First things first, I went straight home to change. Maybe The Solar Lounge was pretentious, but I could speak dress code, and I knew the exact look required to be allowed into the Maven’s snobby club. I chose a finely woven, silky white, smock dress that fell just above the knees with tiny crystals of clear gemstone woven into it. I left my hair parted loosely to one side and smudged my eyes with white enhancer. As I surveyed the effect in the reflection glass I was satisfied I would blend in as a Comian ‘it’ girl, if I did say so myself.
Back in my pod, I took off into the darkening sky, letting my navigator tell me where Marz lived. It turned out to be a very up market part of Como where many of the remaining ‘traditional’ families lived. By traditional, I mean their families were biologically related. There was a prestige that came with that; being part of a surviving generational family. Sometimes, if I let myself think about it, I envied them. But then, I’d remind myself that family isn’t a word to describe genetics; it’s the people you love, and who love you in return. Shay was my family, and I would never complain about that.
Marz was waiting on the street for me when I arrived and I mentally groaned because Dash was right. He was obvious. Obviously trying to impress me. He wore a dark, green, collarless shirt that brought out the rich tones in his bronze hair, matched with brown and beige pin striped pants. I had to admit I was a little impressed, even though it totally went against the fashion décor of our destination. I wasn’t blind; Marz was good looking in a clean, preppy sort of way. The gleam in his eye as he looked me over was a turn off though. Too keen, he would be no challenge at all. Oh, there it was again, that challenge problem...
“Thanks for the pickup.” Marz beamed at me as he jumped in. I was careful not to make too much eye contact as we talked on the way. The last thing I wanted to do was give him the wrong impression.
The lounge was in full swing by the time we got there, beautiful people draped artistically throughout the place, as though they’d been posed there by a scene-scraper.
The whole place was set up outdoors, protected from the evening rains by canopies that sailed high overhead. White lounges scattered in circular disarray around the one lone building in the centre, where food and beverage artists conjured exotic drinks and small over-priced finger food. The Solar Lounge was less about the food, however, and much more about being seen. People actually matched their outfits to the décor here, white, white, and you guessed it, more white. Fashion tick to me. White clad service staff glided about the place, bearing trays of expensive looking drinks. The lounges were full of beautiful image-conscious people, all watching each other while trying to look fascinating themselves. It was kind of impressive and amusing at the same time.
I spotted Jonaz sprawled on a lounge, his head thrown back in laughter at some, no doubt, idiotic thing Stelli had just said. Okay, that was mean, maybe I shouldn’t have assumed that, but hey the girl hadn’t wowed me with her intellect so far. Just her dazzling looks. Meanwhile, what was she doing here anyway? She sat cross-legged on a cushion at his feet, scantily clad in a white one-shoulder dress about a quarter of the size of my own dress. Whoa. Jonaz’s dark hair and eyes made a striking contrast to his white shirt and matching pants. As we approached, I noticed how he leaned down to murmur something in Stelli’s ear. They made a very good-looking couple if I had to admit it. They looked like they belonged here. Self-consciously I smoothed my hair back, hoping the lighting would be kind to me.
Mekai was sitting on the couch opposite and I sat next to him, Marz positioning himself far too snugly on my other side. Jonaz gazed over, his dark eyes blatantly appraising me. His mouth curved upwards in amusement, clearly enjoying my visible exasperation. I glared at him in an ugly way that probably ruined the effect of my pretty dress.
Mekai was scowling for some reason; probably he found this place as fake and overblown as I did. Or, maybe he was just uncomfortable witnessing the Jonaz and Stelli flirt-fest. Watching those two fawning over each other was almost as nauseating as watching Chaz and Mira going for it. Almost.
“Hi guys,” Stelli greeted us tentatively. Her shiny, gold hair was piled on top of her head, secured with a long ribbon of silver. She would have looked terribly sophisticated had her somewhat vacant expression not ruined the effect. She’d been drinking relaxation liquor by the look of it. A half empty vial of icy blue fluid sat in a holder in front of her, on the low marble tables between the two couches. “I’m not staying, Jonaz just wanted to cheer me up.” She clambered rather unsteadily to her feet.
“You don’t have to leave Stelli,” I said warmly. She already knew what was going on anyway, and besides, she was a friendly female face for me right now, much preferred to the smug expression of Jonaz or the overly eager face of Marz.
“No, it’s okay.” Stelli’s flawless face was suddenly serious. “What Zarian said, about our true purpose; it can’t be right, or at least not for me. Just because I have a power doesn’t mean I have the capacity to fight.”
“But what about what Brazin said?” I stuttered, unable to believe a blonde bimbo was the first person I’d ever heard openly disagree with our leaders’ guidance. I’d possibly misjudged her. She wasn’t just sure of her good looks, but of whom she was. It was more than I could say for myself.
“If that means I’m socially frowned upon, or disciplined, so be it,” Stelli’s voice shook slightly as she gathered her things. “But I wish you all the best, and for what it’s worth, I believe you all have what it takes.” She looked at me steadily for a moment, surprising me with the admiration in her amber eyes. Well. That was unexpected. I gaped confoundedly at her retreating figure as Jonaz walked her off to arrange a public air pod. The prettiest girl in school had just challenged me, and not over who wore the best outfit. She thought I was capable of fighting? What did she see in me that I didn’t?
“I can’t work out whether she’s incredibly dumb, or actually smarter than all of us,” I murmured, testing the waters.
There was a moment of awkward silence before Mekai responded, “She’s right about one thing. I do have what it takes. I do want to fight.” He said this more loudly than was strictly necessary.
“Yeah, me too,” Marz said less certainly. He developed sudden interest in inspecting the menu. I fell quiet, barely listening to Marz and Mekai chatting about lighter topics on either side of me until Jonaz returned. Motioning to a serviceman with a wave of his hand, one appeared immediately at our table and he proceeded to order for us before we had a chance to even see a menu. I suppose he thought he was being a good host, but it was just irritating. I could choose my own drink, thanks very much.
“So,” Marz began, “what’s our plan for tomorrow, cause I need all the help I can get.” We got down to work, analysing what we thought were each others’ weaknesses, trying to come up with individual strategies. I don’t know if it was the drink, but despite my misgivings, I began to enjoy myself. The atmosphere was buzzing, like something exciting might happen.
As much as I hated to admit it, Jonaz was a natural leader. He took control of the conversation, encouraging our doubts, making sure everyone got a word in, giving advice. I realized by the end of the evening that he hadn’t been completely unbearable tonight. We’d even managed to converse without sarcasm or snarling.
Marz, on the other hand, was fast reaching the top of my hit list. Edging persistently closer and closer (if that was possible on an already small couch) all night, he almost fell into my lap when Mekai jumped forward to put his vial down. I began to grow uneasy as several other patrons observed us with interest, gauging our age, calculating if we were old enough to be matched. I was so annoyed I was seriously considering making him walk home, and there was none of the dubious drizzle he’d mentioned earlier either. The fresh air would do him good, as it appeared the drink had clearly relaxed him a little too much. He stared at me with open interest, using every opportunity to touch me. Why oh why did the ones you only wanted to be friends with, always have to go and make things unnecessarily uncomfortable and awkward? Judging by the soppy look he was giving me, I knew I would have to have a firm talk with him on the way home. I scowled peevishly at the thought.
The one thing that struck me as odd about the whole night however, was the continual background presence of Jonaz’ parents, Biel and Vala. I knew them from social media of course; everyone knew who they were, as one of the oldest generation families in Caran.
They were attractive like their son, poised and commanding. However unlike Jonaz, who I had to admit was warm and jovial in nature, they appeared stonily cold, detached even, as they moved almost mechanically throughout their club. I watched them as they worked the room strategically, socializing with their patrons, waving service staff over to replenish drinks for clusters of important looking people. Yet something that I couldn’t put my finger on just didn’t seem right. After a while, I figured out what it was. Strangely, not once during the whole evening did they so much as glance in the direction of our group, or at their son. In fact, it was almost as if we were invisible, or maybe just not important enough for them to be bothered with. It bothered me. After all, shouldn’t they be dying to meet the students Jonaz was training with for the Army of Powers? I decided to be nosy.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your parents, Jonaz?” I asked, inclining my head in their direction. At once, something dark flashed over Jonaz’s face; his features suddenly as hostile as his parents. He glared at me in a way that rapidly reversed the effects of the relaxation drink.
“Can’t you see they’re busy?” he hissed. I was taken aback by the coldness in his tone; all traces of earlier humour and ease had vanished. I bristled at him.
“Oh I’m so terribly sorry! Here was I thinking that the common courtesies of Como applied to your family as well. Silly me! My mistake.” Jonaz leaned forward, his eyes flashing angrily, his mouth opening to reply, but I cut him off, jumping to my feet. “I have to go guys, I forgot to tell Shay I’d be late,” I proffered the excuse, ignoring Jonaz as he stood up abruptly. Rounding the table that separated us in two short strides, he stared down at me, frowning. Suddenly nervous, I turned my back on him. “Do you still need a lift, Marz?” I practically snapped. Marz jumped up hastily, but Jonaz cut in over my shoulder.
“I can take Marz home, Twell. He only lives around the corner from me and you look tired, you should go straight home,” his voice was less angry, but firm. My mouth popped open in surprise and Marz stopped dead. He gave Jonaz such a filthy look even I was impressed. Jonaz returned his stare, “Unless you need Twell to take you?”
“I...er...well no of course not...that’s...that’s fine,” Marz stuttered. His head swivelled back and forth between Jonaz and me, as if trying to work out which one of us had actually duped him. I narrowed my eyes at Jonaz in suspicion, torn between relief and a nagging feeling this was going to mean I owed him. However I was tired, and in a sour mood now too. I decided to chance it.
“If that’s okay Marz?” I asked in what I hoped was an innocent enough tone. He stared at me with a wounded expression for a second before recovering himself.
“Of course, I’ll ride with Jonaz,” Marz mumbled, his tone so dejected I felt sorry for him. I glanced at Jonaz suspiciously. Did he expect me to thank him? Finally, I decided to just ignore his deliberate interference. Avoiding eye contact with him, I said goodbye to everyone else and hurried off, but as I went I felt his eyes burning into my back and I was unsettled.
I flew home pondering improvements to my strategy, but Jonaz’s unexpected ‘kindness’ worried away at me, making me more and more suspicious. By the time I got home, I was convinced I shouldn’t have accepted his help. After all, it wasn’t like I couldn’t look after myself. I was certainly not the type who needed or wanted rescuing. If Jonaz thought he had one over me now, he had another thing coming. I’d rather die than owe him anything and I still didn’t trust him. Not one bit.
Most popular guys got their status in the first place from their ability to charm and manipulate people. As for Jonaz, most girls lapped him up. There’s nothing more attractive to a girl than a guy with a face like an otherworldly being and the potential to break your heart. I wondered how long it would be before he grew tired of Stelli. Not even being the most beautiful girl in the school could hold Jonaz Maven’s interest for long.
At home, I wandered into Shay’s sleeping chamber. She was propped up in bed, reading over some data I probably didn’t want to know about on her study screen.
“Hello, Twell. I’ve been waiting up to see how things went,” she said cheerfully, although her face was creased with fatigue. Another stab of guilt went through me. I’d been thoughtless; I should have called at least.
“Let’s just say I have a long way to go before I can save the planet,” I quipped. “In fact I’ve just been working on tactics with the others tonight.”
“Tactics already?” Shay sounded unusually proud of me.
“Well you know I love a challenge!” I replied brightly. There I’d admitted it. I liked a challenge. I just wouldn’t admit it to Meela, not in the context she meant anyway.
“I’m sure you can handle it,” she said, although her eyes clouded slightly with concern.
“Piece of protein,” I assured her. I didn’t want Shay worrying about me when I felt she already had enough to worry about. Shay laughed, her expression relaxing. I wondered at her reaction. Was she feeling guilty for pushing her social views on me, or simply relieved my attitude appeared appropriate?
“Sorry, Twell, but I’m exhausted. Do you mind if we talk about it all tomorrow?”
“Sure,” I answered as I shut her door. “Sleep well.” I went to my own chamber and had just slid into bed when my wristband beeped. My hopeful anticipation it might be Chaz was not rewarded. Instead, it was a message from the Governing Body. Normally they were pretty boring messages, reminders to study conscientiously, or news feed on the current global economy. This one gave me a jolt as I read it.
Thank you for complying with the training programme. We appreciate your willingness to protect our people, as we protect you. Your loyalty is commended.
Breathless with anxiety, I fought the urge to rip the wristband off and fling it across the room. This was the first personal message I’d ever received from the G.B. and it wasn’t inspiring. Instead of the pride it was meant to instil, I experienced the nasty sensation of being watched, and more closely than before. My heart sank as I realized how far my attitude was from their expectations. For a long moment, I sat with my right hand clutching the face of my wristband. I imagined it pulling tighter and tighter, burning and melding permanently into my skin until there was no separation, or escape. I breathed in deep to calm myself and wished I lived in a world where I could do what I wanted without being sure to disappoint someone. I longed for a life where I could choose what I fought for, even if it might only be my choice in career. I could make mistakes, because I had the chance to make them. I could choose who I wanted to fall in love with. But I couldn’t.
I let go of the wristband and forced myself to stop fantasizing. It was best not to mourn for the things I could never have; allowing pointless desires to hurt me. Deep down, despite my longings, I knew it would hurt so much more to risk loving someone I couldn’t be with in the end. I would rather not give my heart at all, than to give, and have it broken.