Coriolanus shot forward. In all his humor, he'd forgotten about this. It had slipped his mind, a most erroneous mistake, but now, he gripped the seat in front of him, eyes wide, watching Strabo.

He felt sweat bead on his head.

Fuck this; he'd fought his classmates for the last four years, clawed his way to the top. Never missed a day of school. Never missed an assignment. Straight A's. He'd sacrificed everything to win this prize. To change the terms now…he felt a sick feeling in the back of his throat.

"As I said before, these students will be just like any other. So yes, they will be eligible for the Plinth Prize, on top of their scholarships."

Coriolanus felt faint.

His classmates here wanted it, for reasons that weren't entirely clear to him, other than the Golden Ticket into any job in the world. The money was just an added bonus. But District kids? They needed it, the way the Snows did.

So far, Coriolanus had gotten ahead by being the one with everything to lose, something no one else had.

But what would he do when there was the possibility of 24 new, hungry, desperate contenders?

Coriolanus shoved out of the aisle, not bothering to hear the last two questions.

He'd fucking heard enough.

Outside, he felt dizzy as he rounded the corner of the auditorium building.

With a scream of frustration, Coriolanus spun around and threw a fist at the brick exterior.

The brick won.

Coriolanus didn't care.

He stared at his knuckles, the broken skin, blood oozing between his fingers with a sense of detachment.

Then, rage filled him again and he swung for a second one, hoping to break his motherfucking hand this time, but Sejanus managed to grasp his wrist moments before it collided.

"Woah, woah, hey, buddy!" Sejanus' eyes were wide, his tone like he was calming down a bucking stallion, "Feeling a little suicidal, there?"

"Not suicidial, just…" Coriolanus bit out, but couldn't finish, "What are you doing here? Are you trying to get punched?"

"You, ah, ran out of there quickly."

"I thought we weren't talking to each other," Coriolanus snapped his fingers back, wincing as he flexed them.

Sejanus rolled on the balls of his feet, shrugging.

"You okay?"

"Fine," Coriolanus replied sharply, "Peachy."

"Right. Yes. You lie. Let me rephrase - how are you feeling about the Plinth Prize?"

"I don't want to talk to you about it," Coriolanus spat. He'd never understand. He had more money at his disposal than Coriolanus could even dream. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

"I know you've been working hard for it," Sejanus said slowly, carefully choosing his words, "I've watched it. Four years. You've been unstoppable in your efforts."

"Yeah, so has everyone else."

"No, not really," Sejanus' jaw twitched, "It's different for you. I haven't mentioned it because it just didn't really seem necessary, but I would have warned you if I knew what my dad was doing. And look, it'll only be eligible kids that are seniors. So it may only be a few more, and the terms aren't changing, so-,"

"Why do you think I care?" Coriolanus huffed, trying to seem unbothered.

"Because you do! I know when you're lying, Coryo! News flash, it's a lot!"

Coriolanus' jaw twitched.

He wouldn't say 'a lot' was accurate. Just when the situation demanded.

"Do you need money?" Sejanus asked quietly, "If you asked, I'd give it to you, you know. You're my best friend. If you need a couple million, as soon as I graduate, it's yours. You know I don't give a shit about it and-,"

"I don't need hand-outs. We're fine," Coriolanus straightened his back.

"Don't be too proud, Coriolanus. I know that's hard for you," Sejanus chastised, "It's really nothing for me. I can match the Plinth Prize if you're so upset and after I graduate, my dad can't really say anything about it and I know I have it in my trust fund-,"

"It wouldn't matter!" Coriolanus snapped loudly, cutting him off, and at Sejanus' wide-eyed look, "It wouldn't matter anyway," He whispered miserably, "It's more than just the money, Sejanus. I need the celebrity that comes with winning it, the key that unlocks doors. I need both of them," Coriolanus whispered brokenly, "And I have to, I have to win it. I don't have another option."

He felt like crying.

Fuck; he hadn't cried since he was six. This was absurd.

He hated it.

Sejanus' eyes were two wide pools, staring at him as though just realizing something.

"Why does it have to be you?" Sejanus tilted his head, "Why not Tigris or your father?"

"Because my father clearly can't be trusted to do anything," Coriolanus huffed, furiously, "And Tigris? It just doesn't work like that. I'm the first son of the first son. It's on me. It's my job."

Sejanus swallowed, "You're eighteen. This is an unfair task to put on your shoulders, you know?"

"What else can I do?" Coriolanus asked, emotion draining away. He felt tired, "I've been careful for four years," He whispered, dragging a hand down his face, "For it to be snatched away."

"It's not over yet." Sejnaus pointed out, "And I know you'll fight. I don't think you know how to do anything else."

Coriolanus crossed his arms, "Maybe."

"So your uncle's party-,"

"Furthur into debt, I'm sure." Coriolanus said bitterly, "If he was smarter, he'd remarry for money. There has to be a rich actress dumb enough to fall for him. I hope it won't come to that for me."

"What would make you take a little bit of cash?" Sejanus asked, looking dejected, "You know, enough to buy yourself a pair of jeans or a sweatshirt."

Coriolanus gave a hard laugh, "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Seriously." Sejanus echoed, grinning a bit, "I've always suspected your fashion style was not just because you like to dress like a 1930s tycoon, but now I'm sure of it. C'mon, it's modern times, man. I promise you won't perish on the spot if you wear a pair of jeans."

"Nothing, it's not your problem to fix," Coriolanus said, trying to bite back the horror for opening up to Sejanus.

"Belated birthday present? Early Christmas present? "

"Drop it, Sejanus."

XXX

Tigris called as soon as Coriolanus closed the door back to his dorm.

"What?"

"Oh my god, Coryo! I just heard the news. About the District students and-,"

Coriolanus winced, hoping she didn't spill something. The decibel she was yelling at could absolutely spill his secret to Sejanus.

"Wait, how did you know about it?" Coriolanus asked, sending a betrayed glare at Sejanus.

"Oh, not me. I've been trying to keep you from bleeding out," Sejanus huffed, "Haven't had the time."

"Bleeding out?" Tigris shrieked.

"He's joking," Coriolanus glared at Sejanus for needlessly worrying his cousin, "Anyway, shitty, isn't it?"

Tigris paused on the other end, "I dunno…" He could imagine her twisting her hair around her finger, "I think it's…neat?"

Coriolanus laughed, "Of course you do," He muttered.

"Oh, Coryo, would it kill you to be nice? For once in your life?" Tigris snapped, apparently offended. Coriolanus sucked in.

"It would actually. I'd spontaneously combust."

"Fine. I'm done talking to you. Can you put Sejanus on?"

Coriolanus winced, "I cannot. You can call him yourself." He wasn't going to… facilitate whatever the hell was happening.

"Meanie!" Tigris teased and before he could say anything else she'd hung up.

One seconds later, Sejanus' phone rang.

Coriolanus whipped his head around. "Do you have a personalized ringtone for her?" He asked, horrified, as ' Eye of the Tiger ' by Survivor filled their room.

"I feel like however I answer…you're gonna be upset." Sejanus stared Coriolanus down, which was basically an answer.

"Urg; I'm going to dinner. Find me after you get done giggling on the phone with each other!"

"Sounds good," Sejanus said, ignoring his jab, holding his phone to his ear, "Heeey, Tigris!"

Coriolanus didn't want to know what they talked about.

He slammed the door, hoping to bother them.

Ew, ew, ew, ew…

Disgust pittered through his brain with each step all the way to the cafeteria.

In the dining hall, his classmates were all glued to their phones, deep in conversation about something.

"What's everyone doing?" Coriolanus asked as he slid onto a chair next to Clemmie.

"We're trying to figure out the most likely new students," Lyssie explained, pushing a very complicated and messy-looking notebook sheet towards him, where it seemed the whole Academy 24 (well, 22 since Coriolanus and Sejanus had not been present) were grabbing it to scribble another name.

Coriolanus scanned the sheet. He wasn't sure if he was pleased or offended that he didn't see Lucy Gray's name as a guess.

"We're just worrying about possible high school students, specifically upperclassmen," Clemmie added, "Those we might be in competition for the Plinth Prize for."

"Oh, cute you all care about that," Coriolanus lied, forcing a too-casual smile, "C'mon, a District kid isn't going to win." He felt much less sure than he sounded.

"Well, can't be too careful," Pup said, as though he was at the head of a military intelligence squad.

"Hey, hey, what about this girl-," Dennis Fling turned his phone around to show Pup someone, "Coral. District 4. She's super athletic; in basketball, track, and women's lacrosse. Tennis for fun."

Pup took Dennis' phone, scrolling, humming thoughtfully, "I remember Coach complaining about the women's tennis team's chances at Nationals after someone broke their leg. He might be glad of some fresh blood."

"Hey, hardly my fault," Palmyra threw up her hands, "Those stairs were super slippery. Litigation pending."

"Anyway," Pup took the paper back, scrawling her name in such bad handwriting that maybe Lucy Gray's name was on there and Coriolanus wouldn't even know, "I think she's a strong contender."

"Wait, her insta name is 'coralreefer'. That might bother the school's 'Rules of Conduct'," Livia pointed out, sniggering.

"Okay, well," Clemmie blinked at her, "If Urban's handle can be 'Urbancanfillya', I think she's fine." She shrugged, "To play Devil's Advocate."

"The difference is mine is funny ," Urban guffawed, offended someone would think otherwise. (It certainly wasn't.)

Pup sighed, nodding, "Good point. She's still exceptional otherwise."

"Hey, hey, whattabout the girl from the bar? The lead singer. I'd guess she probably goes to The Districts," Festus snapped his fingers. Coriolanus stiffened, not sure if he should answer or try to quiet them down, but Androcles jumped in.

"Oh! Lucy, right?" He said, tapping on his phone and scrolling a moment, "Yeah…yeah. I think she's a good choice."

Lucy Gray, you imbecile.

As Androcles passed his phone over, Coriolanus caught his screen. Specifically-

"She's following you ? You're following her ?" He sputtered.

Oh, so she followed Androcles, but not Coriolanus? God, it must be just to piss him off specifically .

He realized his slip-up too late, but luckily, it seemed everyone took his disbelief as just so instead of jealousy.

"Trying to slum it, Anderson?" Festus wriggled his eyebrows, " Niiiiceee . I bet she makes all sorts of sounds in bed."

Coriolanus felt his fingers flex. The school nurse had told him to take it easy on his hand, but god, he'd give Festus the black eye he so desperately deserved.

"I mean, yeah, what's the big deal?" Androcles ignored Festus, looking at Coriolanus.

"Are you?" Coriolanus tried to keep his tone even, "Trying to…" The word, something twisted and naughty couldn't leave his lips, "You know?"

"No! No, I'm just trying to write an article, you know? Her band really has something. Everyone loves a garage-band beginning."

"Well, if you're uninterested…" Apollo was peering over Pup's shoulder, "She's not bad to look at."

Not bad to look at? Please, she's…fucking beautiful.

"You're going to give her a real Academy welcome, Ring, are ya," Androcles sniggered.

"Best dick she'll ever have. Those District boys got nothin' on us," Festus puffed his chest out, answering for Apollo, who was less explicit, but clearly not thinking totally innocent thoughts.

"Everything's a boat measuring contest, huh?" Io rolled her eyes, "You're all disgusting."

Coriolanus watched with a strange sense of something as Pup wrote Lucy Gray's name. Until now he hadn't considered that possibility…that she may arrive here .

It almost made him feel like he'd choke on his dinner.

"Hell, there's so many of 'em," Domitia whistled, scrolling through her feed, "How will they ever choose?"

"I'm sure most are ordinary," Arachne pointed out, "And hardly befitting of our school and its legacy. So." She seemed unbothered, "Maybe they won't find 24 at all."

Coriolanus stayed at the table, silent, because if they were going to say more about Lucy Gray, he wanted to know. However, someone pulled up another profile and soon enough, their thoughts had moved on.

But Coriolanus's hadn't.

It hadn't since the night in the bar.

She would haunt his thoughts the rest of the week and well into the weekend.

XXX

Coriolanus woke up unable to breathe.

Sejanus was standing above him, his palm covering Coriolanus's mouth and nose.

"Shh…shh…wake up!"

Coriolanus kicked out, hitting Sejanus in the stomach.

"The fuck? Are you trying to kill me?" Coriolanus demanded.

"No! Just wake you!"

"And that's how you decided to go?" Coriolanus stared at him, jaw unhinged in fury.

"Let's whisper, Old Sport, whisper," Sejanus made a 'take it down a notch' gesture. He was wearing street clothes, not his pajamas.

"What's going on?"

"So…" Sejanus swallowed, "I, uhm, I know my dad and Highbottom were reviewing the candidates tonight-,"

"It's only Friday," Coriolanus blinked, "They said they'd know by Monday."

"Yeeaaaah, apparently, the Districts are a little...eager. And they've gotten so many already that they thought maybe it would be best to move up the timeline. They'll be here on Monday, told tomorrow morning."

Coriolanus' heart thudded.

Sooner.

God, Sejanus was still blabbering on about...something...

"-and I just…" He heaved, "I need your help."

Coriolanus blinked at him, "Mine?" He knew he missed a little bit, but not anything important, he didn't think.

"Yes. I want to make sure that someone I know is worth it from District 2 makes it. Both of the District 2 scholarship kids, actually."

"So what?" Coriolanus rubbed his eyes, holding back a yawn, "You're gonna…hack into their system in Highbottom's office and…and…switch the choices?"

Sejanus' grim face told him he was exactly right. "Look, man…"

"I don't fancy getting expelled," Coriolanus began to say, "Good luck, but no thanks."

"Please! I'd owe you a big one for…for forever!" Sejanus begged, "Please, please, please, please, please-,"

Coriolanus was two seconds away from kicking him again to shut him up and rolling back over until a terrible, bad, awful, annoying, brilliant, and inspired thought hit him.

What if you could make sure Lucy Gray came here?

He didn't know where it came from. He had been mulling over the possibility since they announced it, but only in a 'maybe it would be nice' sense.

But…if Coriolanus could get into the files…he could do exactly what Sejanus was doing.

And after that, she'd have to acknowledge him then, right? And maybe even thank him for his service, for what he risked to get her here. It was…

Romantic?

Coriolanus felt his stomach clench uncomfortably.

He was going to say a gesture of goodwill until his brain hijacked his thought.

"You'd owe me. So, so much," Coriolanus got up, ignoring that he was now invested for his own purposes. No need for Sejanus to know this, if he could help it.

Sejanus punched the air, "You're the GOAT, Snow." He was almost jumping up and down with excitement, like an over-eager chihuahua.

Coriolanus pulled on his sweatshirt and sweatpants he wore when he worked out and the two crept across the silent campus together. After a handful of years living here, they both knew ways to slip the notice of campus security. They were hardly the only seniors out of dorms. They caught Florus going toward the girl's dorms, no doubt to slip into Palmyra's bedroom. They paused when the trio saw each other, then Florus pressed a finger to his lip and they both went on their way.

Highbottom's office was dark. They didn't take the door, of course not, but instead slid in through a cracked window, Coriolanus hoisting Sejanus up and then Sejanus pulling him through the sliver of the cracked windowpane.

"Thank god for tradition, huh?" Sejanus whispered. While there were cameras in the waiting area outside his office, none were inside.

"It's so he can get drunk without getting fired," Coriolanus snorted. The official reason was that certain places on campus were bound by time and tradition and stupid shit and they didn't want to ruin the interior by mounting cameras to the walls.

"Okay, whew…" Sejanus cracked his fingers, going to the computer.

"Wait, how do you know the Dean's password?" Coriolanus asked.

"Shh…keep watch…" Sejanus waved him away, "And I have my sources. People will tell you anything for the right amount of money."

"And this is how you use it? For good instead of evil?" Coriolanus threw up his hands, but took his post where he could see through the glass pane in the door, "Despicable."

"Okay, okay, I'm in…" Sejanus whispered, "Man, they submitted a ton of candidates…" Sejanus whistled, "Alright, look like it's an email set to go out at exactly 8 A.M tomorrow. Shouldn't be too hard to change a few names…"

"And what if he notices? Highbottom? Or your father?"

"What's he gunna do, revoke it? They'll already be told by the time this email goes out…and maybe we change it to go out at 7 AM. Just in case," Sejanus clicked, "Alright…yeah, that's someone I know. Marcus. We played together on the playground as kids."

"How touching," Coriolanus snorted.

"We shared PB&Js too. He was always nice." Sejanus pressed his lips.

"And you think you're doing good? What about the kid you're booting for him?" Coriolanus turned around, but Sejanus frantically hissed and made a motion back toward the door.

"You're an awful lookout! And I dunno, I know Marcus. I know his family. I know this would be a huge deal. Nothing is ever perfectly good and innocent, right?" He continued to click, "Oh, they picked Sabyn. Looks like they're doing one boy and one girl from each District. Yeah, she's cool. A year younger than me. Alright. Done."

He looked at Coriolanus.

"Let's blow this popsicle joint," He grinned.

Coriolanus went to the window. He needed a reason to switch Lucy Gray. "You first," He motioned out the window. Sejanus hauled himself out. Coriolanus made a big deal about starting but then frantically patting his sweatpants.

"My phone!" He hissed, though he knew it was safely in his pocket, "I gotta find it. One second!"

"Hurry!" Sejanus whispered from the grass, a level below the window.

Coriolanus threw himself to the computer. The screen hadn't been locked, just dimmed. Frantically, he scrolled to 'District 12'.

The name of the girl was 'Mayfair Lipp'.

He scowled, disgusted.

He found the document with the candidates. There at the bottom…Lucy Gray's name.

He was aware that he was running out of time. His fingers shook as he deleted Mayfair's name and pulled Lucy Gray's file instead.

He caught her grade; 12th.

She's my age?

"Coryo!" Sejanus hissed through the window.

"One second!" Coriolanus yelled back. He clicked and deleted Mayfair's application entirely, just in case.

Then, he set the email to go out at 3 am (no chances taken, right) and locked down the screen.

He managed to scurry out the window, close it shut, and dive into a bush right as the flashlight from a security guard bounced across the lawn.

"Did you find it?" Sejanus asked.

"Huh…oh, yeah," Coriolanus patted his pocket.

He felt like he was in a daze. He didn't believe it. Lucy Gray was coming here. He'd see her every day…

Fuck. Actually, he felt a bit sick.

The pair of boys were silent all the way back to the dorm.

As they were slipping back into their bunks, Sejanus rolled over, and asked a question that imploded Coriolanus's world as casually as ordering brunch, "So you managed to get Lucy Gray switched in, huh?"

"I don't…" Coriolanus froze, "Who?"

"Oh, come on. We both know you didn't drop your phone. You're far too careful for that," He yawned, settling in, "And I knew if I asked you to go, you'd come with me. So you can make sure she comes here too. So." He closed his eyes, as though he was about to sleep.

"But you…you…"

"Left the computer open. Do you think that was a mistake? You think I don't know you far better than you think? I mean, I am your best friend."

"You're so off base…" Coriolanus hissed.

"Am I?" Sejanus opened an eye, "Look, I did tell a little lie. I figured out who you disappeared with at the bar like…days ago. Days . I know why you locked your phone in your desk. I know why you've been acting so wiggly lately. It's because you like her."

"Why wouldn't you say anything…if that's true at all. Which it isn't."

"Because it's been so much more fun to watch you lose your ever-loving shit. It's better than cable," Sejanus grinned, "It's weird to watch you be so human, y'know?"

"Gee. Thanks."

"Anyway, the gig was up, because I did actually want to get Marcus or someone in. And I did need a lookout. And it was just too tempting not to ask. Man oh man, your face…" Sejanus laughed, "Anyway, g'night. Sweet dreams of Lucy Gra-,"

"I'm going to smother you."

"Worth it."

Sejanus stopped his teasing, rolled over, and was asleep within seconds.

Coriolanus watched him, considering manslaughter seriously.

If he'd figured it out…who else had?

Somehow, he slipped into what could only be described as an uncomfortable and panic-filled slumber. He was only brought out of it by a 'ping', some uncertain amount of hours later. He lazily picked up his phone; it was around 10 am.

The deed had already been done.

Coriolanus sleepily held up his phone to see a notification flash across his screen.

Lucy Gray Baird is now following you.

And then, before he could even register the words.

Lucy Gray Baird has sent you a message.