The clicking cacophony of high heels against tile was something that Karyn was begrudgingly getting used to. It was only natural, she guessed, because her and Paige were always flanked to the left and right by the rest of their gang, never more than two steps away from them, always behind.
The constant click-clack made a lot of noise, but then again, so did everything about them, from their bright tops to gaudy accessories. When heads turned to look, Karyn found herself appreciative of the attention. It was nice to be looked at all the time.
Now that she thought about it more, maybe the getting used to it wasn't what she was begrudgingly coming to terms with, it was that she was starting to like it.
The noise was uniquely theirs. It meant furtive glances wherever she went. That she was popular. That she had friends. That was the unnerving part of it all - the distinctive symphony of high heeled shoes was comforting to her. Like she'd be lost without it.
Sure, she had changed a lot over the last couple of weeks in how she dressed and styled her hair, but that didn't mean she wasn't still Karyn. That trademark wit and tendency to joke about other people's inadequacies was still intact, as was her competitive streak. She was both reveling in and disgusted by the lifestyle she was now living as a popular girl. That first day in the lunchroom, Karyn's intuition told her that Paige felt the same way; she was different than the rest of the freshman hangers-on. Which is why Karyn felt comfortable being herself when she was around Paige, happy to add her cynicism to any situation and get Paige laughing.
She didn't have to go far for new material, either. Students at her high school made cracking jokes like a softball being lobbed right at her. Quick one-liner, and slam! Right out of the park.
The chill that she had felt earlier that day hadn't totally left her, but nevertheless, Karyn's blonde curls flipped back and forth across her face as her eyes darted through the hallway, searching for the perfect target.
That's when a perfect opportunity walked right in front of her...
