It's been a couple of days since the argument with Sensei Shu. It's the weekend now, and I haven't shown up to training. I haven't shown up to practice. I haven't really done much of anything.
I don't want anything to do with Sensei Shu. I don't want anything to do with the Dragon Keepers anymore.
I know that sounds irresponsible — maybe even stupid. But why would I keep training for someone who's just going to keep secrets? Someone who's going to throw us into danger without telling us everything we need to know?
I don't know.
My family's out working, like usual. So you know what I usually do on weekends?
Absolutely nothing.
I walk downstairs in my Star Wars pajamas, ready to pour myself a bowl of cereal and finally relax. But right before I grab the box, I hear it.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I freeze.
Who would be here this early? Especially on a weekend?
Maybe Zack?
I walk quietly to the door and peek through the peephole.
Jordan.
She's wearing a green tank top, blue jeans, and simple sneakers. Her short black hair frames her face, and her gray eyes scan the door like she already knows I'm behind it.
I start panicking.
What is Jordan doing here? Why is she at my house?
"I know you're in there," she calls out. "I can hear you."
"Shoot," I mutter, already regretting making any noise.
I slowly open the door.
"Hey," I say, awkwardly.
"You don't have to be weird about it," she says, brushing past me and walking inside like she's done this a hundred times.
"O-okay."
I take her upstairs to my room. She sits down on my bed while I stand awkwardly in the corner. It's the first time I've ever had a girl in my house. My palms are sweating.
"So," I say, trying to sound normal, "what do you want?"
She takes a deep breath. "You haven't been at training. And you're our little leader, after all. I asked Shu what happened. He told me you two argued."
"Oh. Yeah."
"By the way," she adds, softer now, "I'm glad you're doing better."
"Thanks. I mean… we're all still alive because of Cameron. He did the hard part. I just stalled."
"It was still your plan," she says. "And I respect that. So you won't hear me complaining about you being leader anymore."
That catches me off guard.
Jordan? Not complaining?
"I appreciate that," I say carefully.
She smirks. "Doesn't mean I'll like your orders. Or agree with them. But I won't doubt you being leader."
"Fair enough."
A small smile crosses her face. I don't see that often.
"So," she continues, "what was the argument really about?"
"I asked why he sent us out there," I say. "Yeah, it was to stop that thing. But we weren't ready. We barely survived. And all he said was that he's going to keep secrets and do things we won't like. And we just have to accept it. Are you okay with that?"
She looks down at her hand and reveals the dragon mark on it.
"William," she says quietly, "I'm not okay with any of this. But we don't have a choice. We're Dragon Keepers. This mark binds us to that. We can't just walk away."
I sit down beside her. It's probably the closest we've ever sat without arguing.
"Yeah," I say. "I just… don't know if it's something I want."
"It's not something I want either."
We look at each other for a second too long. Her gray eyes catch the light. They're… really nice.
Focus.
"If we don't do it," she continues, "who will? You saw what happens if we don't. The world falls apart. People die. I can't live with that."
I nod. "Maybe I just let my emotions get the best of me."
"No," she says. "You were right to be mad."
There's a pause.
"So," she asks, "are you coming back to training?"
"…Yeah."
She punches my shoulder lightly. She does that a lot. This time, I don't mind it.
"I better go," she says, standing up.
"Yeah, I'll walk you out."
We head downstairs — and right as we reach the door, it opens.
My parents walk in.
Of course.
My mom looks at Jordan, then at me, then back at Jordan.
"And who is this?" she asks.
"This is my friend Jordan," I say quickly. "She came to drop off homework I missed."
Jordan straightens up immediately, way more polite than she is with me. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Sir."
My dad smiles first. He's always been the easier one.
"Well, it's nice to finally meet one of William's friends," he says, holding out his hand.
Jordan shakes it firmly. "Nice to meet you too, Mr. —"
"Just call me David," he says with a chuckle.
My mom crosses her arms, studying her. Not in a mean way — just protective.
"And you're in his class?" she asks.
"Yes, ma'am. We have a few classes together."
"She's really smart," I add quickly. "Way smarter than me."
Jordan elbows me slightly. "That's not true."
My mom's expression softens just a bit.
"Well, Jordan, you're welcome here anytime," she says. "And you should join us for dinner sometime. Bring your other friends too."
Jordan glances at me, surprised, then back at my parents.
"I'd like that," she says politely.
My dad pats my shoulder. "See? You do have friends."
"Okay," I mutter.
Jordan smiles — not the smirk she gives me at training, but a real one.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she says, stepping outside.
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
As I close the door, my mom turns slowly toward me.
"Homework?" she says.
"…Yes."
She raises an eyebrow.
And I realize this might be harder than fighting Drakna.