The Aldean Chronicles: Hidden

I'm walking with Jace after class. People gawk at us in the corridors. "Will this ever end," I mumble silently.

He gives my shoulder a sympathetic squeeze. "Sorry. Why don't I walk you to your building?"

"Thanks," I'm grateful for the company. "So was your holiday anything like mine?"

"Kind of, functions with my family. Charities, meeting foreign dignitaries. I'm not royal so I didn't do as much as you." He says. "My dad tries to include me in anything he can. Says it's good training."

I laugh. "Training for what?"

"He wants me to run for president in about twenty years." He says. "But don't tell anyone, it's a secret."

"I can see it. You're so cordial and diplomatic, it'll suit you."

"I'm also smart, innovative and likable." He adds.

"Sara disagrees." I counter. He gives me a strange look.

"Sara, what about her? What did she say about me?" He asks.

I shrug. "Nothing much, just her usual character-killing phrases. You do know she does that, right?"

He relaxes. "Oh that, yeah I know about that. But does she still do it?"

"I don't know, haven't heard it in a while." I make a left turn. "So tell me what you plan on doing till you run for president?"

"For now just pass this school. Definitely get into Blue Rose. Win a few tournaments to boost my popularity. Stay away from scandal." He grins. "Same as you."

"Except I don't want to get into Blue Rose, I'm swamped enough as it is." We're nearing my building.

"It's like your birthright, why don't you want to join? Everybody in your family went there, even your brother and cousin are members." He argues.

"Because I don't have time for it." And there's no way I'll pass the test, I'm not strong enough for that. "Besides I'll be going against you and Derek. It just doesn't seem worth the stress. If I change my mind, I'll do what Kat and Grey did and join my second year."

"If you feel that's best." He backs off. I finally reach my building and see someone leaning beside the door.

"Tristan." He looks up. "What are you doing here?"

He looks between me and Jace and stands up straight. "Came to talk to you. If you're busy, I can come later."

"I was just going." Jace intervenes. "See you at dinner, if you decide to stop skipping meals and show up." He looks at Tristan and then leaves.

"Really. You're skipping meals again." He asks once Jason has walked a considerable distance from us. "I thought we were over this."

"It's not because I'm anorexic or anything. I just don't want to go to the dining." I look away. "Why do you even care, aren't you supposed to be with Nori?"

"Nari." He corrects. "And why do you think I should be with her?"

"Are you going to make me say it?" I ask, annoyed. "I know you're dating her, and I'm happy for you."

He exhales. "You're almost as bad as Kat." He remarks. "And I know you don't care but Nari and I aren't dating."

"You're not," I say, inspecting my perfectly manicured nails.

"No, we're not." He confirms again. "But I know you don't care."

I look up at him. He looks so beautiful, I want to kiss him. "I don't," I hope my face and voice don't betray me. "You could have said this in a text or a phone call."

"I know, I wanted to see you."

My cheeks flush. "I see you're back with your little words and your smile and your eyes and your face," I say. "I know what you're doing, leading me on with that invisible string of yours."

He frowns. "What string, what are you talking about?"

I scoff. "You know perfectly well what you're doing. You'll say you miss me and you love spending time with me and you think I'm pretty all the while smiling charmingly. Stop denying it."

He huffs. "I'm serious, I don't know what you're talking about." He leans forward and tucks a loose strand behind my ear. "Have I ever told you how pretty your hair is, especially when it's caught up in the sunlight." His finger gently caresses my ear, I shiver.

I push him away and he laughs. "I'm serious, stop it. If you're not going to be with me, don't say things like that." He takes my right hand in both of his and pulls me closer.

I'm standing half a feet away from him and can't look anywhere but into his eyes. "I'm sorry, okay. I shouldn't do that, how about we go on a date?"

I scoff. "Where, the library, during training? Or maybe you'll sit next to me during lunch."

He smiles. "No, a real date. We can go to a nice restaurant Saturday evening."

"You're serious?" I ask and he nods, his lips aren't too far from mine.

I look down briefly, this is happening. "I promised you a date when we got back to school, didn't I? I thought about it and you throughout the break. I'm glad it's finally happening."

I look back up at him. "Fine then, but only if you're paying." Why did I say that, I scold myself.

He chuckles. "Done, anything else?"

My brain can barely form coherent thoughts right now. Being this close to him isn't good for me. "Nothing, nothing. What time and what's the name of the restaurant?"

"6 pm and the name is Kristin's. You'll love it."

"Do you take all your dates there?" I ask coyly.

"You're the first." He lets go of my hand and steps away. He gives me one last heart-rendering smile and is gone. I watch him for a few seconds before scrambling into my building. This is the best day ever.

***

On Wednesday, Derek walks up to me and asks for a favor. "Hey, Princess." He says. "You're friends with Jason Leander, aren't you."

"Why are you asking?" I'm on my way to my next class of the day when he ambushes me.

"He's the best combatant in our class, I want to ask him to be my partner for unity day. The only problem is that he has a lot of requests, even from second years."

"I don't know, just ask him at the next Blue Rose meeting," I say. "I'm sure he'll want to partner up with you."

"Aww, you think I'm good." He says. "I'm flattered."

"Whatever Derek, I need to get to class," I say, hoping he'll take the not-so-subtle hint and leave me alone.

"Just promise me you'll talk about it with him." He presses. "Please, I really need this."

"Fine, I'll ask him during lunch." He's happy with my answer and finally leaves me alone.

I bring up the topic to Jason during lunch.

"Derek, I hear he's good." He says. "But I'm actually looking for a different elemental, water maybe." His eyes light up. "Say, Cass, do you know any water elementals?"

Sara stares blankly at him. "If you want to ask me, just ask me."

"You're interested in this competition, I thought it wasn't your style?" I ask Sara.

She shrugs. "I need to start building up my resume."

"You guys are going to be working together," I say. "I'm rooting for you."

"I'm thinking of trying out in front of director Lilian's jury. I doubt I'll make it past though." Michelle says.

"I've seen you practice before," Axel says. "You're good, you'll make it past her."

"I don't even have a partner." She scoffs. "Doesn't matter, it's best if I don't embarrass myself."

"Seriously Michelle," Paisley complains. "You're good, even our trainer knows it."

"She's not kidding, Mich," Jason adds. "I'm scared of you."

Michelle laughs. "You know what Michelle, I'm personally signing you up. And I'm getting you a partner, how would you like one of the best fire elementals in our grade."