Stupid stupid stupid!

Dana was an idiot and she knew it. She was the queen of being nice to people because it got her what she wanted. And now, like the worst piece of slime from the bottom of the pits of hell, she had turned her personality squarely on Kate Marsh because she wanted things from her. But unlike what she did with, say, Max or Juliet, this was about a hundred times worse. Because she had conned Kate into giving her pseudo-absolution and keeping her mind off the pain from those goddamn meds. It would be awful enough pulling her trick on Kate, but she was doing it because she liked her presence. She didn't just want things or favors from the girl – she wanted her.

Dana was, in short, tricking an innocent Christian girl into being her friend so that maybe some day she could get her in bed. You couldn't possibly get shittier than that. Clearly she knew how horrible she was being, and yet still she found herself talking to Kate one night as September gave way to October about attending a Vortex club party.

Kate was understandably hesitant. "I-I don't know, Dana. I don't think it will be any surprise that I'm not much of a party girl. I'm more of a 'go to bed at ten' girl." Jesus, was she ever not adorable?

"I understand, Kate. I wouldn't want you to feel awkward or uncomfortable. But these parties usually suck, it's all just people getting drunk and high and being annoying. I would love it if just once I knew there was someone there I could depend on to not ditch me in favor of a guy or a bottle or a bong." Laying it on a little thick there, Dana, stop sounding so pathetic. She shrugged, attempting to put on a more casual front. "But seriously, you of all people deserve to take care of yourself. And I'd hate to think of Alice missing her mama all night."

"No, I think you have a point." Then she gave her that Kate Marsh smile, the one that she probably should trademark, the one that said that everything would be okay. Dana was really starting to like that smile. "I am still a high schooler after all. I should probably try to be a normal one, once in a while. Just promise me the same applies to you? No ditching." Kate had a way of being 'stern' that was super not-scary but still garnered a million times more dedication than someone like Victoria just yelling at you.

Coincidentally, Dana had recently learned the term "Pyrrhic victory" in her English class, and it felt like it applied here. She had convinced Kate to go out with her to a party. Well, not go out, but they would be attending together. Yet she couldn't help but think 'at what cost?' Kate could be charmed away from her simple life by the evils of alcohol and drugs. God forbid (perhaps literally) it be Dana that end up seducing her the most.

So that was how she found herself on a Friday afternoon perusing Kate's wardrobe trying to find something that would fit the party scene. Well, that was a generous description. It was more like she was looking for something that wouldn't stand out too horribly. Kate actually did have a collection of dresses, mostly dowdy, but finally she located one or two that seemed like they might work.

Dana passed them back to Kate and was in the process of leaving when the girl stopped her. "Y-You don't have to go. I mean, y'know, don't stare or anything. But I feel like it would be kind of annoying for you to constantly leave and come back..." Dana sat down hesitantly on Kate's bed, feeling the return of that sensation that she was taking severe advantage of her friend. Even trying to give the girl plenty of space, she could see movement and some pale skin in her peripheral vision before Kate had gotten herself into the first outfit, a plain black dress. "I'm not so sure about this one. I only wore it once, to a funeral. Is it okay to switch like that? Does it look like a funeral dress? Or did I wear an overly-cute dress to a funeral?"

God, even her fretting was precious. "It's a perfectly nice dress, Kate, regardless of what it was used for last time. I like it, but go ahead and put on the other, just to be sure"

The other was a baby blue sundress, not really much better when it came to party attire. Cute as hell, but not really the right thing for a Vortex shindig. She tapped her chin thoughtfully as Kate stood there looking like a deer in headlights. Finally, proper inspiration struck and she went to the girl's dresser without hesitation and started rooting through it.

There was one more exchange of clothes before Dana diverted her attention to a very interesting spot on the wall. It seemed to take ages, but finally Kate gave a little relieved sigh. "Wow, Dana, you're a genius. You really have an eye for this kind of stuff..." Dana looked up, delighted and only very slightly turned on to see Kate dressed down in jeans, a black tank top, and an open plaid button-up. It wasn't the most impressive outfit, but on someone like Kate who always looked so perfect, it was eye-catching.

"You're right. I am a genius. You look super hot, Katie~" The heat on Kate's face was delightful, but she had to make one last push. "First, though, to complete the look..." She moved over and carefully tugged Kate's hair out of its trademark bun until it unraveled into a mane of gorgeous poofy awesomeness. "Perfect."


Considering this was supposed to be a massive failure, Dana's plan to bring Kate out to party was actually kind of a success. Obviously Kate was never going to emerge from her shell and go crazy. But she had chatted with a few people and had consumed the equivalent of a single glass of wine. Even Victoria wasn't completely horrible to her. Dana suspected that losing Nathan in the Jefferson-debacle had forced Vic to recognize the need to be kind to more than one person.

In fact, it was Kate's idea that they do some dancing. Oh my god, this should be good. If Kate was as awkward a dancer as she suspected her to be, it would be a joy to watch, and somehow she would still manage to have fun. The girl grabbed her hand, dragging her across the dance floor, already bopping in time to the music. Maybe she didn't bump or grind or dance dirty like a normal teen, but she was giggling brightly, infectiously.

Dana's hands went above her head, eyes closing, as she started to sway. Since she wasn't watching, it was a bit of a surprise to feel Kate's hands come to rest on her hips. It was a comforting feeling – Kate was a comforting girl. It was easy to pretend that this wasn't her fault, to pretend that she wasn't an awful human being who was tricking yet another decent person into liking her.

Then, the song ended, replaced with a slow-jam. Because of course. Dana opened her eyes, preparing to lead Kate away from the crowd of students. Surprisingly, Kate's grip actually tightened slightly and she moved in closer until her head was resting against her chest. Dana was glowing as she let her arms wrap around Kate's shoulders. This was exactly as warm and lovely as she wanted it to be, and that just made her feel all the worse. It seemed as though all eyes were on them, but naturally everyone was too involved in their own stuff to really pay too much mind to them. All except for a few curious voyeurs, but who cared about them.

That all changed when the song came to an end, going back to the more high-octane stuff. Rather than separating, they pressed in closer, both of the same mind apparently. And their lips connected, to the cheers and applause of some of their peers. Dana and Kate both ignored them, though that didn't mean they didn't know it was happening. It wasn't the deepest kiss in the world, but it lingered for quite some time. When their self-consciousness got the best of them, they meekly disappeared through the front door and made a beeline for the dorms.

Standing there in the hallway outside Kate's room, neither of them really knew what to do with themselves or what to say. Dana eventually broke the thick silence, expecting at any moment her friend might come to her senses and tell her never to pull that kind of stuff again. "So... Um, thanks for coming with me tonight. I had a really great time. But... I understand if maybe that was a little more than you were expecting."

Kate stared down at the floor, rubbing her arm, and now Dana was certain that she had completely fucked up. "It was... nice... But I'm a little worried about everyone else..."

I've done it. I've forced her into having a crush on me. I am the literal devil. In spite of her doubts, Dana hugged Kate gently with a little sigh. "I'm sorry. That was definitely too much. I should have been more careful." The tiny girl hugged her back a little tighter and nodded slowly.

"But aside from me being ridiculous, it really was a lot of fun. And I guess maybe some time we could do it again, something a little more private so I won't be such a weirdo?" Kate's kindness made Dana feel horrible, but she would have felt worse denying her what she wanted.

Dana kissed her cheek gently and smiled as she finally pulled away, unsure how long the embrace went on for. "Only if you promise to stop talking about yourself like that. It's normal to be nervous about what others think." And it's also normal to think you're an asshole, but let's not talk about that. "Next time will be safer. G'night, Katie~" She offered Kate a wave and hurried down the hall to go hide in her room and not think about anything.