School's back and I'm just glad I had this whole arc done.

To Ask For the Crescent Moon: Part Three

In their second period class, Kai and Scarlet were permitted to do partner work in class. Their desks are pushed together with their books and papers scattered on top to make it look like they were working. Kai and Scarlet were even holding pens and occasionally writing something down to keep their cover.

"So, getting Cinder and Wolf to the dance," Scarlet says, scribbling on the corner of her textbook, "what's the plan?"

Kai shrugs. "Hope they'll change their minds?"

"You've seen how stubborn Cinder is. I have a feeling Wolf will cave but not if he and Cinder plan to race cars. They'll probably team up for the sake of Luna." Scarlet fiddles with her pen before one of her brows perks up. "Maybe you could guilt-trip Cinder by playing the dead parent card."

Kai looks at her horrified, especially since Scarlet's serious. To be fair, it was a bold move. "Only if you play the daddy issues card."

Scarlet narrows her eyes before grinning. "Touché. Or, if worse comes to worst, we'll be each other's dates."

They stare at each other in amicable silence, thinking that possibility over, before laughing. They only stop when their teacher circles back around and they have to pretend to get back to work.

-o-

Winter still hasn't texted Jacin about the upcoming dance and she sure as stars hopes nobody else does. She told Cinder not to mention it to Iko because she would definitely mention it to Jacin and then he would text her and ask why she didn't tell him. It's like the situation she discussed with Cress earlier on Jacin seeing photos. That predicament would be even worse since Jacin would feel even worse given the dance already happened, and then Winter would feel like spades.

She isn't sure what to do or why she's acting like this. Maybe she doesn't want to hear a decline or be in a state of turmoil where they're both upset they can't please each other.

This is the part about long-distance that sucks: lack of proximity.

Winter closes her locker and sees a poster for the dance on the wall. She gazes at the cartoon couple, a princess and her prince under the sparkling stars. Her heart aches. All she could do is picture herself in that position. She wonders if she should even go to the dance. Cinder and Wolf would let her join them in racing cars but she knows they'll conform and end up going to the dance. She doesn't mind going alone because a lot of people are and she's used to seventh-wheeling her friends, but this is one time she'd love for Jacin to be on her arm.

-o-

"I have a favour," Cress says.

"Anything," Thorne says as they walk down the hallway to their next classes.

Cress winces at his word choice because he might change his mind before she even finishes her sentence. "I was talking with my dad this morning and told him you were my boyfriend. Now he wants to meet you again as, well, my boyfriend."

Thorne doesn't falter which shocks her. Instead, he slowly nods. "He's already met me."

"Yes, I know, but not as the boyfriend."

Thorne grins. "The boyfriend. I like the sound of that."

Cress's lips twitch. Admittedly, she loves the sound of the boyfriend but it's distracting her. Then again, when isn't Thorne distracting her?

"You're asking for the moon here since that's an impossible demand," Thorne says.

"Really?" Cress asks. "You just said you already met him so it shouldn't be that hard."

"Yes, but not as the boyfriend. He'll punt me to the moon I've asked for."

Cress rolls her eyes, especially since Thorne isn't kidding. "You don't even have to meet my mom."

"But aren't moms the ones who soften up the dads? Especially dads with an only daughter?"

Cress shrugs. "You tell me. Come on, Thorne, you've met Kate's parents, haven't you?"

"I did but that's different."

"How so?"

"We were children."

"That was, like, three years ago."

"Exactly. I was a child and haven't grown since."

Cress laughs a little. "You're impossible."

Thorne smiles and he leans down to kiss her forehead as the bell rings. "I'll catch you later."

Cress stands outside as she watches Thorne go to his class. Her smile deflates a little as she starts heading to her class down the hall since Thorne didn't agree. Then again, he didn't disagree. She isn't sure about his response. She should text her girls and ask about it but they wouldn't be able to decipher it either.

Maybe Thorne needs time to think about it. They haven't even brought up the dance yet.

-o-

Group Chat: Captain Thorne ft. The Boys
Members: Cadet Clay, Captain Thorne, Crewmate Kai, Crewmate Wolf

Captain Thorne: EMERGENCY!

Captain Thorne: Cress wants me to meet her dad as "the boyfriend"

Captain Thorne: HER DAD WILL KILL ME!

[no response]

Cadet Clay: I fail to see the emergency.

Crewmate Wolf: You've met him before.

Captain Thorne: But as a friend and secret boyfriend. Now he knows the truth.

Cadet Clay: He hasn't met your dramatic side yet so you do have a point.

Crewmate Wolf: Again, you've met him before.

Captain Thorne: Help me out. What was it like when you met your girlfriends' parents?

Cadet Clay: I was born with approval.

Crewmate Wolf: I saw Scarlet's dad in the courtroom.

Crewmate Kai: Cinder met my dad on his deathbed.

[chat goes quiet for a bit]

Crewmate Wolf: You good?

Crewmate Kai: Just saying.

Crewmate Kai: And I am.

Captain Thorne: I don't think this chat is helpful. Do I have to book an appointment with her dad or something?

Cadet Clay: Why don't you have Cress meet your parents as "the girlfriend?"

Captain Thorne: Cadet Clay, you genius!

-o-

At the end of the day, Scarlet leans against the lockers and looks up at the ceiling as she listens to the announcements over the hallway noise of students leaving. Through the lockers being rummaged, opening and closing, and students chattering as they walk past her in both directions. She doesn't make out much except for a recap of the assembly with some new details that spark her interest. Beside her, Wolf closes her locker and she turns over to look at him. When his eyes meet hers, she smiles and his eyes widen in alarm.

"They said the dance will have kings or queens," Scarlet says, sliding up to him. She holds his hand as he closes the lock and wraps her arm up his side as she gazes up at him lovingly. "Wouldn't it be fun if we won?"

Wolf looks down at her and pulls her against him by holding the small of her back. Scarlet is taken aback for a second as her body hits his and he leans in closer to her.

"We could be doing something else on the night of the dance," he whispers before kissing her ear and making his way down her neck. His hand on her back cranes her body up as she grips onto the zippers of his jacket.

Scarlet turns her head towards him. "You mean racing cars?"

"If you'd like, but you know what I'm thinking of."

His small kisses continue until she breaks from his embrace. Scarlet stands her ground with a frown as Wolf smugly grins at her.

"Don't," Scarlet states, pointing up at him, "don't think you can convince me not to go."

"Worth a shot."

"You could be my king."

"Not if you keep asking me like a servant."

Scarlet's mouth drops open and Wolf laughs a little. "Come on, babe."

Wolf raises a brow. "Oh, so I'm babe again."

"Only if you join me."

"Not a chance. I can't dance."

"C'mon, Wolf, everyone can dance."

Wolf sucks in a breath at the sound of his name instead of babe. "Doesn't mean everyone should."

Scarlet sides beside him and leans against his body for him to support her. "Maybe we could do other things at the dance?"

Wolf looks down at her. "Nice try, Benoit. A real queen wouldn't do this to me."

"A real queen wouldn't have to ask."

Wolf stops himself from talking when Scarlet grins at him. "Okay, Scarlet, not fair."

Scarlet mocks his smug grin from earlier with a shrug as she puts her hands in her pockets. "I'll save you a dance."

"Still not going!"

"For now!"