Thump, thump, thump. The soft impact of a girl's boots on concrete precedes her arrival. The girl steps through the school gates with a blank expression on her face. She turns to look at the girl walking beside her.

  This other girl is dressed in athletic wear, her lack of makeup a contrast to the first girl's dark eyeliner. The athletic girl's sneakers scrape along the concrete as they walk. The girl with the boots parts her lips.

  "...I know you've been avoiding talking about it, but I think I'm over it."

  The athletic girl purses her lips as they walk along the sidewalk. Her voice comes out measured and cautious.

  "Well, it's not like I want to bring up those assholes, Zoe."

  Zoe scoffs, a bitter little smirk slipping onto her face. She brushes aside some of her lengthy dark hair. She replies to her friend with a dry laugh.

  "Ha, well, I'm over it."

  "Over it? They were like... friends with you since kindergarten?"

  The athletic girl bites her lip in regret, but the words have already left her mouth. Zoe doesn't react as expected; instead, she laughs.

  "Exactly! I'm sure they'll find their way back into my life eventually."

  Zoe looks up at the blue sky as she says this. Her friend looks at her with uncertainty, but doesn't say anything. Zoe's words come out as a sigh.

  "I know you don't like them, Tracy."

  Tracy kicks a pebble along the sidewalk in reply. Her sour expression carries into her voice as she agrees with Zoe.

  "Yeah, they did treat you like garbage."

  "You were a bitch about it, too."

  Zoe's comment tinges Tracy's cheeks pink. She clears her throat in an attempt to rein in her embarrassment. It does not work.

  "I-I was just a kid!" Tracy argues.

  "Tracy, we were eighteen. This was less than a year ago," Zoe deadpans.

  That shuts Tracy up for a moment.

  The two of them walk another block before Tracy breaks the relative silence.

  "Do you think you'll go?"

  "You mean to... the school?" Zoe questions quietly.

  Tracy shakes her head.

  "No, I meant the dance. It's tonight."

  Zoe had forgotten about the dance.

  It could be my last chance to see them.

  Is that what I want?

  Tracy stops at a certain intersection, turning on her heel to face Zoe.

  "Well, this is my stop," Tracy remarks.

  Zoe nods, finally voicing her decision.

  "I'll go to the dance."

  An excited smile splits Tracy's features. She sounds downright giddy as she speaks.

  "Perfect! Meet you at your place at six?"

  Zoe smirks, Tracy's enthusiasm rubbing off on her.

  "You got it," Zoe replies.

  With that promise they part, Tracy walking down her road home whilst Zoe glances up at the clouds thoughtfully.

  One last dance.

  ~

  High above Witchburrow sits a pale full moon. The white light washes over the town below, where a crowd of high school seniors congregate around a particular building. Some drive, others walk. A dark-haired girl steps out of her mother's car.

  "Text me when you're ready to be picked up, alright?" Mom reminds her.

  "I will, I will!" Zoe assures.

  Tracy joins Zoe on the sidewalk. The athletic girl is wearing a cocktail dress that hugs her firm body. It's a little much for a school homecoming dance, but Zoe isn't complaining. Seeing Tracy's muscular legs is a blessing.

  "Shall we?" Tracy interrupts Zoe's ogling.

  Zoe nods. She pretends not to see the smirk on Tracy's face.

  "Let's."

  The clack of Zoe's heels announce her arrival. Tracy's eyes flit to the black heels Zoe is wearing. She whistles, catching Zoe's attention. The dark-haired girl turns to look at her friend with a raised brow.

  "What was that for?" Zoe questions.

  Tracy falls in step beside Zoe. Her bright eyes twinkle with mirth.

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  "Still impressed by how good you got at walking in those. I hate heels," Tracy explains.

  Zoe shrugs, causing her dress to flutter slightly. The two girls stop at the door, and Tracy steps in to push it open. Zoe watches without a word as the girl gestures for her to enter first.

  How does she do this corny stuff with a straight face?

  Zoe walks into the venue at Tracy's direction. The interior is lit moodily by an assortment of blue and yellow lights. A few nearby students glance in Zoe's direction as she enters, but nobody's gaze lingers. Tracy walks in behind Zoe with a smirk plastered on her face.

  The two girls meander their way toward the snack table. Their eyes wander as they move at a leisurely pace. Tracy leans toward Zoe, her voice low in the girl's ear.

  "See anyone we know?" Tracy mutters.

  Zoe's dark eyes flicker from face to face as she walks in step with Tracy. There's a few acquaintances, but none of the important ones. Zoe frowns bitterly.

  "Nobody."

  "Damn. Well, I see Nadia... Mind if I mingle without you, Bunny?"

  That nickname gets an amused snort from Zoe. Her tone is somewhat cold as she replies to Tracy's question.

  "Sure. Knock yourself out."

  Tracy leaves Zoe's side to speak with her other friends. Zoe's eyes scan the room again.

  Where are they?

  Did they not come?

  Zoe's stomach grumbles slightly. She looks away from the venue to her own belly. Luckily she's already standing next to the snacks table. She reaches for a smattering of cheese and crackers, yet her fingers collide with someone's hand.

  "Oh, my bad." Zoe says reflexively.

  The calloused hand pinches two crackers, pulling them away from the table cautiously. Zoe glances up at the stranger’s face. He's got this apathetic look on his face. The guy's unshaved face is a little off-putting. He looks scruffy. Like he forgot how to shave.

  Zoe watches the man grab a slice of cheese from the table. He shoves the cheese between two crackers, and bites into it like a sandwich. Zoe's brows furrow.

  "Do I know you, by any chance?" Zoe asks.

  The man finishes his snack. He takes a napkin, wiping his face. The man turns to look at Zoe with a cocky smirk. He takes his hand and runs it through his unkempt hair. Zoe's eyes narrow as recognition dawns on her.

  "You could say that," Derek replies in a voice much deeper than Zoe remembers.

  Zoe gives him a standoffish frown. She slides her hand over to the snacks, taking a cracker from the table. Derek watches her with a relaxed smile on his face. He's still the same height as before, but he's definitely gotten a bit heavier.

  "You look awfully relaxed," Zoe comments coldly.

  Derek's brows raise at Zoe's words. He shrugs, splaying his hands out casually.

  "Well, I haven't got a reason to be worked up."

  "Bullshit..."

  Zoe's voice goes soft as she looks up at Derek. He gives her a complicated look, and stuffs his hands into his pockets. The dark circles beneath Derek's eyes support Zoe's claim.

  "I heard you're leaving town."

  "What's it to you, Derek?"

  "I was just curious where you were headed, is all."

  The soft thump of the music fills the gap in their conversation. Zoe looks away from Derek. Her reply is snappier than she intends.

  "School. It's none of your business."

  Zoe feels a shadow cross over her, blocking out the yellow and blue lights. She looks up to see Derek standing closer than before. He's got a look in his eyes that Zoe doesn't recognize. One she can't recall from their childhood. He calmly places his hand on her shoulder.

  "I'm sorry, Zoe."

  Derek's coarse hand is giving Zoe a cocktail of emotions. She grabs his wrist, surgically removing his hand from her bare shoulder.

  "It's fine, Derek. I'm over it."

  "Great!" Derek chirps.

  Zoe glances up at his face. Her brows furrow as she watches his expression light up.

  "I was, uh, hoping we could try being friends again?"

  Derek smiles sheepishly. Zoe is having none of it.

  "No."

  Zoe turns around, taking her snack and storming away from Derek without a second glance. She feels his hand on her shoulder once more, this time keeping her from walking away. She gives him a challenging look. Derek removes his hand quickly.

  "S-Sorry, I just -- was wondering why not?" Derek stammers.

  "Because I don't want to get my heart played with anymore, Derek!"

  Derek shrinks back under Zoe's verbal assault. Zoe turns away without giving any further explanation. She makes it to the doors leading out of the main hall, pushing into a secluded hallway.

  Zoe stomps her way over to a water fountain. She drinks deeply, her train of thought slowing down now that she's away from Derek.

  I wanted to meet them again.

  So why did I reject him?

  Upon lifting her head from the water fountain, Zoe comes face to face with a rather gaunt young man.

  "What the fuck!?" Zoe yelps.

  The pale man stiffens up as Zoe nearly punches him. He clears his throat, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Zoe glares at him incredulously.

  "...Apologies, Ms. Kim. I didn't mean to startle you."

  "For real? You just creeped up on me like some kind of ghost, dude!"

  Zoe watches the pale man frown. The way the pale man frowns tickles some part of Zoe's memory. She relaxes upon realizing who she's talking to.

  "Theo, why do you look like you died and came back as a zombie?" Zoe questions.

  Some color blossoms on Theo's cheeks. He looks away from Zoe in embarrassment.

  "I-I just haven't been getting adequate sun, is all," Theo mutters.

  Zoe scoffs, reaching out and grabbing ahold of Theo's wrist. His arms look like sticks. The fool clearly hasn't been eating enough. Judging by the bags under his eyes, he hasn't been sleeping enough either. Zoe gives the emaciated boy a smug smile.

  "You look like shit, Theo."

  Theo acts offended, pulling his arm from Zoe's grasp with the force of a gentle breeze.

  "I did not approach you to be insulted, Ms. Kim."

  "Really? Then why don't you drop the weird title?"

  Theo frowns at that. He purses his lips before replying.

  "I didn't think you'd want me to act too familiar, Zoe."

  "Why not?"

  "Well, you were quite angry with--"

  Realizing his mistake, Theo clams up. Zoe narrows her eyes at Theo knowingly.

  "So you've been following me?"

  Theo's hands raise in a show of surrender. His voice breaks a little as he defends himself.

  "N-No! Just, just for the dance... I just saw you talking to Derek earlier!"

  Zoe shuts Theo up with a finger placed directly over his lips. He stares at her with wide eyes, his complexion reddening. Zoe shakes her head softly. Leaning forward, she whispers into Theo's ear.

  "I'm not interested in talking to someone who's creeping around behind my back, Theodore."

  Theo freezes. Zoe leans back from him, a stern frown adorning her face. She leaves Theo without another word. The click of her heels is the only goodbye Theo gets.

  I'm a little sad he hasn't changed.

  Maybe next time we cross paths, he'll have matured?

  Zoe pushes open the doors leading back into the main hall. The upbeat dance music hits Zoe as she steps into the room. She quickly checks herself in her pocket mirror, ensuring nothing is out of place.

  Satisfied with her appearance, Zoe looks around the room for any sign of Tracy. Sure enough she's chatting up some girl by the punch table. Zoe walks toward the pair with measured strides.

  "Fancy seeing you here, Zoe."

  An unfamiliar man steps in front of Zoe to block her path. He's tall, very tall. Zoe has to take a step backwards to take in his face. Neatly cut brown hair, gelled into shape. The suit he wears looks expensive. Zoe puts a hand on her hip.

  "Are you someone I forgot, or another surprise?" Zoe quips.

  "I'd feel hurt if you forgot about me. After all, I could never forget you."

  The man produces a rose from his suit jacket. The red flower is pristine. Not a thorn to be seen on its green steam. The fragrance is pleasant on Zoe's nose. Zoe feels her face heating up as she comes up with an appropriate reply.

  "Maybe tone it down a bit?" Zoe suggests.

  He chuckles, pocketing the rose as if unbothered by her criticism.

  "I'm not sure I should show any less respect to someone so... enchanting."

  The way he says that last word gives Zoe goosebumps. She squints up at the well-dressed man, and groans out loud.

  "Jamison? Seriously? You had to do this so... publicly?"