Happy 6th birthday to this story and welcome to Jacin's third arc!

In case you're curious, the title is a play on the word superjacent which means "lying over or above something else."

Being Super-Jacin-t: Part One

Commonwealth, The Earthen Union

"Crescent, what is this?"

In books and movies, teenagers often get asked that question by reprimanding parents. Usually, the parent got the child's parking violations in the mail or found something suspicious in the laundry, maybe something incriminating in the backseat of the car. Cress never had to hear her father ever ask those words unless there was something about technology he didn't understand, like that one time when they had internet problems. Her father called their provider and asked her that question when the representative on the phone said to try rebooting the modem. (Which she did).

But no, it's none of those.

Cress's father found her recent math test tucked between her textbook's pages. She didn't think her father was snooping, but she assumes he saw the red seven at the top of the page and wondered which column it was in.

It wasn't a bad mark, per se, it just wasn't her best. It was a 75%.

"Everyone did poorly on that one," Cress tries to reason, nervously shifting in her seat at the kitchen table.

Usually, when she has these talks with her father, she tries not to react as much since he's a psychiatrist who does therapy sessions with patients. But Cress also knows that not moving is another questionable sign of behaviour, and not to mention that her father knows her best.

Her father's taken aback by her words. "I don't care that everyone did bad on it. That's no excuse for you."

Cress shrugs, nervously pulling the collar of her sweater up to her chin. Hopefully, he's too distracted by her test to notice… "I'm sorry…"

She doesn't know why she didn't do her best on the test. It couldn't be because of Thorne or her friends because this just happened. It wasn't a progression of events, a downfall of skipping classes and not doing her homework. It's a fluke, it has to be.

"You couldn't fake an answer?" Her father teases with more joy in his tone.

Cress grins a little. "I didn't know enough to fake it."

"You'd better do better next time. You'll be applying to universities soon."

Cress nods with a slim smile plastered. "Gotcha."

-o-

"Winter, you seem distracted today. Is something on your mind?"

Winter blinks, returning to her sitting in Dr. Darnel's office, on a couch across from his desk. She can't remember if they started talking and she lost herself in thought trying to think of an answer. If so, then she can't remember the original question.

Is there something on her mind? Not blood on the walls but something in that head of hers. Yes, yes there is. Something that isn't blood. She isn't sure if she could say it aloud, but what's the harm? He'll bounce off that idea and give advice. He always does.

Winter takes a deep breath to ease her rushing and rapidly changing thoughts.

"I want to go to Luna for university."

Winter's never heard those words leave her mouth with such certitude. No passive language or possibilities like maybe or would like because this time, she was straightforward. Her shoulders are lighter and she exhales a small laugh in disbelief that she finally said it aloud. The concept only existed in her head when she was thinking of what to do after high school since Lunar Academy is now stressing applications and test scores, school fairs, paperwork to fill out, and all that jazz.

She didn't even consider schools here. She had tabs for Luna open as she clicked through, looking at program opportunities, geographical advantages, university merchandise, and residences. It didn't hit her till dawn after a whole night of browsing that she would be going home for the first time since Orion's Beach. Then she closed her computer and called it a night, didn't remember dreaming if she ever did, and came here on autopilot. For some reason, she never thought she'd go back. The idea never occurred to her despite missing Jacin, Iko, and Kinney with all her heart.

Did she take her meds today? Last night? Probably not if she's having these anxious and hysterical thoughts.

Winter noticed that Dr. Darnel stopped writing in his notepad to look at her. It's not the gaze of her doctor but from a man who has a daughter her age. Winter knows that sometimes he sees Cress in her. She'd like to think that Cress rubbed off on her, made her more imaginative and girly than she already was. And Cress has become more social and confident in herself the more she hung out with Winter and the rest of the crew. Cress was someone she could have her head in the stars with, dream about anything and it'll make sense.

They try not to talk about Cress during their sessions but sometimes lines blur. Winter would talk about things she did at school or over the weekend, and Cress's name would slip out or Dr. Darnel would know that Cress was there since she had to ask permission to go.

Maybe this conversation sparked him into thinking that Cress wants to go back to Luna for university.

"Luna," Dr. Darnel states more than clarifies. "Back to Artemisia?"

Winter nods. That she can't admit to herself yet. She takes another breath and smiles to calm herself, an act that he can see through but doesn't pester her about.

"The University of Artemisia is a good school," he adds. Winter knows he's adjusting the conversation, trying to ease her back into it or else she's snap into her hysterics. Did she take her meds? "A lot of good programs there. I did research there for a bit during my post-doc."

"I was thinking…" Winter continues slowly, fingers tapping against her armrest. "I didn't tell anyone this yet. Not Jacin or Cinder, not Levana, nobody except you. But I want political science. I don't want to go into political science myself but to study politics itself. I did some research and the programs there are competitive. I have grades they like but a whole lot about me they won't. I'm a dark-skinned Blackburn female. Triple threat for reasons out of my control nor do I want them tamed. I was hoping that you would write me a character reference."

"Absolutely, Winter," Dr. Darnel responds without another thought.

"And one more thing. I know that one of the reasons Levana moved here was so I could see you since you specialize in whatever's up in my head, but I'd need someone

"Winter, I will help you in whatever way I can. Now, is there anything I can do to help you be able to tell the others?"

-o-

Andromeda Academy, Luna

Jacin has never hated a class more.

The so-called easy-A elective of ballroom dancing. Jacin doesn't know why this class is really important since it's just some preparation for military balls. He remembers his parents getting dressed for those fancy events. His dad would wear his military uniform decorated in countless medals and his mother in a fancy dress with a colour that matched the season or the theme of the party. Sometimes, when Jacin was still indoctrinated in the idea that he would serve — and a part of him still thinks he'll end up there despite his medical school dreams — he would picture himself and Winter at those stupid fancy events.

She would be glammed up and chatting up a storm with other patrons while he would, ironically enough, want to dance with her. Aside from loving her so much and wanting her in his arms as they danced the night away, it meant he didn't have to converse with people on the sidelines.

"I wish I could throw you through the roof."

Jacin looks away from his dance partner to see Iko rolling her eyes at Kinney's remark with a grin. Instead of the robotic stances everyone else has with their partner, Jacin included, Iko and Kinney seemed more comfortable with each other. Years of friendship pushed aside, Jacin knows they're probably still hooking up behind his back.

He wonders how long till they tell him or catch on that he knows.

Kinney lifts Iko by the waist and twirls her around as a part of their dance routine. Jacin looks back at his partner, a girl he thinks he shares a few classes with but has never spoken to in his life (and even when they were partnered for this exercise). He isn't twirling he around like a ballerina in a music box.

The ground shakes and the couples stop dancing. Their classical music stops abruptly by their teacher. They look at each other, muttering about what the stars that was. They've seen reports of minute earthquakes rumbling through town but not one has traversed through their school till now.

"You're all dismissed to your dorms," their teacher states.

"Finally," Jacin responds as he starts heading out with Iko and Kinney behind him. He turns on his heels to face them. "You two danced beautifully, by the way."

I have this whole arc done so we'll be having weekly updates again :)