My view is blocked by the horde of people who funnel into the ballroom, so I look around the banquet hall. Michael is sitting near the entrance but hasn’t moved from his table, nor does he look up at anyone. He bows his head and pretends to eat, despite the fact that his plate is almost empty and the chefs have since removed the dinner platters. He doesn’t notice the hopeful, curious looks some girls give him as they pass him.

I look at Ellin’s table. She’s smiling, and then I see why: John is jumping across the banquet hall, pumping his fists in the air and yelling the words to whatever song is playing. After he disappears, Ellin catches sight of Michael, who stands and makes for the exit. Determined, she shoves her way through the tables and beats him to the door. She must say something, because he shakes his head and pulls away, but she grabs his arm and tugs back. He slouches, and they walk to the ballroom.

“Gotcha,” Jeremy mutters.

But he isn’t talking to me. His eyes are fixed on the brunette girl again. She’s walking toward the ballroom.

He slaps my shoulder, hard. “Later, Lance.”

He chases after the girl, leaving me with no one to talk to, not that I was up for talking to him anyway. Talking is exhausting work. I prefer to stay out of the commotion. Once the crowd has passed, I’ll slip out.

“Want to go in?”

I freeze, then grab my empty drink and act like I didn’t hear Glacia over the music, which—admittedly—isn’t loud enough to drown out much noise in the banquet hall.

I pour another glass of Glowbull, but I can feel her watching me. After a few seconds, she taps my shoulder.

No ignoring her now.

“What?”

But the moment our eyes connect, mine drop away again.

“Want to go in?” she repeats, leaning slightly in her seat in an effort to look me in the eye.

I shrug and roll the drinking glass between my hands, sloshing the Glowbull.

“It’ll be fun,” she persists. “When’s the last time you danced?”

I tighten my grip. If her night gets ruined, she can’t blame me. If I stall long enough, she’ll give up. Can’t she see I’m giving her a chance to leave?

My silence stretches on, and Glacia eventually looks toward the ballroom. Happy shrieks reach my ears, all those people having all that fun. They better enjoy this while it lasts. At the end of the week, they’ll receive their permanent assignments and be miserable. Not me, though. I’m going to fly across the galaxy and find Ladia on Belvun, and nothing else will matter, because this time, we’ll find a way to stay together.

Glacia taps my shoulder again.