It's good to be popular

Writing has started on 0.6, there's also a few new maps to make for this, a whole lot of coding, and of course some pretty pictures to make.  Meanwhile, let's pass the time by reminding ourselves of who our erstwhile Bad Girl leader is up against, as you're going to have to pick a side!

Malia, Melanie, Ruby and Jennifer form the core of the fourth year popular girls. This makes them effectively the most important girls in the school, as girls in fifth year tend not to get involved.  The only fifth year popular girl we have met so far is prefect Hayley, and she has risen above the petty squabbles of the lower school (and can largely do what she likes with them anyway.)

Most popular girls are from privileged backgrounds (All three first years; Becky, Sherry and Megan are from Lady Gardens) and this is no accident, as projecting an air of confidence and aloofness is essential to impressing the other popular girls.  Any prospect who appeared to be trying too hard would be dismissed quickly.  Obviously it also helps to be highly attractive.

During this quest, we will also learn a little more about the internal dynamics of the group. Despite the united front they present, they are not without their disagreements, as the more sharp-eyed among you may have picked up when Melanie expresses dismay that Malia is willing to risk so much for Missy without asking for anything in return.

However, the popular girls are heavily entrenched at the top of the food chain and will not be easy to budge.  Especially as now they have clocked the threat that Poppy represents and have turned all of their attention to her.  Bringing their big hitter, our second fifth year popular girl Angel off the bench is a sure sign that they mean business.  Who's side will Missy pick?  Well of course, that's going to be up to you.  Speaking of which, we'll also be taking a closer look at Angel later, as well as other important characters in this story.

Thank you to all of you that have given me your thoughts on both 0.5 and Christmas Karen by the way.  Good, bad or indifferent, I do love hearing about how you found my work!

Trinian