“Tonight, we are gathered here for the ceremony of your initiation,” Lexi announces, a cheeky smile the only indication that she knew about my mom—and how fucking surprised I would be—from the beginning.
“Tonight, you will be initiated as the current sitting president of Computare Caterva,” Connor instructs. “Are you ready to take the oath, Ace Tobias Kelly?”
Am I motherfucking ready? I was born ready.
I glance from Lexi to my mom, and another rush of excitementfloods my veins. Fuck yes, this is going to be incredible. I’m genetically destined for this. “I’m ready.”
My mom moves toward me, leaning down to whisper briefly into my ear. “Julia won’t be mad?”
Her question catches me off guard. I mean, it’s not like I hadn’t considered how Julia would feel that I’ve kept this secret from her, but I guess I didn’t consider that my mom would be thinking of it either. I hate that I haven’t been able to tell her—that I won’t until it’s all said and done and the first event takes place—but I’ve been putting in the work to show her how much I love her until now.
Surely it’ll be fine.
Once I explain, she’ll understand. She always does.
I shake my head. “She will,” I whisper back. “But that’s why we have the fifteen-minute rule. It’s saved my ass more than once, and it’ll save it again. I’m ready.”
“If you’re sure,” my mom says softly. For a split second, the hesitation in her voice makes my heart falter. But then she steps back and says, “Then, we’ll begin.” Her tone has returned to normal, and I let it go—trusting that the universe will work everything out between Julia and me. It has to. We’re meant to be.
“Ace Tobias Kelly, you hereby pledge your secrecy and devotion to the Computare Caterva at Dickson University from now until your successor takes their position. You will harbor, protect, and defend this organization against those who seek to destroy it. You will uphold our honor, and you will continue to create the magic this organization brings to this prestigious university,” the mystery man who’s still cloaked and standing next to my mom says.
Lexi walks toward me with a lit candle, and my mom hands me one of my own that, as of now, is flameless. Lexi comes to a stop in front of me, her long cloak trailing behind her.
“Ace, do you accept this pledge and the undeniable responsibility of the title of President of Computare Caterva?”
“I do.”
“Do you swear your life to the secrecy required of you for bothyour position as president and the organization in its entirety, from this eve forward, until your death releases you?”
“Intense,” I mumble teasingly. “But yes, I do.”
“Then I hereby pass the torch. You, Ace Tobias Kelly, are officially the acting president of Computare Caterva at Dickson University. Wear your new role well.”
Hell yeah, baby. Here comes the new president…motherfuckingme.
Looks like it’s time to celebrate.
“You know I will,” I agree. “Come on, Lex. You and I are going for a drink.”
Saturday, September 6th
Julia
It’s nearly two in the morning, and I haven’t heard from Ace since our last class at three yesterday afternoon.
No texts or callsfromhim and no responses to any of my texts or callstohim. And no sound from across the hall.
I even reached out to Finn and Scottie and Blake, but no one had heard from him. It’s been radio silence and the worst-case scenarios building one by one in my head for the last few hours.
Drew texted me earlier to see if I wanted to go to a party on Frat Row, but I declined because I wanted to make sure Ace was okay. And I don’t know, I guess I felt more excited about doing something with Ace on Friday night than meeting up with Drew.
But what if Ace is lying in a gutter somewhere after being violently mugged? Or he’s been kidnapped by some kind of drug cartel gang and held for ransom?
My heart lurches. I’m so close to calling the cops and reporting him missing, it’s not even funny. I even grab my phone and text him exactly that.
But when no response comes back, no Read notification underneath my words, I start to really consider contacting the authorities. Though, I guess I should call his parents first. Maybe my parents too.
I’m mere seconds away from calling Cassie when Yoko barks at a sound in the hall. I jump up from my spot on the couch and run toward the door. Unbolting the lock and undoing the chain,I pull it open just in time to see Ace turn his key in his lock and twist the knob.
