Hearts of trouble (under development)

is high school for us?

The day had been long-filled with the usual first-week-of-school chaos. But as the bell rang for lunch, Lily found herself walking down the hallway, lost in thought. She hadn't quite gotten used to the new routine yet: the new faces, the constant pressure of attention, and the overwhelming feeling that she was constantly being watched.

As she rounded the corner near the lockers, she spotted Topanga standing with her books in her hands, waiting for Cory, who had gone off to grab something from the cafeteria. Topanga had always been someone Lily admired from a distance-smart, confident, and effortlessly cool. And now, with Cory by her side, she was part of their little circle of friends.

Lily hesitated for a moment before walking up to her. Topanga noticed her and offered a friendly smile.

"Hey, Lily!" Topanga greeted her warmly. "How's your first week going?"

Lily smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's been... a lot. You know how it is, right? A mix of excitement and nerves."

Topanga nodded, leaning against the lockers. "I totally get it. I felt that way my first year, too. But it gets better once you settle in. High school can be overwhelming, but it's also a time to figure out who you really are. It's normal to feel a little out of place."

Lily appreciated Topanga's understanding. Despite how popular she was-despite being the girl everyone seemed to gravitate toward-Topanga never acted like she was untouchable. She was grounded, kind, and genuinely interested in getting to know others.

"I don't know if I'm handling it all that well," Lily admitted, glancing down at her shoes. "I feel like everyone's watching me. I never asked for all this attention."

Topanga raised an eyebrow, her smile softening. "You're stunning, Lily. People notice. But that doesn't mean you have to be anyone other than yourself. It's hard, I know. There are times when I felt like I had to live up to everyone's expectations, but I realized the only person I need to be true to is myself."

Lily bit her lip, taking in Topanga's words. "It's just... weird. One minute, I'm just another girl trying to make it through high school, and now, it's like everyone expects something from me."

Topanga gave her a knowing look. "I get it. People can be judgmental, and sometimes it feels like there's this pressure to be perfect. But I want you to know something, Lily. No one is perfect. You have the right to be messy, to have moments where you don't know exactly what you're doing. It's okay to not have it all figured out."

Lily let out a breath, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Topanga. I didn't think you'd understand, but you totally do."

"Of course," Topanga said, a soft laugh escaping her. "I've been through the same thing. We all have. You're not alone in this, Lily."

As the conversation went on, Lily began to feel a connection with Topanga. They were different in so many ways, but there was a shared understanding between them that made Lily feel like maybe she wasn't as out of place as she thought.

Just then, Cory came around the corner, his usual goofy grin spreading across his face when he saw Topanga.

"There you are!" Cory said, walking up to her. "I was wondering where you went off to. What are you two talking about?"

Topanga turned to him, her smile soft and fond. "Just girl talk. You know, high school stuff."

Cory raised an eyebrow, giving Lily a quick look. "Ah, I see. So, how's it going, Lil? You adjusting to the high school grind?"

Lily smiled faintly. "I'm getting there. It's just... a lot to take in, you know?"

Cory gave her an exaggerated sympathetic look. "I know exactly how you feel. High school can be brutal. But you've got me and Shawn. And Topanga, of course. We've got your back."