Page 102 of Two Who Live On

Jamius had such a confident smile I almost mistook him for one of his clones until the depth of thoughts revealed themselves in the well of his inner core. It’d taken time, but he finally found himself branching out and trying to be the person he envisioned himself as when creating the confidence in his duplications.

It helped that he had a cocky Carter next to him. “I’m telling you, she’s bluffing one hundred percent.”

“You sure?” Jamius raised his eyebrows, studying Jennifer’s unfazed expression.

“Definitely.” Carter grinned. “But it’s important when playing against Jen, you’ve gotta keep your poker face strong in your head as much as on your face.”

“Right.” Jamius nodded. “Her empathic magic is like a built-in bluff detector.”

“Wait? I thought we were playing Enchanter Roulette.” Yaritza sighed. “I don’t know the first thing about poker.”

“It’s an expression,” Carter said, his gaze shifting and locking onto Jennifer, who remained completely neutral, making it impossible to gauge where her head was.

He believed she’d quieted her branch so she could keep cool. In truth, I saw the aura of each of them. Jennifer’s emotions mimicked Carter’s excitement. Not in an unintentional empathic way where his emotions overwhelmed her branch, but more in a way where Jennifer sought to feel his sensations, his confidence—and his arrogant smirk as he tried to manipulate everyone into thinking he had a winning hand. He did not have a winning hand.

I was happy to see a bit of the old Carter returning, cockiness and all. Jennifer was about to burst that cocky bubble with a third winning hand in a row, so I let the group be.

In the back of the classroom, Kenzo stood propped against the wall, observing Gael use his spikes to help Katherine with a casting fishing game Milo had brought. Caleb approached, offering Kenzo a can of orange soda.

“Saw this was the last one and know you like—”

“Whatever.” Kenzo snatched the can.

Caleb sulked, turning to join the others.

“I never thanked you,” Kenzo said, much to my surprise.

“Huh?”

“For helping Gael when the gorgon showed up. He said you were really fast on your feet.”

Caleb ran a hand through his short hair, curls slightly grown back, and he nervously grimaced. “It wasn’t the best plan.”

“Not surprising. You have a lot of terrible ideas and overthink everything.” Kenzo cracked open the can. “It’s annoying as fuck.”

Caleb’s face twisted, unsure how to respond, if he should, or if he should politely walk away.

“Also, maybe you do belong here or whatever.” Kenzo guzzled the drink to keep a hundred nicer thoughts to himself.

“Thanks, Kenny… Kenzo.” Caleb smiled.

“Stop smiling, weirdo.”

“Sorry,” he said, bright-eyed and happy.

“Seriously, you look like some sick fuck. Wipe that smile off your face, you creepy prick.”

“It’s just... This is the first time you’ve acknowledged I belong here. You haven’t said anything like that since way back when we first started considering Gemini Academy.”

There was a stilled silence between them, a quiet memorial of memories both boys shared for Kenzo’s mother and father, the life they had, the friendship they’d built over years of trust and love, and then the horrible day that broke their bond. An outburst that Kenzo fueled for years, clinging to in order to move forward. A memory Caleb held onto, reminding himself even the best people sometimes needed time.

“You’re still second rate and bound to fail out next year.” Kenzo pressed the empty can against Caleb’s chest and walked away.

“See you at the finish line, Kenny.”

Kenzo stuffed his hands in his pockets and stormed toward Gael, immediately complaining he was holding the fishing rod incorrectly.

“It’s just a game.” Gael beamed.

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