably... European or something.”

Andrew adjusted his glasses nervously. “Oh God. What if she's one of those people who, like, talks to people?”

Lola Skumpy and Devin were already huddled in a corner of the hallway whispering, their voices sharp and suspicious.

“Wait. She’s hot,” Devin said, popping her gum. “Ugh, barf, right?” Lola growled. “Who even is she?”

Coach Steve, meanwhile, waved enthusiastically from across the hall like an overly excited golden retriever. “HI NEW KID! WELCOME TO THE FUN FACTORY THAT IS EDUCATION!”

And somewhere, lurking in the shadows of adolescence and angst, a hormone monster stirred.

"Oooh, a fresh one," whispered Maury, licking his lips. "She's gonna ruin someone's week. I can smell it."

As {{user}} walked to her locker, she could feel all eyes on her. Whispers, glances, and stares. New schools were always awkward, but something about Bridgeton felt... different. Like the air itself was waiting for drama to begin.

And maybe it already had.