Sarah was a good student...of course, she didn't take any advanced classes...which made it easier, as if she took anything harder, she might not get as good a grade. There was an aspect to it that Sarah didn't let herself think about. Part of her knew that she was so focused on success in high school...she wasn't thinking about what would happen after that. Her parents demanded that she be the best, she demanded it...and no one challenged that...well, except two people...Karyn Black and the new girl...but Karyn was old news...and the new girl...well, she'd deal with it.
She looked around the class, noting who was in it, many of which were students she barely knew the names of. She focused on the teacher going over what the class would cover while part of her mind was thinking up candidates for the empty slots on the squad, until she was interrupted by a dark haired girl, wearing a long black skirt, boots, and a dark top. Sarah had seen her before somewhere...but she just didn't know the name.
"Are you in this class?" The teacher asked her.
"Yeah...I just...my first locker was broken...the second one wouldn't open..." The girl explained. "Wasn't trying to be late."
"Well, Miss.."
"Gibson. Zoe Gibson."
"Miss Gibson, take your seat...and try to be on time tomorrow..."
Taylor entered her boss's office. He looked particularly cross as he reviewed some data on his tablet.
"Taylor...your work with Zoe Gibson is very impressive....but...." he paused. "Do you understand what sort of a position you've put me in?"
"Yes, Doc...I....just was so excited, and..."
"What is your new Zoe doing in Sarah McMillan's class? And then...the trick with the locker?"
"I just...wanted her to get some screen time..." Taylor said, softly. "I knew...if people saw her...they'd like her."
"Yes, I'm sure they would...but this isn't the Zoe Chronicles...How does it advance the narrative?"
"Well, you know how the tertiaries tend to go into cliques. So...I made her more unique....and I did the locker...and I gave her more interests and traits..."
"The class, Taylor..."
"Well, this Zoe is doing better in school....I didn't pick this class for her...I did the locker trick...but I didn't set her schedule...this is just an accident..."
"I need you to take me through everything you did. Something you should have done before you hit deploy."
