The Shifters: Katrina

"Alright, class is over in five minutes. Sparring's over!"

Thank god, I thought, letting my fists fall to my sides. Luke had given me a hell of a workout. The earth shifter was red-faced and panting, doubling over as he caught his breath. I stretched, focusing on slowing my heart rate. When the bell finally rang, I gathered my things and cracked my back one last time before finally feeling less like I was dead.

"Next time," Luke huffed, "we're taking it easier."

"Deal," I said instantly. "I can't believe I did that when we're going to be partying tonight."

"I nearly forgot about that," Luke yawned.

I hummed, adjusting my backpack. Luke grabbed his own things, walking out of sixth period with me.

"I'm looking forward to it," I murmured softly, moving my sweaty hair off my neck.

"How come?"

I glanced at him, the two of us stopping outside the school. With the dorms on either side, we were about to split up.

Luke stared at me with his full attention, genuinely interested in my answer.

I exhaled, whistling through my teeth.

"Things are going to get rough soon," I pointed out. "We need to enjoy this while it lasts, you know."

"Are you worried about Xavier?"

"I'm worried about everything. Xavier, hunters, Guardians... It's all coming for us, and I--"

Before I could get too frantic, Luke surprised me. He stepped forward, pulling me into his chest. My foreign friend patted my head, one arm wrapped around my shoulders. Hesitantly, I hugged him back, de-poofed.

"A little calmer?"

"Uh, yeah... Thanks."

He let go slowly, watching me straighten myself out.

"I'll see you later, then," I murmured. "Thanks again."

He shrugged with his usual nonchalant smile. "No problem. See you around, Katrina."

And with that, he walked away.

And I rushed over to my dorm for a two-hour nap.

"I swear, I'm going to smack her."

"Just let me wake her up, Talia!"

"I'm on a warpath, little girl, scoot over!"

Why do I feel like I'm the one in danger?

Groaning, I popped my eyes open. My lovely nap was being disturbed, my roommate blocking the angry fashionista from storming into our dorm.

"What the hell?"

"Finally," Talia grumbled, slipping past Chloe. The younger girl huffed in defeat as Talia strode toward me, looking livid. "We have a party to go to, and you're napping?!"

"Oh god, Talia, please just leave me--"

"Shower, now."

"Lord have mercy."

"Now, Katrina!"

One shower later, and I had a frustrated Talia fighting with my wet hair. She eventually settled for curling it, grumbling about how my hair was more stubborn than I was. Once that was finished, she insisted on a light layer of makeup. I had to admit that it hid blemishes pretty well, giving me an extra ounce of confidence. Chloe was less high-maintenance, occasionally chipping in with her two-cents but otherwise keeping to herself. Once I was finished, Talia skipped to her dorm to find me something 'suitable,' leaving my roommate alone for a split second.

"She's trying to kill me."

"I don't think so."

"You sure?"

Chloe laughed. "It's her way of being friendly, Katrina. You struggle with friends too, you know."

"You're right... But... Why make me a fashionista too?"

My roommate giggled, ignoring me as Talia reappeared with a single article of clothing in hand.

"It's winter! I can't wear that!"

"Use some fire! Get changed, we're having a snack then leaving."

"Talia, that's a dress."

"Surely you've worn at least one?" She teased, throwing it at me. It was the colour of red wine and skin-tight, ending just above my knee. It had off-the-shoulder sleeves and a straight neckline linking them. Overall, it was plain, but complimented what lean-muscled figure I had.

"Parties are too hard," I muttered as she left, giving me time to change.

"High-ranking shifters go to events all the time," Chloe told me, the younger girl getting herself ready as well. "Get used to this."

"I'm quitting school to become a stripper."

"Katrina."

"I'm only partially serious."

"Lord save this compound," Chloe muttered. She was dressed in black halter shorts and a golden tube top, her blonde hair pulled back into a messy yet gorgeous ponytail.

"I'm not going to do anything," I defended, "the compound will be fine."

She made a face that told me she was in disbelief, making both of us laugh. By the time we were calm, Talia waltzed back in and swept her eyes over my outfit.

"Good, but one more thing."

I raised my eyebrows.

Then got smacked in the face by a pair of ankle boots.

High heeled ankle boots.

"You're going to--"

"Don't argue with me, Katrina," Talia said firmly. "Put them on, let's go."

I sighed, slipping my feet into the shoes. They were surprisingly warm and comfortable, and the water shifter smiled at me.

"Gorgeous."

I laughed, Chloe joining us by the door. "Thanks Talia."

"Yeah, whatever," the intimidating shifter muttered playfully, "let's go, girls. We've got a party to go to."

"Yeah, one that's in a freaking forest," I said dryly. "I'm going to trip and die."

"What a boring way to go."

"Talia, that's not the answer you should have."

"Oops?"

Chloe and I groaned, following Talia out of the dorms and across the compound. The three of us were comfortable around each other, which was surprising. Our personalities were different, our compounds were different, but there we were. Laughing, teasing each other, challenging each other to do better.

It reminded me that I had friends backing me up. Friends that invited me to sit with them when I was new. Friends that helped me use my element, spent quiet nights on hills bonding with me, fought beside me during a surprise invasion. Ones that dressed me up pretty, protected me from things that would hurt me, and dropped everything to follow me on crazy adventures when I needed them too.

This was friendship.

This was what I had been missing.