Something Kyla kept that Sarah never had was her smarts, but while her sharp mind was usually honed on math and riddles, now she found it solving for the problem in front of her, a newly minted rival, Sarah. The first feeling was shock, Kyla had not expected Sarah to pull off what she had, she didn't even understand how it was possible, because it was something she never could have done for herself. Shock has the effect of numbing you though, but it takes up valuable time, time that was spent taking stock of what Sarah had done, when she looked away because she was embarrassed it showed off her eye shadow, and when she nervously looked at her shoes it drew Biff's eyes down to her chest which had always been one of Sarah's famous assets, now ever so slightly hinted at, though he posture was doing them no favors. Kyla prayed Sarah would just fall over and ruin the whole affair.
Sarah started on the longest walk of her life. She saw the look of shock on Kyla's face and then watched it twist into something else, a mix of emotions that Sarah couldn't place that filled her with a dread. Sarah looked away, this was a mistake, she shouldn't have done this, she should have just waited for everyone in the mall to leave, now anything could happen and the possibly scared her. Her next step was inspired then by only one thing. Biff was there. Biff who had been hers up until an hour ago, now stood holding hands with Kyla. Sarah felt something she never had before about Biff, she felt a crush on him. She had liked him well enough before, but their relationship was as much about popularity politics as it was about feelings, now she felt the sort of longing that only a nerd can feel for fictional vampire or timelord, but it was towards the guy who had been her boyfriend. The next step was because she was pulled by Amber who seemed to want her to come along. And the next step was to keep from falling over. OH GOD, don't let me fall over. I would die!
Shaken out of the shock by her ever closer rival Kyla's mind snapped into action. How should she play this? She could kiss Biff, he used to be Sarah's that would establish dominance, it would let her know this is mine now...it also might make her cry, and then that would be that, she couldn't handle being hot, she goes off into nothing and I get all this. I win. Winning, damn the bet! Damn the bet, it would be mean, don't be mean. Ok new idea.
Kyla let go of Biff's hand which she had instinctively grasped when she saw Sarah, and started to make her way over to Sarah. Sarah winced unready for anything, but was met with a hug. Kyla whispered something. Then turned to her friends.
"This was the bet. I bet her that I could turn her from well...herself, into this, and that you guys would welcome her into the group."
Sarah didn't know what to do with all the lies coming out of Kyla's mouth with such assured bravado.
"That's what I was doing in the bathroom for so long, putting the work in...and you guys clearly think I did a good enough job here" Kyla said referring to Sarah like building a shed "or you wouldn't have invited her over....so I guess I win don't I?" Kyla turned to ask Sarah.
Suddenly it felt like everyone was looking at Sarah to respond gratefully to Kyla, the social pressure was immense.
"Yes, I'm amazed." Sarah gave in loudly, if only to get out of the moment she felt trapped in.
Everybody clapped. The girls fawned, the guys stole glances, it was more attention that the old Kyla had ever received and more attention then the new Sarah was prepared to deal with. Some of the girls gave her tips about how to improve herself even more, some of which Sarah agreed with and others Sarah was frankly shocked by. All the while Kyla kept careful control of the conversation, Biff, and in her own way, Sarah. Kyla knew how the old her would have reacted to the situation, and she was counting on the new Sarah to follow suit. Sarah on the other hand could only be distracted by one thing, anytime Biff talked to her, or stole a look at her chest, she blushed. Kyla noticed and countered by forcing Sarah to answer questions, forcing Sarah on the spot in front of strangers was it's own sort of social torture, hidden in the guise of getting to know her. This game of cat and mouse continued for what felt like too long for Sarah and too short of Kyla, but soon the Mall was closing and everyone had to go home.
Biff was Kyla's ride, Sarah's mom was coming to pick her up, but Kyla stole away from Biff, after a quick peck she was sure Sarah saw, to come over and make good on what she had whispered.
"Ok, so here is the deal....."
