After that disastrous choice of drowning her sorrows in alchohol, Jordan decided to take the time off in general to sleep off her hangover and avoid people.
That left with nothing to do but schoolwork. Frankly compared to all the social pressures, it was a perfect solution. At least there was a right and a wrong and no big failure if she said the incorrect answer.
After the breeze of paperwork, she went to the more creative side of art class.
The assignment was to do a drawing filled with symbolism and an essay explaining the choices. She called up and transported Calix for her model.
He had a cream white cape draped over his right shoulder in the style of old Roman emperors, clutching a book to his chest and holding out a candle and laurel in the other.
"And I have to be nude while holding this because...?" Calix questioned, fidgeting after an hour of standing still.
"Nudity is the transparency of the soul. Duh." Jordan snapped "Stop moving your head, I'm trying to draw your hair."
"Can I sit at least?" Calix complained, shaking a leg.
"Yes you can sit." She rolled her eyes.
Calix sighed as he plopped down to sit cross legged.
Jordan was happy that any feelings she had for Calix had disappeared. Foolish, ridiculous romantic feeling from the stupid needy part of her that agreed with the Aurodonian statement that she need love to be happy. No, what she needed was to not be alone.
Calix was still one of her closest friends, annoying, fun and loyal, nothing more. Hot too...but he was with Morrían Le freakin Fey.
Even her name sounded enchanting and slightly exotic, it was disgusting.
"Hmm Calix do you think I should just use my middle name instead? Jordan is so boring." She murmured as she traced the outline of a strand of hair that stuck to his forehead.
"Desiree? I guess if you wanted to. Say do most genies have a name that sounds like they're strippers? I mean Genie, Eden, I hear Karma is popular..."
And there was the man that so loved to irritate her. Usually on Tuesdays.
"Is that your perverted way of saying that I shouldn't?" Jordan flung an eraser at him.
"Watch where you throw that." Calix deftly caught it before it hit his thigh. "A name is a name. I think you're fine, you're entertaining enough to make up for it."
Jordan smiled, when the door opened.
"So I was thinking you could pose, OH MY WOW!" Mal cried with Ben by her side.
Calix made no move to hide himself, almost preening at their reactions.
"Sorry" Ben squeaked ducking his head, looking frantically at another direction while Mal opened her mouth, closed it, and babbled.
"I guess...I just,.. so sorry, we thought. I hope we aren't interrupting? This is for art right?"
If the situation hadn't been so awkward considering that the king of Auradon was witnessing it and that Mal thought they were about to do unspeakable things, Jordan would have laughed at how shocked the bad fairy looked.
One doesn't usually see naked boys in Auradon Prep after all.
"Well it's not like it's for math and she has to measure my.." Calix almost finished his sentence. Jordan flung a couple of paintbrushes at him.
"What is with the abuse!" He cried
She turned to the blushing couple, "It's for art, we'll be done soon."
"We'll find another place it's fine." Ben said. Then the two ran off, slamming the door behind.
Jordan turned to Calix who was failing at keeping his laughter in.
"Measure! Measuring you!"
"I was joking. I mean who would be so insecure to have to measure their body parts?"
"Only you would be so immodest enough to suggest that." Jordan cried.
"I'm as modest as you are a lady. And we both know you ain't no lady." Calix joked.
"I'll make you mute." Jordan half-heartedly threatened.
"I'll make you fall in love with an ass." Calix shot back.
"Ooo an ass, how Shakespearean." Jordan blew a kiss at him.
She paused, "Speaking of love, have you've told Morrían?"
Calix rolled his eyes at her and made a "Do you even know me?" face.
Love was not a word used lightly in Auradon. Once you said it, you sealed your fate to be committed forever until your wedding day. If you made it through that. You are set for your future children, grandchildren, respective kingdoms, family reunions, anniversaries on and on...
Calix, the quarter-siren/sorcerer seducer of many who've fallen for his song, would never use that word to describe a relationship. Too risky. He only reserved that word for his parents, and for Metsovone platters.
"We are at the stage of mutual like where we have enjoyable afternoons, nights and morning afters together where we do a variety of activities depending on our moods and wants. Ending with satisfaction for both parties. Is that you want to hear?"
"Mm hmm" Jordan murmured, casually turning her attention back to her drawing.
She wasn't jealous that he was in happy mutual relationship. She wasn't annoyed that it wasn't with her. She was merely irked that she had everything Morrían and yet, she didn't have any of the perks.
She had looked up Morrían herself just to see if she was as special and as hot as Aziz and Calix claimed.
Fine, Morrían was pretty. Wavy, waist-length black hair, violet eyes, gleaming white skin that reminded Jordan of polished crystal. Most posts showed her A+ grades, her at parties, some intellectual magic debate.
She was witty, she was smart, she knew of some of the world based on her many vacation photos in various parts of Auradon.
So?
If Morrían, who could be close enough to be her equal in beauty, personality, and magic contests, was so sought after as a girlfriend. why wasn't she! Sought after in a genuine romantic relationship with actual feelings.
She drew a line that went off course across Calix's face, and realized she should probably stop obsesssing over what Morrían had that she didn't.
"I'm done. I'll do the finishing touches later." She announced, erasing the offending line.
"Sweet Aphrodite, finally!" Calix cried, hurriedly shoving his jeans up his legs.
Jordan smiled at how awkwardly he dressed, balancing uneasily from one foot to the other.
"Wanna go to Nonstop to hang out?" Calix asked as he put on his shirt.
"Sure, I'll meet you there." Jordan packed up her sketch pad and left.
"Jord? Did you hear? Zahrat and Samir found out it's going to be a girl." Aziz called excitedly, hurrying to her side in the hallway.
"She called me this morning. They're already arguing over baby names. She wants Hajar, he wants "the most ridiculous girl name in the world." She quoted
"What is it?" Aziz asked, almost dropping his French book.
"She didn't tell me, just that it was "the most ridiculous, horrible girl name in the world."
"Well with an argument like that, she must be right." Aziz joked, "Where are you going?"
"Nonstop." Jordan replied, and before he could ask, "You can come too."
"Great, their hamburgers are delicious." Aziz moaned
Nonstop was located in the backstreets of Auradon City, near the recess of the infamous woods where Beast fought the wolves to save Belle. No mortal dared to go.
Nonstop, it was own by Circe (as most fae clubs were) and had a special, illegal invisibility spell protecting the exterior from curious eyes.
It was fae-only. A haven for magical creatures to show their true forms, use their powers and have fun and relax and not pretend to be mortals and do menial labor. There was at least one in every state in Auradon. The more popular ones were in Agrabah, near the shores of Atlantica, Neverland, by the tavern of Snuggly Duckling. But Nonstop was where most of the fae student population in Auradon Prep resided to relax.
Aziz was an expection since Jordan basically threatened everyone who came near them, that he was allowed to be in without harm.
Calix led them through the backway so they could eat in Circe's office. It was lavish, Roman-inspired room with lounges, and drapes and Greek statues. A small platform raised the mahogany desk facing the door.
"So we could eat here, and you can study." Calix suggested looking at the schoolbooks the two had brought, "Orrrr.."
"Hey, Alexandria is here!" Aziz poked his head out of the office door to look at the club.
"Orrr we could hang out with the peoples." Calix smirked as Aziz went off to flirt with Attina's daughter.
Jordan rolled her eyes, and took a fresh breath of air as she entered the pulsating club room. Club room #3 to be precise. Nonstop had five different rooms. The main one was about the size of Beast's ballroom and looked like Moulin Rogue and Great Gatsby had exploded together into one mega party. Two others were simpler dance floors with a bar, booths, and couches arranged in the front of the room and by fireplaces.
Another was a more sophiscated, simple parlor room for taking and poetry readings. The fifth one was the outside area with rock gardens, and an outside cafe. Each place had pools in the center just for the mermaid/merman patrons.
"So Alexandria, how is it down there?" Aziz asked with a wink.
"Horrible as usual." Alexandria signed, letting a light brown lock fall on her eye, "The tourists make a mess everywhere! It may be a museum for Aunt Ariel's story and home, but people live there."
Jordan went to talk to Jonathan Thatch, Milo and Kida's son. He had a lot of his mother's appearance with dark skin and white streaks in his tan, blonde hair but he was most defiantly his dad's son. He could talk about anthropology for days.
"Kuzco's empire was amazing!" He enthused, "The had invented astrology and mathematics without the help of modern sciences and how they did it is just fascinating. You see, they based it on the solar and lunar calendars.."
Jordan amiably smiled as Jonathan babbled on until Calix caught his attention, "Calix, what would you say is the one architectural wonder Dad and I should check out while we visit Greece?"
With his attention diverted, Jordan got caught up in a family reunion story Philocetes II, Madora and Herksper were telling.
"And then Uncle Hermes and Uncle Loki decided to team up against Aunt Freya and Aunt Aphrodite!" Phil cried "They replaced all their makeup and clothes with hydra skins and Minator drool. Damn, you should never prank a beauty goddess, never!"
After the story was finished, she and Madora went up to the stage and danced and sang to Madora's mother's famous song, "Won't say I'm in love."
"I wish I could move my hips like that." Madora sighed as she flopped onto one of the couches by the fireplace.
"You were a fine belly dancer for a demigod." Jordan shrugged, "I have more of an advantage after all since I can make my body do whatever I want." She took off her hand, and three extra arms sprouted from her sides in a demonstration. "Belly dancing is hardly a problem."
"Don't you show it. Do it again." Herksper, (Or Herkie as most Auradon Prep students called him since they found his name so hard to do.) suggested with a shining, white smile.
"Oh why not?" Jordan smiled and went to center stage. The bright lights hit her, warming her body all over in a way the her attempted alcohol binge never did. She moved her hips in time to the haunting wail of the snake charmer's Pipe.
She closed her eyes, letting herself go with the motion, but when she opened them, she was struck with a new feeling.
The audience was staring at her every move, they looked entranced and under her power. Gazing at her lovingly. She winked at one, and he stepped backwards in shock.
A surge of confidence went through her. She was in control of the audience's reaction. It was wonderful. They were watching her, only her. They weren't thinking of themselves, just focused on what she was going to do.
She licked her lips, and thought of a song she had heard long ago. Her mom had this huge idea to make an album, back when bands were a thing. But she had gotten bored after three days and abandoned the project. Typical. Nothing was too exciting for long for a genie.
No one had heard the song, but now they would.
She didn't usually sing in public. No big fear, she just felt her talent laid elsewhere. But now, she had them in her hand, and they were going to pay attention to her every word.
"Tell me all your wishes, I'm here to make them true. No need to rub a lamp because I'll take care of you."
She smiled as seductively as she could while dancing across the stage. Each move slow and deliberated, leaving the audience waiting for the next step.
She never felt so exhilarated before. She had total control of how they saw her. They saw her as sexy, beautiful, unattainable, and she was going to milk that feeling for as long as it was worth.
"My new resolution is to trust you. My business to love you until you've had it. I'm not going to miss out on the good stuff. The grass would be so much greener with us on it."
She poofed off the stage to the round of couches where Jonathan, Calix, Madora, Alexandria, Herksper, Phil, and Aziz stared at her in amazement.
"You deserve this." Madora handed her a bottle of sparkling cider.
"Aww I deserve a lot of things, finally someone had the bright idea of actually giving it to me." Jordan smiled.
Calix lightly smacked her on the temple, "Seriously though. That was one great act. Usually you need my help.."
"Shut up." Jordan rolled her eyes at him, "I'll get the next round of drinks, what do you want, guys?" She asked.
"Water" Jonathan, Aziz and Alexandria called.
"Gin on the rocks" Calix requested.
"Wine." Hercules' children asked for.
Jordan strutted to the bar happily, basking in the glances men and women were throwing her way.
"I am pretty. I'm so pretty." Jordan hummed "And witty, and giddy and gay. And I pity anyone who isn't me today."
While she waited for the bartender to get to her orders, a pixie girl and Bacchae sat on her right side.
"So genie girl?" The Bacchae leaned to rest his head on her shoulder, "Wanna get on the grass?"
"Get off me." Jordan shoved him.
"But-but you said you would take care of us." The Bacchae whined with a leer.
"It was a song." Jordan replied, grabbing Calix's order.
"You're still a genie. It's what you do." The pixie girl said, grabbing her shoulder with sharp nails."I know how it works. So where is your lamp?"
"You're right, I am a genie. Not an idiot. I'm not telling you." Jordan poured the glass of gin over the pixie's head.
"Your business is to love us till we had it." The pixie girl mocked, shaking her head like a wet dog.
"Yet I don't trust you." Jordan huffed, taking the rest of the drinks and leaving.
The Bacchae cackled as she stalked off. "Fae these days, don't know what their job is."
Jordan closed her eyes, and tried to push away the thoughts of being tied down away. Once she reached the others, slammed the tray of drinks at the table.
"You'll have to get your gin, Calix. While you're at it, kick out the Bacchae and pixie I poured it on." She pointed at the duo.
Calix got up from his seat, "I can't kick out every person that hits on you, that you don't like." He turned to look at her direction, "I mean it's just- why is he staring at his crotch?"
"Why is the pixie playing with- EWW THIS IS A PUBLIC PLACE!" Alexandria cried
Herksper covered his eyes, "I think I just saw inside of him."
"Alright, I'm kicking them out! They will be banned." Calix lowered his eyes.
"Don't let them touch you." Jonathan grimaced.
"I don't WANT them to touch me, so your warning is a bit unecessary." Calix said before going to talk to the two.
"So that happened." Madora shuddered.
"They can't be our age." Aziz stuck out his tongue in disgust.
"They could be. Shape shifters and fae with disguise spells." Vidia's son, Kyro flew over, eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Like her in mortal clubs." Aziz cocked his head toward Jordan.
"What?' Kyro grinned mischievously, sitting next to her. Most fairies change to their natural fairy size in the club, but some chose to stay mortal size for the sake of not getting squashed.
"I'll explain" Jordan threw a annoyed glare at her adoptive brother, "Biological I'm 17. I act 17, look 17. But if people counted by human years, I'm 21. So when I go to mortal club, and they ask my age I NATURALLY assume they want my mortal age."
They all looked at her dubiously.
"Okay, I know what I'm doing. But you go along with it." Jordan added with a side eyed to Aziz.
"Adult clubs are fun. They have good finger food." Aziz shrugged
"They think you're 21?" Kyro snickered
Jordan shifted her body. Taller, bustier, angular features, she intoned deeply "Believe me now?"
"I can see it." Kyro nodded his head in approval. With that confirmation she changed back to her normal form.
"What are adult clubs like anyway?" Phil asked intrigued
"Basically a bunch of them sit around having tea and crumpets while discussing politics, philosophy and books." Aziz answered.
"And recite poems in their original languages or do opera." Jordan put in.
"Pretentious asses." Kyro snorted
"How's your twin?" Alexandria changed the subject.
"Avari is going out with Azul." He answered, flicking his long black bangs off his eyes.
"Rani's son?" Calix returned to the conversation.
"It's weird, I know." Kyro said
The conversation drifted away from that to new topics until it was 3 in the afternoon.
"We better go." Alexandria muttered, frowning at her watch.
Calix let her and Aziz go out through Circe's office and headed back to party.
Thankfully Aziz's dorm room was empty so she could take one bed while Aziz jumped onto his, and covered his eyes with his textbook.
"I feel super productive." He murmured sarcastically
"How much work?" She asked
"Too much." Aziz threw the book to the floor. "I'll do it after dinner."
Jordan rolled over to her side, "I want to sleep already."
"Do it. No one has seen you at all because you've been studying all weekend."
"I can't." She complained
"The Bacchae and the pixie?" Aziz asked softly
"I think too much. It's nothing." Jordan sighed, "Go do your work. Wake me up when your roommate comes."
Aziz sighed much too overdramatically in her opinion as he got up to sit on the bed she was on, and pushed her onto her stomach.
He started to do back tracings on her. Dammit, he knew she loved tickle massages. She found it so soothing and always made her fall asleep. She would willingly stay still forever if there was someone giving her one.
"Aziz, please, I'm fine. You don't have to help me go to sleep." Jordan murmured
"Let me. Think of it as you're helping me procrastinate in doing a half-hearted job on my French homework." Aziz told her
"When you put it that way..." Jordan closed her eyes.
Author's Note: Another chapter done, I hope you enjoyed. It's a nice breather chapter, isn't it? Go thank screamingeternally for that. She was the one who reminded me that not every chapter has to be full of angst.
Anyway the song, is "Good Stuff" by Shakira.
The little hummed tune was "I feel pretty" from West Side Story.
I'm sure, everyone can guess what musical inspired my club name choice ;)
I put a lot of Descendants characters of Disney people I like. Attina, Milo, Rani, etc. That was fun.
And if anyone is wondering or if a name nerd like me, Avari was inspired by Avarice. As Vidia had been inspired by Invidia.
Kyro inspired by Kyto, the dragon Vidia fell in love with in the books.
That's all for now. I hope you enjoyed! Have a good ending of summer.