Three days before the Selection

Ryan is still sleeping on the couch—and drooling on it too—when Morgan and I step out of the bedroom, while Devon has already made the table and our breakfast. Once again, I marvel at how different they are from each other. Maybe that's why I like Devon so much.

"Good morning," Devon says with a bright smile. "How's your sleep?"

"Good, thank you."

"It was good!"

Morgan and I answer at the same time. We glance at each other. There is a peculiar softness in their eyes that makes me look away. I clear my throat and focus on tying my hair into a ponytail.

Devon chuckles, a glimmer of understanding shining in his eyes. "Good, good. I'm glad you two had some rest. Come and sit down. Let's eat."

We take our seats. Breakfast is flat, round pieces of bread with drizzles of syrup and dollops of cream. Devon calls them pancakes. It is apparently very popular for breakfast on Ground Earth, but only for breakfast. It's so interesting that there is food specific for the start of the day.

"And after this, you'll leave for your mechanic appointment," he reminds Morgan.

"Thank you again, Dev," they say. "I will be sure to give General Lorensky the rest of my money after I'm back in the Tower to pay you back for all your troubles."

"Oh, please don't worry about it." Devon tilts his head in Ryan's direction, who is still sound asleep. "I'll make him make up for it in other ways."

We dig into the pancakes. Once again, Morgan and I can't help but let out a satisfied grunt together. The mixture of the syrup's sweetness and the cream's savory forms the flawless coating for the fluffy, sponge-like cake. I understand now why this is so popular—although I do not understand why it is only consumed for breakfast. I'd eat this for every meal.

Devon grins at us, delighted at our reaction. "So, the two of you, if you're ready to share, please tell me more about your time at the Piranhas. I'd like to find out more about what happened." He stabs his pancakes with his fork. "I just found out how much destruction they've caused and I am seriously pissed."

Morgan fixes their gaze on their pancakes, so I decide to take on the storytelling role. I tell Devon about calling a taco shop number, getting a bike ride to the beach, and then meeting Big Papi. When I reach the part about introducing myself to Big Papi as someone from the Neon District, Devon chokes on his food. It takes him a few moments to compose himself and ask, "How did you learn about that place?"

His flabbergasted expression never leaves his face as I recount Morgan's and my meeting with the woman who wanted to hire me. Meanwhile, Morgan continues staring intensely at their now-empty plate, their ears a shade darker than normal.

Thankfully, when I resume talking about the Piranhas, they both return to their usual state. Devon pays close attention, peppering me with questions, while Morgan interjects with some of their past lived experiences.

Ryan crawls out of the couch just as I wrap up the story with him rescuing us from the underground.

"Good morning," Devon says curtly. "Your sister was almost sex-trafficked to the Neon District yesterday."

"What?" Ryan's jaw slackens.

"Wait, what?" I say too, bewildered.

"The Neon District is a dangerous place, Lara. Try not to associate with anybody from there again, okay?" Devon stuffs a small piece of pancake into Ryan's opened mouth. "And this is all you get for breakfast for waking up late. Now go take Morgan to the mechanic." He turns to me and winks. "As for you, you're going shopping with me. We are going to make chupe for when they're back."

I gasp and spin around to face Morgan. They are looking at me too, the excitement in their face mirrors mine.

"I can't wait for you to try it," they say.

"And I can't wait for you to get your arm back."

We beam at each other, letting our shared joy fill the space between us.

Until Ryan ruins the moment. "Hey, Lara, can I eat the rest of your pancakes?"

"What? No! I'm not done!"

***

Two days before the Selection

Yesterday was the best day of my life.

Using Ryan's card, Devon took me out to buy new clothes since the top I wore to Ground Earth was torn apart. I bought a gray crop top that goes well with my pink sweatpants. Then, we visited various markets in the area to get the ingredients for the chupe. On every street, vendors sold items from carts and mats on the ground. Devon seemed to be friends with everyone, and they were all warm and outgoing like him. For the first time since being on Ground Earth, I felt... at ease. At home.

Devon and I spent the rest of the afternoon making a rich broth filled with an assortment of meats and vegetables that we had bought. Meanwhile, Morgan and Ryan devoted their time sparring with each other and helping Morgan adjust to their brand-new cyberarm. And at night, Morgan and I talked, side by side on the bed, until we fell asleep.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to befriend them. We've been in the same cadet class for years, but I learned the most about them within the past two days. Apparently, they dislike long-range weapons but pushed themself to practice more so they wouldn't lose to me. Back on Ground Earth, they would get into brawls constantly, which explains their close combat skills. I also found out that they've been trying to cook their favorite foods from Ground Earth on the Tower, and they promised to make some for me once they succeed.

This new friendship has been nice. Nicer than our constant back-and-forth arguing, that is. Although I do miss our banter. Maybe the banter will return once we leave Ground Earth.

A surge of dread gnaws at my heart as I look around at the empty bedroom I am tidying up. We are going back to the Tower today, and I should be excited to return. I should be eager to be back to practice, to prepare for the Selection, to win it.

But now, these thoughts are nothing but a... chore.

Was this how the other people in my cadet class viewed the Selection? Was this why they never tried to take Morgan's and my place at the top of the scoreboard?

"All packed up?" Devon says. His long black hair drapes over his shoulders as he leans against the doorframe.

I force a smile out. "I don't have anything to pack, but your bedroom is back to how it was now. Thank you for letting us use it."

"Don't even mention it." He tilts his head and gives me a knowing smile. "I'll miss having you around, Lara."

I lower my head, blinking to suppress my welling tears. "I'll- I'll miss you too."

Within just two days, Devon has become the older brother figure I've longed for with Ryan throughout my entire life. And after today, I'll never see him again.

"Hey, before you go, there's something I have to tell you." Devon casts a quick glance behind him. Morgan and Ryan are in the living room, giving their cyberarm a final inspection. "Your brother wouldn't want me to tell you this, but since you might be going to NovaTopia, I think you should know. The truth is, I'm also in a rebellion group, kinda like the Piranhas. Well, no, we're not at all like them, in terms of wanting to destroy the Tower. But we're still a group that NovaTopia is vehemently against, so we are similar in that regard."

My jaw drops like my heart. This can't be a repeat of Big Papi. Devon can't be another person who I thought was good but turned out to be terrible. I like him too much for it to be like this.

He lifts his hands as if in surrender. "If you're thinking what I think you are, I promise you we don't want destruction or any innocent lives lost. Trust me; I'm a medic, as you know. We just want Ground Earth's independence."

"Independence?"

Devon puts his hands down. "Yeah. Life is hard, and we want to have a say in how to go forward as people living here, you know?"

I don't see the problem with that desire. "And NovaTopia is against that?"

"For now." He chuckles. "But once you get up there, I'll be eternally grateful if you can convince them otherwise."

The memory of my conversation with Morgan from two nights ago comes rushing back. Maybe there are things we can do once we get into NovaTopia to make Ground Earth better. The small glimmer of hope from that night seeps back into my heart.

I nod. "Definitely."

"I look forward to it." Devon digs into his pocket and gives me a small card. "If you ever get a chance to be back."

I read the card. Devon Minazaki, Night Laza Bar, followed by an address and a phone number. My vision blurs, and I blink my tears away. Will I ever be back here?

"Maybe I can try to reach out to you while in NovaTopia," I say.

"I will be very happy if you could. And good luck, Lara. As much as I'll miss you, I wish you all the best in the Selection and getting into the utopia shuttle. Life is better up there, or so I hear." Devon gestures at Ryan in the living room, still talking to Morgan. "That guy's missing out big time by coming back down."

My eyes linger on my brother. "Why didn't he stay?" I've long given up on Ryan to answer this question, but Devon might have the answer.

He raises a brow. "Has he not told you the reason?"

The question is like a slap to my face. "No... And I was too young when he went there and came back. All I can remember is that he left when I was eight, and then right before General Caelum was going to become my legal guardian, he showed up again. But... it was mostly a blur. I tried asking him about it many, many times, but he dodged the question every time. He always just changes the topic whenever I ask him questions he doesn't want to answer. It's like he thinks I'm too stupid to handle the information or something."

Devon frowns. Just as he's about to speak, Ryan appears next to him.

"Hey, let's get going before it's too late."

Devon's eyes dart between me and Ryan. "So, when will I see you again?" he asks.

Ryan stares at him for a beat before turning around and calling for Morgan. "Let's get going, Sánchez!"

When Devon looks back at me, there's a teasing smile on his lips. "See? He dodges my questions too. So don't worry, he doesn't think you're stupid. He's the dumb one."

I cannot help but smile at his attempt to cheer me up.

"Yeah, he is."