Infinite Risk by Ann Aguirre

mission. I’d nearly persuaded myself when school let out, so I was smiling when I stepped into the hall. The contrast to Blackbriar, which was more like a private college campus, seemed especially sharp today. This school was struggling with outdated equipment, broken fixtures, and floors that needed a good scrubbing.
    â€œYou’re new, right?” For the second time today, Jake Overman loomed over me. I could see how some girls enjoyed feeling tiny and fragile beside him, but it wasn’t my thing. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. Tanya was in a hurry.”
    I wasn’t great at reading people or judging intentions, but since he’d mentioned his girlfriend, this interaction didn’t seem skeevy. Maybe he’s a nice guy?
    â€œChelsea Brooks,” I said. “But you can call me Nine.”
    â€œYeah, I got the scoop from some assholes in my Bio 2 class. If it bothers you, I’ll call you Chelsea.”
    â€œNo worries. Kian told me your name already.”
    â€œDid he?” He seemed honestly startled to be known, unusual in a school athlete. “I didn’t realize he followed basketball.”
    â€œEveryone is capable of surprising you,” I said.
    I didn’t mean for it come out flirtatious, but judging by his slow, appreciative smile, that was how he took it. “I’ll bear that in mind. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I’m having a party this weekend. Stop by if you can. Can I text you my address?”
    â€œSure.” I gave him my number. “But to be honest, I probably won’t come.”
    â€œSomething I said?”
    â€œNo, I’m just not much of a party person. I’ll probably go to the Marquee with Kian.” That was an intentional name drop to raise awareness.
    â€œIsn’t that a bar?” Jake seemed really impressed, enough that I felt like rolling my eyes. Apparently the key to popularity as a new kid was true indifference along with projecting a convincing aura that your life was more interesting than everyone else’s.
    â€œSort of. But they’re not picky about ID. We were there last weekend.”
    â€œYou and that kid? Went to a bar.”
    â€œYep. We watched an old movie, drank a little.” I didn’t have to say it was Coke, right? The point was to raise Kian’s social footprint. “Nothing huge, it was chill. And we didn’t have to worry about being raided by the cops for a noise complaint.”
    Jake frowned. “My parties never get busted. We live out in the country, and my parents are gone this weekend.”
    â€œCool. I’ll keep that in mind.” Waving, I headed for the front doors.
    The halls had thinned a little, and I didn’t find Kian anywhere. He probably already got on a bus. But in the weirdest echo—and maybe because of the story I’d told Saturday night—the Harbinger was waiting for me, leaning up against an electrical pole just past the edge of the parking lot. In his Colin guise, he attracted a lot of attention from students who lived close enough to walk to school. Today he’d come as a musician with a violin case on his back, and even I had to admit he was irresistible layers of gorgeous: black shirt, claret leather vest, black trousers tucked into maroon combat boots, black trench coat over everything. The final touch, a dark red knit beanie contrasted beautifully to the raven spill of his hair, and as I processed the soft sighs and longing looks, it was like replaying how everyone reacted to Kian at Blackbriar.
    Seems I’m destined to be envied for loves that aren’t mine.
    â€œNine!” he called.
    Six heads swiveled in my direction. I have to get him out of here before he makes somebody go full Nicole. I hurried toward him, face locked in a grimace of a smile.
    â€œWhat’re you doing here?”
    â€œPicking you up, of course. I understand it’s the thing to