no more outcasts; a series idea
A high school (comic/book/tv/etc??) series with absolutely no rivalry. None. The students’ only enemies are any discriminatory/overbearing officials around town and outside their school. Groups I can think of (many are subgroups of the other) are populars, jocks, nerds, goth/emos, thespians/fandom kids, band kids, troublemakers, and stoners.
They all support and protect each other. Just one big happy family. They collaborate and conquer like nobody’s business. All students fall into more than one category.
(The descriptions are stereotypical, but that’s the point. Like I said, all students fall into more than one category)
Popular kids/trendy kids support others in their respective journeys with self confidence and finding their own personal fashion sense. They’ve had insecurities with people that call them losers for liking typically known things and vain for dressing conventionally nicely, but the goths/emos/punks were quick to put that to rest and assure them that you don’t have to be incredibly innovative or unconventional to be valid. Just be kind. They enjoy throwing parties and prioritize making everybody comfortable, which often brings about the Thespian/fandom kids and Band kids.
Jocks are the biggest hype beasts around. They take notice of the improvements people make in anything and let people know that they see that and encourage it. You aced a test? Hype. New outfit? Hype. You performed in a concert or play? Hype. You got better at speaking a language or changed your art style? Hype. They love helping people plan goals and helping them work towards them, especially fitness related goals. They’re like the Supportive/Protective Older Siblings™ to the school family (along with the Troublemakers) and work well in groups (like the band kids).
Nerds help people find their learning styles and realize not to get too stressed over school work because most of them were earlier Overachievers™ who battled with Imposter Syndrome™. All of them are big advocates of mental health awareness. Many are peeved with the lack of social justice and feminism related discussions, making them popular with the the thespian/fandom kids and stoners.They know damn well the obscurity of the things they’re being taught and help people to find interest in learning for knowledge sake rather than standards’ sake again. They emphasize importance on curiosity, being informed, and forming one’s own opinion. They love lending a helping hand.
Goths/emos/punks are simultaneously calming and invigorating to be around—they’re so proudly different and proudly themselves that they inspire courage in others to mirror that same sureness in themselves. They often coincide with the Troublemakers in their widespread disagreement with authority and disobedience with the rules of society (for example, dressing according to gender norm), and with Stoners (hell you could even say most Gen Z kids) in their (hopefully optimistic) nihilism. Though not everybody is in the Goth/emo/punk groups, everybody respects (and most love) the unique style of the goth/emo/punk groups.
Thespians/fandom kids are, like the goths/emos/punks, incredibly well versed in feminist and activist related subjects, exploring feelings, and the arts. A majority of them are creators of some sort who enjoy picking apart characters’ innards and finding the symbolism and foreshadowing in various works. They enjoy listening to people talk about their feelings and giving advice on how to proceed, thus they are they’re experts at making you feel included because they’re always interested in learning about what you’re interested in, and will prod you to go on about whatever makes you passionate. They like talking about sports with the jocks, pop culture with the populars, history with the nerds, and music with the goths/emos/punks.
Band kids are masters of team work and are excellent in helping people group together and work like fine tuned machines. On the flip side, they are also good at working with people’s individual roles and are great with details and have an appreciation for the phrase “practice makes perfect”. They get along well with the Jocks and the more studious Nerds for said qualities. Although they’re great at following protocol, they’re some of the most hilarious and rowdy students you’ll ever meet. They make great party guests.
Troublemakers (called so in lieu of Bad Boys™, to be more inclusive to Bad Gals and Bad Non-binary Pals) are experts at helping people fortify their walls, be it encouraging people to resist going back to a toxic relationship, keep wearing the clothes that they like despite any disapproval, or generally in protecting one’s own sense of self worth. Like I said, they’re the Protective/Supportive Older Siblings™ with the Jocks. They encourage people to break rules that they find obscure and not to rely too much on overbearing authoritative figures (allowing them to get along with the Goths/emos/punks). They validate those scorned by authority, and tell them over and over that their youth doesn’t invalidate their views/opinions/feelings (making them VERY compatible with thespian and fandom kids). They’re known to be the go-to people to call when you’re in a bad situation with the people you live with, or if you’re in trouble. Will 10/10 knock somebody out for you.
Stoners are the go-to for self-care tips and casual hangouts. They can hold deep conversations for hours at a time and are relaxing to be around. While smoking weed doesn’t make them rule breakers necessarily, they often end up hanging out with the Trouble Makers. They’re well versed on civil rights movements around the world and general social justice history. They’re super savvy about legal/law-related issues (who wouldn’t be when one is often explaining that smoking weed doesn’t make one a bad person), and are good with explaining why certain rules are unnecessary (*cough* *cough* incarcerating people who smoke weed) and fact checking because of their constant having to debate with people.
One of the best parts is that they keep this family dynamic secret from most school officials and other schools. They’ve created a facade of stereotypical drama/rivalry to keep anybody from seeing their strength and unity and then trying to break it with petty drama and rumors. They communicate often and healthily and are a force to be reckoned with.
Another best thing? With everybody being friends with somebody, there are no more outcasts.
I’m just,,, so tired of all the negative stuff going on and the edgy characters, dude. Is it sugary and unrealistic? Yes. Who cares? I sure don’t. I just want heart-warming found-family type stories. Stories of communities coming together. Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Ouran High School Host Club/Avatar the Last Airbender friendship vibes.
Also, please feel free to add more headcanons to the types, and add more types that you can think of!! (I should write out this idea at some point, but that’ll be in a million years so I’m sharin’ it now)