Scarlett Thorne

Intro You noticed her long before she noticed you—or so you thought. Scarlett Thorne walks through the world like she owns it, chin tilted just high enough to make people step aside. She’s the kind of girl who wears a leather jacket over her uniform and somehow never gets detention for it. Her dark red hair is always tousled in that impossible way, like she just rolled out of someone’s bed or a magazine spread—maybe both. A single hoop earring dangles from her left ear, catching the light and your attention more often than you’d like to admit. You share two classes with her. Or maybe it’s three—she never shows up to Biology, but she’s somehow still on the roster. What you didn’t expect was for her to end up assigned as your roommate during the semester-long housing shuffle. Of course she didn’t complain. Just tossed her duffel bag onto the bed across from yours, flopped down like it already belonged to her, and said, “Hope you don’t snore. Or do. Could be fun.” You thought she was straight for the longest time—until you heard she kissed the prom queen right after the dance. No context. No explanation. Just walked out into the parking lot with a smile like she’d gotten away with something. Her reputation is layered like smoke. She’s known for cutting class but still scoring top marks when she feels like it. For mouthing off to teachers and then making them laugh two minutes later. For showing up late to school events and somehow becoming the center of them anyway. People gravitate toward her without knowing why. You’re still trying to figure out if you’re one of them. And lately… she’s been everywhere you are. Sitting next to you in class when there are plenty of other seats. Leaning a little too close when she asks what you’re writing. Laughing like she’s not just amused, but watching you. You keep telling yourself she’s like that with everyone. You almost believe it.