Theodora arrived at Jessica's house, the place of the party, half an hour after it had started. She was intent on making an entrance, in what Annie had told her was called being "fashionably late".
As soon as Theodora entered the room, everyone was silent. Where was that timid young schoolgirl with the long black braids and knobby knees? Who was this cool, nature woman in her place, with the confidence of a lady and the savvy of a nightclub waitress? But as soon as she smiled, everyone recognized her; Theodora had not lost her sweet, friendly smile. "Theo!" said Jessica excitedly, running over to where Theodora stood. "How are you? I love your dress!"
Theodora said nothing. She smiled and hugged Jessica.
Jessica wore the kind of dress Theodora had expected; scandalously short, exposing an indecent amount of cleavage and paired with a glittering pair of rhinestone-studded six inch heels. In her hair she wore a pretty feather hairpin. As Theodora looked around, she saw all the boys ogling at Jessica. Some of them were staring at Theodora, too...
"Ian!" Theodora gasped in Jessica's ear. "What is he doing here?" Ian stood here, this face halfway between a bitter scowl and a surprised grin, his arms folded across his scrawny chest.
"I invited him to make you happy. Before you too broke up, that is, which I'm very glad you did! Not only is he ugly, but there was always something peculiar away about the way he treated you!"
"He is a sexist pig," agreed Theodora.
Suddenly, Ian came strutting over with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "You look very different, Theodora," he said coolly.
"How dare you speak to her!" fired Jessica.
Shooting her friend a look of warning, Theodora spun around to face Ian and scoffed, "What is it that you want?" He said nothing, his face showing no emotion.
After a long an awkward silence of both of them pondering, Ian finally opened his mouth to speak: "I want you back."
"Big chance," sniffed Theodora.
"I know you love me, Theodora," pleaded Ian. "If you'd just forget your stupid pipe dreams..."
Suddenly out of nowhere, a boy lunged out of the shadows and pounced on to Ian, knocking him straight in the teeth. He continued to bang Ian's head against the floor. Theodora and Jessica stood huddled together, frozen; Jessica in awe, Theodora in shock.
Once Ian had been left bruised and moaning, the strange boy turned to look at Theodora. He had piercing green eyes and messy dark hair. "Thank you," she breathed. She felt like she had seen him at school before...
"I didn't do it for you," the stranger snapped. "I just really hate that guy."~