Back at the Start (02)

The bell rings, bringing an end to Econ class.

What do you do?

I don't know if I can really tell Cris that Izzy will be cool, but I'm pretty sure about this much at least:
No cops. Promise. Can't wait for Friday!

I tuck my phone in my pocket and stand up, gathering my things and feeling sort of off balance after the manic start to the day and now just being back to...normal. I look around for Galinthias and wait for Soph to cross toward the door so I can walk out with her.

"How'd that quiz go?" I ask her when we're out of the room.

"Holy dren, it was a nightmare," Soph says when she feels free to speak. "Thank the gods you sent Gally my way. Frell me, my head is throbbing. Did you do okay?"

I nod. "Galinthias helped me first. While lecturing me about why I should break up with Knox and how I should somehow enjoy this high school hellscape while I'm here." I realize my voice is loud and sharp which probably doesn't help Soph's headache so I try to quiet down a bit as I continue. "Did you get to take some meds before we left home? Do you want me to walk you to the nurse?"

She huffs out a breath, shaking her head, "No need. I can deal. I'll bum a few ibuprofen off Izzy - she's always got something." She throws an arm around you to side-hug you. "Te amo, hermana."

I squeeze her back. "I love you, too. Hey, if you see Izzy, tell her I got her in. She'll be so happy, she'll give you whatever you want."

"Hell yes!" Soph kisses your cheek before she slips away down another hallway.

When you stroll into Creative Writing, you notice that Ms. Calliope did some "re-modeling". An entire row of seats are gone!

The back row, of course.


Everything, and everyone, is scrunched closer together.

Kastor gives you a nod hello while Selene waves her black-nail-painted hand. When you sit down, Kastor asks, "How late were you out at the club?"

This closer classroom makes the whole space feel more intimate - and more invasive. I wave to Selene as I slip into the seat beside her then look over at Kastor. For half a second, I'm surprised at his question, not sure how he knew where I was last night. Then I feel terrible about it. Because he not only picked me up to go there together, but also went down on me before he left.

I reach up and rub my forehead like I'm staving off the same headache Soph is, hoping that will be enough of an explanation for the momentary blank look on my face. "Uh, I don't remember exactly. Things didn't end like I expected, but..." I shrug. "I'm here, and everyone's good, so I guess that means the party was a success. Are we still on for art in the park after school?"

"Sounds like how the party ended for me, too," he answers mildly. "Sure, we can still meet. But just you and me, Jewels. No crowds."

I quirk a bit of a frown at his response and request, but I nod. "Yeah, of course. I mean, assuming the park isn't being overtaken with some eight-year-old's birthday party or something, no crowds." I laugh a bit, trying to keep things light.

"Oh, hey," I respond to the unexpected greeting before I really process who it is. "Hey," I say again when that clicks. I really hope Eudora has enough sense to keep what happened last night discreet. "I'm good. How are you?" I almost want to add after last night but I don't, expecting she might hear as much anyway. She looks happy at least, so I hope that means she's not regretting her decisions and our quirky little threesome.

Oh wow, she really doesn't regret anything from last night. It's a good thing, and I can't help but smile at her exuberance. I glance at Kastor, sort of shrugging my shoulder like "what's gotten into her?" then look back at Eudora. I don't pull away from her touch. "Today is just another day of school, really, but if that's amazing for you, I won't rain on your parade. Are your, uh, sisters aware of the great day you're having?" I can't help but worry about what the others might think of Eudora's night last night - and my role in it.

You glance over at Kastor, who is pretending he isn't listening in. But you catch an expression on his face, one of amusement, maybe. He heard all of that.

I can't deny the way hearing that Heracles didn't sleep with any of the Oceanids makes me feel - powerful, desired, in control, superior. My chin lifts a bit as the feelings surge through me, and Eudora's gushing doesn't hurt either.

"Well, I'm happy you're happy," I tell her, relieved when Kastor seems to find all of this interesting rather than off-putting. "And don't worry about your sisters. Sometimes a little jealousy is a good thing, and they've had plenty of fun you've missed out on in the past. Last night was your turn."