𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐎 (𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐔𝐒) *editing*

𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞🥀

"If this is your idea of a date, it sucks."

"You're stingy today, mariposa."

"Gee, I wonder why," Maeve rolled her eyes.

After narrowly avoiding various FEDRA patrols, the two escaped into a building connected to the very off-limits mall. That said, she began feeling suspicious of him — why would he bring her here, of all places? This place was under strict lock and key, with no entry whatsoever. Like, ever. Unless you're a soldier decked out in full body armor with a bazooka as a carry-on sent to sweep the place. She'd heard, from time to time, that the infected sometimes wandered in. One infected to a dozen. Anyhow or way they got in, she'd rather stay out.

She also saw firsthand what happened to the people who disobeyed the rules, whether as a human, or newly infected.

Jordan mumbled something in Spanish and then grinned back at her. "I'm not going to do anything to you, Amor."

"Says you."

Frankly, she worried more about the repercussions if they were caught. Likely, she'd be sent back to the school and punished, and Jordan would be killed for his affiliation with the Fireflies. Or maybe they would both be killed, shot dead like rabid animals. Or if FEDRA didn't kill them, they would run into infected and be bitten. All the scenarios in her head concluded death, a lose-lose situation. Too many possibilities of inescapable death.

But no. She just had to be bullied into following him into the off-limits, creepy ass mall that occasionally housed fungal inhabitants. She lacked judgment. She lacked common sense. Repeat, she lacked common sense. She should've told his ridiculous self off and slammed the door in his face, but no. Her feelings for him outweighed her rationality.

Talking in the Spanish of his had her weak in the knees and putty in his hands. And the most dishonorable mention was that stupid boyishly charming grin he does. She was certain he didn't know he had that kind of charisma; his dimples didn't help either. He could put her in cardiac arrest.

It was so fucking unfair.

Maybe if she had a sexy accent or cute dimples, she would be able to coax him into doing something so horrendously stupid too. Then maybe, just maybe, they'd have something to talk about.

A familiar but unfamiliar language entered her ears. Sweet and lovely words she couldn't understand. A yelp escaped her as Jordan grappled her, snaking a hand around her waist, and his left hand grabbing her right; he gave her a playful spin and dipped her. He laughed as her expressions varied. Surprise, annoyance. The vaguely common emotions, really.

"I have no idea what the fuck you just said, but I hope you—" She went to scold him when his lips crashed against hers, effectively silencing her.

Surprise bubbled in her and the butterflies began fluttering about inside her belly. She felt tingly and warm, and being in his arms, she felt warmer. And safe. He held her securely while their lips moved in sync, almost eager to taste each other.

They parted to catch their breaths.

He whispered something in Spanish, his hot breath tickling her ear before he rested his forehead onto hers. "I love you."

And there it was. That nest of incredible warmth inside expanded and imploded. It could've made her sick just then; the butterflies suddenly moths, or bees. A heavy feeling gripped her, like the feeling of jumping from a high place, gravity taking hold of your body and you plummeting to the earth.

She missed him saying those words to her; the thought of never hearing them again hurt worse than him disappearing, as selfish as it was.

His beautiful earthy brown eyes stared into her hazel ones. It embarrassed him, but she loved looking into his eyes, the color unique and pure, with a twinkling of mischievousness. Swirling around his pupil were the colors of rich soil and lush forests. Her breath left her. He was so beautiful, she lovingly admired him.

"Yeesh — get a room you two!"

They had been too into their own world, they hadn't realized the two figures approaching them. Drenched in rain, their clothes clung to their bodies, and their skin glistened in the beams of their lights.

"Riley?" Maeve gaped; she and Jordan parted from one another.

"In the flesh, baby!" The umber-skinned girl grinned. "Great seeing you again, Maeve."

"Right back at'cha," Maeve shot at her with finger guns. Then, she noticed her sister. "How hard did she hit you?"

"Almost shanked, actually."

"That's not surprising."

Ellie clicked her tongue loudly, brushing past the three of them. They watched her storm down the hall and up a flight of stairs.

"I guess she didn't take it well?" Jordan faced Riley who stared after Ellie.

"Not really."

Maeve glanced between them. "What didn't she take well?"

"Riley's a Firefly too," Jordan said.

"Holy shit — for real?"

"Yeah...you can see how telling her went."

Maeve couldn't say anything. Her head was still reeling from Jordan spilling the beans, and that was after seeing him again.

"Well, let's get going before Ellie leaves us."

"Agreed."

And then they followed where Ellie had gone.