“At least he seems to respect you. That’s a good start. Maybe something good will come of it in the end.”
Bryn opened her eyes. “I’ve always counted on your honesty in all things. Please don’t start lying to me now.”
Ivy sighed. “I’m trying to be optimistic.”
“Thanks. Let’s talk about something else.”
“Okay.” Ivy dug into her makeup kit. “Do you want regular dark green eyeliner or dark green eyeliner with glitter?”
“What the heck,” Bryn said. “Glitter me up.”
Half an hour later, Clint knocked on Bryn’s door. When he saw Ivy his face lit up just like it always did. “You look amazing.” He grabbed Ivy’s hand and pulled her in for a kiss.
Bryn looked away to give them a moment. Another knock sounded on the door. Jaxon would be on the other side looking handsome and annoyed. He might tell her that her dress was pretty, but his compliment would be fake…just part of the Blue dragon code of conduct and would have nothing to do with her or how she actually looked in the dress. No. Stop it. I will not indulge in a pity party.
Taking two quick strides across the room, she opened the door. Jaxon wore a tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist and made him look like he should model high-end clothing for a living. If only he didn’t look perpetually pissed off.
“Hello, Jaxon.” She stepped back so he could enter the room. “Are you ready for an evening of fake fun and boring small talk?”
“We should go,” he said without looking at her or acknowledging that she’d spoken.
“I was trying to be funny,” she said.
“Trying and failing,” he shot back. “And I refuse to fake politeness until we’re at the event. So let’s go.”
“You might want to dial back the attitude,” Bryn said.
“I’m not giving you attitude. I’m being realistic. We played this game all summer and I’m tired of pretending that life is wonderful. I will smile and nod when we’re in public, but I see no need to fake my feelings in private.” Jaxon stalked out the door.
Bryn fantasized about blasting him. She turned to Clint and Ivy. “It’s like he doesn’t realize that I could kill him, incinerate his body, and scatter the ashes where no one would ever find him.”
“And we’d totally be your alibi,” Ivy said.
“Good to know.” They exited Bryn’s room and she hurried to catch up with Jaxon while Clint and Ivy stayed a few paces behind.
“Just so you know,” she said. “I plan to smile, and nod, and bail as soon as possible.”
“Finally, something we can agree on.”
The Homecoming Gala was set up in a conference room located in the theater building. Like most school sponsored events, the students were splintered into groups by Clan. Unlike all the previous gatherings, there were now hybrids sprinkled among the groups. All except the Blues, of course. And she had been the one to change that, much to their annoyance.
She followed Jaxon over to a group of Blues which included Quentin and his girlfriend. She smiled and nodded politely while they talked about the weather and the upcoming holidays, and absolutely nothing of any consequence. Small talk was so boring. What was the point? No one cared that much about the weather. It took effort to focus rather than slip off into a daydream.
They worked their way around the room and engaged several other couples in the same meaningless conversations. Bryn participated as little as possible, which seemed to suit everyone just fine. When the most recent conversation reached a lull, Bryn spotted Garrett standing with a group of Greens. “I’m going to say hi to a friend. Coming?”
“No thank you. We can meet up later,” Jaxon said.
“Works for me.” Bryn headed across the room to Garrett. His left arm still hung in a sling, but his eyes no longer looked haunted. Working on the prosthetic wing and regaining the ability to fly had given him a renewed interest in life.
“Hello, Bryn.” Garrett smiled like he was happy to see her. That was nice. And they would actually have something interesting to talk about.
“How’s your work on the wing going?” she asked.
“It’s great,” he said. “Actually, I’d love to show you how far it’s come since you helped me test it. If you’ll meet me out at the stadium after dinner tomorrow evening I can give you a demonstration.” He glanced across the room at Jaxon. “It would be best if you came without your other half.”
“Gladly. Do you care if Clint and Ivy tag along?”
“No,” Garrett said. “They’re friends.”
And Jaxon wasn’t. It was pretty simple when she thought about it. Over time, would Jaxon become friends with her friends? Who knew? It might make her life easier. Then again, she didn’t want to hang out with his Blue friends, either. Maybe it was better if they kept their social lives separate.
“I’ve been working on other prosthetics,” Garret said. “For dragons who have issues with their legs.”
Most dragons who suffered wing injuries had corresponding injuries to their legs like Rhianna had had. A small percentage, like Garret, had injuries that corresponded to their upper extremities.
“That’s great,” Bryn said. She’d been told that her father had suffered damage to his legs, not that she’d been allowed to see him for herself, which was a whole other irritating topic of conversation. Still, it was good to know that Garret might be able to help him fly again.
“How is your Medics class going?” Garret asked.
“So far so good,” Bryn said. “I’ve been talking to Janelle. She seems nice.”
“She mentioned that you’d talked,” Garret said. “Honestly, I think she’s a little intimidated by you.”
Bryn laughed. “You have no idea how ridiculous that sounds to me. I feel like my life is this crazy roller-coaster ride where the lap bar doesn’t work and I’m trying to hold on for dear life.”
Garret nodded. “I understand that because I’ve known you since you first came here, but to other dragons you’re an outsider that came in, kicked ass, and somehow ingratiated yourself to the two most powerful Blue families.”
“I guess it’s all a matter of perspective,” Bryn said. “My grandparents have been great, but the whole situation with Jaxon makes my head spin on a daily basis.”
“Do you trust him?” Garret asked.
“Yes.” She didn’t even have to think about it. “He may be cranky and snobby sometimes…make that most of the time, but if I need his help he’ll be there for me. He’d probably complain loudly the entire time, but he’d be there.”
Garret grinned. “That sounds like an accurate description.” He glanced past her and said, “If you’ll excuse me, I see someone I need to speak with. I’ll see you tomorrow evening at the stadium.”
Now what? Bryn plastered a fake smile on her face and checked out her options for conversation. There wasn’t anyone she was dying to talk to. Jaxon was conversing with yet another group of Blues. Clint and Ivy sat at a table drinking coffee and eating cookies. That seemed like a much better way to spend her time, so she headed over to join them, stopping at the buffet along the way to pick up half a dozen chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and some coffee.
As she sat down, Clint said, “How long do we have to stay here?”
Ivy poked him on the shoulder. “We’ve only been here half an hour.”
“And that’s about twenty minutes too long,” Clint said.
“I feel your pain.” Bryn stirred sugar into her coffee. “I think the Gala is supposed to last two hours. I say we sneak out in thirty minutes.”
“Sounds good to me,” Clint said. “Do you have to check with your other half?”
Bryn rolled her eyes. “Probably.” She glanced over where Jaxon had been talking to Quentin and a few other Blues. Now he was talking to a Blue female she didn’t know. They appeared to be deep in conversation, with their heads close together.
“Who’s that with Jaxon?” Ivy asked.
“I don’t know.” And something about how the girl smiled at Jaxon bothered her. That was ridiculous. He was probably making standard Blue small talk.