"They look like they think they own the place," Mika had said minutes earlier, and now, with Ivory just a couple of steps in front of her, the words still felt just as true.
"So you're the redhead," Ivory said, with a smile that wasn't quite friendly. "Heard you dragged someone into the bathroom before we even walked in. Quite the legend for one night."
"News travels fast," Mika didn't lose her smile, though something in her gaze sharpened. "Does that impress you, or does it just make you jealous?"
"Neither," Ivory crossed her arms, the tattoos on her forearms tensing with the motion. "I'm just wondering if it was luck, or if you actually know what you're doing."
"Come find out for yourself."
"Maybe I will."
The air between them grew heavier. Around them, Nana-Cha watched, entertained, from the couch, Naomi was still catching up with Shade, and even Vesper had turned her head just enough not to miss the scene.
"Then let's make it interesting," Mika said, stepping in closer. "Dance floor. Let's see which one of us pulls in more people before the song ends. Whoever loses admits out loud who's running the night."
Ivory smiled, slow, accepting the challenge without hesitation. "I like the way you think, redhead. Deal."
"May the best girl win," Mika was already walking toward the dance floor, not waiting for a response.
Ivory followed close behind, both of them moving through the crowd with the same determination etched on their faces, ready to plant themselves at the center of every gaze in the room.
Nana-Cha leaned toward Cherry, not taking her eyes off the scene. "Ten bucks says they end up best friends by the end of the night."
"Or something more than friends," Cherry murmured, a shy smile surprising even herself. 
