Julia

“Your hair is so soft,” she said, way too loudly considering how close her mouth was to his ear.

“Thanks. My mom says I need a haircut.”

Marie hummed and fell silent. In the elevator, Jordan placed Marie back on her feet. She leaned against the wall, head tipping back.

“No sleeping, Moreau,” Jordan reminded her.

“‘M not sleeping,” Marie protested, sleepy and a little sad. When she opened her eyes, Jordan could swear he saw tears collecting on her waterline.

“What’s wrong?”

Marie just shook her head. The elevator doors opened on her floor. Jordan wrapped a hand around Marie’s waist and led her out. Her head tipped onto his shoulder.

“C’mon, Marie. Why’d you get all sad on me?”

“Are you close with your mom?”

“Not really. It’s complicated. You?”

“My mom’s dead.”

Jordan stopped. The hallway was quiet and still. Marie’s head was still on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

“I killed her. And my dad.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. I didn’t know I had powers until my first period. I couldn’t control the blood. My mom came in and the blood went right through her body. I screamed and my dad ran in, same deal.”

“I killed my grandpa with my powers.”

Marie picked her head up and looked at him. “Really?”

“No.”

And for some reason, Marie laughed. Jordan smiled. They had been sure they’d fucked that one up. Maybe the concussion was working in their favor. They reached Marie’s door and she checked three pockets before she found her key.

“Well…” she said, fiddling with the key, “Thanks for getting me home alive.”

There was a clattering sound as the key slipped through her fingers. They both bent to grab it at the same time. Jordan shifted quickly to avoid a repeat head injury and picked up the key. She handed it to Marie.

“Thanks.” Marie stepped closer. She bit her lip. Jordan looked down at the movement. Marie leaned in.

And Jordan leaned back.

Marie froze, opening her eyes, “Oh. Sorry, I —”

“Marie,” Jordan sighed, “You’re drunk. We shouldn’t…”

“Right,” she said quickly, “I get it. Totally. Message received.”

“Wait, Marie.” Jordan grabbed her wrist, but Marie pulled away. “Marie!”

She shut the door in their face.

Marie was already in bed when Emma got home. The room lit up with light from the hallway and then fell dark again. Then Emma was climbing into Marie’s bed.

“Oof, Emma, what’re you doing?” Marie mumbled, fuzzy with sleep and alcohol and her concussion.

Emma wormed her way under the blanket, “I had the best night ever.”

Emma settled into the miniscule space between Marie's body and the wall. Marie sighed and let her get comfortable, having learned long ago that arguing with Emma was a waste of time. Especially when it came to her understanding of personal space.

"How's your head?" she asked.

"It hurts. But I'll live."

"I kissed Sam," Emma said abruptly.

Marie sighed. "Emma..."

"I know, I know. But I think he's different. I think he really likes me."

"That's what you said about Liam,” Marie reminded her, aiming for gentle but not quite sure she hit the mark. She wound an arm around the other girl to soften the blow.

“I know. But I think I really like him. I think he's a good guy. Like actually."

"Look, I don't know him. He could be amazing. I just don't want you to get hurt again if he's not."

"I know. You're the best. And you're my best friend."

"You're mine, too."

" I love you," Emma sang into her ear.

Marie rolled her eyes at the dark."I love you, too."

Jordan woke up with a headache and two text messages.

Sam: My brother and his friends and I are getting breakfast at Bridget's Diner, if you want. As payment for last night.

Sam: Also, you need to take Marie to the dance.

Jordan typed out two quick replies.

Jordan: i'll be there

Jordan: what dance

Then they groaned and rolled out of bed.

Jordan wanted to hate Luke so badly, but they couldn't. He was just such a genuinely good guy. Which made the want even stronger. He had everything. The powers, the rank, the money,

the girl. The offer to join the Seven. It wasn't official official, but from the way he talked about it, and the way Cate kept smiling sadly at him, it might as well be. The only upside was that Num­ber One would be up for grabs once he was gone. But would the Seven take two kids from Godolkin in two years? Jordan would just have to prove they were worth it.

Cate was a little disconcerting, with her piercing blue eyes and platinum blonde hair. She looked at them like she was reading their mind like a book. And maybe she was. She snapped a picture of their food and asked Jordan for their handle and it all felt a little transactional. Not that Jordan should be judging on that point.

Andre was nice enough. although he kept eyeing up their wait­ress. He was a nepo baby through and through, but at least he knew it.

"So, Sam, are you asking that girl you like to the dance?" Cate asked, looking slyly at Sam.

Sam's cheeks tinged pink. "Maybe."

"You should," Luke chimed in. "Didn't she kiss you last night?"

“Yeah,” Sam said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Good for you, man." Jordan said, "And just last night you were convinced she didn't like you."

Cate looked between Jordan and Sam quizzically, as if they were a crossword clue she couldn't figure out.

"What dance are we talking about?" Andre asked. Jordan was glad someone else had brought it up. She hadn't wanted to seem clueless in front of the others.

"The winter gala. It's some fundraiser," Cate said, stirring her coffee. "Because god knows this school needs more money. Anyway, some of the board members might go and there's a rumor the Deep will make an appearance, so we should all go."

She looked to Jordan. "Are you going?"

Jordan swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “Um. I guess."

"You were going to ask Marie, right?" Sam said.

Jordan resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Yeah."

"Bloody Marie?" Andre asked. "Good luck. She's kind of a bitch."

"You just think that be­cause she turned you down." Cute said, poking him in the cheek with a perfectly manicured nail.

“She's got good taste, then,” Luke said, “I'm sure she'll say yes."

Jordan bit her lip. “Maybe. I think she's mad at me, though."

"Why?" Sam asked.

“Uh... long story."

"She'll say yes." Cate said, “You just need a big gesture."

"Marie does not seem like a grand gesture kind of girl," Jordan protested.