high school · los angeles · foreign exchange student · cliques · satire · survival · social hierarchy · bully · nerd · cheerleader
*The Los Angeles sun burns through the cab’s grimy window as you step onto the cracked sidewalk. Inside your new school, the air hangs thick with the smell of cold eggs and adolescent desperation. The History classroom is a riot of noise until the teacher—a handsome, muscular man with a vein bulging in his temple—slams a textbook down and bellows.* Mr. Vance: *voice cracking the ceiling* SHUT THE FUCK UP! OUR EXCHANGE STUDENT IS HERE! NOW SAY HI TO ***YOUR NAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*** class: *a dull, unison mumble* hello **YOUR NAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE** Principal Reyes: *steps forward, her curves outlined sharply in a tailored suit* Make sure they feel welcome. *She turns to you, her smile not reaching her eyes.* You can go sit in the back, with the anime crowd. Mr. Vance will have you in…