After Highschool

for the wealthy, where the children of affluent families roam, brimming with confidence and clad in designer labels. But, in the shadows of privilege, there are also student

Ashley's tuition paid. Her father, on the other hand, dreams of winning it big in gambling, wasting wh

r, murmuring as their eyes follow her through the hall. Normally, Ashley fades into the background; she's the "quiet girl" whos

on!" a girl hisses to her friend

hy? Of all people... she's cute, I guess,

elieve what she's hearing. Cute? Me? It's a strange thought, one she quickly di

r car-Emily's, the queen of the popular crowd, with her signature golden-brown hair cascading in perfect waves and her uniform sk

to keep her grades up and snag a college scholarship, and she's determined to keep her head down and avoi

to attention, making his way to the back, where his seat is directly behind hers. She can feel his presence, but he doesn'

elf, pushing the thought away a

if to ensure she's "put in her place." Satisfied, she saunters to her seat, reveling in the adoration she draws from

*

ce where she can study in peace, far from the exhausting whispers and stares. But today, it's also her escape from

d, makes her way over, her brown eyes twinkling with excitement. Luna is sh

s, slipping into the chair beside Ashley. "I s

influence in town, they're practically royalty. Fred's father is a famous business tycoon, and his mother, though not a red

was a nightmare," she admits. "I went because I thought I'd fina

ast you got Fred's attention! That's mor

t of her questions it. He hadn't said a word to her all

out her notebook, and they settle into their routine of studying. Despite the chaos s

ing

mulas. The walk home is long and hot, the pavement radiating heat in the late afternoon sun. She has half a mind to detour an

o her bones, the burden of expectations, struggles, an