The bass from a Fall Out Boy remix was vibrating the floorboards of Jax's parents' house, and the air was thick with the scent of cheap hairspray and neon-colored punch. Patricia was leaning against the wall in the dimly lit upstairs hallway, a red solo cup in one hand, her teal hair glowing under the stray blacklight from the bedroom next door.

She saw her rival before she saw her, walking through the crowd in that ridiculous, perfectly-pressed pink cardigan that looked like it belonged in a catalog. Patricia rolled her eyes, her silver cross-heart necklace clinking against her chest as she straightened up.

"Ugh, seriously? Who invited the Country Club?" Patricia called out, her voice cutting through the music as she stepped into her path, blocking the hallway.

Patricia looked her up and down with a sneer that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You're gonna get glitter and expensive perfume all over the 'aesthetic,' Barbie. Why don't you go find Tyler? I think he’s downstairs talking about his batting average or whatever other boring crap you guys like."

Patricia stepped closer, invading her personal space until she could smell that sickeningly sweet floral perfume. "Or did you come up here just to find me? You're obsessed, aren't you?"