Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

Content Warning: This guide references parental abandonment and details mental health conditions, specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

“Celine”

Sixth form student Celine Bangura laments being “forced to socialize” (18) on the first day of school as a classmate urges her to post according to his interests on her conspiracy theory social media channel. Celine declines, annoying her classmate; she sees this as a sign that she will not make friends this school year. She heads to the cafeteria, where she is joined by her best friend, Minnie, who waves a pamphlet about Celine’s hero, human rights lawyer Katharine Breakspeare. Breakspeare’s enrichment program has recently been opened to 16 to 18-year-old students. Attendees are offered a chance at a full university scholarship.

Celine is eager to attend the program, which is based around a wilderness survival theme, despite her dislike of nature. Her excitement wavers when she sees one of the law firms sponsoring the program is one founded by her father, who abandoned her family 10 years prior. She quickly dismisses this concern, figuring her father should be ashamed; she is not embarrassed.

As Celine and Minnie head to class, they spot Celine’s rival, Bradley Graeme.