“There you are,” A girl says, honey, laced in her voice, “We started thinking you weren’t coming.”

Theodessa pears around Deral. There were only two people. Both of them taller than Deral. A girl with dark skin and a half-shaven head with box braids. Her red shirt was two sizes too large for her, and fishnet gloves climbed past the sleeves. The boy was shorter than her by a hair with deep purple eye bags that competed with Theodessa’s, wearing all black, with silver dog tags around his neck. His messy hair was loosely groomed, like he didn’t have time to brush it, and he only combed his hands through his hair. 

“Who did you bring with you?” The boy asks, his voice calm and dark. 

“That’s right,” Deral turns to her. “This is someone I met out front.”

A pause. 

The girl spoke up. “You forgot her name. Didn’t you?”

Deral nods, looking at the floor. 

The girl rolls her eyes. “This is Lex, and I’m Carlet.” she offers a hand, her lips, painted black, curved in a smile.

Theodessa introduces herself, taking Carlet’s hand.

Carlet pulled Theodessa closer and not so secretly whispered, “In case he forgot, the one that dragged you here is Deral.”

“I didn’t drag her here,” Deral said. 

“Whatever.” Carlet rolled her eyes before turning to Theodessa. “Since he dragged you all the way here, do you want to join us at the nearby cafe?”

Theodessa didn’t think for long and nodded, letting the chain around her neck loosen, as she shoved her family and their business to the back of her mind. 

A melodic piano played in the background. Just loud enough not to get drowned out by coffees being made and the murmur of the people talking. 

“This is new,” a voice brings Theodessa from the piano. “Is midnight America expanding?”

Deral dismissed the thought with a wave of his hand. “Nah, our genres clash too much.” 

They ordered their drinks — more like put Theodessa on the spot to order something until Carlet came to the rescue suggesting drinks. As the woman processed the order, Deral paid, despite Theodessa insisting she pay for her drink. 

“Call it an apology for dragging you here,” Deral said. 

“Ha! You did drag her here,” Carlet raised a finger to his face. 

 “I only said that so she wouldn’t pay.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” Carlet rolled her eyes. 

“I’m being honest,’ Deral tilts his head to Theodessa. “Right, Sunshine?”

Carlet grabbed the collar of Deral’s leather jacket pulling him closer. Theodessa flinched, surprised by the sudden change. 

“We’re in public,” Lex reminds.

Carlet releases Deral and turns to Theodessa, smiling. “Let’s get a table close to the piano.”

Theodessa follows Carlet to a lonely table booth with a large window, letting the light in. Theodessa had a closer look at the pianist. Their fingers danced across the keys, easing their foot on the petals. They wore a gray knitted vest, with familiar black hair falling down their back. 

“Are you studying your opponent?” 

Theodessa flinched, turning to Carlet. “What?”

“That’s Jasper,” Carlet says as if it was all Theodessa needed to know. When Theodessa just gave a confused look, Carlet continued. ”they’ve won the competition for the last three years.” 

“That’s why I recognize them. I took a music class with them.”

“Don’t tell me you’re another Jasper worshiper.”

Theodessa shakes her head, a small smile on her face. “I wouldn’t say I worship them.”