FenceStriking Distance - Sarah Rees Brennan Page 0,58

were together, and they loved each other.

That must have been nice for Seiji to grow up with.

“I understand that must be a surprise for you all, since you’ve met me, but my parents aren’t much like me,” Seiji continued. “They have very dedicated hearts. They say—how did they put it in that magazine feature?—that their personal partnership leads to more effective teamwork between them.”

Nicholas frowned. “Wait, and you think they’re not like you?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You and your lack of dedication to anything. That makes sense.”

Seiji nodded absently.

“I was being sarcastic, Seiji!”

“Were you?” Seiji made a face. “Why?” Before Nicholas could answer, Seiji gestured dismissively. “Never mind that. I can’t hang around making small talk all day. I have many things to do. Eugene, please remove Nicholas to the fair, thank you, goodbye.”

He walked off, a stern, remote presence among the joyful crowd. A guy hopping on one foot almost crashed into him. On reception of a chilling glance from Seiji, he decided to throw himself upon the floor instead.

Nicholas grinned watching it happen, then turned to Eugene.

“We’re going to the fair, then!”

Eugene seemed to be absorbed in a private, horrific vision, but he answered, “Looks like.”

“We can go into Kingstone and pick up Seiji’s watch, too.”

Nicholas thought it would be a fun evening. Before he went to get his blazer, he glanced back at Harvard and Aiden heading out the door.

“I honestly think the captain can do better,” Nicholas remarked.

The Bon tried to kick him. Nicholas dodged out of the way and ran laughing down the hall, the doors to Kings Row wide open and the sunlight of late afternoon spilling onto the stone floor.

20: HARVARD

It wasn’t a real date, so Harvard shouldn’t be nervous.

Somehow, he still was.

Probably, he told himself, he was nervous because this was his last chance at getting this dating thing right. He’d messed up with a girl, then messed up with a boy. From years of mapping out team strategy, Harvard knew how to pinpoint the recurring issue when a situation kept going wrong. Clearly when it came to dating, the problem was Harvard himself. Thank God Aiden had agreed to help him out.

He’d put on a button-down shirt, and then—in a panic—added cuff links. Dad said cuff links made an outfit look sharp, but old people made strange fashion choices. Harvard got worried looking at the cuff links, so he put on his leather jacket, but maybe the shirt and the jacket didn’t look right together.

Harvard made intense eye contact with the mirror, willing himself to be more reasonable. This was Aiden, who had seen Harvard wearing dinosaur footie pj’s. There was no possible way to impress him.

Aiden had called him cute yesterday. Obviously, Aiden had only said that to be a supportive friend, but it wouldn’t leave Harvard’s brain.

The door opened. Harvard started and knocked over the cuff link case.

Aiden was wearing a desperately clinging green cashmere sweater Harvard had never seen before. Harvard felt slightly uncomfortable about Aiden wearing a gift from one of his many pursuers on their date, but it would be outrageous to complain when Aiden was already doing him a huge favor.

“New sweater?” he asked in as neutral a voice as he could.

“Yeah, I just bought it,” said Aiden. “For our date?”

Harvard smiled. “You look—” began Harvard. “Um.”

Aiden knew how he looked.

“Amazing?” offered Aiden.

See, Aiden knew how good he looked. There was no need for Harvard to mention it.

“That’s good, paying attention to what your date wears. Next time you have a date with… Neil, comment on whatever it is he wears,” Aiden instructed.

Aiden always paused when he said Neil. Harvard guessed that Aiden had to take a minute to remember Neil’s name. He appreciated Aiden making the effort. Harvard tried to visualize what Neil generally wore.

“Shirts?”

“You could stand to be a little more specific than that.”

Harvard tried to remember the color of Neil’s shirts. “Flannel shirts?”

Aiden made a face. “Maybe you shouldn’t encourage that behavior.”

He shouldn’t encourage Aiden when Aiden was being mean and hilarious, so he only raised an eyebrow and repressed a smile. Aiden grinned as though he could tell about the smile Harvard hadn’t permitted himself.

“You look great,” Aiden added.

“Oh. Thanks,” said Harvard.

He knew Aiden didn’t really mean it, but it felt good to hear anyway. He felt a little less nervous.

Aiden held out his hand, and Harvard grasped it gratefully, linking their fingers together. He’d thought he would get used to holding hands, but every time it felt new and a little