UPRISE

017

The four of them meet at Corbin's apartment.

"What's the plan?" Corbin asks. From here can see the group, getting louder and louder.

"That's why we got you," Wren points out. Originally, he had nothing in particular against the guy, but now he can feel himself bottling up with anger. It's confusing to watch a boy carrying a keyboard in secret, and then to hear about how he kicked out a drunk girl. "What's your plan?"

"Can we just climb up to a second-floor balcony and jump a fence?" Pluto asks.

"That's crazy," Corbin brushes her off.

Jasmine does not want to speak. There are three sets of eyes on her, each of with she hooked up with (or, at least attempted to hook up with). "I know how to fall safely. It could work."

They move back into Corbin's apartment building. They knock on the door on the second floor, with a balcony backing on to the fence. When no one answers after a few seconds, Wren keeps knocking.

Corbin can't help but reflect that it is better than punching a panel, turning your band clear, and ruining the next month for a bunch of strangers.

After a few minutes, a boy with black circles under his eyes let's them open the door.

"Gio!" Pluto shouts, leaping into his arms. He nearly tips backwards as she leaps into his arms.

Pluto has only met Gio once, but it's nice to see another, clearly hungover, face. Even if his body is a little rigid to the touch.

"Hey," he finally answers.

Pluto pulls backwards, but keeps her hips pressed up against his. With her hands on his shoulder, she smiles. "Can we use your balcony?"

The boy furrows his brow, but nods. He escapes Pluto's grasp and heads back to bed.

Jasmine hopes that when she flirts, that isn't how everyone feels about her.

Once Gio disappears around the corner, the four of them head on to the balcony. It's cold outside, and Jasmine isn't sure if it'll be entirely safe with only her jacket on.

"Just, copy what I do," she instructs, though she can feel panic in her throat. On the other side of the fence is grass, which isn't as soft as a mat at the gym. Still, she has broken bones before and gotten through it. Jasmine can jump if she believes she can.

She hangs her body off the edge of the balcony and dangles her toes until they hit the top of the metal fence. From there, she lets go and jumps. When she lands, she bends her knees and rolls forward over herself. From there, she stands and bows.

Pluto claps, and Jasmine feels her face falter.

"How do you make everything look so easy?" Wren asks her, biting his bottom lip.

Jasmine's nose tinges pink.

Corbin follows the exchange, and he can feel his stomach tighten. To try and escape it, he goes next. At the bottom, he says nothing to Jasmine and watches as the others follow without a hitch. Unbeknownst to the group, this is not any of their first time jumping out of buildings.

From there, they begin to move to the gravel path, away from the clears.

~~~

"Holy shit," Viola whispers. She grabs Harper's jacket and pulls him with her, inches out from behind the tree. "Look!"