Outside again. Alone again. Walking home from the damn core again.

But this time, Pre’s only option was her place. No more sleepovers at Xinder's.

As she passed the parking lot, she spotted Tahir leaning against the limo. They were scrolling through their com like they probably had been for the past 6 hours.

Part of her was tempted to ask for a lift home. She wanted to tell herself that Xinder owed her. She deserved to use his car and his staff. Was walking all that way really going to make her feel better?

But the other part of her clung to the truth. That was Xinder's voice. Those were Xinder's words. That was the part of her brain that he took. Carved out with every conversation they had.

But, she remembered, I don't need him anymore. I'm the biggest, shiniest Diamond of them all.

Before she did anything else, she took off the stilettos. Not her style. Xinder had picked them. Xinder had made all the choices. For years. She wished she could take off the whole outfit. She wished she could take out the whole friendship.

Now freed from his shoes at least, she set her mind to the task of getting home. She didn't need Xinder's limo and driver. She could have her own now.

The question was how to get them. She wasn't exactly well-versed on what happened when you became ranked. Did the benefits kick in right away? Did she have to talk to someone? Did her ranked partner have to actually acknowledge her existence first?

All questions she normally would've asked Xinder. But he wasn't the only one in the city with answers.

She opened her com and clicked on Connext. The Diamond ranking screen flashed up again. Still there. Still real. But didn't provide any information on next steps. She clicked on menu, then Technical Support - Chat.

"Hello welcome to the Connext helpline," said a dry voice, the kind that got worn down from saying the same thing a million times a day. "Your love is our business."

Pre always thought that was a weird slogan. "Uh," she said. "Hi. I'm Preah Devisana. I go by she/he-"

"Good evening Miss Devisana," they interrupted. "You don't have to say anything else. I have your profile pulled up. One moment please."

She nodded, even though it was an audio chat, and waited. Even though she took the shoes off, her feet were still blistered and sore. She leaned against the walkway railing, trying to avoid eye contact with the bemused stream of people walking by.

A couple of minutes passed. Pre was beginning to wonder if the call disconnected when she heard a slow, small exhale.

"Miss Devisana?" the person said in a hoarse whisper.

"Yes?"

"Miss Devisana, are you aware that you hold a perfect ranking?" they asked, still in a whisper.

"Uh, yeah. That's actually what I was calling about."

"Yes of course!" Pre could practically hear the person sit up straighter. "Just let me know what you need, Miss Devisana. I can help you out with any problems you're having."

"Great!" she said. "So, uh, I'm stuck in the core and need to get home. Could I- could I get a car? Or, uh, do I get a limo? I'll need someone to drive it too because I can't drive. Or - am I supposed to hire my own driver?" She rambled on, trying to cover her embarrassment. I must sound like a total tick.

But the person seemed to be listening with rapt attention. Pre could hear them typing.

"Absolutely, miss. Right on that. I'm sending a car now to drive you home. Tomorrow, our Connext onboarding team will come by to help you pick a new house. You can choose a car then too. Most Diamonds have a few cars and a limo. And Connext does have limo drivers on staff already, but if you want to hire your own, that’s an option as well."

They punctuated this with a final-sounding tap. "The car is on its way to you now. It should be there shortly. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, Miss Devisana?"

She was still trying to process everything else they said. "Um, nope!" she said. "That's all. Thank you!"

"No, thank you," they said. Awe rang through their voice now, making them sound younger, less jaded. "I… I never thought I'd live long enough to see a perfect ranking. You give me hope, miss."

Well, what the hex was she supposed to say to that? "Um, uh, yeah, thanks, you too!" she sputtered and disconnected the chat. I am the tickiest Diamond of them all…

At that moment, a pristine burgundy car with dark tinted windows pulled up next to her. There was a golden Connext ornament proudly displayed on the hood.

"Wow, that was fast," Pre muttered. She was about to tap on the window and say hello, but it rolled down before she could.

"Hello again," Mirome said. Beside him was Axial, glaring up at her from the passenger seat. The violence Pre sensed in them before now came pouring through the open window. Axial's apparitions looked like bone-white snakes reaching out of them, stretching for Pre. Pre’s knees buckled as the oppressive aura overwhelmed her.

"I suggest you cooperate with us this time, Miss Devisana," Mirome said, unfazed by her obvious discomfort. "Please, get in."