Page 55 of Exordium

“I love you too. It’ll be a crazy ride, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now, let’s get inside. I’m suddenly ready to kick some ass.”

Holding hands and smiling with pure joy, we entered the gym. If only my Psycho were here, my happiness would be complete.

Zeke was standing inside the entrance, waiting for us. “Somebody looks happy,” he smiled at his brother.

Zane clapped him on the back, “What’s not to be happy about? It’s a beautiful day, I’m holding hands with the most beautiful woman in the world, and I’m one handsome motherfucker.”

“I can agree with the handsome motherfucker remark, and there is no more beautiful woman in all the dimensions than our Reverie, but it’s cloudy outside and looks like rain.” Zeke laughed.

“I didn’t notice.” He looked at me in complete adoration.

Chloe walked in and grabbed my hand, “We’re going to change for conditioning, and I need to talk to my friend. You two need to quit hogging her.”

I blew them both a kiss, reluctantly following Chloe into the locker room. I would have been content to blow off the rest of my classes and just hang with Zeke and Zane. I didn’t suggest it because there would’ve been hell to pay from Instructor Storm.

On the first day, Storm made us do the course in the clothes we had worn to class. It felt cruel then, but it taught us a valuable lesson. We dressed now, keeping in mind that Emberhold could take us without warning. The last few weeks we’d been allowed to change into something lightweight for conditioning. I made sure to pick clothes that would still work if I was taken to initiation.

“What made you smile so big out there? My brother looked happy enough to fart sprinkles.” Chloe opened her locker, getting her clothes out.

I wrinkled my nose, “That’s a disturbing visual. Never mention your brother farting again, sprinkles or not.”

Chloe laughed, “You better get used to it. I have first-hand experience living with those two, and I can assure you they’re toxic.”

“You’re an evil bitch, and they’d kill you if they knew you were telling me this.” I pulled on black leggings and a short-sleeved pink moisture-wicking shirt.

“That’s what they get for calling me Booger. How someone as fantastic as I am could get stuck with that nickname is ridiculous.” She tossed her hair and put her hand on her hip striking a pose.

“I don’t know, I think it suits you,” I tried to look serious.

“Take that back bitch!” Chloe laughed and punched me in the arm.

Joan and Paige came in and headed to their lockers.

“What are you two laughing so hard over?” Joan smirked.

“Nothing, really. Chloe is just being a booger today.” I side-eyed her.

Chloe screeched, “Take that back bestie or I’ll tell my brothers what happened when we watched movies the other night.”

I gasped, “You know I’m lactose intolerant. It’s a medical condition and nothing to joke about.”

Joan and Paige started laughing so hard they were leaning on each other.

“Bestie reset?” Chloe asked, arching her eyebrow.

“Absolutely.” I agreed.

Joan and Paige looked on in astonishment as they watched us perform a fantastic series of hand motions and hip bumps, ending with us slapping each other’s ass and blowing a raspberry. The sisters were in tears, but Chloe and I finished getting dressed like nothing had happened.

After our workout, I joined the twins, who were putting a group of Passives through an obstacle course.

“So, do y’all want to come over around six and talk?”

“That sounds good. We’ll pick up some food.” Zeke said, always eager to make sure I’d eaten.

Chloe and Joan walked over. “Paige is meeting a second year in the library to study, and we’re going to get something to eat. Do you want to go?”

“Yeah, I’ll hang out until the guys get finished here.” I bent over and picked up my bag. “See y’all tonight.”

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