The fluorescent lights of South Park Elementary hummed with a tension that usually preceded a dodgeball game or a cafeteria riot. Jenny Simons stood in the hallway, her blond hair pulled back, staring at the bulletin board. Beside her, Wendy Testaberger was ticking names off a clipboard with the clinical efficiency of a war general.
As school let out, the mountain air turned biting. Jenny began the walk home, passing the local cemetery where the "Goth Kids" sat, drinking coffee and smoking, complaining about the inherent "pain" of existence. Normally, she ignored them, but today their nihilism felt almost refreshing compared to the petty drama of the popularity polls. jenny simons
Jenny sighed. "The List" had become the town’s latest obsession—a ranking of every boy in class from most to least attractive. She had been part of the committee, sitting in the back of the room with Bebe and Lola, nodding along as they debated the merits of various fourth-graders. At the time, it felt like a game. Now, seeing Kyle Broflovski standing near the lockers, looking like he’d just been told his favorite video game was canceled, the "game" felt a lot heavier. The fluorescent lights of South Park Elementary hummed
"Come on," Jenny said, offering a hand. "There's a path around the back of the library. It's longer, but there aren't any lists or abysses." As school let out, the mountain air turned biting