**A Lesson in Empathy**

Prompt: Mean girls fanfiction cady tries out a labor pain simulator in health class

Cady Heron sat in the back of the health classroom, her fingers tapping nervously against the edge of her desk. Today was not just another lesson about the human body or the significance of healthy choices; today was a day destined to spark laughter, discomfort, and maybe, just maybe, a tinge of empathy. Across the room, Ms. Norbury stood by a table cluttered with medical props and a peculiar electronic device that looked almost like a large belt with buttons and wires. The Labor Pain Simulator. Cady swallowed hard, her mind racing as she thought about the events that had led her here. Just weeks before, she had been caught up in a whirlwind of popularity, vying for the attention of the Plastics. Regina George, the reigning queen bee, had drawn her in with promises of acceptance. But amid the charm and glamour, Cady found herself losing touch with the girl she once was—until now. This class was a chance at redemption, a chance to connect with her peers in a way that didn’t involve gossip or petty drama. “Alright, class! Today we’re going to experience something that will help us understand the challenges of motherhood,” Ms. Norbury announced, her tone bright and enthusiastic. “We’ll be taking turns using the Labor Pain Simulator to help gauge what labor feels like. Cady, why don’t you start us off?” The class erupted in giggles, and Cady could feel the weight of their eyes upon her. A rumor floated through her mind—Regina would find this so funny. But deep down, Cady knew this wasn’t about her, or even Regina; it was about understanding pain and empathy. Taking a deep breath, she slowly approached the front, her heart pounding in her chest. With the room filled with the anticipation of her peers, Cady strapped the simulator around her waist. The device was cold against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the classroom. She glanced back at the curious faces of her classmates, some smirking, some genuinely interested. “Okay, Cady,” Ms. Norbury said, adjusting the settings on the device. “Let’s start with a low setting first.” Cady nodded, bracing herself as a slight jolt ran through her abdomen. It felt like a tightening—a squeezing that caused her breath to hitch momentarily. A few giggles erupted from the back of the room, and she wanted to roll her eyes yet again, but this was a lesson more vital than she realized. She had to push through. As the intensity increased, Cady felt a wave of unfamiliar discomfort wash over her. She had never known pain like this, a mix of pressure and pulsation that stole her breath. Engaging in small talk and cheerleading practices with the Plastics suddenly felt trivial in light of what she was experiencing. Ms. Norbury kept an eye on the readings, diligently noting her reactions. After what seemed like an eternity, the machine reached its peak setting. Cady clasped her hands together to steady herself, closing her eyes to focus. “Okay,” she muttered, trying to channel courage through her shaking limbs. “This is…um, intense.” “Try to breathe through it, Cady,” Ms. Norbury encouraged gently. The laughter from her classmates had faded, replaced by puzzled or concerned expressions. The contrast of her experience began to dawn on her—her classmates were no longer amused; they were witnessing something real. Cady’s heart raced not only from the discomfort, but from a surge of something deeper. This was not just a physical trial; it was an emotional reckoning. After what felt like an eternity, Ms. Norbury stubbornly brought the machine to an end. Cady gasped as the pressure released. The moment of relief washed over her, and she stripped off the device, staring at it in disbelief as if it had been a creature from another world. “Well, how did that feel?” Ms. Norbury asked, her voice steady. “Honestly?” Cady panted, still feeling the after-effects of the simulation. “It was terrible. I don’t think I could deal with having a baby if this is what it feels like.” Laughter rippled through the room, but this time, it was different—cautious, empathetic laughter. Her classmates were chuckling not at her, but at the sheer absurdity of their own misconceptions of labor. “Okay, who’s next?” Ms. Norbury called, and hands shot up around the room. Cady returned to her seat, her heart swelling with a sense of camaraderie she hadn’t felt before. Different classmates took their turns, each having their unique reactions, ranging from shock to hilarity. Gretchen Wieners, the quintessential follower, whimpered dramatically as the machine sent jolts through her. “Why would anyone do this?!” she gasped, clutching her stomach, and the entire class erupted into fits of laughter. As the session continued, a newfound appreciation for their respective experiences blossomed. When the device finally came around to Regina, the queen held herself with an air of confidence, prepared to tackle whatever the machine could throw at her. Cady watched in fascination and awe, noting that Regina was laughing, albeit nervously, while telling the class that it didn’t seem so bad. But as the simulator progressed to a higher level, Regina’s laughter turned to grimaces. Cady held her breath, the reminder of her own experience fresh in her mind. But Regina powered through, refusing to give in to the pain, gripping the edge of the desk as if it were a life raft. Once it was over, Regina released a shaky breath, her façade of control cracking slightly. “Okay, that was intense. I get it,” she acknowledged, for once a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice. For the first time, Cady saw the girls in the Plastics in a different light. They were friends, rivals, and ultimately human. The Labor Pain Simulator had opened a door she thought would remain shut forever; it was a crack in the facade of queen bee perfection. When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Cady felt lighter, almost liberated. She glanced back at Regina, who was deep in discussions with Gretchen and Karen about their next social media post. But there was a softness in her expression, a sense of having experienced something profound together. As Cady filed out into the hall, she felt her phone buzzing in her pocket. It was a message from Regina. “Meet up later? We need to talk about that class.” A smile crept onto Cady’s face. Maybe, just maybe, they were beginning to understand each other more than she had thought possible. After all, in a world filled with mean girls and drama, a little empathy might just be the key that unlocked their friendship.