🌲 EVERGREEN, VERMONT 🏘️ NAME & HISTORY Evergreen is a small rural town in Vermont, surrounded by forests, mountains and long stretches of countryside. The town takes its name from the dense evergreen forests that surround the area, which remain one of its most recognizable features throughout the year. Evergreen developed as a small local community rather than a large urban center. Over time, the original rural settlement grew into a modest town with a compact central area containing the main public buildings and local businesses, while houses and smaller properties spread outward into the surrounding countryside. Despite its growth, Evergreen has remained relatively quiet and isolated. The town retains an old-fashioned small-community atmosphere where residents tend to know one another, local families have known each other for generations and familiar faces appear repeatedly in everyday life. The surrounding wilderness is an important part of Evergreen's identity. Evergreen Lake, Green Hollow Forest and the nearby mountains are not distant attractions but part of the landscape that residents see and interact with regularly. 📍 LOCATION Evergreen is located in rural Vermont in the northeastern United States, surrounded by the forests and mountainous terrain of the Green Mountains. The town sits in a relatively isolated area, with forests, country roads, lakes and mountain terrain surrounding the developed parts of the community. The wilderness begins relatively close to town, making Evergreen feel secluded from larger cities. The town itself is divided naturally between its compact central village, residential areas and the surrounding wilderness. The main roads connect Evergreen with neighboring rural communities and the larger roads leading farther through Vermont. 🌧️ CLIMATE Evergreen has a cool, humid northern climate with four clearly recognizable seasons. 🌱 Spring is cool and rainy, with frequent cloudy days, mist and gradually warming temperatures. The forests become increasingly green as the snow disappears. ☀️ Summer is mild rather than extremely hot. The surrounding forests provide shade, while occasional thunderstorms and rainy days are common. 🍂 Autumn is one of Evergreen's most distinctive seasons. Temperatures become cooler, the forests turn red, orange and yellow, and the town takes on a distinctly autumnal appearance. Maple trees and the surrounding mountains make the season especially noticeable throughout the area. ❄️ Winter is cold and snowy. Snow can remain on the ground for extended periods, especially around the surrounding forests and mountains. The town becomes quieter, with frozen roads, snow-covered rooftops and dense forests covered in white. Rain, fog, mist and low clouds are common enough to be part of Evergreen's normal atmosphere, particularly around the forests, lake and mountains. 🏘️ SECTIONS OF EVERGREEN Evergreen can be broadly divided into three major areas: the central village, Evergreen Lake and the surrounding mountains and forest. 🏛️ THE VILLAGE The village is the central and most developed part of Evergreen. It contains the town's principal public buildings and several of its most recognizable local businesses. The area is compact and walkable, with roads and buildings clustered around the town center. 🏛️ Evergreen Town Hall Evergreen Town Hall is the main municipal building and one of the most recognizable buildings in the village. The mayor of Evergreen is Shawn Harris. Shawn Harris is 56 years old. He is a charismatic, persuasive and extremely talkative man who seems incapable of standing around without starting a conversation. He has white hair, blue eyes and a bright, constant smile. He dresses in a distinctive white cowboy outfit that makes him immediately recognizable around town. Shawn almost always smiles, regardless of the situation. His charisma and ability to talk his way through almost anything make him a very noticeable presence in local politics and everyday town life. 🚔 Evergreen Police Station The police station serves as the local law-enforcement headquarters. The sheriff of Evergreen is Adam Lincon. Adam Lincon is 48 years old. He is an obese, semi-bald man with brown eyes who normally wears a khaki police uniform. Adam is somewhat lazy and has a strong appetite, but when it comes to his actual work he is focused and takes his responsibilities seriously. He likes donuts and coffee a lot. Adam is also the father of Jena Lincon. He absolutely adores his daughter and is very protective of her. ⛪ St. Mark's Church St. Mark's Church is Evergreen's local church and an important part of the village. The priest is Father Julius Howard. Julius Howard is 46 years old. He has carefully maintained black hair and brown eyes and wears the traditional clothing associated with a Catholic priest. He is deeply religious and serious. Julius rarely, if ever, smiles. His intense stare makes people feel as though he is silently judging their entire soul. He has very little patience for children and considers them generally unbearable. 🎬 Evergreen Cinema The Evergreen Cinema is the town's local movie theater and one of the places where teenagers and residents can spend an evening without leaving town. The cinema's main salesperson is Kelly Moore. Kelly Moore is 26 years old. She is a Black woman with curly black hair, brown eyes and usually wears her hair in two high buns. She wears the cinema's employee uniform. Kelly is cheerful, sociable and extremely curious about other people's lives. She loves gossip and is one of those people who somehow seems to know what is happening around town. Kelly is Donnie Steinfield's best friend and also plays in his band, The Lonelies. 📚 Evergreen Public Library The Evergreen Public Library is a quiet local library serving the town's residents and students. The librarian is Donna Medley. Donna Medley is 50 years old. She is a thin Black woman with white hair tied into a bun. She wears a dark-green cardigan, a white shirt with orange flowers, a long brown skirt and low brown heels. She wears glasses attached to a cord, white pearl earrings and a librarian identification badge hanging around her neck from a long cord. Donna is quiet, clumsy and extremely meticulous. She takes the library's rules seriously, especially its requirement for silence. She absolutely hates people making noise inside the library. She almost always has a ruler and several books with her, making her a familiar sight around the library. 🛒 The Green Basket The Green Basket is Evergreen’s small local supermarket, serving as the village’s main place for everyday groceries, household necessities, fresh produce and basic supplies. It is a modest, practical store rather than a luxurious or modern supermarket, fitting the quiet rural character of Evergreen. The building has a wide front façade with large windows, a spacious parking lot and shopping carts that are usually neatly arranged, although a few inevitably end up abandoned around the parking area. The store’s logo is a green shopping basket containing pine trees, reflecting Evergreen’s surroundings. Inside, The Green Basket has several aisles filled with groceries, canned goods, snacks, drinks, household products and other everyday necessities. The atmosphere is familiar and local, with regular customers often recognizing the employees. The supermarket is particularly strict about customers running through the aisles, something that Linda Peters absolutely cannot tolerate. The employees wear the supermarket uniform: a green polo shirt with white trousers. Axel Brooks, 22, works as a cashier. He has black hair with a distinctive mohawk, brown eyes, earrings and a permanently tired-looking expression. Axel is friends with Donnie Steinfield and Kelly Moore and is also the drummer of The Lonelies. He is the kind of guy who seems to care about very little outside music and tends to approach everything with a relaxed, indifferent attitude. Despite this, he has a surprisingly good relationship with Linda and Betty, who have practically adopted him as their unofficial work nephew. Linda Peters, 57, is the manager of The Green Basket and also works as a cashier. She is tall and lanky, with brown eyes, heavy and exaggerated makeup, and brown hair with visible gray strands. Her curly hair is gathered into a bun. Linda is eccentric and extremely perfectionist, especially when it comes to keeping the supermarket organized. She adores cats and has six of them at home. She absolutely hates seeing teenagers running through the aisles and will not hesitate to tell them off. Betty Nelson, 52, is short and chubby, with brown eyes and black bobbed hair. She usually wears a small, gentle smile and has a warm, affectionate and romantic personality. Betty is very domestic and enjoys the simple comforts of home. She works as a cashier and, together with Linda, has developed a close bond with Axel, treating him almost like their nephew at work. The three employees give The Green Basket much of its familiar local atmosphere: Linda keeps everything under control, Betty provides warmth and kindness, and Axel mostly just wants to finish his shift and get back to his music. 🏞️ EVERGREEN LAKE Evergreen Lake is a large natural lake located near the town and surrounded by dense woodland. The lake is one of Evergreen's main natural landmarks and a popular place for residents to spend time outdoors. Its shoreline includes quiet wooded areas, small paths and places where people can fish, swim or simply sit near the water. The lake changes dramatically with the seasons. In summer it becomes a pleasant outdoor gathering place, while autumn surrounds it with colorful foliage. During winter, the shoreline and surrounding trees can become covered in snow and parts of the lake may freeze. Fog and low clouds over the water are common, particularly during cooler mornings and rainy weather, giving the lake a quiet and atmospheric appearance. 🏔️ MOUNTAINS & FOREST 🌲 Green Hollow Forest Green Hollow Forest is the large wooded wilderness surrounding much of Evergreen. The forest contains dense pine and mixed woodland, winding trails, secluded areas and wildlife. The forest is close enough to town that residents regularly encounter its trails and wooded areas during hikes, exploration, camping or simply traveling around the outskirts of Evergreen. The forest becomes especially atmospheric during rainy or foggy weather, when mist settles between the trees and visibility can become limited. In autumn, the forest becomes covered in red, orange and yellow foliage. In winter, snow transforms the trails and trees into a quiet, frozen landscape. 🏔️ Pinecrest Mountains The Pinecrest Mountains rise around the wider Evergreen area and form part of the Green Mountain landscape surrounding the town. The mountains are heavily forested, with rocky slopes, winding trails and more remote wilderness at higher elevations. They are popular with locals who enjoy hiking, exploring and camping, although the deeper areas become increasingly isolated. Fog, rain and low clouds frequently gather around the mountains, particularly during colder seasons. The mountains and Green Hollow Forest together form the wild landscape immediately surrounding Evergreen and are an important part of the town's identity.

🏘️ PEOPLE OF EVERGREEN Evergreen is a small rural town where many residents are familiar faces to one another. Families, students, teachers, local workers and business owners frequently cross paths, creating a close-knit community where gossip and personal relationships travel quickly. 👦 TEENAGERS & STUDENTS Christopher Bennett is 16 years old and a student at Evergreen High School. He is shy, introverted, sensitive and insecure, and is recognizable throughout Evergreen because he always wears his brown paper bag over his head. He lives with his mother, Susan Bennett, and is best friends with Wesley Harper. Wesley Harper is 16 years old and Christopher Bennett's best friend. He is bold, social, eccentric and enthusiastic about his interests. His abundant curly red hair, freckles, blue eyes, taped black glasses and slightly prominent bunny teeth make him instantly recognizable. Nancy Dugard is openly disgusted by Wes and wants nothing to do with him, while Wes continues to have a crush on her. Wes and Maddison Harper are siblings and are constantly arguing over trivial things. Maddison Harper is 10 years old and the youngest member of the Harper family. She is cheerful, energetic and innocent. She has brown hair worn in two ponytails, blue eyes and freckles. She has an innocent childhood crush on Christopher Bennett. She and her older brother Wesley constantly fight over silly and insignificant things despite being close siblings. Mallory Foster is 16 years old and a student at Evergreen High School. She is known around town as the eccentric girl who is constantly involved in different clubs, activities and school projects. She is cheerful, energetic and socially comfortable. Nancy Dugard is 16 years old and Evergreen High's school queen and one of its most socially influential students. She is blonde with blue eyes and normally wears pink, feminine clothing. She is a cheerleader and is almost always accompanied by Lisa Smith and Wendy Taylor. Nancy is admired by many students, although many others privately consider her a "bitch" and cannot stand her personality. Nancy is disgusted by Wesley Harper and does not hide how much she dislikes him. At the same time, she has always been curious about Christopher Bennett and has privately wondered about the person behind the paper bag. She never openly admits this curiosity. Lisa Smith is 16 years old and one of Nancy Dugard's closest friends. Lisa greatly admires Nancy and tries to imitate her, essentially wanting to become a copy of her. Lisa has brown hair usually tied in a ponytail, brown eyes and a preppy appearance based around mint-green tones. She is a cheerleader and belongs to Nancy's social circle. Lisa is the younger sister of Ashton Smith, who is 23 years old. Wendy Taylor is 16 years old and one of Nancy Dugard's closest friends and a cheerleader. Unlike the stereotypical appearance of a popular girl, Wendy has a distinctly rock-inspired appearance. She has short, abundant curly dark-red hair, green eyes, freckles, a black leather jacket, a striped shirt, denim shorts, black boots and a black choker. Despite her appearance being outside the usual popular-girl image, her personality is just as mean and unpleasant as Nancy's, which is one of the reasons they get along so well. Ken Bradley is 16 years old and the captain of the Evergreen Wolves basketball team. He is blonde, athletic and has green eyes. He often wears the team's green basketball jacket with "Bradley" printed across the back. Ken has a crush on Nancy Dugard and uses his athletic status to maintain a high position in the school's social hierarchy. He frequently picks on Wesley Harper when Wes tries to approach Nancy. Michael "Mike" Twombley is 16 years old and the main bully of Evergreen High School. He has shaggy brown hair, brown eyes, acne and a slightly heavier build, usually wearing grunge-inspired clothing. His main objective is to take Chris's paper bag off his head, but Thomas Feldman repeatedly intervenes and defends Chris. Mike hates Collin West and loves humiliating Wesley Harper, especially by putting Wes's head in the toilet. He also hates Nancy Dugard and calls her a "cheap whore." Despite his behavior, Mike likes girls who are kind and cute. Collin West is 16 years old and the class snitch and unofficial junior hallway monitor. He has black hair that is perfectly combed to one side, blue eyes and an immaculate appearance. He usually wears button-up shirts, sweater vests and loafers. Collin constantly watches what other students are doing and reports their behavior to teachers or school authorities. Most students dislike him, while Agnes Graham is the notable exception. 👩‍👦 BENNETT FAMILY Susan Bennett is 36 years old, single and Christopher Bennett's mother. She works as a waitress at The Rusty Mug and is cheerful, sociable, affectionate, maternal and naturally flirtatious. She is short with a rounded, curvy build, dark brown eyes, freckles, red lipstick and short, voluminous dark-brown retro curls with blunt bangs. She normally wears a matching headband. Christopher's father abandoned Susan when he learned she was pregnant. Susan has raised Chris alone ever since and is his only parent. Susan is the only person in Erick Foster's close circle who does not realize that Erick has feelings for her. Erick regularly asks Chris for advice about Susan while refusing to openly admit that he likes her. 👨‍👩‍👧 HARPER FAMILY Richard Harper is 46 years old and the father of Wesley Harper and Maddison Harper. He is a military man who is serious, disciplined and protective of his family. He has a military haircut, brown hair, blue eyes and black rectangular glasses. He normally wears his military uniform. Karen Harper is 42 years old and Richard's wife and the mother of Wesley and Maddison. She is a stay-at-home mother with an elegant, feminine 1950s-inspired appearance. She has dark auburn hair styled in a vintage manner, brown eyes, earrings, a pearl necklace and white gloves. She normally wears a fitted mint-green vintage dress with beige heels. Karen was formerly Miss Evergreen. Maddison Harper is 10 years old and the youngest member of the Harper family. She is cheerful, innocent and energetic, with brown hair in two ponytails, blue eyes and freckles. She has an innocent crush on Christopher Bennett. 👨‍👩‍👧 FOSTER FAMILY Erick Foster is 47 years old and Mallory Foster's father. He works as a truck driver and is large and corpulent, with a prominent belly, brown hair, a thick full beard and brown eyes usually partly hidden beneath an old trucker cap. He is kind, protective and strongly family-oriented. Erick secretly likes Susan Bennett but does not openly admit it. He frequently asks Christopher for advice about Susan while pretending that he is simply asking for innocent advice. Shirley Foster also likes Susan as a potential partner for her son because she considers Susan respectable and believes she is not "a floozy" like Erick's previous girlfriends. Shirley Foster is 73 years old, Erick's mother and Mallory Foster's grandmother. She is widowed, competitive, kind and strongly family-oriented. She enjoys bingo. She has white hair, large glasses, prominent makeup and usually wears floral dresses, blue knitted cardigans, lace collars and pearl necklaces. She uses a cane. 🏫 SCHOOL STAFF Thomas Feldman is 47 years old and the Biology Teacher at Evergreen High School. He has brown hair, a mustache, blue eyes and glasses. He normally wears a blue shirt, a brown striped wool vest and a blue tie. Thomas genuinely enjoys having Christopher in his Biology class because Chris is one of the few students who is genuinely fascinated by the subject. Most students barely pay attention, while Chris is enthusiastic about Biology, rocks, minerals and related subjects. Thomas appreciates that enthusiasm and is especially protective of Chris when Mike tries to bother him. Elizabetha Collins is 40 years old and the Art Teacher. She is a Black, plus-size woman with brown eyes and black curly hair usually worn in a high bun. She wears colorful hippie-inspired clothing, large hoop earrings and a peace-symbol necklace. Elizabetha always supports Chris when he wants to draw or create his own characters and encourages his creativity. She believes Chris wears his paper bag as a form of peaceful rebellion. Jane Clinton is 44 years old and the school counselor. She has brown hair tied into a bun, green eyes and an elegant professional appearance. She normally wears brown clothing such as tailored blazers and pencil skirts. Jane strongly dislikes bullies and is particularly supportive of students who are being harassed. She plays an important role in making sure Chris is allowed to wear his paper bag at school. William Harris is the principal of Evergreen High School. He has white and gray hair, blue eyes and visible crow's feet. William cares greatly about the school's appearance and reputation and is obsessed with making sure everything looks professional and perfect. He always wears a suit and maintains an immaculate appearance. Patrick Phillips is 43 years old and the school's coach. He has brown hair styled upward with visible gray, brown eyes and stubble. He normally wears a green tracksuit jacket over a white tank top and carries a whistle. Patrick considers Chris's paper bag a sign of weakness and does not approve of him wearing it. There are also rumors among students that Patrick has sexual relationships with female students and that he behaves inappropriately toward girls. These are rumors circulating around the school rather than established facts. Agnes Graham is 66 years old and the cafeteria manager. She is strict, suspicious and openly disapproving of many students. She has short, voluminous and messy white curls, brown eyes, large glasses with a cord and heavy makeup. She normally wears a lilac wool cardigan over a yellow striped shirt. Agnes loves cats and frequently talks about them. She considers Chris's paper bag inappropriate for school and does not support him wearing it. Her lipstick sometimes ends up visibly smeared on her teeth, which has become a common source of jokes among students. Around 99% of the students hate Agnes, with Collin West being the notable exception. 🏪 LOCAL YOUNG ADULTS & WORKERS Jena Lincon is 23 years old and works at Power-Up. She has black hair, brown eyes and a distinctly gothic appearance. Christopher particularly enjoys drawing her because of her gothic look. Jena is kind toward Chris and Wes and is knowledgeable about video games. She is the daughter of Adam Lincon, the sheriff of Evergreen. Ashton Smith is 23 years old and works at Power-Up. He is Lisa Smith's older brother. Ashton has brown hair and brown eyes and frequently teases Chris and Wes, making fun of them. Jena does not particularly like the way he treats them. Ashton has feelings for Jena, although his behavior toward her and the other teenagers often creates tension. Miles Winston is 57 years old and the manager of Power-Up. He supervises Jena and Ashton and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the store. Donnie Steinfield is 24 years old and works at The Video Shack. He has black hair, brown eyes, acne and a goatee. Donnie likes Jena and hates Ashton because he knows Ashton is interested in her. He gets annoyed when Chris and Wes show up at The Video Shack, although he does not actually hate them. Outside of work, Donnie is the member of a band called The Lonelies. 🚔 OTHER LOCAL FIGURES Adam Lincon is the sheriff of Evergreen and Jena Lincon's father. He is one of the town's local law-enforcement figures and is known to the residents through his position in the community.

🏫 EVERGREEN HIGH SCHOOL Evergreen High School is the main public high school in Evergreen, Vermont. It is a relatively small rural school where students, teachers and staff tend to know each other well. Beyond classes and academics, the school has a strong social hierarchy built around popularity, sports, cheerleading, bullying, eccentricity and reputation. 🏫 THE SCHOOL Evergreen High is a familiar part of everyday life in town. The school contains classrooms, administrative offices, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, sports facilities and the usual hallways and common areas of a rural American high school. Because Evergreen is a small community, students quickly become known for particular traits, friendships, activities or reputations. The result is an unofficial social order that everyone understands even though nobody formally acknowledges it. 🧑‍🏫 FACULTY & STAFF William Harris is the principal of Evergreen High School. He is professional, disciplined and responsible for maintaining order throughout the school. Thomas Feldman is the Biology Teacher. He is kind, patient and genuinely interested in his students. Feldman understands Chris and supports him wearing the paper bag because he knows it helps Chris feel comfortable enough to participate normally in class. Elizabetha Collins is the Art Teacher. She is a colorful, expressive woman with a strong hippie personality. Elizabetha believes that Chris wears the paper bag as a form of peaceful rebellion. She does not see the bag as something that should be punished and supports Chris being allowed to wear it. Jane Clinton is the school's Counselor. She plays an especially important role in Chris being allowed to wear the paper bag at school. Jane understands Chris's situation and is one of the main people responsible for supporting the arrangement that allows him to keep wearing it. She believes Chris should be able to attend school and participate in classes without being forced to remove something that helps him feel secure. Feldman, Elizabetha and Jane all support Chris wearing the bag, although their reasons are different. Feldman approaches the situation with understanding as his teacher, Elizabetha views it as an expression of peaceful rebellion, and Jane supports it from her role as counselor and advocate for Chris's wellbeing at school. Patrick Phillips is the school's coach. He does not approve of Chris wearing the bag because he considers it impractical and unsuitable for physical education and sports activities. Agnes Graham is the cafeteria manager. She also does not approve of Chris's bag. Agnes sees it as part of Chris's strange behavior and has little patience for his eccentricity. 🛍️ CHRIS'S PAPER BAG Chris Bennett is known throughout Evergreen High as "the bag guy." He wears a plain brown paper bag completely over his head, hiding his entire face. The bag is connected to Chris's insecurity and gives him a sense of safety at school. It is not a costume or a joke. Chris is officially allowed to wear it during school, and the arrangement is supported by members of the faculty. Jane Clinton's role as the school counselor is particularly important. She helps ensure that Chris can continue wearing the bag without being forced to remove it in front of other students or teachers. Feldman, Elizabetha and Jane all support Chris wearing the bag, although each has a different reason. Feldman understands Chris and believes the bag helps him feel comfortable enough to participate normally in class. Elizabetha believes Chris wears it as a form of peaceful rebellion. Jane, as the school counselor, supports the arrangement because she understands Chris's situation and considers it important that he can attend school without being forced to remove something that helps him feel secure. Patrick Phillips does not approve of Chris wearing the bag because he sees it as a sign of weakness. He believes that wearing something to hide behind instead of facing others shows weakness and considers it especially inappropriate for someone expected to participate in physical activities. Agnes Graham also does not approve of the bag because she considers it inappropriate for school. To Agnes, Chris's appearance and the fact that he covers his entire face with a paper bag are inappropriate behavior rather than something the school should accommodate. 👥 STUDENTS Nancy Dugard is the school's queen and one of its most socially powerful students. She is a cheerleader and is almost always accompanied by Lisa Smith and Wendy Taylor, who are also cheerleaders. Many students admire Nancy, but many others privately consider her a "bitch" and cannot stand her attitude. Lisa Smith is one of Nancy's closest companions and a member of the cheerleading group. She belongs to the school's popular crowd and is usually seen alongside Nancy and Wendy. Wendy Taylor is another of Nancy's closest companions and a cheerleader. She is recognizable by her short, abundant curly dark-red hair, freckles and green eyes. Ken Bradley is the captain of the Evergreen Wolves basketball team. He only plays basketball. His position as captain gives him considerable social status and makes him one of the school's most prominent athletes. Ken is also known for bullying Wes whenever Wes tries to approach Nancy, sometimes putting him in lockers or trash cans. Mark Twombley is the main bully of Evergreen High School. Being one of his targets can turn an ordinary school day into a nightmare. Mallory Foster is known throughout school as the weird girl who is constantly involved in different clubs, activities and projects. She is cheerful, energetic and socially comfortable, making her eccentric reputation very different from Chris's withdrawn nature. Chris Bennett is one of the school's outcasts. He is shy, introverted, insecure and easily overwhelmed by social situations. His paper bag makes him instantly recognizable as "the bag guy." Wes Harper is another outcast, but he is very different from Chris. Wes is bold, social, eccentric and enthusiastic about the things he likes. His taped glasses and slightly prominent bunny teeth have earned him the nickname "Wabbit." Collin West is the class snitch and unofficial junior hallway monitor. He constantly watches what other students are doing, especially in the hallways, and is frequently near teachers or the principal. Most students dislike him because he reports other students' behavior. Agnes Graham, however, particularly approves of him. The rest of the student body consists of ordinary students, quieter students and nerds who occupy less visible positions within the school's social structure. 🏀 BASKETBALL TEAM Evergreen High's basketball team is known as the Evergreen Wolves. Its mascot is a gray wolf. The Wolves are one of the school's most important athletic groups. Basketball gives its players considerable visibility and social status within the school. Ken Bradley is the captain of the Evergreen Wolves. His position as captain is an important part of his social status and places him near the top of the school's unofficial hierarchy. Ken does not play football; basketball is his sport. 🏆 UNOFFICIAL SCHOOL HIERARCHY Evergreen High has an unofficial social hierarchy that students understand even though it is never formally written down. 1. 👑 Nancy Dugard Nancy sits at the very top of the social pyramid. She is the school queen and one of its most admired students. At the same time, many students privately consider her a "bitch" and secretly cannot stand her. 2. 🏀 Basketball Team The Evergreen Wolves occupy a very high position because of the importance and prestige of basketball at school. Ken Bradley is the team's captain, which contributes significantly to his social status. 3. 📣 Cheerleaders Nancy, Lisa and Wendy occupy a prominent social position through cheerleading and their connection to the popular crowd. 4. 👥 Normal Students The majority of Evergreen High's student body. They make up the ordinary population of the school and generally exist outside the most powerful social groups. 5. 😈 Bullies Students such as Mark Twombley, who use intimidation, harassment and social pressure against other students. 6. 🌸 Mallory Foster Mallory has her own strange position in the hierarchy. Everyone knows her as the weird girl who is constantly involved in clubs, activities and unusual projects. 7. 🪨 A Stone A random stone somehow has more social standing than some of the students at Evergreen High. 8. 🟤 A Mud Puddle A mud puddle can exist peacefully without becoming someone's target, giving it a surprisingly respectable position. 9. 📄 A Paper on the Floor Forgotten, stepped over and completely ignored, but still somehow above the school's outcasts. 10. 🐛 A Bug Nobody particularly cares about it, but nobody expects it to explain itself either. 11. 🚽 The Stinky Boys' Bathroom It smells terrible, but it is still technically part of the school and somehow ranks above the outcasts. 12. 🛍️ Outcasts Chris Bennett and Wes Harper occupy the school's outcast category. They are best friends, but they are not identical: Chris is the shy "bag guy", while Wes is the more social and eccentric "Wabbit." 13. 👀 Collin West Collin is the class snitch and unofficial hallway monitor. Students dislike him because he constantly watches them and reports their behavior, even though teachers and Agnes Graham appreciate his obedience. 14. 🤓 Nerds The nerds occupy the lowest recognized student group in Evergreen High's unofficial social hierarchy.

👩‍👦 BENNETT FAMILY The Bennett family consists of Susan Bennett and her teenage son Christopher “Chris” Bennett. Susan is Chris’s only parent, and they live together in Evergreen, Vermont. 👩 Susan Bennett: Susan is 36 years old and Chris’s mother. She is single and works as a waitress at The Rusty Mug. Susan is cheerful, sociable, affectionate, maternal and naturally flirtatious. She has a warm personality and enjoys talking with people. She can be playful and coquettish, especially around customers and people she knows. Susan has dark brown hair styled in retro, voluminous curls with straight blunt bangs. She has dark brown eyes, freckles and red lipstick. Her figure is short, rounded and curvy. She usually wears a headband that matches her outfit. 👩‍👦 Susan & Chris: Susan is very affectionate and protective toward Chris. She is his only parent and the two live together. Chris loves his mother, although he can sometimes become embarrassed by her flirtatious personality or by the attention she receives from other people. 👦 Christopher “Chris” Bennett: Chris is Susan's 16-year-old son and a student at Evergreen High School. He is shy, introverted, sensitive, creative and insecure. He is known around school for always wearing a brown paper bag over his head. Chris's father abandoned Susan after learning about the pregnancy and is not part of their household. Susan raised Chris on her own. 🏠 Bennett House: Susan and Chris live together in a modest, lower-middle-income rural house outside the more developed parts of Evergreen. The home is a single-story American ranch-style house surrounded by forest, with a long private driveway and a covered porch. The property is isolated enough that neighboring houses are relatively far away. The house is practical and lived-in rather than luxurious.

👨‍👩‍👧 HARPER FAMILY The Harper family is a traditional Evergreen family consisting of Richard Harper, his wife Karen Harper and their 10-year-old daughter Maddie Harper. 🎖️ Richard Harper: Richard is 46 years old and works in the military. He has a disciplined, serious and protective personality. He has a military haircut, brown hair, blue eyes and wears square black rectangular glasses without tape. He is usually well-groomed and wears a neat military uniform. Richard takes his responsibilities seriously and is protective of his family. His military background contributes to his structured and disciplined approach to everyday life. 💍 Karen Harper: Karen is 42 years old and is a stay-at-home mother. She has dark auburn hair styled in a vintage 1950s hairstyle and brown eyes. She wears earrings, a pearl necklace and white gloves. Karen usually wears a fitted mint-green vintage tube/sheath dress with beige heels. She was formerly Miss Evergreen and maintains an elegant, carefully presented appearance. 👧 Maddie Harper: Maddie is 10 years old. She has brown hair worn in two ponytails, blue eyes and freckles. She wears colorful vintage-inspired children's clothing. Her established outfit consists of a purple long-sleeved shirt underneath light-blue denim overalls decorated with colorful flowers, white socks and yellow Timberland-style boots. 💚 Maddie & Chris Bennett: Maddie has an innocent childhood crush on Chris Bennett. Her feelings are innocent and age-appropriate, reflecting a young child's admiration. 🏠 Harper House: The Harper family lives together in a traditional family home in Evergreen. The house reflects their stable, orderly family lifestyle and is located within the residential areas of town.

👨‍👩‍👧 FOSTER FAMILY The Foster family is a local Evergreen family consisting of Erick Foster, his daughter Mallory Foster and Erick's mother Shirley Foster. 👨 Erick Foster: Erick is 47 years old and Mallory's father. He is a large, corpulent man with a noticeable beer belly, brown hair and a thick full beard. He usually wears a trucker cap, blue short-sleeved shirts, jeans, a belt, a watch and worn work boots. Erick is kind, protective and strongly family-oriented. He cares deeply about Mallory and is very affectionate toward her. He works as a truck driver and spends much of his time on the road. ❤️ Erick & Susan Bennett: Erick has a secret crush on Susan Bennett, who works at The Rusty Mug. He considers Susan the prettiest woman in Evergreen. He becomes noticeably nervous around her and sometimes struggles to act naturally when she is nearby. 🌼 Mallory Foster: Mallory is 16 years old and Erick's daughter. She is cheerful, energetic and socially comfortable. She has extremely abundant, long, loose, frizzy blonde hair with irregular waves, green eyes, freckles and a natural gap between her upper front teeth. Mallory is a student at Evergreen High School and is friends with Chris Bennett and Wes Harper. She is enthusiastic about music and carries a Sony Walkman. She is also known for her distinctive retro-inspired clothing and energetic personality. 👵 Shirley Foster: Shirley is 73 years old and Erick's mother, making her Mallory's grandmother. She is widowed and strongly family-oriented. She is competitive but kind and enjoys playing bingo. Shirley has white hair tied back, large glasses, strong makeup and usually wears a floral dress with a blue knitted cardigan, a white lace collar and pearl necklaces. She uses a cane. Shirley likes Susan for her son Erick because she thinks Susan is not a "whore" like Erick's other ex-girlfriends that she didn't approve of. 🏠 Foster House: The Foster family lives in a modest, lower-middle-income mobile style home near the wooded areas around Evergreen. The property is surrounded by many pine trees and has a rural, somewhat isolated atmosphere. A large blue pickup truck is commonly associated with the household. The Foster home is practical and lived-in rather than luxurious, reflecting the family's modest lifestyle and Evergreen's rural setting.

☕ THE RUSTY MUG The Rusty Mug is a small, old-fashioned diner in Evergreen, Vermont. It is a familiar local establishment where residents regularly stop for coffee, breakfast, lunch and casual conversation. 🏪 Atmosphere: The diner has a worn but welcoming retro appearance. Its interior features old red booths, chrome bar stools, checkered flooring, vintage decorations and warm lighting. The place feels lived-in rather than polished or modern, with the kind of atmosphere that comes from years of regular customers and daily use. 🍳 Food & Drinks: The Rusty Mug serves classic diner food, including breakfast dishes, sandwiches, simple meals, coffee and other everyday drinks. 👩 Susan Bennett: Susan Bennett works as a waitress at The Rusty Mug. She is cheerful, sociable, affectionate and naturally flirtatious with customers. She is familiar with many of the diner's regulars and is one of the people who gives the establishment its warm, lively atmosphere. ❤️ Susan & Erick: Erick Foster regularly visits The Rusty Mug and secretly has a crush on Susan. Susan is unaware of his feelings. Erick becomes noticeably nervous around her, especially when trying to impress her. 🧑‍🦱 Chris Bennett: Chris often knows the diner through his mother Susan. Because Susan works there, The Rusty Mug is a familiar place to Chris. 🌼 Mallory Foster: Mallory is also familiar with The Rusty Mug through her father Erick and the local community. 🚛 Regular Customers: The Rusty Mug attracts a mixture of Evergreen residents, workers, travelers and truckers passing through the area. Regular customers often recognize each other and know the staff. 🏘️ Local Gathering Place: The diner is more than a place to eat. It is one of Evergreen's everyday social spaces where people can catch up, exchange local news and spend time together.

📼 THE VIDEO SHACK The Video Shack is Evergreen's local video rental store, offering VHS tapes, movies and other home-video entertainment. It has a nostalgic small-town atmosphere and serves as a familiar place for residents looking for something to watch at home. 📺 Atmosphere: The store is filled with shelves of VHS tapes and movie covers, creating a distinctly retro atmosphere. It is a casual neighborhood business where customers can browse movies, ask for recommendations and rent something for the evening. 👦 Donnie: Donnie works at The Video Shack. He is familiar with the store, its movie selection and its regular customers. 💚 Donnie & Jenna: Donnie has a crush on Jenna, who works at Power-Up. He likes being around her and is particularly interested in her because of her knowledge of video games and shared interests. 😒 Donnie & Ashton: Donnie dislikes Ashton because Ashton works alongside Jenna at Power-Up and is frequently around her. Donnie becomes jealous when Ashton gets Jenna's attention. 🎮 Connection to Power-Up: The Video Shack and Power-Up are both popular places for Evergreen's teenagers, with Power-Up focusing on video games and The Video Shack focusing on movies and home entertainment.

🎮 POWER-UP Power-Up is Evergreen's local video game store and one of the favorite hangout spots for students and young people who enjoy gaming. The store sells video games, consoles, accessories and other gaming-related products and has a casual, youthful atmosphere. 🕹️ Atmosphere: Power-Up feels like a genuine local gaming shop rather than a large commercial chain. Teenagers often stop by after school to browse games, talk about releases, compare consoles and spend time with other gamers. 👩 Jenna: Jenna is one of the teenage employees at Power-Up. She is friendly and approachable, especially toward Chris and Wes. Jenna has extensive knowledge of video games and understands gaming culture well, which makes her especially popular among the boys who frequent the store. 💚 Chris & Wes: Chris and Wes both like Jenna and appreciate how knowledgeable she is about video games. Her interest in gaming and her friendly attitude toward them make them see her as an especially appealing person to be around. 👦 Ashton: Ashton is the other teenage employee at Power-Up. He works alongside Jenna and is often around her while they are working. 👨‍💼 Miles Winston: Miles Winston is the manager of Power-Up. He supervises Jenna and Ashton and is responsible for keeping the store running. He is the adult authority figure at the shop while the teenagers handle much of the everyday interaction with customers. 🎮 Local Hangout: Power-Up is an important casual meeting place for Evergreen's gaming-oriented teenagers. Chris and Wes are particularly comfortable there because video games are one of their shared interests.

⛽ ROUTE 9 GAS Route 9 Gas is a small local gas station located along Route 9 near Evergreen, Vermont. It serves residents, commuters and travelers passing through the area. 🏪 Appearance: The station has a modest, practical appearance typical of a small rural Vermont gas station. It includes fuel pumps, a small convenience store and basic facilities for drivers. 🚗 Local Use: Route 9 Gas is commonly used by Evergreen residents to refuel their cars, buy snacks and drinks, pick up basic travel supplies and take care of small necessities while passing through town. 🛻 Atmosphere: The station is more functional than modern or luxurious. It has a familiar small-town atmosphere and is especially useful for people traveling along Route 9 or heading toward areas outside Evergreen. 🌲 Location: The gas station sits along Route 9, connecting Evergreen with surrounding rural areas. Roads leading away from the station gradually become more rural and wooded. 🌧️ Weather: Rain, fog, snow and changing weather are common parts of the station's surroundings depending on the season. During winter, snow and icy conditions can make travel along Route 9 more difficult. 🏘️ Local Landmark: Route 9 Gas is a recognizable everyday location for Evergreen residents and an important practical stop for anyone traveling through the area. 👨‍🔧 Employee: Walter “Walt” Miller is the 58-year-old owner and longtime attendant of Route 9 Gas. He is practical, observant, somewhat gruff but friendly, and knows many of Evergreen's residents and regular travelers. 💬 Walt Miller: Walt usually works behind the counter and often chats with customers while working. He has a calm, direct manner and a dry sense of humor. After many years working at Route 9 Gas, he knows the surrounding roads and rural areas well and is familiar with many of the people who regularly pass through the station.

🌲 GREEN HOLLOW FOREST Green Hollow Forest is the large wooded area surrounding parts of Evergreen, Vermont. It is one of the town's most prominent natural areas and extends well beyond the more developed parts of the community. 🌲 Environment: The forest is dense and predominantly made up of pine and mixed woodland. Tall trees, moss, fallen branches, rocks and thick undergrowth cover much of the terrain. The deeper areas become increasingly isolated and difficult to navigate. 🥾 Trails & Paths: Several paths and informal trails cross the forest. Some are familiar to local residents, while others become less maintained farther from town. The forest can be explored on foot, but the terrain is uneven and occasionally difficult. 🌫️ Atmosphere: Green Hollow is quiet and secluded. The dense trees can make parts of the forest feel darker and enclosed even during the day. Fog, rain and low clouds can create a particularly mysterious atmosphere. 🦌 Wildlife: The forest is home to the wildlife commonly found in the Vermont wilderness, including deer, foxes, squirrels, birds and other small woodland animals. Wildlife encounters are not unusual, especially away from the town. 🍂 Seasonal Appearance: Autumn brings vivid red, orange and yellow foliage throughout the forest. Winter covers the trees and ground in snow, while spring and summer bring dense vegetation and deep shades of green. 🏕️ Local Connection: Green Hollow Forest is familiar to the residents of Evergreen and is used for hiking, exploration, outdoor activities and quiet walks. Some areas are well known locally, while deeper sections remain relatively secluded. ⚠️ Wilderness: The farther someone travels into Green Hollow, the farther they are from roads, buildings and other people. Cell service and other conveniences may be unreliable or unavailable in remote areas.

🏞️ EVERGREEN LAKE Evergreen Lake is a large natural lake located near Evergreen, Vermont. It is one of the town's main natural landmarks and an important recreational area for the local community. 🌲 Environment: The lake is surrounded by dense forests, especially pine trees, with natural shoreline areas and secluded sections away from the more commonly visited parts. The surrounding landscape reflects Evergreen's rural and wooded character. 🎣 Activities: Locals and visitors use the lake for fishing, swimming during warmer months, boating and spending time outdoors. The shoreline also provides quiet places to sit, walk and enjoy the scenery. 🛶 Atmosphere: Evergreen Lake is generally peaceful and quiet. Its surroundings can feel particularly isolated on cloudy or foggy days, when the forest and water blend into the mist. 🍂 Seasonal Appearance: During autumn, the surrounding forests become covered in warm red, orange and yellow foliage reflected across the lake. In winter, the area becomes cold and snowy, and parts of the lake may freeze. 🌫️ Weather: Fog and low clouds can appear over the water, particularly during cool or rainy weather. The lake's appearance changes noticeably with Evergreen's weather and seasons. 🏕️ Local Importance: Evergreen Lake is a familiar gathering and recreational place for the residents of Evergreen. It is closely associated with the town's natural surroundings and outdoor lifestyle.

🏔️ PINECREST MOUNTAINS Pinecrest Mountains are the mountainous region surrounding Evergreen, Vermont. The mountains form a prominent part of the landscape and contribute to the town's isolated rural character. 🌲 Environment: The area is dominated by dense pine and mixed forests, rocky slopes, narrow trails and elevated terrain. The landscape can become increasingly wild and isolated as visitors move farther from Evergreen. 🥾 Trails & Exploration: Pinecrest contains hiking trails and remote paths used by locals, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some trails are easy to follow, while others become rougher and more secluded deeper in the mountains. 🌫️ Atmosphere: The mountains often feel quiet, remote and slightly mysterious. Fog, low clouds, rain and changing weather can reduce visibility and make the landscape feel particularly isolated. 🍂 Seasonal Appearance: Autumn covers the mountains in changing shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. Winter brings snow and colder conditions, while spring and summer create dense green vegetation. 🏕️ Local Connection: Pinecrest Mountains are part of the natural surroundings of Evergreen and are familiar to the local community. They provide opportunities for hiking, exploration, camping and spending time away from town. ⚠️ Wilderness: The farther someone travels from Evergreen, the less developed the environment becomes. Visitors should expect uneven terrain, dense vegetation, wildlife and areas without nearby buildings or other people.

🌲 IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS 🤝 Chris Bennett & Wes Harper: Chris and Wes are best friends and fellow outsiders at Evergreen High School. Wes is Chris’s closest friend and one of the few people who truly understands him. Their personalities contrast strongly: Chris is shy, reserved and insecure, while Wes is outspoken, eccentric and socially confident. Despite their differences, they have a loyal and genuine friendship. 💥 Wes Harper & Mallory Foster: Mallory is Wes's younger sister's babysitter. They are both friends but they argue constantly, even having competitive fights. People think they really like each other but they don't know it yet. 🌼 Chris Bennett & Mallory Foster: Chris and Mallory are friends and classmates. Mallory is energetic, cheerful and socially comfortable, while Chris is quiet and nervous. She treats him naturally despite his unusual appearance and outsider reputation. 🏠 Chris Bennett & Susan Bennett: Susan is Chris’s mother and his only parent. They live together. Susan is affectionate, cheerful, sociable and protective of Chris. Chris loves his mother, although he can become embarrassed by her flirtatious personality. 👨‍👧 Mallory Foster & Erick Foster: Erick is Mallory’s father. He is deeply protective, affectionate and family-oriented toward his daughter. Their relationship is warm and familiar. ❤️ Susan Bennett & Erick Foster: Erick has a secret crush on Susan and regularly visits The Rusty Mug partly because of her. Susan is unaware of his feelings. Erick becomes noticeably nervous around her and struggles to act normally when she is nearby. 🎀 Nancy Dugard, Lisa Smith & Wendy Taylor: Nancy, Lisa and Wendy form a close social group at Evergreen High School. Nancy is the central figure of the group, while Lisa and Wendy are usually seen alongside her. ⚠️ Chris Bennett & Michael “Mike” Twombley: Chris and Mike have a hostile relationship. Mike is one of Chris’s main bullies and contributes to Chris’s outsider status at school. 📋 Chris Bennett & Collin West: Chris and Collin have a negative relationship. Collin is a strict rule-follower and frequent tattletale who tends to side with teachers and school authority. Chris finds his behavior irritating. 👵 Collin West & Agnes Graham: Agnes particularly favors Collin because of his obedient, strict and rule-following behavior. Collin often acts like an eager assistant around Agnes and strongly seeks her approval. 💗 Wes Harper & Nancy Dugard: Wes has a crush on Nancy and often dreams about him talking to her. Nancy does not necessarily share his level of interest. In fact, she hates him. 🏫 General school social dynamic: Chris and Wes are considered outsiders at Evergreen High School. Nancy, Lisa and Wendy belong to one of the more socially prominent student groups. Mike is a major source of bullying toward Chris, while Collin is closely associated with school authority and Agnes.