Brighter Than the Stars

Nicole - Cracks

I didn't get back until late, the sun long gone and the docks freezing cold. I hadn't expected anyone to come for that reason–they were probably all asleep, or busy with something else. But when I stepped off the ship I spotted Leo almost immediately, and he broke out into his stupid, dimpled smile when he saw me.

When I finally reached him through the mass of people, he tried to take my bag, and I pulled away. "I've got it. It's not heavy. What are you doing here, anyway? It's late."

"It's not that late," he protested. "Besides, why wouldn't I be? You told me when you were getting back, so I showed up." He shrugged. "Also, I missed you, and it's dark out, so you shouldn't have to go back alone."

I kicked a pebble down the street. The toes of my boots were scuffed, and looked like they might have started to come off. I probably needed new ones. "Did you ever figure out what that means, by the way? J'amouria te?"

"Annabelle won't tell me, and apparently put Madline under strict orders not to tell me, either. So, any time you'd like to tell me, that'd be great." He slipped his arm over my shoulder as we walked. "I'm guessing it was probably an insult–especially since you called me a moron right before–but, honestly, I have no idea. Which is why you should tell me."

"I don't think I will. I wish you luck, though." I smiled at him and he shook his head. "Annabelle told me Maddie had some of the Court over," I added. "How did that go?"

"Let's just say, thank God I wasn't there," he said. "Clara said it was terrible, and–I guess you know this already–Annabelle said it wasn't bad. Clara's never been to anything like that, though, so I guess she's just not used to it. I can't see how anyone could be; I saw them, and they were talking away, all horrible things about everybody. I told Clara she didn't have to go again if she didn't want to–nobody would mind, and she could just keep sewing and working behind the scenes–but she insisted she wanted to."

I made a face. "I'm glad I missed it, then. I'll probably have to go to one soon, though."

Annabelle seemed like the nicer side of Court to me. She liked to dance and sew, and always seemed in her element at a party of some sort. Madeline had one planned for next month, and Annabelle eagerly helped plan. She was incredibly excited for the whole thing, and I was trying to figure out how I could get out of it. I didn't mind some of it–dresses and all of that were fine, and I couldn't really dance, but I'd danced once with Leo over a year ago when we'd taken the jewels and been fine–but the people bothered me. It was so loud and chaotic, and it gave me a headache. Annabelle may have found that fun, but I'd have rather played cards with Leo in one of the window seats (which was what we'd done last time Madeline had had a lot of company).

"You can hide with me instead," Leo said. "I don't really like Clara going, either, but...it's her life, I guess. I just don't want her to start having to deal with this act they all seem to do. I swear, they ask questions like they're interrogating someone. I don't want you to have to do that, either. Especially because it's all super public. Madeline's life is on display all the time–did you see those articles, about whether she had a boyfriend or something? I know Clara's not as high up, but I don't want them making scandals from nothing about her. Maybe she thinks she wants that now, but what about in a few years?" He shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud."

"You're right, though," I said. "Even so, Madeline and Annabelle know what they're doing, and to keep Clara out of some of it. They both grew up like that–which must have sucked–and they won't let Clara do anything that could hurt her. Besides, she's a smart girl. Really smart. She knows her limits."

"Like you supposedly know yours?"

I pushed him. "Ha-ha. Very funny. I do! Look–I'm still alive, at least. I'm still alive, and I got those papers."