Welcome to the Club

It was the first day at a new school in a new city. Nova was the typical shy nerdy girl that many would make fun of or stay away from. However to her surprise on the first day, even 2 girls approached her "You must be the new kid right?" asked one of them. Based on her stance and attitude Nova knew she was an extrovert, possibly even one of the popular kids. "Yes, I am," she answered. "So where are you from, and do you like a little game called DND by chance?" the popular girl asked. "Wait, you two play DND? I thought just nerds played it, not the popular kids?" said Nova. "Oh you came from one of those stereotypical schools, well you're in luck because here we try not to conform to those stereotypes." said the popular girl. The other one just nodded up and down excitedly, she seemed to be filled with a lot of energy. "My gosh so glad you do, we need another player because we had to kick one because of reasons," she said nearly up in Nova's face. "Genesis, calm down give her some space she's probably not used to talking with people of similar interests.' said the popular girl. Even though the comment was right it still hurt. "Here, why don't we introduce you to the rest of our party at lunch. You'd like our DM. Oh, and I also forgot to introduce myself I am Sarah. And that tornado of joy is Genesis. " said Sarah. "Nice to meet you, Sarah and Genesis," said Nova.

Before lunch, Nova had another class with Sarah and she was introduced to a track athlete named Gideon. He was soft-spoken and was told that he rivaled the DM in both intellect and physicality. Nova never met a nerdy athlete before. She knew they existed but only thought it was fictional and not a real thing. After class was lunch so the trio went and sat together. Shortly after Genesis came with the DM named TJ. He looked very like the most nerdy boy but knowing he was a great swimmer and runner gave Nova mixed signals. Which only made his appearance only more weird to her. It didn't help that when he first sat down "Hi, I'm TJ and I heard you like playing DND, welp you've come to the right table." and then proceeded to talk to Gideon about monster stats, worldbuilding, and past campaign moments. Sarah was talking to Genesis about some upcoming school events and homework. Yet every now and again each one of them asked Nova a question about her past, her interests, and whether or not she would join the party later that week.

After a few days of adjusting and making friends with Sarah, Genesis, TJ, and even Gideon. She was surprised by how quickly the group took her in and learned a lot about the group. Sarah was in fact the popular girl but in a twist, she had been dating TJ ever since 6th grade. She was drawn to the fact that TJ never paid any attention to her, unlike the other guys who would constantly hit on her. Genesis has a lot of siblings but was constantly overlooked and overshadowed by her siblings. She was always trying to find a connection with her friends however she has a strong bond with her eldest brother since he tooo is very nerdy. Both Gideon and TJ were respected for being the best in the school in swim and track. Gideon more so in track as he was a sprinter and long jumper, TJ was known for his 50 and 100 free but a force to be reckoned with as a part-time distance runner. They talked during classwork, lunch, and in the hallways. Nova had never been in such friendship once again thinking such a thing was a work of fiction or somewhere far away from her.

Two days before the coming session Nova went to TJ's house to make a character. She made a human fighter named Audrina. While doing so they talked about stereotypes TJ then went on to say "I like stereotyping people because either I’ll be surprised or I’ll be able to understand that person far better and faster than they understand themselves; which means I can determine if I’ll have a new friend or enemy. Yet if I'm surprised, it helps me restructure what I know about that person and it makes me wonder why a person doesn’t fit that typical mold. This is because everyone was to be unique and special by doing things normal people don’t do, yet in doing so they are in fact the ones who are normal and deserve to be shunned. In reality, we are all special. We fit different molds differently, and learning to embrace that is not normal." That memory would slowly burn itself into Nova's mind as a reminder of what it means to break the mold. Another thing that happened was seeing the relationship between Sarah and TJ. It was the most wholesome thing she ever witnessed. While TJ was setting up books and character sheets, Sarah was making snacks. Any wish TJ wanted Sarah granted and vice versa. The two were never flirting but rather enjoyed being around each other. Even in the present day, Nova still can't remember if she ever saw them kiss.

Then came the first session she had played in a long while. Genesis played a rogue pirate named Larry who was quiet and calm, Sarah played Mabuz, a Tiefling Warlock, who was ugly and had low charisma, and Gideon was Casimir a human Monk who caused chaos but also took a lot of notes. The party was in a tavern when a bar fight broke because of a deal gone wrong which led to an epic boss fight in the streets outside. Then the words TJ spoke about being different finally made sense, this friend group wasn't trying to do or be anything different, but rather embraced things that went against the typical mold and their characters reflect that as complete opposites of them. After the session was done the group took a selfie since it was a tradition in the group to take a selfie after each session. That first session was forever remembered.

Years later after the group graduated high school and went their own ways, the group would occasionally meet up, Nova had her first session with the group printed so that she would be able to remember all of the adventures, all the monsters, all the NPCs and remembered that it doesn't take a lot to break the mold. Those thoughts and memories flood her mind whenever she sees that selfie, the one took the first week she went to a new school, in a new city as a lonely freshman.