Jack's POV:
Phew.
"Who was that?"
"Uh, nobody."
"Ready for dinner?"
"Yep."
We're having chinese food. Dad hasn't been cooking lately because of work, so this is our third night ordering out. He should just listen to me for once and take a break.
We sit down and dish out our plates. "Dad, I really miss your cooking."
"What about all those times you'd want to eat out. You just simply can't be pleased," he chuckles.
I laugh, "After a while, I end up wanting the opposite one. I'm indecisive, what can I say?"
"Indecisive, yes. You still can't seem to pick who to be with: Kara or Jaden."
I almost choke on my chicken. What did he just say?
"Uhh," I stare into my plate. He knew?
"Don't think that you can do much of anything in this town without my knowing, son."
"That's an invasion of privacy."
"The only thing that surprises me is that Kara never knew. With your traipsing that boy all around the city, taking him here, a fool wouldn't be able to see what was right in front of them. Also, if it's in my house, there is no invasion of privacy."
"Are you calling her a fool?"
"Are you gay?"
We've both put down our silverware, and we're staring straight ahead, stuck in a stalemate.
"I'm bi, dad. I like them both."
He nods, "I'm fine with you liking whoever you like, but you cannot manipulate people like that. You can't tag people along when you know you don't have the same feelings... it's cruel."
"I didn't even know that I had feelings for him, then this rumor spread... one thing led to another... I just didn't want to disappoint you or Kara, so I tried to find a middle way."
"How would your dating life disappoint me?" he asks in disbelief.
"I thought that the perfect image of Kara, me, and a white picket fence was what you wanted. You're friends with her parents... I don't know, I just thought that being with her was expected of me."
"Jack, I don't care who you date, as long as you're happy... and not sneaking around."
I nod solemnly.
"But if you were with Kara just to appease me, you need to break it off. Nobody should feel like an obligation or second choice."
"Yep, about that, she already found out," I chuckle awkwardly.
He raises his brows, "Oh."
"And Jaden turned out not to be the best person... so I'm done with him, too."
"Good. You need to figure some things out alone anyway," he finishes curtly. Maybe he's right...
For some reason, our house has become really popular tonight. Someone bangs at the door, prompting dad to answer it... he could have pretended we weren't home.
"Who is it?"
The knocking stops as he opens the door.
"Have time for an old friend?"
He sighs, "Jack, come here and greet President Carrington."
I turn to see the revolutionary ruler of our great country, President Lacey Carrington. She and mom were close friends, but she still seems like a celebrity to me.
"Oh, please, that's pretty formal for an old family friend."
"Old family friend? You're the President. You created the world we live in now."
"Well, actually me and some other scientists did it together--"
I interject, "Yeah, but you're--"
I stop midsentence. She seems a little annoyed, and I realize I'm fanboying over her.
"You're here," I finish.
"I just wanted to come check in. I know I haven't been here in a while."
"Well, work's been good. I'm hearing that I've been pushing myself a little too hard," he glances at me.
I shrug, "He just makes work his whole life. He needs hobbies, friends--"
"I have friends."
"Other than work friends."
She chuckles, "Harry, you just need to find a balance."
He smiles subtly. He seems uncomfortable, but I can't pinpoint a reason why.
"We were just having dinner. Could you come by another time?"
Is he really trying to rain check the president?
"I actually really need to speak with you."
"Okay, follow me," he turns to me, "You can continue eating while we talk for a bit."
I nod. Maybe dad's a little cool after all.
I chew a chunk of chicken.
Harry's POV:
"What is it?"
"That bust that you ordered a week ago, did you find any known locals?"
"Yeah, a few. Even Andrew Jackson was there. His dad is definitely disappointed after getting that call."
I shift my stance, "You couldn't have said this in an email? I mean, if it pertains to work?"
"You are in such a rush to kick me out. Why is that?" she crosses her arms.
"We'd decided that we'd end any part of our relationship that wasn't professional years ago."
"So we can't exchange pleasantries, for Terra's sake? You know she'd want us to get along."
"Oh, we were getting along, alright," I rub my chin, flashing back to my past mistakes.
"But, we promised to keep our relationship separate from our duties to the country after--"
"After you impregnated me?" she adds.
I take a deep breath, "A terminated pregnancy," I look back to the dining room, "that we agreed never to speak on," I finish in a hushed tone.
She nods with a sardonic chuckle, "Except for the fact that it wasn't terminated."
My mouth gapes open, "La-Lacey, don't tell me this means--"
"We have a child out there."
I huff, "You came all the way from D.C. to tell me this? You could have kept it to yourself."
Now she's gaping, "I knew I couldn't tell you that I wanted to keep it. You always prioritized Terr--"
"Dad!"
"Shhh," I say seriously, "Yes?"
"I'm going to eat your beef," Jack calls.
"Have at it."
I continue in a hushed tone, "She was my longterm girlfriend, and you were her... friend."
"That didn't stop you," she mumbles.
I sigh, "We dealt with the last of this mess over 16 years ago. What do you want from me?"
I inch forward, "As far as I know, you don't have any children. I don't see any kids in the White House, not even a First Man, so it seems to me that you couldn't give a rat's ass about the kid either."
She lets out a few short breaths and turns on her heel.
Headed straight for the door, she leaves the air hissing behind her.
"Bye, President Carrington," Jack calls.
Silence.
Kara's POV:
He's caressing my curls, and although I usually hate anyone's hands in my hair, his are welcomed.
"Mmm, your hands are so soft."
I squish my head farther into the inside of his elbow. This is bliss, pure bliss. Sadly, we have to go back into society tomorrow, and pretend that we don't enjoy this or each other as much as we do. That thought is depressing... like truly depressing.
"Your hair is bouncy," he pulls one of the curls, then releases the tension.
He presses his face into my hair. I know he enjoys moments like this more than he lets on. I wonder when he'll realize that pretending to hate any form of sentiment will only hurt him more.
~Friday~
I haven't bitten my nails in a while, but today's a special occasion.
The phone rings, so I have to stop snacking.
"Hey."
"Don't sound too surprised."
"Sorry if I'm not excited about your going on a date with my newest archnemesis," I sigh.
"Relax. You know I could never like her in that way. I wouldn't even want to breathe her air if I didn't have to."
Yes, because saying "relax" always calms someone down...
Another call's coming in. Don't people know that I prefer to text?
"Uh, can I call you back? Another call's coming in."
Without looking at the caller ID, I switch calls. Big mistake...
"Hello."
"Kara, I know you're mad at me..."
*Dial tone*
"Was that Jack?"
"Wait, were you still on the call? I cannot work technology properly... I hung up on him."
After a long pause, he says, "Why did you guys break up, again?"
"Uh, It just wasn't working out."
He sighs.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Do you think you might get back with him in the near future?"
Is he jealous?
"Hell no. Fuck no. Ne-ver," I emphasize. Never. He's lost all my respect, and without that, he means nothing to me.
"Okay. Negative, got it."
"Why is that even a question? We haven't been together for the whole summer."
"It's only been a few weeks... the summer is young."
Wow, he's convinced that I will even consider getting back with that lying fuck. He cares...
"I can say with 100% confidence that I don't even want to breathe his air."
"Mmkay."
"Ugh, he's calling again."
"Block him."
"I'm going to tell him off one more time. Gimme a sec."
"Kara, just wait. Let me say one thing. I can explain everything that's happened."
"I think I know what happened. You used me."
"Please, let's just talk. Please."
I really am too nice.
"Fine. I'll drive to you. When are you free?"
"About 7."
That's around the time Shawn's leaving with Tiana. Something to keep my mind occupied, I guess.
"Alright," I say curtly.
"It's a date."
"It's not a date," I hang up.
Some part of me just wants to hear him out... I thought I was past this.
Jack's POV:
I sigh. I can't believe I'm actually working with Tiana to uncover this ridiculous conspiracy. This summer is taking a weird turn. I'm still wondering why she was trying to kiss me yesterday... then President Carrington came to my house. A lot of shit is going on.
Not enough, apparently, as someone's knocking our door... again.
It's Andrew.
"Hey," I look around him and his dad is nowhere to be found. "Come in."
"Have you heard about the shit's that's gone down?" he asks in a hushed tone.
Which shit?
"Uh..."
"Your dad having me detained by the police and shipped to an education camp in Hawaii?" he asks pointedly.
Wait, WHAT?
"Dad never told me about you. He told me about the raid of this anti-New World faction near us. He suspected Kara to be involved..."
I can't believe he withheld this information from me.
"Yeah, my dad's trying to keep it under wraps, but I'm not ashamed. I truly don't believe in a world where women rule."
I gasp, "How could you say that?"
"How can you say that women should command us or tell us what to do with our bodies?"
I shrug it off, "I can't believe this."
I'm seriously taken aback.
"Anyway," he takes a breath, "My dad took my phone and TV and any connection to the outside world. I think he's going to ask Kara's mom to check my social media, I don't know, maybe to figure out if my straying away from righteousness was evident... whatever. He blames himself, you know?"
"Really? I didn't know he was being that hard on you... I mean I didn't even know you were involved. It's a serious offense."
"What about freedom of speech and assembly?"
"Speech against the government?"
"It's literally what this country was built on. The people should have more power than the government, or else it's a dictatorship."
"Yeah, a male-run government is what this country was built on."
"You say that like it's so bad. The only thing that's happened is a switch. Bad things still go on in the world."
"Would you rather the people who have done the bad for hundreds of years keep doing it?"
He sighs with a light chuckle, "That question is... something to think about."
"No," I cut in, "It shouldn't be something to think about. There's one clear answer."
He runs his hand through his hair, "Dad's got to be wondering where I am by now. I only get 30 minutes of outside time. I just wanted to stop by to explain why my phone might go straight to the tone."
I nod, "Good to know."
Not like I would be calling him any time soon. He's one of those guys that you're friendly with, but just for a party invite or tickets to a show.
Oh, would you look at the time? Kara should be here soon.
Right on time, she pulls up to the curb across the street.
She honks the horn. I guess that's my cue.
Shawn's POV:
It's been about 10 minutes and I'm already pissed and annoyed. She's hit on me multiple times and even tried to grope me as I got in her car. Who the hell starts a date like that?
"So how long have you known Kara?"
Here we fucking go...