Maka sighed as she took in the stacks of beauty magazines before her. Liz and Patti had invited her over for a 'girls' night', but Maka was beginning to realize that their idea of a good time was much different from hers.

"Oooh, this is a good one!" Liz flipped her a glossy magazine with a picture of some teen idol on the cover. "There's good tips on eyebrow waxing and plucking in there…" She lowered her voice and cupped her hand around her mouth. "Just don't let Kid see it… He goes crazy over stuff like eyebrow plucking."

"Erm… okay!" Maka didn't find this hard to believe. She was all too aware of Kid's severe issues with OCD.

Unsure of what else to do, she flipped open the magazine with hesitant hands.

Inside, neon ads and girls with straight hair and sparkling lips greeted her.

She almost passed out. This is what all the fuss is about?!

"Hey there," Kid entered the room with a tray in his hands. "I made snacks!"

"God, Kid," Liz groaned, resting her hand on her forehead. "We're not eight! What do we need snacks for?!"

Kid ignored her and placed the tray in the direct center of the table. "I made precisely eight rice Krispie treats! Placed in a perfect circle, too!" He sighed contentedly and wiped a tear of joy away. "The god of symmetry himself couldn't do much better, I'm absolutely certain…"

Liz sighed. "Nutcase."

Maka was still absorbed in the magazine. Every second her gaze remained on the pages full of airbrushed superstars and models, her self confidence slowly dwindled. Surely these pictures can't be genuine! No one has skin that flawless… Do they? Am I the weird one?

She exhaled and put down the magazine. "These girls are all so pretty… How can you even stand to look at them? They make me feel like garbage…"

Kid looked up at this. "What's the matter?"

"These magazines…" Maka groaned.

"Hmph," Kid stood and dusted off his hands. "I wouldn't let it get to you, Maka. After all, look how pretty you are without makeup. And your face is perfectly symmetrical. I'd have to say you're above ninety-nine percent of all beautiful girls…" He grinned. "Which would make you the top one percent!"

Everyone was silent at this, staring at him.

"What?" Kid blinked. "Did I say something strange?" He thought for a moment. "Oh, right. Silly me! Ninety-nine isn't a symmetrical number. Then… eighty-eight percent!" He smiled in triumph, and left the room.

The girls said nothing, but Patti and Liz's eyes trailed to Maka.

A steady blush rose up Maka's cheeks.