9:55pm, Thursday

C’mon Tash, where are you? I look at my HOL’s clock for the fourth time in as many seconds. Tonight was the party of the year. To be honest, I didn’t think I would be invited since we haven’t been on very good speaking terms since she broke up with me. But, Lena is famous for her last minute invitations. She likes to think that it keeps everyone on their toes—that it hypes up the anticipation. I was even more surprised that Dryden was the one she gave the invitations to. Neither one like each other.

But, a party…with Lena.

I can’t help but grin. She may have dumped me, but she totally still wants me. Now where is— Suddenly my HOL vibrates.

TM: “Sorry I can’t go with you guys right now. I’m not feeling well…girl stuff. I’ll see you guys there later.”

You couldn’t have told me that earlier…? I rolled my eyes before turning to Roshcar. “Tash said she couldn’t make it right now but that she will meet us there later.”

“Alright.” Roshcar shrugged. “Let’s get going.”

10:32pm, Thursday

The first thing I saw as we pulled up to Lena’s mansion was Arina. She was wandering around the side of the house following a crowd of people. The throbbing music could be heard all the way from the street. It was like the pulse of the party that underlay all the chatter and squeals from the outdoor pool behind the gate. The crowd was no doubt headed for the pool as everyone was dressed…

“I’m going to get a drink.” Roshcar pulled me out of my thoughts as he climbed out of the BubbleME. “You?”

“I, uh…” I glance in the direction of the crowd. “I’m going to see if I can find Nathan. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

“Alright.” Roshcar shrugged and strode towards the house.

I, on the other hand, followed the crowd into the side yard. The pool scene was active. Almost everyone had a drink in their hand. Almost everyone. There were the few outliers who were sitting awkwardly off to the sides trying not to be noticed. Probably some “promising first years.” I chuckled to myself as I walked through the crowd. Nathan…Nathan…Nathan…

I wandered into the house and through the various rooms. Where are you…? I found the stairs to the basement and followed some happily chatting couple as they descended. The music grew louder and louder as we got closer and closer to the dance room.

QuiBeats technology proba— A flash of light hit me in the face as I walked into the dance room. Momentarily blinded, I felt my way over to a safe corner and waited for my vision to clear. When it finally did…

Wow, I breathed even though the comment was swallowed by the music. This is amazing!

Pulsing music orbs were floating around the room, releasing little iridescent particles that pulsed and changed form according to the beat. It was like the entire room was a giant waveform.

I stood there watching until something caught the corner of my eye. Nathan…? I pushed my way through the mass of bodies, following the back of the person towards the door out into the back lawn.

10:57pm, Thursday

I pushed myself through the crowd until I could reach out and…“Nathan!” I grabbed onto the figure’s arm. The person turned, surprise his face. It wasn’t Nathan.

“Oh…sorry.” I shouted over the noise and let go. “I—”

“What?” The other person shouted.

“I’m sorr—”

“I can’t hear you.” The other person shrugged and walked off.

Whatever. I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t about to go chase down a random person just to apologize. I turned towards the dance floor again. Would he be dancing…I doubt it…but this is him after all… I ran a hand through my hair. I hated dancing, but he didn’t. I’ll check outside first, just to make sure. I pushed myself the last few feet to the door and escaped outside. The night seemed crisper than it had been before but maybe I had just been inside with hot sweaty people for too long. I take my time to stroll around the yard. There were several couples outside on various benches, but no…

“Nathan?” Off in the corner, sitting alone was Nathan.

“Oh hey.” He looked up as I quickly strode over.

“Where have you been?” I demanded. “Didn’t you see my messages?”

“Yeh, I saw them, but I was busy with—”

“Why did you let Arina win?”

“…I didn’t.”

“I saw the tapes Nathan. That last question at the end of the round, I know that you knew the answer. Why didn’t you get it right?”

“How did—”

“That doesn’t matter. Why didn’t you get the last question right?”

“I didn’t know it.” Nathan shrugged.

“Nathan, we learned the answer to that question two days before your test. There’s no way you forgot it.”

“Well, I must have alright? I got it wrong fair and square.”

“Did she threaten you?”

“Who?”

“Your fairy godmother.” I snarked. “Arian, Nathan. Did she threaten you?”

“No.”

“Did she promise you something if you let her win?”

“Kirosh, I got the question wrong, alright?” Nathan stood up with a sigh. “Just let it go.”

“Let it go? Nathan, what are you talking about? You should have gotten second. We’ve planned on going this trip together since we were like seven, and you’re asking me to just let it go? Are you serious?”

“Our plan was never to get into the Top Six.” Nathan kicked a rock. “…But it’s still going to work out, alright? I promise.”

“How can you say that?” I demanded. “How do you know that?”

Nathan didn’t answer.

“She did do something to get you to throw the round.”

“No, she didn’t.” Nathan sounded weary.

“Nathan…” I narrowed my eyes at him. He looks like he hasn’t slept in days. “What’s wrong?”

“I…” He trailed off, his eyes looking behind me. I turned, and there in the light of the doorway was Arina. She was just standing there, watching us. “It’s nothing, alright?” Nathan continued hurriedly. “I-I should go.”

“Nathan…” I reached out and caught his arm.

He just looked at me. His eyes weary but steady.

“Nath—”

“Nine months, Kirosh. Just Nine months.”

“Nine months? Nine months till what?”

But Nathan shook off my hand from his arm and hurried off. He paused just as he passes Arina and nodded at her. Surprisingly, she nodded back before returning to watch me.

What did she do to him? I stared back at her. And I mean really look at her.

She hadn’t changed a bit from before. She still had that proud tilt of her head; that disdainful look in her eye as if she were looking at an insect…that sad twist in her smile. And she was smiling. It was barely noticeable, but it was there. That smug bitch. Just what did she do to Nathan.