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~Jaden~

I knocked timidly on the door of the master bedroom, and was answered by the tender voice of my mother.

I pushed the door open and walked inside with a shy smile. "Mom," I called.

She sat up on the bed. Her curly hair was up in her usual bun and she was wearing her elegant nightgown. "Jaden," she acknowledged back with a grin. "I was just about to come check on all my little angels."

I folded my arms in amusement. 'I'm not little, Mom."

"I know, but I miss you guys." She climbed off the bed, fidgeting with her fingers. "You were right you know? About Raina."

My eyebrow hiked up. "What about her?"

"She doesn't remember who I am to her."

I slowly nodded then shrugged uneasily. "Mom, she's only five."

"Five-year-olds recognize their mothers." She swallowed, averting her eyes and shaking her head as if she couldn't believe any of it. "And Emery... she used to love coming to this room to pester me about hair, food, makeup and fashion. She never talked about boys; she thought they were all gross." A soft reminiscent smile graced her face, her beauty not marred by age or drugs.

"She sure does now," I assured, rolling my eyes at the thought. "Emery really wanted you to come back. She was looking forward to it honestly until... until it became just a fantasy. And now you're here. It's possible she just doesn't know how to talk to you."

"She knows it wouldn't be the same," Mom understood, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Just be there for her. Take her shopping or something; she'll lower her guard in two minutes. As for Raina... well, you're her mom whether she remembers that or not. So be her mother. I can't tell you how to do that."

"I'm your mom too, Jaden."

"Yeah..." I scratched the back of my head.

"So what can I do for you tonight?" She rested against the bed with her palms caressing the sheet underneath her and smiled at me.

"Well, I'm working on a certain number for recitals on November the 18th. I could use some help and a couple pointers from an expert violinist. If only I knew one..." My eyes scoured the room dramatically and she chuckled then wagged her first finger at me.

"I'm no expert, but let's see what I can do. Bring the violins."

***

That was it.

The world had ended, and everybody felt the impact.

Homecoming weekend hadn't even arrived yet.

Corbyn King Bee Starr was wearing a sweatshirt. Yes, it was true. One single strand of his hair was lugubriously out of place. His ever flawless skin had the slightest of stress spots right along his polished, highlighted cheekbone. And if one were to look carefully and closely, the faint line underneath his eye told an unmistakable tale: he received less than eight hours of sleep last night. Maybe even missed his afternoon beauty rest.

It was unthinkable.

"He looks... awful," I shuddered, standing next to Kari, Tiana, and Mae that Wednesday morning, watching Corbyn march and shove past students with determination in his stride. Brooklyn and another of his minions were busy carrying his belongings, trying to match his pace.

"Something's different about him," Kari noticed, tilting her head as she tried to figure it out. "He's on edge." My phone buzzed twice in my hand.

"The sweatshirt, dummy," Tiana nudged her arm.

"Oh--ooh you're right."

"I hope it's designer," Mae scoffed mockingly as my phone buzzed yet again. I simply ignored it.

"We have play rehearsals today," I reminded. "Guys, what if this has something to do with Kris?" Worry filled my eyes. "He went to Corbyn's house yesterday to speak to his mother."

"No, that can't be it," Tiana shook her head, grunting to herself. "I know Corbyn. It's more than Kris right now; it has to be."

"I'll see what I can find out at rehearsal."

"And I'll try to speak to him, if he doesn't claw my head off," Mae decided. I jumped when my phone went crazy in my grip and Kari groaned.

"God, J, put a hammer to it and call it a day."

"I'm sorry, okay? It bugs me too. Ever since Kris followed me, I get hundreds of notifications. Per fucking hour." I turned off my phone in irritation. "I even have guys asking me to Homecoming in my DM's."

"Ooh, can I read?" Kari grinned.

"No! All I do is ignore and deny. If I can't go with the love of my life, it's not worth attending."

Mae snapped her head in my direction, scowling. "Mr. Briggs, you are going to Homecoming if I have anything to do with it! You'll get your moment with your future boyfriend."

I blushed and rolled my eyes. "Stop, Mae. I had hope when he broke up with the king of the world over here but they got back together, remember? And as much as I hate Corbyn, I have to deal with it. We tried to sabotage their relationship and it backfired, so I'm minding my business now. You saw the way Kris looked at me that day. I never want him to give me that look again."

"Well that's not entertaining," Kari sighed, pulling out a half eaten pack of sour skittles.

"Sour this time, huh?" Tiana acknowledged as we laughed.

🎻🎻🎻

"Do you have feelings for me? Speak now or forever hold your peace."

I stared up at Nico incredulously. I was sitting on the bench in the boys' locker room, tying my sneakers innocently when he walked in and blurted out this very inquiry.

"Hello to you too," I said, blinking rapidly. He narrowed his eyes then rolled them, tossing his backpack on the ground and proceeding to open his locker.

"I just figured I'd ask because, you know, as a person who doesn't bullshit I expect the same treatment from the people around me." He faced me, tossing his long dreaded hair behind his shoulder with a swing of his head. "So. You and I, what are we?"

I lowered my eyebrows. "Friends. To me, anyway. I always felt like I was just some idiot you like to pester in PE class because you're bored. If that." I huffed, pulling my hair back and tying it into a messy bun.

"This is true." He smirked. "I was told that I was your crush, but of course we both know that's not true. When the hell are you gonna tell prince charming you're in love with him?"

I shrugged. "How can I? He's in a relationship that I tried to sabotage. He found out and was so mad at me for it."

"Then don't fuck up next time. I'm thoroughly convinced it's because you don't have the devil on your side."

I glared at him and grumbled underneath my breath, finishing up my shoe laces.

"No, I'm serious. How do you think I got to be understudy to Kris Hamilton of all people? Or why else is Corbyn into me?"

I snapped my eyes to his. "Corbyn? Has a thing for you; you?"

His lips tightened. "Wow, for a moment there I was almost offended by your lack of belief but then I remembered to keep on not giving a fuck. So I'm just gonna do that."

"Wait, there is no way." I stood up with intrigue, practically laughing, but it wasn't because I didn't believe him. "Trust me, I want to believe that Corbyn has an atom of feelings for you. It's unlikely, sure, but it's also unlikely Kris would ever like me back. Do... do you feel something for Corbyn?"

Nico opened his mouth then shut it, slowly turning toward his locker. "Still not giving a shit.."

"Oh, you do like him. Holy chicken balls, you actually like the meanest snob in school." I lifted my eyebrows and shrugged with amusement. "I'm so here for it."

"Only because it would work out in your favor," he read.

"And yours," I quietly insisted. "Hey, you said it yourself. You don't bullshit, so if you actually like him, say something."

"Okay, geez, let's stop talking about this. I gotta change." He pulled out his gym clothes from his locker when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around and my eyes were suddenly blessed by the sight of Kris. He was wearing a muscle shirt... an absolute breath-stealer, his wispy hair was messy and a little wet from most likely a shower.

Nico got his wish; I dropped our conversation to admire my crush, and my heart melted a little each second that ticked by. I clasped my hands, took a nervous breath, then took a few steps toward him. He looked at me as I was approaching, and nothing but a warm smile coated his natural pink lips.

"Hi, Kris," I acknowledged timidly.

"Hey."

"Are you okay?" I hesitated.

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" He seemed flattered that I'd be worried about him.

"Corbyn seemed really... not himself earlier so I thought you might..."

"I haven't seen him yet, strangely enough. I was honestly wondering if he's avoiding me but this is my boyfriend, so of course he is."

I nodded, clearing my throat. Boyfriend. Right.

Not up to five seconds later, said boyfriend stormed into the locker room, pushing a couple of confused boys aside. "Where is Kris?!" he demanded, glaring at everybody.

One pointed toward the back where we were, and Corbyn locked eyes with me before shifting them to Kris, marching right over to us. He shoved me out of the way before taking my position. Nico glanced at me, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the two.

"Okay, was that necessary?" Kris defended me, furrowing his eyebrows.

"You know, I thought I could stay away and keep my anger in line, and I've bit my tongue since early this morning. I can't take this anymore."

"That I'm speaking with Jaden? Who, by the way, you had no right to push aside."

Corbyn paused to take breath, a failed attempt to calm down. In fact, his voice rose even higher. "Forget the fairy; this has nothing to do with him!"

Kris's tight expression slowly dissipated as he analyzed his boyfriend, how disheveled he look. How out of place he appeared to be today. "What happened?"

"You happened, genius. What in the world gave you the bright idea to talk to my parents about how troubled you think I am?"

"Corbyn, I was only trying to help, I promise."

"Well you failed!" Corbyn spat, his cheeks reddening from anger. The locker room was eerily silent, so quiet that I could hear the labor of his breathing. "Get it through your thick skull that I don't need your help, I don't need you discussing my business with my parents, and I am fucking fine, okay?!"

Kris blinked and slowly shook his head. "We should probably talk about this in private."

"No need. The conversation's over." Corbyn swallowed, finally realizing how much attention he'd acquired. He plastered a smile onto his face. "Great talk. I'll see you in rehearsals." He turned around to look at me. "I hope you know how to dance, fairy. We're incorporating a few routines into the play. It is a musical, after all."

I took a breath before quietly asking, "Was that your idea?"

"Tiana may have written the play, but I'm still the president. So if you fail, I'm equipped and ready to take over."

"I won't fail," I assured, squinting my eyes.

"We'll see." His eyes slid over to Nico, who immediately rested his hands against my waist, much to my surprise. Corbyn blushed all over again, grunting before heading out of the room.

"The hell are you doing?" I whispered without looking at my demon-friend. He let me go.

"Helping us both, idiot."

I walked back to my locker and sent a sad smile to Kris, who looked deep in thought. "I'm sorry," I apologized to him. "Whatever that was."

"No, it's... he's going through something."

"Today's the first time I ever felt sympathy for him. And not in a condescending way, I just... you were right. He's not okay."

"If it's not his mom, it's his dad," Kris blurted, gazing into my eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Jaden," he whispered with a heavy sigh. I folded my arms and looked behind me, but Nico was gone.

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