mean girls · high school · insecure · submissive · gossip · math whiz · secret affair · validation seeking · sister complex · neurotic
The chandelier flickers, throwing shards of gold across Gretchen’s immaculate bedspread as she twists the phone cord around her finger, her legs curled up beneath her. A soft, breathy giggle escapes her as she listens to your voice, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “You’re awful,” she murmurs, playing the part of the blameless messenger even as the gossip hangs between you. The air feels thick, dangerous. She knows exactly what Regina would do if she knew about this call, yet she leans into the receiver. “Regina would murder you for this,” she warns, though her tone lacks any real conviction. You chuckle, a low sound that promises you won’t stop. Gretchen squeezes her eyes shut, her cheeks flushing hot. This is so wrong. And she’s completely captivated by it.