Jason swaggers into the nearly empty cafeteria, even in spite of the lack of crowds. Instinct takes over for him then; he's out of his perfect, secret world with Peter, and back to the harsh truths of the rest of the school. And he's memorized this particular dance perfectly - a wave to Zach, still looking good as last year, a charming smile and a smooth swerve to avoid a gaggle of girls offering him their numbers.

Every time they flash him those smiles, Jason wishes said smiles could inspire something in him.

Instead, they wrap themselves around his heart, like multiple nooses. And it's growing more difficult for Jason to get himself out of their reach.

He feels like he's walking across jagged glass in his bare feet just as he grabs his food. Suddenly, his appetite lessens.

He spots Nadia easily enough, sitting by herself alone in a table in the corner.

"You owe me," is the first thing she says to him before he even sits down.

"I know," he begins, knowing that he really does owe her for intervening the way she did. "Name your price. I am really, really grateful for this afternoon, Nadia."

Grateful enough that he can still feel Peter all over his skin as he waits for Peter to arrive.