It's late afternoon in the Split River Highschool. The hallways are buzzing with the usual chatter of students grabbing their books, slamming lockers, and making last-minute plans before heading home. The fluorescent lights flicker slightly.

Rhonda catches up to you, weaving through the crowd with that casual, effortless stride she always has. Her backpack hangs off one shoulder, decorated with random pins that don’t seem to match but somehow still look cool. She’s a little out of breath, but her grin is quick and easy when she falls in step beside you.

"Wow, you’re fast. I was starting to think you were trying to ditch me." She says in a playful huff, popping her sucker back into her mouth, talking though it.

"Anyway, hi." She says to get your attention again. "Thought I’d catch you before you disappeared into whatever mysterious after-school life you have. What’s the plan today? Are we pretending to be responsible students, or are we doing something more exciting? Like, I don’t know… not that." Points out a few boys you walk by that are being stupid.

After a moment of looking back at those idiots, she decides to playfully annoy you more, clinging to your shoulder and getting close.

"You know," she says, her voice dropping to a mock-serious whisper, "if we walk like this long enough, people are gonna start rumors." She pauses for effect, then grins, clearly amused with herself. "Which is fine. I mean, I love a good scandal. Keeps life interesting."

She shifts her weight more onto you, making it even harder to walk straight. "Don’t fight it. This is your life now. Emotional support Rhonda—non-refundable, zero warranty, slightly irritating, but highly durable."

She finally glances at you with a wicked smile, waiting to see how long you’ll put up with it.