"Jess? Can I talk to you for a second?" Jessica Wakefield's turquoise eyes narrowed, as she heard the sweet voice of Enid Rollins speak out from behind the door of her open locker. She slammed it shut, and found herself face to face with the girl, who looked absolutely terrified. Had she been more like Liz, she would have felt more sympathetic.

"What is it, Enid?" she said impatiently, placing her hands on her slim hips. As someone near her opened a door, she caught reflection of herself in the glass. She felt a self-satisfied smile creep across her exquisite face: her smooth peaches-and-cream complexion, her long, shining blonde hair, modest bust and long, slim well toned legs were eye-catchers. Sometimes she could hardly believe herself that she was so amazingly beautiful.

"Well?"

Enid, who was definitely not as beautiful as Jessica, looked down at her feet. Her dark brown hair fell past her shoulders, her large green eyes sparkling with a nervous glitter. Enid was not a slim girl, but, as Jessica looked at her, she realised she wasn't actually fat – just curvy. If she lost a few pounds, she'd be quite attractive.

She opened her mouth to speak.

"You know, if you're not doing anything this weekend... would you like to... go Prom-dress shopping with me? I could do with someone so well tuned into fashion as you."

Jessica smiled smugly again, agreeing – until what Enid had actually said sunk in. She almost laughed, but even she was not that insensitive. She smothered a grin, and said in her most honeyed tones,

"Ummm... thanks a lot, Enid, but I, umm... I'm already going with Lila."

It wasn't a lie – she would be going with Lila. Just not this weekend.

"Oh, of course," Enid replied hurriedly, looking as if she'd been caught in the headlights of a car. Jess felt slightly confused – usually she and Enid were okay with each other. Maybe E was having a mid-life crisis again, like when her Nana had come to visit. "But maybe another time? We could hang out maybe?"

Jessica stared at her in disbelief. She felt her mouth opening, and words tumbled out, almost out of her control.

"Me, hang out with you? Enid, what planet are you from? You're little Miss. Nobody, and I'm... well, Miss Everything! You're just like... not in my league."

She felt guilt immediately, but the words kept falling, over and over.

"You're friends with Liz, remember? And let's face it Enid," she finished with a smirk, "I'd never hang around with someone who dresses like she got dressed in the dark. Comprende?"

Jessica felt a huge pang of guilty as Enid's face began to crumple – but at the last minute, Enid seemed to get her pride back.

"Fine," she said coolly. "I'll go and join Liz in the Oracle office – at least she doesn't care what I look like and what I wear."

Jessica watched her leave in stunned silence. Had she really been that cutting? It didn't seem any different from her usual tones with Enid – maybe a little harsher, but who cares?

She shrugged, and walked down the hallway, the sunlight glimmering on her sun-bleached hair. In the shadows, Enid watched her with a slight tinge to her cheeks.