Sean
“That was very nice of you two, to invite one of your new classmates over to help her with schoolwork,” Mum says as soon as Kira’s gone. “I know it’s been difficult for both of you, having so few Echtran friends here in Jewel, but I’m sure that will change as you get to know all of these new students better.”
Molly nods happily. “Kira’s really nice. She didn’t seem too friendly the very first time I met her, but that was probably because I was with M and she felt awkward because of her being the Sovereign and all. She was fine tonight, though, wasn’t she, Sean?”
She shoots me a sly grin, which I ignore. “Yeah, she seems friendly enough to me. I’m, er, trying to talk her into going out for the girls’ basketball team next month, since she’d obviously be great.”
“Oh, is that who you were shooting hoops with Sunday afternoon?” Molly’s grin gets bigger. “I should have guessed. I saw you two whispering together after church.”
I feel my ears getting hot again and have to work hard to keep my expression neutral. Mum is already giving me That Look.
“I figured she misses being involved in a sport, and basketball is almost the same as the chas pell kids play in Nuath. So, yeah, I asked if she wanted to come out to the school and practice since the guys and I do that most Sundays.” I carefully don’t mention the guys weren’t there this Sunday.
Mum’s slight frown relaxes. “That was quite thoughtful, Sean, and I’m sure she appreciated it. Just…don’t forget that you two are from very different fines.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Molly demands indignantly, though she has to know as well as I do. “Didn’t you just say we both need more Echtran friends?”
One of Mum’s eyebrows goes up—always a danger sign. “Of course I have no objection to you—either of you—becoming friends with Kira, or any of the others.”
Molly immediately jumps on Mum’s slight emphasis on the word friends. “You mean as long as it’s just friends? What if Alan Dempsey, that other Ag Kira mentioned, asks me out once I get to know him? Would you have a problem with that?”
“Of course not,” Mum says a little huffily. “We allowed you to go to Homecoming with that Duchas boy, didn’t we? You’re sixteen. If you want to date one of these Echtran boys, particularly one from the Agricultural fine—”
Molly lets out a snort. “I thought that was it. You’re okay with me dating an Ag, or even a boy from a different fine, but Sean’s only allowed to get serious with another Royal? Well, in case you haven’t noticed, there aren’t any Royal girls in Jewel except M. Maybe not even on Earth. Is that fair?”
To my relief, Dad steps in. “Molly, that’s enough. Your mother simply doesn’t want to see Sean hurt again. See either of you hurt. Surely there’s no need to rush into anything?” He glances at me questioningly.
“I have no intention of rushing into anything,” I assure them all emphatically. “I never did. I appreciate you defending my rights or whatever, Mol, but it’s totally not necessary. Kira and I are just friends—and barely even that. I haven’t even known her a week yet!”
“But—” Molly looks at me accusingly and I give her a tiny head shake. “Fine. Whatever. I just hoped—”
“I know. But it’s too soon, even if I was interested in…something more than friendship. Okay?”
Reluctantly, she nods. “Sorry.”
I smile to let her know she’s forgiven and Mum and Dad change the subject to the meeting they just had at NuAgra. Dad tells us about the communication network Rigel’s dad is putting together that will eventually be the equivalent of a whole separate internet accessible only to Echtrans, but I barely listen. I’m too busy trying to sort out my wildly conflicting feelings about Kira.
I’m more attracted to her than ever after tonight, especially after those additional touches. So attracted I was incredibly frustrated when Mum and Dad got home, right when I was on the point of kissing her. Or, I should say, we were on the point of kissing each other. I don’t think I imagined her tilting her face up to mine…
Quickly, I break off that thought. Because as soon as she left I realized how dumb that would have been, no matter how much I wanted to. During our conversation earlier, she all but admitted she considers herself a Populist—an Anti-Royal. And I happen to know at least some of those want M out of the picture permanently, no matter how much Kira tries to deny it. If she’s a threat to M, there’s no way I can let myself get involved with her. No way I’d want to get involved with her.
Mum doesn’t have to worry at all.
And if resolving to keep my distance from Kira makes my chest ache a little, well, that’s just tough. I’ll live.