[Scene: High school hallway. Three girls — BELLA, KYLIE, and SIERRA — are standing near their lockers, dressed in trendy outfits. Across the hall, a quiet girl named MAYA walks by in faded jeans, a plain sweater, and worn sneakers.]
Bella: (whispering but loud enough)
There she is again. Same outfit, different day.
Kylie: (giggling)
Does she even own anything new? That sweater’s, like, from 2012.
Sierra: (mocking)
Thrift store vibes… but not in a cute way.
[They all laugh. Maya hears, lowers her head, but keeps walking. Her cheeks flush red.]
Bella:
I mean, we all like a good deal, but there’s a difference between vintage and… whatever that is.
Kylie:
Honestly, how are you even confident walking into school like that?
[They laugh again. Just then, their homeroom teacher, Ms. Ramirez, walks by and overhears the tail end of the conversation.]
Ms. Ramirez: (firmly)
Girls.
[They straighten up quickly.]
Ms. Ramirez:
You know, it takes zero effort to be mean — but it takes real strength to be kind.
Maya? She’s been tutoring younger students after school, working a part-time job to help her family, and still gets straight A’s.
Some of you could learn something from her.
[The hallway falls quiet. Bella, Kylie, and Sierra exchange awkward glances as Ms. Ramirez walks off. Maya keeps going, not saying a word — but she heard. And she walks a little taller.]
