Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"You want to join Student Administration?" Jeno asked, raising an eyebrow.

Miren nodded, clutching her idea folder in her hands. Three days had progressed rather slowly, but painlessly. Ms. Cowdry wasn't victimizing her, and although Mr. Gales' orchestra class was difficult, she was adjusting. Plus, she didn't even feel that nervous in front of her peers right now. The executives, who included Jeno and Levi, stood poised on a raised platform in the front of the lecture hall.

"Whether or not you want me to actually be part of the organization is your decision," she said after a while. "I would just like to apply for the position of Homecoming Coordinator."

"Why?" Levi, the vice president, then asked. "I mean, not to sound rude, but what makes you think you're qualified?"

Miren fought the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't expecting them to just give her the position, but she wasn't expecting this much opposition! But what did she expect? In the few days she had been here, Jeno hadn't said more than ten words to her.

She didn't get his deal. Maybe she came off as weird. But he also came off as an asshole.

I just need him on my good side, she considered, that's all. She pressed her lips into a firm line, thinking of her qualifications. She didn't want to list off the obvious, like her high GPA, or the even sadder fact that she used extracurricular activities such as this to keep her from wallowing in her own self pity at St. Rosemunde.

Her eyes scanned the group, resting on Levi for a while, before fixing on Jeno. "Well, I don't see anyone else here for the job."

"That's a good point," Levi admitted, as if he himself hadn't questioned Miren's credibility in the first place. He grinned, flashing a white smile that was almost as dazzling as his light brown eyes. "I say we give him a chance. You should've seen the way he put Ms. Cowdry in her place." Some of the students began to chirp about the showdown that felt like years ago.

"I couldn't care less," Jeno said, his words silencing the crowd. His eyes fell on Miren. "Why don't you show us what you got?"

Miren nodded, flipping through her folder. "I just have a few ideas for homecoming, that's all. I drafted a beach, big city, outer-space, and spy theme--"

"Spy? That sounds really cool!" Chester exclaimed from the front row. Miren smiled lightly.

"See?" she said, motioning to Jeno. "They like it. Why are you being so reluctant?"

"Because I don't know you," he said plainly. However, his expression was borderline harsh, if not critical. But Miren was getting used to his favorite facial expression.

"I say we give him a go," said Levi, "No one's ever bothered to take up the position. Maybe we'll be able to have a homecoming that doesn't suck," he said. "I'm so sick of the Roz girls picking dumbass themes. I mean, when they suggested Final Fantasy  last year, I didn't expect it to be all sparkles and unicorns..."

Some of the guys in the audience started laughing. Miren scratched the back of her neck, trying not to feel uncomfortable. Jeno's eyes met her's before he turned to Levi, who only offered an I-honestly-don't-give-a-fuck shrug in response.

Jeno sighed. "Since you're the only one here, I can't reject you, can I?" he said with a slight pout. "Alright. I'm running late for tennis practice. You're in. Make sure you're at the homecoming assembly to announce our theme." With that, he left the room.

Miren blinked, as Levi gave her a celebratory pat on the shoulder.

"Wasn't he refreshing?" he said, with a laugh.

"Practically febreeze."

"He'll learn to like you," he said, pulling his backpack over his shoulder. "Heard you're his new roommate. He probably just wanted to keep his single. He had a really annoying roommate last year."

Miren rolled her eyes. I really wanted the Rising Scholar Award, but I guess we can't get everything we want, now can we? She already had an annoying roommate who rubbed how much better her life was in her face every day at Rosemunde. And she had to deal with Penelope.

Where was Jeno's excuse?

"Anyway, don't read much into it," Levi continued, "It's just that time of the month for him."

She rolled her eyes. Fuck period jokes. "Naturally," she replied, however, trying to perk up. It was Friday. She had lasted almost a week of boyhood, and oddly enough, it really wasn't that bad. In fact, the short time she'd spent here already felt more fulfilling than the three years she endured at St. Rosemunde.

***

Pacing the main office corridor of St. Rosemunde, Artemis' mind was surging, desperate to find any  connections that could trace Miren. But there were none.

Parker sprinted up to her. He was still wearing his lacrosse uniform. And the fresh sweat of a hard work out.

"What took you so long?" she almost spat.

Parker panted, catching his breath. "I came straight here after practice. Any leads?"

"No," she said with a sigh. "And I'm running out of places to look. It feels like I've checked everywhere a dozen times."

Parker tapped his fingers against his cheek, suspended in thought. Something didn't seem right. "Have you talked to anyone close to her?"

Artemis nodded. "I've talked to her classmates, organization members, students she tutored—they were no help. I don't even think they care."

"There has to be someone," Parker said. "Have you tried any of her friends?"

"Like who?"

Parker's face fell. The Miren he knew was sharp and engaging. But had three years here really robbed her of her spirit? How could no one else see how great she was? He shook his head. "Are you sure no one she tutored liked her?"

Artemis closed her eyes. Did Miren ever talk about anyone that she held in high regard? Her eyes then widened as if the realization slapped her in the face. She remembered seeing Miren talk to a girl one time in the bathroom after one of Penelope's infamous splashings. She had apologized for the queen bee's actions, but Chara rolled her eyes before assisting Miren.

"Charolette Tachibana," Artemis said after a while.

"Chara?" Parker repeated. "That's my brother's girlfriend. I don't think she'd know any more than we do, but anything's worth a try."

"Let's go."

***

Miren retreated back to the dorm room, feeling overwhelmed with the same boredom that she usually fell victim to during the weekend. Lying on her bed, she considered her options. Most of her homework was finished—she wasn't a procrastinator. She didn't have a car, and didn't feel like waiting for a bus, so going anywhere was also out of the question. Her eyes traveled to the window, before falling on Jeno's side of the room. His bed sheet was black, making it appear like there weren't any wrinkles. And a few of his belongings cluttered around his bed. But other than that, the two of them were more alike than either cared to admit.

Jeno was loner—like her. He was academically ambitious—like her. They were the same in more realms than one. But was that the problem?

How he acted toward her was sort of like how dust collected on neglected surfaces. It was uncalled for, unnecessary, even. But there.

I'm so sick of people hating me for no reason. Because what did she do? She was just here, more harmless than a fly. Is it me? She then considered. Walking to the bathroom, she examined herself in the mirror. She didn't know if it were the fact that she was just getting used to seeing herself in drag, but she couldn't see anything wrong. She looked like a boy; she was a boy.

That was supposed to be the hardest thing about being here. But she was being tolerated—praised even. Just not by Jeno.

And she didn't know what it was about him that ate at her. She tapped her fingers against the countertop, hoping that the cool surface would calm her riled spirits. Maybe that was it; she just didn't know.

When she was subjected to Penelope's wrath, at least she knew why. The Incident. Miren and Penelope had clashed, and the girl swore to never let her live it down. But with Jeno, his cold indifference almost hurt her more. It made her feel like she was doing something wrong.

And she was, wasn't she?

There was a knock on the door and Miren could feel her frustration surge as she walked toward it. So Mr. Angry Eyes forgot his key? She scoffed, preparing to open it. He's probably going to blame me for that too...

But when she opened the door, Jemma waltzed in.

"Is Jeno here?" She placed her hands on her hips as she took in her brother's absence. "Shit. Have you seen him?" she asked, her blue-green eyes sharp against Miren's.

Miren tried not to widen her eyes in shock. Instead, her mouth quivered. "Uh..no. But...um...I thought girls weren't allowed in these dorms."

Jemma merely shrugged. "We aren't. But I'm his twin sister," she informed her as if that made a damn difference. "Anyway, are you new here? I thought Jeno didn't have a roommate."

"He didn't until a few days ago," Miren said, feeling a little bit calmer. Jemma Rutherford was a senior. She was blinded by popularity. There was no way she'd be able to identify her.

Right?

"Really?" Jemma said, but not before sighing again. "Well, I can't find him and he won't answer his stupid phone. We had plans for later."

"He said he had to go to tennis practice," Miren offered, wanting to feel helpful. It was weird. She always had ill feelings toward Jemma and the rest of the Rosemunde Royals. But seeing her genuinely concerned made her seem like a person, not just a high school jughead who supported Princess Penelope.

"But he should have been done by now." Jemma started thumbing through her iPhone for messages. She groaned before sliding the phone back in her jean pocket. "Screw this, he's acting like a little bitch."

Miren didn't want to laugh. Even if it was true. It was just nice to see that she wasn't the only one who was annoyed by the boy. But when Jemma saw a smile peaking from behind Miren's lips she grinned as well.

"What?" Jemma said, half of a laugh on her voice. "He hates everyone. Hell, he probably hates you."

"I know he hates me," Miren said with sigh. She wasn't sad. But reality was.

Jemma's lips pressed into a straight line as she walked closer to the girl in disguise. Her eyes beamed with a sort of sly excitement as she met Miren's gaze. "That's why you're coming with me."

"What?" Miren practically yelled. Was the girl who once jeered at her public humiliation inviting her to hang out? Wasn't that going to hurt her reputation? Wasn't Miren still a loser, just in disguise?

"Some of us are going to The Glove," she said, already walking toward the door. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"

She could remember Penelope saying something along those lines to her three years ago. Before the Incident.

And although Miren knew Jemma wasn't half the monster Penelope was, she wasn't foolish enough to let history repeat itself.