"I actually do, mom's very supportive, but if you're not burdened by excess makeup and dresses..." He grins, before looking at Allison. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just remembered something I'd rather not have. I can probably get you something too, my mom is a big player in the boutique world."

"That's pretty great, thanks! I like you two. But okay now it's your turn to summarize your personality in a sentence."

"Oh, I don't know. I guess I would say I'm pretty mellow? Responsible? I'm really not very interesting." 

"I'm the most important person at this school. That's all there is to say." 

"That tells me about your social status here and some of what you care about, but not much about you. Like, what's different between you and other people that makes this true?"

"I hate people but I love talking to them. I hate dressing myself but I love getting complimented on it. I excel in chemistry because biology is too soft and math too hard, and it wouldn't do to rock the boat. I have a boyfriend who is at least as into boys as I am, and at least as into girls, but we're completely monogamous because anything else tanks public approval and one of us is getting elected. Is that more what you were looking for?"

"..."

Allison shakes her head, and takes notes.

"About seven hundred eighteen thoughts crossed my mind just now and the only one I should voice is 'elected for what?'"

"The ideal would be governor for him, senator for me, but we'll compromise however we have to."

The bell rings.

"Pretty specific, that," he comments, picking his stuff up.

"Men are more likely to win gubernatorial races, women are most likely to win senate seats out of any political competition, and people love a good narrative. Political power couple? Gold." 

"I see you've met Lydia." 

"I have," he says, his lips twisting a little into a small smirk.

"Not you, too. I tried to talk Jackson out of it." 

"Out of what?"

"Out of dating me, of course. Danny wanted the two of them to be unambitious layabouts together, but I had loftier aspirations for the three of us."

"Four, with how you've latched onto the new girl. Five, with how you've latched onto the new guy. How big does your harem have to be, Queen Martin?"

"Queens don't keep harems, kings do. It's an unfortunate historical artifact, but there it is. And Martin is such a common name, I think I'll be called Queen Lydia. Breeds familiarity."

"Breeds contempt."

"A little of column A...let them eat cake, I say. It was nice meeting you, Ade. Enjoy whatever class you have that's not with me."

"I don't think I heard what your lofty aspirations for non-you-and-Jackson people are," he remarks, instead of mentioning how hot ambition is. "I'll have to catch you later so you can tell me."

And off he goes with Danny!

"So that was Lydia. Lucky you, since you have Jackson next."

"Guess I'm meeting everyone today." Pause. "Uh, is Jackson Lydia's boyfriend, I don't think it actually came up."