Hawkins High doesnât like things that donât fit. And Lauren? Lauren doesnât fit anywhere they can neatly label. It starts with a joke. At least, thatâs what everyone calls it. When Lauren tries out for the football team junior year, people laugh. Not quietly either. Full-on, shoulder-shaking, âthis is the funniest thing weâve seen all weekâ kind of laughing. Because sheâs a girl. Because thereâs no girlsâ team. Because, in their minds, this isnât even worth taking seriously.