Trigger warnings: homophobia (good old Head Trainer, really being a likable character here /s), and a little bit of violence because Lacey is graysexual and polyromantic, and as you can see in this chapter, Alastair had to pretend Lacey was his girlfriend, and that did NOT end well with Lacey.

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Chapter 2

Shadow [Last Name Unknown]

It's dinnertime, and the first person I talk to is Avery.

"I'm going to sit at another table," I say smoothly.

"Okay," they reply.

I sit down, and Alastair, Jay, Lacey, and a limping Alicia join me.

Avery's table starts singing "Livin' It Up On Top" from Hadestown, so it's safe to talk.

"We're recruiting them tonight," I whisper.

"Are you crazy?" Lacey hisses. "We just got here. Who are we even taking?"

"Sonia," Alicia interjects.

"Avery," I say.

"Lily," says Alastair. "I like their spirit."

"So it's decided, then?" Jay says nervously.

"Yep. Underground, going up through the surf—" Alicia begins. Avery's table stops singing right as she says "underground."

"Shh!" I hiss. "Do you want other people to—"

Their table starts singing "Wait For Me," but nobody talks. Instead, Alastair begins singing.

"Wait for me, I'm coming. . ." He's surprisingly very good at it.

Lacey shivers and starts singing. "Wait, I'm coming with you. . ."

Alicia joins in. "Wait for me, I'm coming too. . ."

I hum the melody.

Jay clears his throat and sings, "I'm coming too. . ."

He finishes the rest of the song, louder than anyone and a hundred times more beautiful at least.

A guy—the one who announced our presence in the morning, with a black cloak with a hood that casts a shadow over his face—comes over to our table.

"Did I hear you two"—he points to Jay and Alastair—"singing?" He says "singing" like it's a sin for a boy to sing.

"Yeah, but I wasn't as good as him," Alastair jerks a thumb at Jay, equal amounts of jealousy and awe in his voice.

The Head Trainer—I'm like ninety percent sure that was his name—scowled. "Are either of you, by any chance. . . gay?"

Jay makes a choking noise. "N-no, I'm. . ."

"Dating Alicia," Alastair interjects.

"Right, yeah," Jay mumbles nervously.

"I'm dating Lacey. If you need to know. And, really, you think I'm gay?" Alastair scoffs.

"No," the Head Trainer says curtly. He walks away, and his robe swishes.

"Good thinking," I say when he's out of earshot, "that girlfriend—"

I'm interrupted by the sound of a sharp crack! and turn to see Alastair rubbing his cheek, which has an angry red mark, and Lacey standing up, glaring at Alastair.

"I'm not," Lacey says angrily, "your girlfriend, you asshole."

She turns and stomps away.

"Well, our number is one less," Alastair said calmly, shaking his head calmly, "than before."

"Woah," Alicia says quietly. "Did anybody just—"

"Yeah," Jay says, voice shaking.

"Best not to sing again while we're here," I advise the boys.

"Or else?" Alastair raises an eyebrow, scowling. "I'm tired of these bullshit rules."

"Let's just finish our work and get back," I growl.