III. Rejected

"The video isn't that bad Jordan. It's—I wouldn't say horrible but it's funny." Jude attempts to poke less fun at Jordan's introductory video for God U. As much as she tried she was failing miserably her laughter echoing throughout the spacey office, the flesh of her eyes crinkling together as her breaths became airy with laughter.

While Jude was doing that, Jordan who'd been hearing her make fun of the video for the past ten minutes had yet another exasperated sigh escape their lips "Are you done?" They ask with their head down as they continue tapping rapidly against the computer keys.

Jude looked at him before rewinding the video to the beginning "Wait—no I'm not." Yesterday Jordan had to record a tour special for God U as it was a part of orientation, but during mid-recording, it seemed as though everything went left with them trying to appear as natural as ever when it came to the cameras.

Jude wasn't available to record the video since she was busy playing tour guide with Maverick, so she missed out on seeing everything that went down behind the scenes.

In the end, it was a terrible choice because Jordan Li wasn't the type to improvise, especially on the spot. Especially when it came to anything regarding school.

Before that Jude just advised them to go with the flow and try not to make it seem so awkward. Maybe improvise a little to make the future students feel excited to join campus but when you're someone like Jordan Li you'd rather have your attention with computers instead of cameras.

Jude simply couldn't stop rewinding to a certain point of the video, laughs continuing to escape her lips repeatedly. Finally closing her phone she answers before taking a breath "Alright I'm done...for now."

Turning the swivel chair to face Jordan, Jude then asks "Not that I really care but you've been working your ass off for days now so is everything for the start of the new year? Because Brink has your ass working day and night." Jude inquired, taking a sip of Jordan's drink that she stole (not like they minded) her priorities moving from laughter to genuine concern.

Jordan nodded with tiredness evident "Yeah everything's finally in fucking order. All I have to do is figure out what the fuck to do with Brink's schedule." He assured knowing how Jude could get.

Jude fought the very urge to roll her eyes at the mention of Brink. Sure, she respected the man to a certain degree but it appeared as though he took a majority of Jordan's time without giving them the space to live their own life.

"Well, he could always hire a fucking assistant." She mumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"Don't be like that Jude." They sighed looking at the girl with expectancy. Back then Jude and Brink were somewhat close with one another but after a meeting with him, she just changed her entire attitude towards him and has some sort of animosity towards him.

Jordan has tried to get her to tell them but for some reason, she wouldn't budge. So to respect her obvious wishes, they just wait until she's ready to tell them.

"I'll be whatever I want." She sassily remarks crossing her arms.

Soon after the doors opened revealing Marie. Marie looked around hoping that she was in the right office. After using Emma's phone to check her emails to see any updates, to her horror the one class that she desperately wanted wasn't there.

Breathing out, Marie gained courage and walked over to where Jordan was sitting. Jude was the first to notice Marie and smiled "Oh hey Marie."

Marie waved hello before looking back at Jordan "Jordan, right? Jordan Li?" She questions waving her hand to get their attention.

Jude with a sigh nudges Jordan's side "You have someone that wants to see you and hey Marie."

"Hey." Marie waves and in her mind that confirms what Emma said earlier about the two. They are close.

Jordan blankly looks up from their computer, their eyes looking in Marie's with disinterest. Marie however was star-struck and looked at them with wide eyes "First of all, you're awesome. I mean, wow. Ranked number two." She beams, her lips spewing out various fanlike compliments that could embarrass even the biggest superhero.

"Yeah, if you want Professor Brink's autograph, you got to buy his book." Jordan dismisses the girl completely which only receives a frown from both girls.

So much for being nice Jude thought to herself, shaking the thought away.

"Oh. No, that's not why I'm...Uh...There's been a mistake. I-I signed up for Brink's Freshmen Intro to Crimefighting, but it's not on my schedule." She adds wishing she had a phone to show them what she was talking about. She desperately needed to be in that class and would do whatever it took to get in.

Brink's Freshmen Intro to Crimefighting was like the ultimate thing when it came to those who dreamed of being heroes. Jude knew that feeling all too well, there was a time when she too dreamt of entering that class.

She did. Passed with flying fucking colors. The highest in her class was on her way to reaching the top. But now—now that she's realized and knows the truth it doesn't seem worth it anymore.

"What's your name?"

"Moreau." She answers before following with a "Marie."

Jordan proceeds to type up her name in the student directory. A couple of seconds go by before her profile shows up "Marie Moreau." They look up at her to make sure that it is the exact person in the profile picture used before looking back down at the computer screen "Oh, yeah, I see the problem."

"You were rejected." The word itself, rejection causes all the color in her face to drop. The very same word and its meaning cause Marie to look at them as if they said the craziest thing. Rejection was truly a bitch.

"Wh-What? What do you mean?" Marie stutters out her breathing growing heavy, her eyes looking rapidly between Jude and Jordan. When she makes eye contact with Jude it is almost as if she was looking at her with pity.

"I-I, like, quadruple-checked the forms." Marie wasn't just about to accept this. Every day of the hour she checked to make sure that she gave them the right information, she felt as though she deserved to be there. I mean she has to be there...right?

"Yeah, we just don't have space for everyone." Jordan tries to make it sound like he was being apologetic but failed miserably.

"No, but I have to take... Intro. Everyone who majors in crimefighting takes Intro." She explains as if Jordan didn't know that already. She needed to be in that class, no wasn't the answer that she wanted to hear.

"Look, most freshmen show up, they think they'll major in crimefighting, crush their combat and forensics classes, and score a city contract, but they won't." Jordan tries to break it easy to her but their bluntness only makes her even more shocked "I mean, you're competing with kids who have cleared homicide cases, who have over a million followers."

"And you..." Jordan trails off inhaling deeply "You don't even have an Insta.—"

"What if I create an Instagram page for her? Would that increase her chances of getting in the class?" Jude speaks up, already pulling out her phone to the Instagram app. For some reason, she just felt the urge to defend Marie even if they'd known each other for two hours.

"Maybe if we start small we could go bigger? It's obvious she wants this more than the average person..." Jude trails off "Are you into social media? Because if you aren't then it's a problem to them."

"See! She gets it." Marie felt good that there was somebody else on her side besides it being herself "And social media isn't really my thing but I'm willing to do what it takes!"

Jordan gives her a look that reads You know her? Nonetheless shakes their head "Creating a page isn't going to just magically make her become the girl of the hour. She has to at least do something that'll deem her as somewhat hero-like to even get acknowledged."

So much for trying to save that day. Jude eyes Jordan but grows quiet as her suggestion gets immediately shut down. Even though it held some truth to it she thought that a social media page would be the first to start.

"Now if you'll excuse me I kind of got to get back to this." Jordan gestures to their computer.

"Can I talk to Professor Brink about this?" Marie looks at the office door before looking back at them. She was more determined to get into that class.

"No. I made the call. I'm his T.A." Jordan responds which quite frankly only makes Marie scoff loudly finding the entire thing ridiculous.

"Hold on. This was your decision? Who are you to reject me?" She challenged, looking down at them.

"His T.A." Jordan answers just as the office doors open revealing Brink.

Brink emerges from his office and does something that they weren't expecting—well Marie wasn't expecting it. Pointing a gun to Jordan, who was in their female form, Brinks then pulled the trigger "Jordan!"

Jordan snapped back in the chair, as the bullet caused them to fly backward swiftly shifting into their male form to avoid any harm. The only harm down was to his sweater.

With a shake of their head, Jordan slowly took the bullet out of their shirt. Glancing up at Brink they remained unfazed before dropping the bullet onto their desk "Uh, gonna need to buy me a new shirt, Professor," They then laughed.

"What the fuck!" Marie looks at Jordan in horror expecting to see blood splatter, hell even a bullet wound but sees nothing. I am most definitely going to have to get used to that She thought to herself.

Jude simply looked at the two of them already used to their antics "Brink really?" She shook her head not finding it amusing. Picking up the bullet she looked at it before a flicker of red specs burst from her hand and with that, it brought the bullet back to its original form.

"So, what do we get?" Brink asks, changing the atmosphere into something with more importance, which then prompts Jordan to look away from Marie and to their laptop.

"Um..." Jordan began, scrolling through their laptop before nodding at what they had typed "Ashley Barrett asked you to speak at the Vought retreat in Sun Valley."

Brink scrunched up his face in displeasure before answering "Mm, hard pass."

With a nod, Jordan pulls out his journal and proceeds to flip through it before stopping at a page. "Good Morning America wants to interview you about 'how Brink's technique with super kids can help with your kid'."

Brink let out a hum yet again which made them already know the answer was no "Tell 'em to read my book."

"I've read your book," Marie blurted, looking at Brink with expectancy. Taking her chance she continues talking.

Looking at Jordan, Jude, and then Brink, Marie's expression blossoms into one with earnest, "I've read all of your books."

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Jordan looks at Marie with displeasure wondering why she is still standing there. Sending the girl a look Jordan turned towards Brink "I've already handled this, sir," They assured.

Marie stepped forward, sending a glance over in Jordan's direction "Sir, she..." She paused not knowing what to say without making it seem like she was offending "He..."

"They," Jude chimed in hoping that it'll make Marie's response easier instead of her trying to make her brain figure out what to say.

Marie's eyes read thank you and then turns to Brink "They rejected me from your Intro class. But they're dead wrong. They don't know me," She said with confidence, expressing her determination, frustration, and disappointment after being rejected for the class.

"She's got guts, I like that." Jude admired Marie's persistence and the fact that she'd stand up and argue with someone who's in the Top Three was bold.

"Is that so?" Brink nodded slowly before glancing at Jordan, who shrugged apologetically.

Marie nodded continuing her speech "It's like you always say: 'It's not about the talent. It's about the drive'. Right? And that's me. I could go all the way. I just...I just need the chance," She asserts almost pleading at this point. And yes she used Brink's philosophy it seemed like the smartest thing at the moment. Plus it's an easy way to move an egotistical man by using their very own words.

Brink however heard it all and only smiled down at the girl, placing a hand on her shoulder before saying what he had to say "Performing Arts is a fine program. You could be on Dancing with the Stars."

Marie's smile slowly falters by the moment "W-what."

He patted Marie's shoulder once more before heading back into his office, leaving her to gape at his retreating figure.

Marie looked at Jordan, sending him a glare before storming out of the office.

Jude watched her leave the office and immediately felt bad standing up she ignored Jordan's questions and proceeded to follow Marie.

"Wait!" She calls out stopping the girl from walking further. Marie stopped her movements slowly turning around to meet Jude's gaze.

"What do you want? As if I haven't been embarrassed enough." Bringing hands to her sides, Marie waited for her to say what she had to say.

Looking behind her Jude lets out a sigh "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. Brink was a bit of a jerk for doing that to you and you didn't deserve that."

Jude wanted to use another word than jerk but decided not to since she could already tell that Marie had some idolization towards Brink.

Marie looked at her with a puzzled gaze "You don't have to apologize for them y'know. But just like you said, you live and you learn right?"

"Marie.—" Before Jude could finish, Marie was already walking away, the sound of her boots trudging against the pavement only provided sound.

Jude watched her walk away. Usually, she wouldn't feel any type of way when it came to any student getting rejected for a class but this time it felt different.

Feeling her palms grow hot with a reddish hue, Jude inhaled sharply before turning around.