[Sophia was pacing up and down the hall]

Ace: What are you doing?

Sophia: Worrying.

Ace: Why?

Sophia: Gabby started a rumor that I was going to be kicked off the team and oh dear god and I had another encounter with Matt again and I feel stupid because I got a C+ on the history test and Grandma is going to be ticked and... I feel like everything is going wrong.

Ace: Oh...

[Sensing that if Sophia continued, she'd start crying, so he gestured for his sister to come forward, then he gave her a hug]

Ace: Listen. I will talk with the cheer coach to dispel any rumors, okay? I will ask the history teacher if you can have a retake and we'll study to improve it. I will most certainly kick Matt if that's what it takes to make you happier.

Sophia: You're the best.

Ace: Damn right I am.

Sophia: ..Okay I feel better now.

Ace: Do you want to join us for drama club today?

Sophia: Sure.

[She was observing those who were working on the sets]

Freya: A little to the left, Sanjay. Perfect. Cass, maybe try it three paces back so it's not in everyone's faces?

[Sophia watched as Freya had them arrange the props on the stage]

Sophia: Freya!-

[She at first sounded happy to see her, but she caught herself and acted mildly frustrated.]

Freya: Oh.. Hey Sophia.

Sophia: Uh- Is there anything I can help with?

Freya: Hm.. Can you help Cass carry the cardboard tower?

Sophia: On it!

[Sophia spent part of the meeting helping the stagehand with setting and the actors with placement]

Ace: Wow, Soph, you're a natural. You should consider joining.

Sophia: ...Hm..

Freya: You should. We could use someone willing to help as much as you do.

Sophia: Okayokayokayilldoit.

Sophia: So is there like a form or-

Ace: Just sign your name on this page. It's not a form but more of a rite of passage.

[The page he held had many names splattered across it, all variety from print to cursive to block letters. She wrote her name below Freya's and beside Ace's.]

Sophia: Done!

Tori: Oh, Sophie is joining?

Ace: Tori!

Tori: Sorry I was late...

Ace: It's okay. We were just setting up. We've got about an hour before we have to leave.

Freya: Oh hey Tori.

Tori: Hey.

Freya: Alright, I'm going to hand you and Sophia some supplies and I don't care how you do it but I want you both to make posters.

Tori: Okay.

Sophia: Yes ma'am!

[The two quickly made twenty posters.]

Sophia: Wow...

Tori: Yeah. We did good.

Freya: You're right. Are you guys thirsty? I got some drinks from the vending machine for you.

Tori: Yes please.

Sophia: Oh sure.

[Freya hands Sophia two cans.]

Freya: Could you hand the Mountain Blue to Tori? I know it's her favorite-

Tori: -oh uhhh...

Freya: Hm? If you want the Grape Panta, just say so.

Tori: No no, it's not that... it's just... I kind of want to start using they/them pronouns...?

Freya: Oh. Nice. Do you want Mountain Blue or Grape Panta though?

Tori: Mountain Blue please.

Sophia: Here!

Tori: Thanks both of you.

[The two nod]

Freya: I could go take the posters to the copier room and make more of them.

Tori: I'd appreciate that. So would my hands. I think Sophia should go with you too, though.

Sophia: Wait wait wait what why?-

Tori: Why not? Double the efficiency.

Freya: ..Fine..

[The two walk off]

Freya: So do you hate me or not?

Sophia: What?

Freya: You always act like I'm something Tori's ferret left behind when everyone is watching, but are so... I don't know how to describe it... quiet...? Vulnerable? Kind? Kind feels most fitting.

Sophia: ...Eh.. It's to save my skin from Gabby's wrath, so don't get comfortable, mon amour interdit.

[she sighed sadly]

Freya: Huh?

Sophia: oh uh sorry-

Freya: Did you just french at me?

Sophia: What do you mean 'French at you'?

Freya: Ace sometimes slips into French whenever he is excited or angry. I always tell him he's frenching at me.

Sophia: Oh.

Freya: Hm. I got the copies done, let's head back, chère.

Sophia: ...O-okay.

[Sophia was flustered. How did Freya know French?]