Sera shot her a scowl as she followed Kathleen up the stairs of the frat house. They passed by a group of men sitting on the stairs, leering at them. One let out a low, appreciative whistle to the enjoyment of his friends. Sera fretted with her hair, anxiously shoving it behind her ear as she tried to ignore them.
They made their way past another group of guys in the doorway, smiling at them. Sera averted her gaze; her skin was already beginning to crawl with discomfort. Alcohol was being passed around, and a cup of draft was shoved into her hand. She sipped at it before placing it on one of the speakers blaring music. Kathleen led the way through the crowded foyer and toward a side room. The decrepit, ugly furniture had been shoved against the dirty white walls to create dance space. The room was already packed with dancing couples, and groups of friends. People were laughing, and shouting to be heard over the pounding music. It was enough to give her a headache.
"Hey!"
Sera looked up as Michelle appeared at her side. "Hey," she replied cheerfully, happy to find another friendly face in the crowd.
Michelle flashed a dazzling grin as she turned to survey the cluttered room. Her short black dress clung to every one of her slender curves. Her auburn hair had been pulled into an elegant French twist that accentuated her long neck, and the delicate sweep of her high cheekbones. She wore little makeup, but she didn't need much to illuminate her refined features and startling beauty. Her deep, mahogany eyes were slanted at a provocative, almost feline, angle.
Where Kathleen exuded energy, Michelle radiated a cool, poised elegance. During Sera's second semester of school, she and Michelle had been paired together as lab partners. It had taken them awhile to get to know one another, but once they had, they'd hit it off. They had more in common than Sera had with Kathleen, and she found Michelle's friendship a pleasant break from Kathleen's tremendous excitement. It was good for Sera to be able to slow down and talk to someone a little more like her.
Michelle's gaze returned to Sera, her eyes swept disdainfully over her. Her thin lips, her only flaw to perfection, were pursed. Her long, slender nose was scrunched distastefully. "You look nice," she finally stated.
"Thank you," Sera replied, feeling even more uncomfortable under Michelle's scrutinizing stare.
"She looks wonderful!" Kathleen butted in, her voice tinged with aggravation.
Michelle turned her cool eyes to Kathleen; her gaze became even more disapproving. "I suppose you dressed her," she drawled.
Kathleen's eyes narrowed. Sera shook her head as she was once again reminded of the hostility that existed between her two best friends. Sometimes it was stressful, but usually, when one was around, the other wasn't. However, when they were together, it took all she had to stop them from bickering.
"Of course," Kathleen said. "Someone has to teach her how to live life."
"And that's going to be you?" Michelle retorted.
Kathleen's shoulders thrust back as she prepared herself for battle. Sera looped her arm through Kathleen's, knowing that it was time to separate the two. "I'll see you in a little bit Michelle," she said as she pulled Kathleen toward the dance floor.
"I don't know why you put with that bitch," Kathleen muttered.
"Michelle's not that bad; you just never gave her a chance."
"Oh I gave her a chance and then I realized that the stick shoved up her ass is never going to come out."
"Kathleen," she groaned.
"It's true; you need better taste in friends. But oh well, let's dance."
Sera didn't have time to protest as Kathleen pulled her onto the dance floor. She found herself instantly swept up in the music and the mood. Another drink was thrust into her hand and she decided to keep this one.
She danced for almost an hour before making her way out of the packed room. She grabbed another drink to wet her parched throat as she wound through the crowd toward the front door. Michelle was standing by the door, talking and laughing with two guys who were openly leering at her. Sera paused, not wanting to go near the guys, but the idea of fresh air was too tempting for her to refuse. She made her way toward them.
"Hey," she said, stopping beside Michelle. "Having fun yet?"
Michelle turned to her, a cool smile on her face. "Oh yeah," she drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You?"
"Actually, yes."
Disapproval flashed through Michelle's eyes as she turned back to the two guys. Sera glanced at them, unable to stop her sneer of revulsion as they openly ogled her. Michelle looked at them disdainfully as she took a sip of beer. "Who's your friend?" the taller of the two asked, his eyes rapidly scanning Sera from head to toe then back up again.
"This is Serendipity," Michelle replied, the annoyance apparent in her taut voice.
"Huh?" he asked stupidly.
"Serendipity, but everyone calls me Sera," Sera replied.
"Pretty," he drawled, "Suits you."
Sera's face scrunched in distaste. He continued to leer at her, refusing to acknowledge her obvious revulsion. Unwillingly, she began to fiddle with her shirt again. A flash of satisfaction flitted across Michelle's face as she noted Sera's discomfort. A wave of resentment washed over her as she purposely made her hands still. No matter how close they were, Sera would never be able to get used to Michelle's attitude of superiority.
