A Red Queen AU

-Part Ten-

Cal's POV:

I was in my room minding my own business when Maven left, leaving Mare all alone.

I was not standing outside his door pressed up against the wall listening to their conversation. Creepy people do that.

And I am not a creepy person.

But seriously, Mavey. Why did you leave Mare sitting there in your room alone?  I am trying to help you pick her up, and that is violating rule number one.

Always be around your girl.

And yes, I may or may not have a book written on this very subject.

I was about to chase Maven down the hall and tell him to get his ass back in there before he loses her, but then I had an idea. An idea that benefited me.

And let's be honest, those are always the best ideas.

So I took a sharp turn to the right, and found myself in my brother's room, staring at Mare Barrow.

"Cal." She said, perplexed. "What are you doing in here? I was just about to leave."

I smirked. "I know, but I wanted to ask you something before you left." I told her. "I assume Maven asked you to my father's party?"

She smiled back and a wave of emotion hit me. "Yes, he did. But what he failed to inform me of, is that this isn't just a mere party." She said. "It's a fucking gala."

I laughed, amused with the thought of her being nervous over a formal event. "You don't know how to dance?"I asked.

Mare rolled her eyes. "No, Cal, I learned in middle school. Yeah, my lessons were right in between fencing and Chinese. Thank God I could squeeze it in." She said sarcastically. "No, Cal. I do not know how to dance."

I chuckled. "You know, there is a way to learn." I said, inching closer. She stood up from Maven's bed. "I consider myself an excellent dancer."

She smirked, mirroring my earlier expression, and stepped closer as well. "Is that so?"

I nodded, looking into her eyes. "Yeah. As a matter of fact, I learned everything I know from Jean Luc, Elara's personal assistant. I could definitely hook you up with some of his classes. It's super fun. He'll teach you everything you need to know." As I spoke, I saw Mare's face grew darker, and more disappointed. I wonder what I did wrong.

Suddenly, Mare became very interested in her shoes. They were cool enough, but they were just a pair of black tennis shoes, I don't know what she saw in them that made her so fixated. Maybe a stain, or something?

She looked back at me, a bit of her smile returning to her face. She stepped closer to me. "You know what would be more fun?" She said, tilting her head seductively. I didn't answer. "It would be more fun if you taught me yourself. Since you're always bragging about how you're such a good dancer."

I mimicked her expression and nodded. How the hell did I not think of this before?  "Yeah, of course. I can do that." I said.

"Excellent." She said. Mare walked passed me and out of Maven's room. I turned around to see her hanging on the door frame. "Does Thursday night work?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's fine."

She click her tongue. "See you there." She said before heading down the hall.

And then I remembered rule number one.

"Wait!"I shouted, and raced after her. Mare's head whipped around and she furrowed her eyebrows. "Let me walk you to the door."

"Oh, okay."

I finally reached her, and motioned for her to go ahead of me.

As I was walking her down the stairs, I suddenly realized something.

I had to invite Kilorn and Shade to Archeon for the next semester.

Huh. I totally forgot.

I made a mental note to do that, and opened the front door for Mare. I watched as she walked down the steps and got in her car. She waved from the windshield before she drove away.

You see, my feelings toward Mare Barrow are very complicated. She's fucking gorgeous, and could probably get any guy she wanted.

But she got my brother, so that's ironic.

And I truly do like her, but I'm dating Evangeline. What Mare and Maven don't get, is that Evangeline's father practically owns the metal business. My father practically owns the coal business. We've been planning to get married since we were 4, and I couldn't exactly throw that all away for a nobody from The Stilts. It sucks, but it just wasn't gonna happen.

As for Mare, she can marry the man she loves, someone to grow old with and a chance to truly be happy with. But I don't have that privilege, and I truly envy her.

I went back inside, and turned to Jean Luc, who was standing at the door. "Can you please ask the chefs to make me a snack? I'm hungry." I said, feeling the growling in my stomach. Jean Luc nodded, and went to the kitchen.

An hour later I was on my bed, munching on celery while scrolling through my phone. I kept scrolling through my contacts, until I came across the one I was looking for-

Diana Farley.

I tapped on the call button and waited as it dialed. After awhile, I heard the click of the call being connected.

"Hello?" I heard her say.

"Farley? It's Cal. I wanted to know what Shade's number is so I can give him a call. Also, if you have Kilor-"

"HA!" She interrupted, laughing. "YOU FUCKING LOSER! YOU FELL FOR MY TRICK! THIS IS MY VOICEMAIL, NOT ACTUALLY ME, DICKHEAD!! Anyway, just leave a message or whatever. *beep* At the tone, please record you message-"

I hung up, furiously. Why does Mare have to hang out with such fucking idiots? Maybe I should actually do the whole Lucas thing for real.

Nahhhh, I'd never do that.

Since Diana was no help, I called Mare instead.

She picked up right away.

"Wow, can't get enough of me, can ya?" She said.

I laughed. "Uh huh, sure."

I asked her for her brother and that Kilornian guy's number, and she gave them to me.

"Well, I'm glad you called because I almost thought you forgot about our little arrangement."

...

No one's gonna tell her.

"Yeah, I would never forget about that."

"You forgot, didn't you?"

Damn it.

"Of course not!"

I heard her laugh on the other line. "Suuuurrree. Hey, when you inevitably rip Maven's ass for leaving me in his room, go easy on him, okay? He was getting screamed at by his mother, and I feel bad."

I smiled at her, even though she was miles away. "Ok, I'll go easy on him."

"Promise?"

"Promise." I assured her.