𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𓆩⟡𓆪 𝕏𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕟 ℝ𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟

「 ✦ 0.02 ✦ 」

"Dain?" Violet questions before I can say anything. Pretty sure I can hold my own without his help, whoever he is.

"I've only been out of the quadrant for three years, but from what I hear, he's doing well, and he'll keep you both safe. Don't smile like that." Mira chides and I look over at Violet to see the faint smile on her face. I roll my eyes. Of course it's someone she has a crush on. Of course. "He'll be a second-year." She shakes her finger at Violet. "Don't mess around with second-years. If you want to get laid, and you should-" she lifts her brows at us- "often, considering you never know what the day brings, then screw around in your own year. Nothing is worse than cadets gossiping that you've slept your way to safety."

"So i'm free to take any of the first-years I want to bed," I hear Violet say from next to me and I see a grin making its way on her face. "Just not second- or third-years."

"Exactly." Mira winks and I roll my eyes.

"But what if the second or third-year is super hot?" I ask in a joking time, for the most part, but I can help but try to imagine what Xaden would look like now and our kiss we shared four years ago. Mira narrows her eyes at me, but smile slightly at my comment.

"Refrain from cozying up with that hot fellow from second or third-year you may or may not stumble across." She says and I nod, smirking. "But if you must, try to keep the gossip to a minimum if you go sleeping around with higher years."

"Don't worry, I know how to be discreet."

Mira and Violet widen their eyes at my statement, as I walk past them towards the tables that separate the quadrants. We get in the line to sign in, before we bound the steep staircase that leads right to the parapet. Joy.

I look at the man that will be signing us in and instantly recognize the swirls that spread across his arm. I knew what Xaden did and witnessed it, but I never thought I'd be right in front of someone that my childhood best friend saved.

"Is he...?" I hear Violet whisper to Mira and I fight the urge to lash out. I can feel my blood boiling at the disgust in her voice and I wish I was as far away from her as possible.

"A separatist's kid? Yep. See that shimmering mark that starts on the top of his wrist? It's a relic from the rebellion." I hear Mira tell Violet as I move closer in line to the boy they're talking about. I frown, hating how much people like to gossip about the kids with the relic. It wasn't their fault that their parents decided to rebel. And, I don't blame them one bit, I know that the higher ups are hiding something. I can feel it.

I did not hear the rest of their conversation as I thought about Xaden and how he was the one that took all of the blame and responsibility of all of these kids. He was a hero in the eyes of the 107 marked, but I knew deep down he did not feel like a hero. He probably felt guilty.

"Stay the hell away from Xaden Riorson." I hear Mira's voice break through my thoughts and I whip my head around to her at the name of him. She shoots me a look, before moving her gaze to Violet. "Both of you."

I wanted to tell her that I could handle myself and defend Xaden, but I didn't want anyone to know that we were friends. Not because I was embarrassed, but I didn't want it to get back to my father. I knew he would do something to Xaden or the other 107 marked and I couldn't handle it. I needed to get across the parapet, before I could let my guard down.

I turn back around when they continue discussing Xaden, not wanting to be apart of their biased views. Sure, their brother was killed by Fen Riorson. Allegedly. I was never convinced that Fen truly killed him, but I never voiced those views. I feel as though both parties have equal right to be angry with one another, but no side was more superior than the other. Though, the Sorrengails, like to think they're better than Xaden and the marked. That always made me resent this family, just a little bit. I always hoped that Violet would be different, but now I'm not so sure that will be the case.