Only a negative character change comes a long way [OC backstory]

A/N:
This story has a couple of characters that I came up with. Phoenix is not the only one I will introduce here. I have a character named Alexis, who was born mute and often times gets herself bullied by two senior cheerleaders, Tracy and Izzy. I will probably bring Alexis and her friend, Robyn into this story along with Tracy and Izzy, but that won't be until a later chapter.

The song changed to something slow, and before she could react, Tiffany's arms were around her, pulling her into an uncomfortable embrace. The touch was foreign, and Phoenix's skin crawled. She could feel the eyes of the room on them, watching the spectacle, and she knew she had to play along. She forced a smile and swayed to the music, her mind racing for a way out.As the song ended, she felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned to find Rachel standing there, a look of trepidation in her eyes. "Can I cut in?" Rachel asked, her voice shaking.Tiffany's grip tightened, a warning, but something in Rachel's gaze made Phoenix pause. She stepped back, giving Rachel a questioning look. Rachel took her hand, her eyes pleading. As they danced, Rachel leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. "I need to tell you something."Phoenix's heart raced. Was Rachel about to confess something? Did she know what was going on with Tiffany's note and the aftermath? "What is it?""I-I like girls," Rachel stuttered, her eyes darting around the room. "And I know you don't agree with it, but I just needed to tell someone. I can't keep pretending."The words hit Phoenix like a ton of bricks. Rachel was coming out to her, in the middle of prom, in the arms of the person who had tormented her for years. She felt a twinge of pity, but it was quickly overshadowed by anger and disgust. "You're just like the rest of them," she spat, pushing Rachel away. "A freak."The music stopped, the silence deafening. Rachel's eyes filled with tears, and she looked around at their stunned classmates. "Phoenix, no," she whispered, her voice breaking.But Phoenix was already storming off the dance floor, her chest tight with rage. How could Rachel do this to her? How could she betray their friendship like that? She pushed through the crowd, ignoring the gasps and whispers, and headed for the bathroom, her breath coming in ragged gasps.Once inside, she slammed the door to one of the stalls and sank to the floor. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, suffocating her. Her fists clenched, she punched the metal door, the sound echoing through the empty bathroom. The pain in her hand was a welcome distraction from the pain in her heart.Her mind raced with the implications of Rachel's confession. Rachel, who had been by her side through the darkest times, who had laughed with her, cried with her, was one of "them." The very people she had been taught to despise. Her thoughts were a tornado of confusion and anger, twisting together into a storm of emotion that made her dizzy.The bathroom door creaked open, and she tensed, expecting Tiffany or another of her ilk to come in and gloat over Rachel's humiliation. But instead, she heard the soft pad of sneakers approaching. Rachel's voice, trembling and small, broke the silence. "Phoenix, can we talk?"Phoenix didn't respond, just sat there, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Rachel's hand reached through the crack in the stall door, and for a moment, she considered taking it, letting her friend in. But the words stuck in her throat, choking her. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, so she just sat there, the sound of her own sobs the only reply.The door opened again, and Rachel stepped inside. She slid down the wall opposite Phoenix, the silence between them as heavy as the air in the room. "I know you don't understand," Rachel began, her voice shaky. "But I didn't know who else to tell. I just... I need someone to know the real me."Phoenix's anger had morphed into a cold numbness that seeped through her body. "What do you want from me?" she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "You know how I feel about... people like you."Rachel flinched at the words, but she didn't retreat. "I know," she said softly. "But you're different, Phoenix. You're strong, and you've been through so much. I thought maybe... you could understand.""Understand?" Phoenix spat. "What's there to understand? You're just another lost soul looking for attention."Rachel's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. "Okay," she whispered. "I get it. But I'm not going to change who I am for you or anyone else."The words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the gulf that had opened between them. Phoenix felt a pang of something she couldn't name, a mix of regret and fear. "I don't care," she said, her voice hard. "Just stay away from me."Rachel took a deep, shuddering breath and stood up. "Fine," she said, her voice strong despite the tears that trailed down her cheeks. "But you should know that one day, you're going to regret the way you treat people."The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Phoenix alone with her thoughts. Rachel's words echoed in her mind, a haunting melody that she couldn't shake. She leaned her head against the cool metal of the stall and closed her eyes, willing the world to swallow her up.