From the look on Brayden’s face, however, he might have been sent to new heights. Why didn’t I have the same reaction? Maybe I’d done something wrong after all. Or maybe I was deficient?

“See you Saturday,” he said.

I made a mental note to add kissing to my list of research topics.

I got back to Amberwood and texted Adrian as I was walking into my dorm. There’s a defense class that starts tomorrow night. $75. Despite his interest last night, I was a little skeptical of whether he’d snapped out of his depression enough to be up for something like this. I wasn’t even sure if he was going to his art classes anymore. A minute later, I got his answer: I’ll be there. This was followed by another text: Can u spot me the cash?

Jill was walking into the dorm, just as I was, both of us barely getting in before curfew. She didn’t even notice me and instead looked troubled and pensive. “Hey,” I called. “Jill?”

She stopped halfway through the lobby and blinked in surprise upon seeing me. “Oh, hey. Were you out with your boyfriend?”

I winced. “Not sure I’d call him that yet.”

“How many times have you gone out?”

“Four.”

“He’s taking you to the dance?”

“I’m meeting him there.”

She shrugged. “Sounds like a boyfriend to me.”

“Sounds like you’re quoting something from Kristin and Julia’s dating guidebook.”

That brought a fleeting smile, but it didn’t last. “I think it’s just common sense.”

I studied her, still trying to get a feel for her mood. “Are you okay? You looked like something was bothering you. Is it… is it Adrian? Is he still upset?” For a moment, I was actually more worried about Adrian than her.

“No,” she said. “I mean, well, yes. But he’s a little better. He’s excited about learning self-defense with you.” The bond would never cease to amaze me. I’d only communicated with Adrian a minute ago.

“‘Excited?’” I asked. That seemed like an astonishingly strong reaction.

“It’s a distraction. And a distraction’s the best thing for him in these moods,” she explained. “He is still upset, though. He’s still depressed over his dad.”

“I shouldn’t have taken him to San Diego,” I murmured, more to myself than her. “If I’d refused, he wouldn’t have been able to get there.”

Jill looked skeptical. “I don’t know. I think he would’ve found a way, with or without you. What happened between them was going to happen eventually.” She sounded remarkably wise.

“I just feel terrible seeing Adrian like this,” I said.

“These moods come and go for him. Always have.” Jill got a faraway look in her eyes. “He’s laid off the drinking a little bit—for my sake. But then that just opens him up for… well, it’s hard to explain. You know how spirit drives people insane? When he’s down like this and sober, it makes him more vulnerable.”

“Are you saying Adrian’s going crazy?” That was not a complication I was ready for.