"I can't say for sure," Nick said quietly, leaning in, "but people all over the academy are whispering about her past. They say she used to be a prostitute—and that here… she's building connections the same way."
I went still.
"So… no," I said slowly. "I don't think she's doing anything like that now."
"I heard those rumors were started by someone from the elite class. After she refused…" He hesitated. "Refused to stop associating with you."
"With me?" I frowned. "You're saying Alma's getting dragged through the mud just because she talks to me?"
"Alan, you know a lot of people aren't happy about you being here," he said gently, placing his hand over mine and giving it a small squeeze. "Don't take it too personally."
"I didn't know," I exhaled. "I didn't think my problems were spilling onto other people too. Nick, you also—"
"Well, well. Look who it is."
Milon Korhenger.
He stopped by our table with a couple of other elites.
His eyes dropped to our hands.
And his smile twisted.
"Holivan. What is this—date night?"
"Get lost, Korhenger. I'm not in the mood," I snapped.
"How dare you talk to me like that, trash?" he barked. "For you—it's Mr. Korhenger."
"Then, Mr. Korhenger," I said coldly, "kindly get the hell away from me. It's my day off."
"That's exactly why I'm here, trash," he smirked. "Outside the academy, the rules don't apply. I can mess with you all I want."
"Then I can smash that smug face of yours," Nick said, already getting to his feet.
"Volkin, was it?" Milon sneered. "Careful. You don't want to make an enemy you can't afford. Your little family won't be thrilled when their heir ends up in some bottom-tier squad with no future."
"And honestly," one of the others added, looking me up and down with open disgust, "is he even worth it? That skinny ass?" He smirked. "What, Holivan—decided to play a whore for upperclassmen? Then at least pick someone with actual status. Volkin won't be able to protect you when they're done with you."
Laughter.
Loud.
Ugly.
Something inside me snapped.
"You—"
Nick moved first.
A punch—
fast—
I grabbed his arm.
"They're not worth it," I said sharply, locking eyes with him.
He froze.
Breathing hard.
Then lowered his hand slowly, glaring at them like he wanted to tear them apart.
"Done?" I asked the elites, forcing my voice steady. "Nick, let's go. Movie's starting."
I grabbed his hand and pulled him away before this turned into something worse.
"I could get you work!" Milon called after us. "Got a friend who loves breaking boys like you. You'd fit right in!"
Nick's hand tightened in mine.
I picked up the pace.
"Just ignore them," I muttered. "That's exactly what they want. No matter how much they piss you off—don't get involved."
"I don't care," Nick snapped—his calm completely gone.
Then he exhaled sharply.
"…Sorry."
A pause.
"Now that they saw us like that… the rumors are only going to get worse."
"Let them talk," I shrugged. "I'm more worried about you. First the bathroom thing—now this. If you keep sticking around me, you'll get dragged into it too."
"Dragged into what?" he said quietly. "People saying we went on a date? That we're together?" A faint smile. "I don't mind that."
"Nick… it's different. I'm not a girl. I'm a guy."
"And?" he raised a brow. "Does that matter?"
I hesitated.
"Outside the academy, sure. People hate that kind of thing. But here? Among specials? Even among elites?" His expression darkened. "It's not a problem."
He leaned closer.
"Do you know what the second most popular form of entertainment is among elites?"
"…No."
"Sex."
Flat.
Cold.
"As long as there's consent—no one cares. And do you know who they usually go for?"
His gaze locked onto mine.
"…Girls?"
"No."
A beat.
"Guys like you."
My stomach dropped.
"Like… me?"
"Yeah. Slim. Not tall. Good-looking." His jaw tightened. "I've heard those conversations. Even among specials. It makes me sick."
Silence.
"Elites pay to use people like you in bed. Specials earn money so they can afford it." His voice went colder. "You're naive, Alan, if you think the only danger here is getting beaten up."
I stared at him.
Couldn't process it.
Outside—
that kind of thing was condemned.
I'd already accepted I'd probably end up alone.
And now—
this?
Even knowing it was possible—
I couldn't imagine it.
Being with a man.
In this body.
Maybe…
I should try being with a woman at least once.
"…The movie," I said finally.
Because I had no idea what else to say.
"Yeah," he exhaled. "Let's go."
The movie was predictable.
The visuals weren't.
That was probably the only reason it was rated so high.
On screen, something pale drifted past—
and out of the corner of my eye, I caught the same thing.
An entity.
Floating.
Milky.
I didn't react.
I was used to them by now.
With my defense active, they couldn't get close anyway.
Didn't matter.
Didn't even register anymore.
Then—
something felt wrong.
A flicker.
Instinct.
I turned—
just in time to catch a flash of metal.
Blade.
Thin.
Coming straight at me.
No time to think—
I grabbed Nick and yanked him down.
We hit the floor between the seats.
"What the—"
Too late.
Two more needles sliced through the air above us.
One hit a man in the next row.
He didn't even react.
Just—
collapsed.
Dead.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"We need to move," I whispered.
We crawled along the row, shoving past legs, ignoring the protests.
"What the hell was that?" Nick hissed.
"No idea—but they're targeting one of us."
"…Yeah," he muttered. "I think I know which one."
We scrambled up—
ran.
Needles kept coming.
Fast.
Silent.
Almost invisible.
You wouldn't even see them—
unless you knew.
Whoever was doing this—
didn't care who got hit.
People screamed behind us.
Panic spreading.
Lights snapped on.
We burst out into the corridor—
and ran.
Straight for the exit.