A New Body - original

2- Phoebe

    These parties always suck.

    It's her duty as a diligent girlfriend to show up, but she loathes it every time. Especially when it's being thrown on Halloween, which gives her the creeps.

    Phoebe sips from her cup and grimaces. She's glued to the wall, watching her friends dance with some of the other football players. Hers is nowhere to be found.

    Typical.

    The only good thing she can say about parties is that they're great for people watching. She's always been observant. More of a listener than a talker. Her eyes skip over the crowd.

    Multiple renditions of Barbie, a variety of 70s costumes, and sexy devils galore. Some people she recognizes, others she doesn't. One girl is looking right at her.

    It takes her a second to register that it's Kate Calloway. With cat ears and makeup on.

    Why is she fucking staring?

    She recognizes that she's been caught, and she shifts her gaze away self-consciously. Phoebe smiles slightly at how nervous the poor girl looks. Kate's never been a fan of confrontation.

    But then she does something surprising. She tips her drink back, hands the cup to her friend, and walks right over.

    "Hey!" She shouts over the music.

    A moment passes, and they just look at each other. It's so strange, seeing her dressed so feminine. In all their years of school together, Phoebe doesn't think she's ever worn a dress.

    "Nice costume."

    Kate shakes her head, short choppy layers shielding her eyes momentarily. "It wasn't my idea."

    "I think you look good."

    "Then it was totally my idea."

    Phoebe barks out a laugh before she can contain it. They haven't had many conversations, but Kate is typically so tense, too scared to say what's really on her mind. Liquid courage looks good on her.

    "So, you do have a sense of humor."

    The girl smiles wickedly. "Did I say something funny?"

    Phoebe feels her cheeks heat up. She's thankful it's dark, because it's embarrassing to be getting flustered like this. She has to regain control.

    "Did you come over here for a reason? I was kind of enjoying my wallflower moment."

    Kate considers the question for a moment.

    "Want to dance?"

    This response shocks her again, but she tries not to show it. They're in unfamiliar territory now, and Phoebe's not sure what to expect.

    "Oh, is that what you call what you were just doing?" She teases, mimicking her stiff moves from earlier.

    Kate laughs. "Go easy on me, I'm not very coordinated." 

    It's pleasantly surprising how well the conversation flows. Phoebe hasn't felt this comfortable talking with anyone in quite a while.

    She's about to accept the invitation to dance when a heavy hand clamps down on her shoulder.

    God, he has the worst timing.

    "Pheebs, I've been looking for you everywhere!" Blake shouts, pulling her into a suffocatingly long kiss that tastes like beer.

    He's sweaty and drunk, dressed up in his football uniform just like the rest of the guys. The white block numbers glow under the strobes. Thirteen.

    It takes a moment before he even realizes that Kate is standing there, arms crossed defensively as she watches them. Blake grins down at her widely, like he's getting ready to tear her to shreds.

    "No way, what's up Grudge? Didn't know you were on the invite list."

    Grudge.

    He started calling Kate that in middle school because of her affinity for all things horror. She even had the long dark hair to match. The name caught on quickly, and she must have hated it, because high school rolled around and she cut it all off. 

    "You invited the whole senior class." Kate responds flatly.

    He ignores her statement and continues. "Great costume, by the way. I've never seen you not look like a total dyke."

    "Get fucking bent, Blake."

    Phoebe's stomach plummets. There it is. The nail in the coffin.

    "What did you just say to me?" He straightens up to his full height, glaring down at the small girl in front of him. She can practically see the steam coming from his ears.

    Kate steps closer, staring right back at him defiantly. She's not backing away.

    "I said get fucking b—"