The Voice

Part IV

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT DANCE. YOU ARE A TERRIBLE DANCER. PEOPLE WILL LAUGH AT YOU.

And though Katya had always enjoyed school dances, she felt that The Voice was probably right. It would be best if she found a dark place against the wall to stand.

On the occasion that her legs forgot that she was a terrible dancer and began to move to the music, The Voice would say: YOU CALL THAT DANCING?

Three times, Sasha and Mia tried to pull Katya onto the dance floor, but she shook their arms away, laughing at first, and then texting her mother to pick her up.

Outside, as Katya kept watch for her mother’s car, The Voice said: LEAVING THE DANCE IS A MAJOR LOSER MOVE, YOU KNOW.

“What was I supposed to do, just stand there all night?” Katya said.

GOOD POINT, said the voice. I GUESS YOU’RE A LOSER EITHER WAY.

That night, Katya and The Voice stayed up very late.

The Voice had many suggestions:

YOU SHOULDN’T WEAR SKIRTS ANYMORE. THEY MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE A LITTLE KID. AND ALSO KIND OF FAT.

YOU AREN’T VERY SMART.

YOU DEFINITELY AREN’T VERY PRETTY.

YOUR HAIR IS TOO SHORT.

YOU SHOULD ONLY WEAR BLACK FROM NOW ON. THAT WOULD BE COOL.

YOU SHOULD GET A TATTOO.

YOU SHOULD STOP TALKING TO THAT GIRL LUCY, UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE UNPOPULAR LIKE HER.

YOU SHOULD START FOLLOWING RILEY. YOU’RE LIKE THE ONLY PERSON ON THE PLANET WHO ISN’T FOLLOWING RILEY.

(To be continued.)