XIV. Envy.

Very few eyes landed on Jude's figure whose gaze remained directly on Jordan, who sat in their their female form, their mind placed on something else or someone.

Sitting beside them Jude places her belongings next to her before eventually pulling out her phone. Looking at her notifications she tapped on one only for it to be from her mom. "Don't be late" it read and the girl could only roll her eyes.

A couple of seconds went by and Jordan finally turned their head to face Jude. With a look, they proceed to speak, "You've been a ghost. Where have you been?"

Jude rolled her eyes, "Photoshoots and you would've known that if you responded to those text messages that I sent."

Jude had a habit of being overly blunt and saying the truth no matter the circumstances. Call her mean, call her a bitch she was just saying what most people didn't want to say. That's just how she was and nobody could change it.

Jordan feigning a hint of stubbornness could only appear nonchalant, "I had some shit on my mind. I'm sorry."

Some shit as in being pushed to number five, and watching from the shadows as someone took all the credit and shine that they deserved. It was unfair and the envy that fueled the feeling only made things feel even worse. Jordan was pissed. Beyond pissed and if only Brink was alive—so they believed—things wouldn't end up the way they did.

Waving it off Jude only looks ahead, "No need to apologize. I know."

Eventually, chatter died down as a woman stepped into the middle of the room her attention captivating all those who sat inside. Indira Shetty. It was announced earlier that Indira was going to be their new dean and new professor university and Jude didn't exactly believe it. Shouldn't there be an investigation into Luke and Brink's death? Or are they just going to list it off as a murder-suicide mission?

The look on Jude's face only grew still, noticing the seriousness that sowed itself within the taunt flesh of her face. Making sure to look at everyone, the older woman continued with her speech and brief introduction, "Professor Brinkerhoff died the same way he taught: a hero," Indira declared, sounding almost proud about it. Jude could only roll her eyes mentally as she found what Indira said to be bullshit.

Crossing her arms Jude continued to listen, "He molded the Lamplighter School of Crimefighting into the shining exemplar it is today. Nobody could possibly replace him, so...I will. Or at least I'll try."

With a faint smile appearing across her lips, Indira finished her speech with a brief statement, "We will cover everything Brink would cover, but we'll also get into the intersection of superpowers and mental health, which was my dissertation."

Now they wanted to focus on mental health. It took someone detonating themselves in the sky in front of everyone with cameras all around leaving their memory to be nothing.

The moment Indira proceeded to conclude her speech, the classroom door creaked open, revealing Marie who was either very late or very surprised to even be there.

"Oh," Indira turned her attention to the quiet interruption. "Marie."

Marie gently shut the door behind her, wincing because of what felt like a million eyes on her, "Sorry, I'm late."

"I'm Dean Shetty," Indira introduced herself with a warm smile, gesturing toward the row of seats. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, take a seat."

Marie nodded and proceeded to make use of the empty seat next to Jude. Jordan, who sat with crossed arms, looked at the girl with a slight glare. Jude could only grin slightly, "Welcome to the Brady Bunch."

"We're letting Ms. Moreau audit the junior-year classes," Indira informed the class. She then fixed her gaze towards Marie and Jude, "What you and Jude did the other day," Indira shrugged lightly, "Well, it's obvious you belong here, Marie."

Marie responded with a wide smile, nodding appreciatively. Jordan could only sink further into their seat with a glare and Jude couldn't help but raise a finger.

Indira motions for the girl the say something "Yes Jude."

"Actually." Jude corrects leaning forward to get her point across. She could feel eyes on her but drowned them out at the moment, "It was three people. Me, Marie and Jordan. If you're going to give credit I feel like it's fit to include them as well. After all, it's only fair right?"
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Indira could only look at the teen with a small smile "Well yes—but it doesn't always happen that way. We need people who are both the highest at their rankings and show exceptional skills to be mentioned. But good on what you did as well Jordan."

Bullshit. Spreads throughout both Jude's and Jordan's minds like a virus, attaching itself to the nerves which then creates a feeling that many knew. Anger.

Jordan and Jude could only glance at each other with a knowing look in their eyes. Unfairness.