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MidReal Story
Among the Girls
Scenario:I walk through the school gates, feeling out of place as the eyes of every girl around me turn in my direction. Whispers fill the air. The environment is tense, and I can feel the curiosity and judgment from every angle. I’m the only boy here, and the entire school is already watching my every move.
Me: This is going to be... interesting.
School (voice of the bot, a voice, almost too smooth, echoes through the hallway): "Oh, look who it is… the only boy in this whole place. You’re definitely going to stand out, huh? The entire school’s already talking about you, wondering what kind of trouble you’ll stir up. Will you be the nice guy, or will you cause chaos?"
I hear giggles and curious whispers from nearby students.
"You’d better watch out. There are plenty of eyes on you now. And some of us are already wondering what you’ll do next."
Create my version of this story
Ethan Logan
new student, relationships with other students are developing, tall with messy brown hair, curious and adaptable
Ava Torres
outcast student who befriends Ethan, friends with Ethan and rivals with Lily, short red hair in a pixie cut, rebellious and insightful
Lily Chen
senior student and leader of a popular clique, friends with Ethan, long black hair in a ponytail, ambitious and protective
I stood outside the school gates, taking in the sight before me.
I was going to attend an allgirls school.
Yes, you read that right.
I, Ethan Logan, was being transferred to an allgirls school.
It wasn't my idea, but because of family reasons, I had no choice but to do this.
My parents were going away for business, and they couldn't find anyone to take care of me, so they decided that I should transfer to this school because it was also a boarding school.
I didn't know if I should be excited or scared.
I was about to turn around and leave when I heard someone calling my name.
"Ethaaaaan!"
I turned around to see a group of girls standing behind me and staring at me like I was a freak show.
One of them walked up to me and flipped my hair upside down.
"Omg, is that your real hair?"
I tried to brush my hair back into place, but she stopped me.
Her hand lingered in my hair, and I could feel the eyes of everyone around us on me.
More students started to gather around us, forming a tight circle.
I recognized the girl who had touched my hair from the student council photo in my welcome packet.
She was Lily Chen, the student council president.
She twirled a strand of my hair between her fingers and studied it with exaggerated interest while her friends whispered and giggled.
I tried to step back, but another girl blocked my path.
Lily's smile widened as she noticed how uncomfortable I was.
"It's so soft," she announced to her audience.
Then, without warning, she gripped my hair tighter.
"We should give him a makeover, girls."
The crowd erupted in cheers, and I realized there was no escape.
I took a step backward, my shoulders tensing as Lily's fingers continued to weave through my hair.
"Please stop," I said firmly but politely, scanning the circle of girls for an escape route.
Lily's friend Sarah sidestepped me, giggling as she nudged me back toward the center.
I raised my hands in a peaceful gesture, trying to make it clear that I was uncomfortable without being aggressive.
"I need to get to class," I announced, but Lily just smiled and pulled out a hair clip.
"Let's see how it looks with this clip in," she said, holding the clip up for everyone to see.
The girls around us shifted to get a better view, creating a small gap between two of them.
I ducked down and twisted sideways, slipping through the opening before anyone could react.
"Hey, wait!" Lily called after me as I speed-walked toward the main building.
Her friends tried to follow, their shoes clicking on the pavement behind me.
I weaved through clusters of other students, using their bodies as cover until I reached the hallway leading to my first class.
The crowd thinned out as I walked, and behind me, I heard Lily's voice growing fainter.
"I was just trying to help."
I slipped through the doorway of my classroom just as Ms. Parker was starting to write on the whiteboard.
The room fell silent as twenty pairs of eyes turned toward me.
My shoes squeaked against the floor as I scanned the room for an empty desk, finally spotting one near the back.
Behind me, I heard Lily and her friends arriving at the door, but Ms. Parker stepped in front of them, blocking their entrance.
"Class has started," she said firmly.
Lily frowned, but she didn't argue.
I slid into the empty desk and pulled out my notebook just as Ms. Parker turned around to face us.
"Welcome, class," she said, her voice firm but friendly.
"I'm sure you're all excited to be here."
She paused for a beat, and I sensed a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"Now let's get started."
As she began to explain the day's lesson plan, someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned to see a girl with short red hair leaning forward in her seat.
"I'm Ava," she whispered.
"Nice escape back there."
"Thanks," I whispered back, trying to focus on Ms. Parker's lesson.
Ava smirked and leaned in closer. "Lily's been pulling that stunt since middle school; you're not the first."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her insight. "So, what's her deal?"
Ms. Parker continued to write equations on the board, oblivious to the whispered conversation behind her.
Ava leaned closer, her voice barely audible over the scratching of chalk against the whiteboard.
"Lily likes to target new students," she whispered.
"Last semester, we had three transfer students join our class. Lily convinced them that they needed makeovers, so she made them over with hair dye and makeup."
I grimaced at the thought.
"That sounds terrible."
Ava nodded, her eyes serious.
"Yeah, and it gets worse. Lily forced them to sit with her at lunch every day. One girl even ended up transferring out of school."
I frowned, my mind racing.
"I guess I should be grateful I'm the only boy in this place," I whispered back.
"Otherwise, I'd probably be getting a makeover right now."
Ava smiled wryly.
"You're safe for now. But if you ever see Lily's eyes on you, just run."
She scribbled something in her notebook before sliding it toward me.
I glanced down at the paper, surprised by what I saw.
Before I could ask Ava what it meant, the door creaked open and Sarah walked in late, handing Ms. Parker a note.
The teacher gave her a stern look before nodding and returning to the lesson.
I unfolded the crumpled note under my desk, trying to keep it hidden from Ms. Parker's view.
Sarah took a seat two rows ahead of me and kept turning around to stare at me.
I shielded the paper with my textbook, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.
The note revealed a crude map of the school, with red X marks scattered across it.
Ava had circled specific locations: the library's back entrance, an unused stairwell, and what looked like a maintenance door near the gym.
When I glanced at Ava questioningly, she mouthed "escape routes" and pointed to several other locations on the map marked in red.
They appeared to be Lily's usual hangout spots.
I folded the map carefully and slipped it into my notebook, making sure Sarah didn't see.
Ava had put a lot of thought into this, even noting the timing of janitor rounds in the margins.
I turned to Ava and mouthed "thank you," genuinely grateful for her help on my first day.
She gave me a thumbs up before returning to her notes.
I straightened in my chair and forced myself to focus on Ms. Parker's lesson about cellular division, keeping one eye on Sarah, who continued to throw suspicious glances over her shoulder.
The class ended too slowly for my liking.
As Ms. Parker wrote notes on the board, I gathered my books and stuffed them into my bag.
Sarah rushed out of the room as soon as the bell rang, no doubt to report back to Lily.
I watched her go before returning my gaze to the map in Ava's notebook.
The safest route to the dormitory was through the east hallway, past the library, and then cutting across the courtyard.
When I glanced up, Ava tapped my shoulder and pointed to a blue path she had added.
It curved around a different route than I had chosen, and I wondered why.
"What's this?"
I asked her.
"It avoids Lily's usual after-school hangouts," Ava explained, pointing to the red marks on the map.
"Her favorite spot is behind the cafeteria. She usually hangs out there with her friends before their sports practice."
Ava tucked her notebook under her arm and stood, waiting for me to do the same. We lingered by our desks as students filed out of class, some slowing down to stare at us or whisper to each other.
Ava gave me a nod and we walked toward the door, joining the flow of students leaving the room.
We moved briskly but casually, matching Ava's quick pace.
I glanced at the security cameras mounted in the corners of the hallway.
Ava followed my gaze and leaned in close.
"Lily tends to avoid causing a scene when she's on camera," she whispered, her voice low and steady.
"She doesn't want to get caught by the school administration."
I nodded, taking mental note of the cameras as we walked.
We passed the library's glass doors, and I caught a glimpse of Sarah's reflection following us from a distance.
Her eyes were fixed on me, her phone held up as if taking a picture.
Ava noticed too, and she guided me through a sharp turn into the language department corridor.
The hallway was empty, lined with classrooms and a few doors leading to the courtyard.
Ava gestured for me to follow her, and we pressed ourselves against the wall in the darkest corner of the department.
Old filing cabinets created a shadowy hiding spot, and I held my breath as Sarah's footsteps echoed closer down the hallway.
Ava crouched silently beside me, her hand gripping my sleeve to keep me from moving.
I peeked through the gap between cabinets, watching as Sarah's phone screen lit up in her hand.
She checked each doorway, her eyes scanning the hall.
When she reached our hiding spot, she paused, her gaze lingering on the space where we hid.
I held my breath, hoping she wouldn't see us.
Her shoes clicked against the floor tiles as she took a step closer, then another.
I tensed, ready to run if she discovered us.
But then I heard distant voices, muffled by the walls of classrooms.
Sarah hesitated, her head turning toward the sound.
The voices grew louder, and she retreated, her footsteps fading as she followed the sound of her friends.
I remained frozen behind the filing cabinets, my shoulder pressed against Ava's.
Her hand still gripped my sleeve, and neither of us moved yet.
We waited to make sure Sarah was really gone.
The warmth from Ava's body sent heat rushing to my face, and I focused on counting the ceiling tiles to distract myself.
When she shifted slightly, her hair brushed against my cheek, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
I leaned forward to peek between the filing cabinets, checking if Sarah was truly gone.
The hallway appeared empty, but distant footsteps and voices kept us cautious.
Ava's hand slid from my sleeve to my wrist, guiding me as we crouch-walked toward the emergency exit.
The metal door handle felt cold against my palm as I pushed it open just enough for us to slip through.
The afternoon sun temporarily blinded me as we emerged into the courtyard.
Ava pulled me behind a row of bushes when we heard Sarah's voice from an open window above.
"She's been watching us the whole time," Ava murmured, her eyes narrowing as she glanced up at the window.
"Why would she do that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unease creeping in.
Ava hesitated, then whispered, "Because she knows about the plan, and she's not going to let us get away with it."
I glanced at Ava crouched behind the bushes, her eyes wide with concern.
The afternoon sun beat down on the courtyard, casting long shadows as students milled about between classes.
My legs ached from hiding, and the weight of my backpack reminded me of homework waiting to be done.
"I can't hide forever," I told her, brushing dirt off my uniform pants.
She reached for my sleeve again, but I stepped away.
Other students turned to stare as I emerged from behind the bushes.
I straightened my shoulders and walked toward the dormitory entrance, ignoring the whispers that followed.
The heavy wooden door creaked as I pushed it open, and I stepped inside, grateful for the cool darkness.
I had hoped to find some peace in my dorm room, away from the chaos of the day.
But as I entered, I froze in the doorway.
Three girls looked up from unpacking their belongings.
One sat cross-legged on a bottom bunk, another stood by an open closet, and the third perched on a desk chair.
Textbooks and clothes littered the floor between four beds.
My stomach dropped when I recognized Sarah among them, her phone already in hand.
She smirked at me while the other two girls exchanged knowing glances.
I moved cautiously through the maze of belongings on the floor, keeping my eyes fixed on my assigned bed.
Sarah's camera followed me, capturing every step.
The other girls whispered and giggled as I pulled my suitcase from under the bed and began arranging my clothes in neat piles.
When I reached for my uniform shirts, Sarah rolled her chair closer, blocking my path to the closet.
Her phone clicked as she took another photo.
I turned away, determined not to give her the reaction she wanted.
I leaned against my desk, crossing my arms and staring directly at her.
The other girls stopped whispering and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Sarah lowered her phone slightly, but didn't put it away.
Her cheeks flushed red as she gripped it tightly, but she said nothing.
I took a step closer to her, keeping my eyes locked on hers.
"All these photos, following me around... it's getting obvious, isn't it?"
My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my voice steady.
The other girls looked between us, uncertain of what to do.
Sarah stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor.
She hesitated for a moment, then turned and left the room without another word.
I exhaled slowly, my hands still shaking from the confrontation.
The two remaining girls shifted uncomfortably on their beds, exchanging nervous glances.
I turned back to my suitcase and continued arranging my uniforms in the closet Sarah had blocked.
The metal hangers clinked against each other as I hung up the last shirt, then closed the closet door.
I straightened my shoulders and faced my roommates, who looked at me warily.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm Ethan, nice to meet you."
One of the girls, a brunette with glasses, cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I'm Lily," she said, offering a tentative smile.
The other girl nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And I'm Jess. We didn't know Sarah would act like that."
I nodded, sitting down on my bed and gesturing for them to join me.
Lily and Jess sat on the bottom bunk across from me, their faces still uncertain.
The afternoon sun streamed through the dorm window, casting a warm glow over the room.
I leaned forward, trying to reassure them.
"I'm sorry too. I've never been in a girls' dorm before. I guess I'm not sure what to expect."
Lily smiled again, seeming to relax a bit.
"Well, we're not all like Sarah. Most of us are pretty friendly."
Jess nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, we're not as bad as it seems."
I chuckled, feeling a little more at ease.
"So, how's the school so far? I've only had one class today."
Jess leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"Oh, which one was it?"
"Biology," I replied.
"Ms. Parker's class."
Jess grinned.
"She's one of my favorite teachers. What did you think of her?"
"She seems nice," I said, smiling back at her.
"I liked her lesson. It was pretty interesting."
Lily sat up straighter, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Oh, you must have done the cell membrane lesson! I have notes from last semester if you want them."
I laughed again, feeling more comfortable with my new roommates.
"That would be great, thanks."
Jess pulled out a stack of papers from her desk drawer and handed them to me.
I took them gratefully, flipping through the pages filled with diagrams and notes. "Thanks again," I said, smiling at Lily and Jess.
They both smiled back, seeming to relax now that the tension had passed.
Jess rummaged through her desk drawer again and pulled out a bag of snacks.
"Want some cookies?" she asked, offering me one.
I took it gratefully and thanked her before taking a bite.
The sweet chocolate melted in my mouth as I chewed, savoring the taste.
Lily leaned forward again, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So Ethan," she said softly, "what do you think about Sarah? She's been acting really strange lately."
I shrugged uncertainly, unsure of what to say.
"I don't know much about her," I admitted.
"But she seems pretty... intense."
Jess nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, she's always been like that. But lately... she's been even stranger than usual."
Lily leaned forward again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jess nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"Maybe it's because of the school," she suggested.
"It can be a lot to handle sometimes."
I nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of understanding wash over me.
"Yeah, maybe you're right. It's a big change for all of us."
Jess smiled again, seeming to relax now that the tension had passed.
"Well, if you need anything, we're always here. Just let us know."
I smiled back at her, feeling grateful for their kindness.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
As we continued to chat, I noticed Sarah standing in the doorway of our room.
Her phone was tucked away in her pocket now, and her eyes were fixed on me.
I stood up from my bed and walked toward her, my heart pounding in my chest.
I reached out my hand in apology.
Sarah took it in hers, her fingers cold against my palm.
She squeezed my hand tightly as she stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her.
Jess and Lily watched silently from their beds as Sarah pulled out her phone and showed me the photos she had taken.
They weren't meant to intimidate me, she explained.
She was just documenting my first day for the school newspaper.
Her smile grew wider as she scrolled through the photos, pointing out candid shots of me dodging Lily's group.
I asked her about "the plan" Ava had mentioned, and for a moment, her expression darkened.
She leaned against her desk, scrolling through her camera roll as she showed me the artistic shots she had taken.
There was me ducking through crowds, hiding behind cabinets, and even my determined walk across the courtyard.
Each photo captured a genuine moment of uncertainty and determination.
I felt my face heat up as she explained that she was the president of the photography club, working on a feature about new students adjusting to school life.
I'd misjudged her completely.
She noticed my reaction and laughed softly, admitting that her secretive approach probably hadn't helped.
"Honestly, I didn't mean to freak you out," Sarah said, her voice softer now.
"I just wanted to capture the real you, not some posed version."
Lily chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "So, what about Ava's plan? Is there more to it than just photos?"
I reached into my notebook and pulled out the detailed map, spreading it across my desk.
Sarah, Jess, and Lily gathered around me, their eyes widening as they took in the escape routes and red X's marking Lily Chen's locations.
Sarah's camera dropped to her side as she traced the maintenance door route with her finger.
"Ava said something about 'the plan' when we were talking," I admitted, glancing up at them.
"She warned me not to get caught."
Lily's hand shot out, grabbing the map from my desk.
Her face was pale as she stared at it intently.
"Did you notice these?"
She pointed to small markings in the corners of the map that I hadn't noticed before.
They looked like dates written in a code.
I stumbled to my feet, the room spinning slightly as the day's events caught up with me.
Sarah tucked the map away in her bag while Lily and Jess exchanged concerned glances.
Grabbing my pajamas from the dresser, I retreated to the bathroom, the fluorescent lighting harsh on my eyes.
My reflection showed dark circles under my eyes as I changed into my pajamas.
The cool water on my face helped, but exhaustion weighed heavy on me.
Back in the room, I climbed onto my bed, the springs creaking beneath me.
"Thanks for everything today," I managed to say, pulling up my covers.
Sarah sat on the edge of her bed, her expression thoughtful.
"There's something you should know about Ava," she began cautiously.
Jess leaned forward, her voice barely a whisper. "Ava's not just any student; she's part of a group that plans these...escapes."
I propped myself up on one elbow, fighting against the heavy eyelids.
Sarah sat cross-legged on her mattress, the desk lamp casting long shadows across her face as she clutched Ava's map.
Jess and Lily exchanged worried glances before Lily spoke up.
"Last semester, Ava helped three girls escape. But they didn't just leave school; they vanished completely."
My eyes widened as I realized the implications.
"They left behind maps just like this one."
Sarah's hands tightened on the paper, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Were they traps?"
I asked, my voice filled with concern.
Sarah opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak, footsteps echoed down the hallway outside our room.
Lily's eyes darted to the door, her voice tense. "We can't talk here; it's not safe."
Jess nodded, urgency in her tone. "Let's meet at the old library after curfew."
Sarah glanced at me, determination in her eyes. "Bring the map; we need to figure this out."