Katie stared into her closet. Which shoes was she going to wear? There were so many to choose from. She’d decided to go with a short blue dress for the night, so she had to take that into account, naturally. She’d already picked out the matching bag. All that was left was the shoes.
Tonight was the night of the biggest party of the summer. Primrose Middleton, the unfortunately named reigning Newport Harbour Senior Prom Queen, was holding a huge bash in her parents’ beach house. Everyone who was anyone in Orange County was going to make an appearance. And that included the King and Queen of the Newport Harbour Junior Prom, Kevin Woodman, and Katie Reynolds.
Of course, they’d never get there if Katie couldn’t choose a pair of shoes.
Katie had been on summer vacation for weeks now, and honestly had no idea what to do with her time. After spending all year doing two things at once, between school, homework, cheerleading, heading the Student Government and chairing the Social Committee, not to mention being a superhero, this sudden break was more than she could bare. The sudden freedom left her reeling, directionless.
To the point where she couldn’t even decide what shoes matched this damn dress.
She thought back to the day she’d bought the dress… What shoes had she bought to wear with it…?
There. The blue DKNY heels. Of course. How could she have missed those?
No matter. She was ready now… Or was she?
She pulled open her desk drawer, and removed the false bottom. Sitting in there, next to her Belle costume, was two-thirds of a bottle of Absolut vodka.
She bit her lip. Surely she wouldn’t need to take it. There would be enough alcohol at the party. Primrose had specifically told her that there would be a couple of kegs.
She longed for the hip flask her ex-boyfriend had left in her room, years ago. She could have taken that, no problem. Unfortunately, Principal Holmes had found it stashed away in her locker one day at school. As fate would have it, as punishment for that, he had placed her in Saturday detention, and it was on that fateful Saturday that the Brat Pack had been formed.
Katie sighed, as she grabbed the bottle and stuffed it in her purse. It couldn’t hurt to take it, just in case.
<><><>
Kevin hummed along, as Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ blared out of his car stereo. He was looking forward to this party. It had been weeks since he had last hung out with the boys.
It was good to get out with Katie too. Especially in public, without spandex. The glamorous life of a superhero was amazing, but sometimes you have to remember to be a normal kid, and have some fun. And, with one year left of high school, the days where fun was an option were running out fast.
He was pretty much guaranteed a spot at Berkeley, considering his dad was the coach of the basketball team, and Kevin himself was one of the top small forwards in the state. He’d have to maintain his grades to keep a scholarship, and between that and his superhero work, he was in for a pretty tough couple of years.
There was never a question as to whether Kevin would continue on as Mr Perfect, even in college. He’d been born with the ability to help people. The ability to make a difference. To ignore that ability, to let people continue with their suffering, would be almost as bad as causing their suffering in the first place. The moment he had discovered his powers, he knew he had to use them. He had to be like the hundreds before him and take up the mantle of superhero.
He pulled up the drive, and sounded his horn. Moments later, Katie stepped out of the door. Kevin’s breath caught in his throat. He was a lucky, lucky guy.
<><><>
Katie was in her element. Amongst the cheerleaders and social elite of Newport Harbour, talking fashion, music and the latest gossip. She had left Kevin the moment they had reached the party, he had headed straight to the basketball team, and her own friends had flocked to her within moments.
It was during a particularly riveting conversation regarding the upcoming Milan fashion show, that Katie noticed Anna staring at her.
Face-to-face with the girl who had kidnapped her all those months ago, Katie couldn’t help feel Anna’s seething hatred. In Anna’s mind, it should have been her in the centre of attention. She should have been the one the girls flocked to. But her place had been usurped by the interloper, Katie. Katie was the most popular girl in school. Katie was the head cheerleader. Katie was Student Body President. Anna had been overlooked. She was a year older, and it was her turn. Now she’d graduated. Finished high school, and not even come up second best. Primrose had beaten her for the title of Prom Queen. All-in-all, it had been a bad year for Anna. But it was going to get better. Very soon. Katie was going to get what was coming to her.
Katie could sense the anger directed at her, but thought better than to use her powers. She might not be able to block everything out, but she wasn’t going to invade anyone’s privacy, even Anna.
Instead, Katie smiled at Anna, and the hatred intensified. Katie fought the urge to laugh, as she excused herself from the conversation.
She walked past Anna, to the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder. Satisfied no-one was watching, she pulled out her bottle of vodka. Nervously, she unscrewed the lid, and poured the contents into her half-empty beer. She replaced the lid, and stowed the bottle back into her bag, before taking a sip.
She took a deep breath, as she felt the intoxicating feeling wash over her.
<><><>
“Can’t believe you were at the last playoff game.” Mike said.
“Yeah, we were stuck at Mike’s playoff party instead.” Jack said.
“You guys have no idea. I was practically courtside.” Kevin bragged.
“I wish my dad had coached Jerry Buss’ grandson in college. I’d get mad tickets like that all the time.” Jack said.
“We were lucky to get those… But man, you should have been there.” Kevin said.
“Ok, enough about the damn playoffs. Who do you think will win this year?” Jack asked.
“Celtics.” Mike said.
“Nah, I think the Bulls have it this year.” Kevin argued.
“You’re both wrong. Lakers back-to-back.” Jack argued.
“Never gonna happen.” Kevin laughed.
“Kevvvyyyy!” Katie leapt onto Kevin’s back, grabbing him around the neck.
“Woah.” Kevin stumbled, not expecting the assault.
“I lurve youuu.” Katie kissed him on the neck.
Kevin could smell the beer on her breath. “Had a little to drink, have we babe?”
Katie started giggling. “Just a little.”
“Maybe you should have some food. I think Alphonse had a barbeque out on the deck.” Kevin said.
“You’re right. You’re so smart babe.” Katie said, before stumbling away.
Jack and Mike started laughing. “Man, your girl is waaaasted.” Mike said.
“She’s not that bad. She needed a good night out. It’s about time she let her hair down.” Kevin defended.
“Someone thinks he’s getting action tonight.” Jack laughed.
<><><>
The music’s dull bassline thumped through the walls of the bathroom.
Katie leaned over the basin, splashing water on her face. She hadn’t meant to get this drunk. She tried to focus on her reflection, but her vision was blurred, and she could’ve sworn she just saw two copies of her face in the mirror. And two mirrors. She had four hands though, which really threw her.
She removed the bottle of vodka from her purse again. With a shrug, she took off the lid and downed the whole bottle.
She started giggling as she pushed the bottle back into her bag, and stumbled out of the bathroom. This night was just getting started.
<><><>
“What the hell is he doing here?” Jack asked, pointing towards the front door.
Kevin turned around. “Oh god…” He moaned, when he saw who was standing in the doorway.
Clad in torn jeans and a Guns ‘n’ Roses t-shirt, with a leather jacket to complete the look, stood a guy they all knew. His dull brown hair a mess, and an evil smile across his face, Ben Mosley advanced on the room.
“Let’s get rid of him.” Mike said.
“Yeah, before Alphonse kicks his ass.” Jack said.
The two pushed past Kevin, and headed towards the troublemaker. “Mosley. What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Mike asked.
“I’m here for the party. Where’s the beer, pretty-boy?” Mosley asked.
“I don’t see an invitation, do you Jack?” Mike asked.
“No, I don’t Mike.” Jack replied.
“And what do we do with people who don’t have invitations Jack?” Mike asked.
“We throw them out Mike.” Jack replied.
“I think I’ve seen this routine somewhere…” Mosley muttered. “Just stay out of my way boys, and point me towards the keg.” He said.
Jack and Mike lunged for Mosley, who sidestepped Mike, and punched Jack in the solar plexus, winding the larger boy.
Kevin swore, as he pushed through the gathering crowd. As Kevin made his way over to the fight, Mosley tripped Mike up, and kneed Jack in the face, an audible cracking noise was heard, as the blood began to gush from Jack’s nose.
Kevin managed to grab Mosley, as he began stomping on Mike’s abdomen.
“Dude, back off.” Kevin ordered.
“Make me.” Mosley sneered.
“Mosley, I’m not fighting you. Not here, not ever. I’ve got nothing to prove. Now get out, or I’ll throw you out. Or even better, I’ll leave you right here. The rest of the team would love to get a piece of you.” Kevin lowered his voice.
“Let them come. I haven’t had a decent fight in weeks, not that they’ll bring me one either. Maybe when I kick all their asses, you’ll have the balls to fight me yourself, Jockstrap.”
“Mosley, try all you like, I’m not fighting you. You know I’ll win. I know I’ll win. Everyone knows I’ll win. Just leave now.”
“Heeey!” Katie stumbled into the room, drawing attention away from the fight. “Kevin! Look, it’s Fire-BLEAH!” Katie cut off her own words, as she hurled all over the rug.
“Holy crap.” Mosley said. “Did she just…?”
“Yeah, lucky she did too.” Kevin said, before moving towards his girlfriend, who was stumbling around.
Kevin lifted her up. “I’d better get her home.” He said.
“Wheee! I’m flying!” Katie threw her arms out, as Kevin carried her to the car.
As the couple left the party, Anna noticed something had fallen out of Katie’s purse.
An empty vodka bottle. Anna picked it up and smiled. It seemed the perfect little princess had a secret… Now how could she exploit it?