Jubilee wasn't sure what she was expecting from Kat, but the subdued "hey" and the awkwardness was worrying. As a general rule, Jubilee didn't take rejection well, and she'd already been rejected by this woman. The heartbreak had been so brutal, and she didn't want to go through it again.
Kat started backpedaling. Not right now? Just got here? Jubilee's eyes narrowed. She visibly bristled as she anticipated the inevitable let-down.
And then a familiar voice bellowed a birthday wish. She let out a squeal of delight as Big Ol' Guido picked her up in his massive arms and gave her an epic bear hug. He was gentle enough not to squish her, but fierce enough in his love for life that Jubilee couldn't help but love the guy. Especially now that he'd inadvertently saved her from a repeat of last month.
Once her feet was back on the hardwood floor and Guido had let go, Jubilee started catching up on the latest gossip in a conversation that soon encompassed Madrox, Betsy, Bobby, Tabby, and Kurt. Pretty soon they had her laughing so hard she had to pee.
She excused herself to the bathroom, realizing that Kat had ninja-vanished at some point during the conversation. She found herself craning her neck to spot Kat in the crowd. She didn't have any luck with that until she was on her way back to the ballroom party, bladder empty. She spotted Kat in the hallway, looking lost.
By that point, Jubilee had decided, screw Kat. If she doesn't want you, that's her problem. If you want a girlfriend so bad, find one that's...
But the way the sunlight was filtering in through the windows and illuminating Kat's hair derailed Jubilee's thought process and poked a hole in her determination. No fair.
She willed herself to turn toward the ballroom, or the rec room, or the outdoor pool, or the staircase ... anywhere else. All she had to do was move her feet before Kat realized she was there. But of course, Jubilee wasn't that lucky.