Dennis and Hadley walk into the stables, delayed because they had to duck behind a statue to do something. Dennis’ smile disappears as soon as Hadley’s hand lets go of his, and she climbs onto one of the horses. The stable workers lead me over to one of the stalls, and finds a horse for me. It has light, tawny coloring, and dark brown eyes. 

“Oh, you’re beautiful!” I say, patting her nose. 

“Oh, so you talk to the horse the second you meet her, but you avoided me all of yesterday?” Cai asks sarcastically, passing me, and getting on a brown horse. I flush, but hide it behind the horse. With some help, I climb onto the horse’s saddle, both of my legs to one side since I’m wearing a skirt. 

Dennis rides a huge black one, and Hadley, ironically, has a bigger one, and white. She smiles, finally as tall as him. 

“Shall we?” Cai asks, after about a full minute of us watching them gaze into each other’s eyes. We all ride out of the stables, and I almost fall off of my horse. “You’ve got to hold the reins,” Cai instructs me, handing me the leather strap. I flush. “And sit up straight.” 

“Do you have to be so critical?” I snap, doing as he says. 

“Sorry,” He says, looking down. “Teacher’s habit.” I nod, and look around. “I really do think you’re great. Guess I just have crappy ways of showing it.” I don’t respond to this, because I honestly have no idea how. 

“I wonder what this horse’s name is,” I muse, patting the mare’s head. She whinnies happily. Cai stares at me. 

“Horses don’t have names. They’re not people.” 

“Well, how would you feel if horses were the smarter beings, and humans were treated like horses? You’d want a name and equal rights.” Cai continues staring at me, blinking slowly. “And this horse will get a name. She’s beautiful and should be treated as such.” 

“So what’s her name?” Cai asks, turning us onto a path. Dennis and Hadley ride far ahead, their horses very close to each other. I shrug, and look down at the mare. She stops and sniffs some red flowers on the side of the path. Cai slows down his horse to a stop, and it stands next to me. 

“What kind of flowers are those, Cai?” I ask, pointing. 

“They’re poppies,” He answers. 

“Then come on, Poppy,” I say, patting her head. Poppy whinnies happily, and trots along the path. 

“Poppy approves of her name, it seems,” Cai says, as we ride ahead. “Would you be still mad if I danced with you tonight at the welcome ball?” Oh. That thing. Ugh. 

The welcome ball is the largest party I have ever seen. Huge chandeliers dripping with diamonds glitter in the thousands of lights around the room. The room is crowded with men in black and white, and ladies in rich colored gowns. 

I myself don’t look too bad. My hair is curled, and it tickles my neck. Stars of pure gold rest in my hair, forming a crown of stars. I’m wearing the same dress from meeting the Governor, but the silvery trim is now gold in the candlelight. 

Jackson went home after introducing me. He says the mayor isn’t allowed to stay with the champion for the competition. 

The governor lifts his cup. “Thank you all for coming tonight to honor these seven wonderful young people, who will be living here for the next month.” If I can’t survive the first two days, how will I survive a month? “As we all know, only one of them can take the victor’s crown, because two people can’t wear the same crown. It would be awkward.” 

The crowd laughs. How come he has a sense of humor around these people but he hates me everywhere else? 

“So let’s give a good luck toast to these young men and women, and celebrate them tonight!” Everyone drinks from their glasses. Ew, this is what mainland people drink? I put down my cup as soon as possible, and walk down from the stage as soon as we’re allowed. 

“Lady Ferrum,” Someone says, randomly bowing to me. “Might I request the honor of your first dance?” I nod, not knowing how to politely refuse this. He takes my hand and leads me to the middle of the floor, right where everyone will be staring at me. I spot Cai at the edge of the room, watching me and sipping his drink with a smile. I roll my eyes as the song starts, and the random fancy person starts to spin me. 

“So what is your name?” I ask, after a few seconds of awkwardness. 

“I am James Dartmouth, the Baron of East Life Division.” Buddy, I asked for your name. Not your titles. “I have a grand palace on the seashore.” I really didn’t ask how many swans you keep in your golden bathtub. I really don’t care. I groan as silently as I can. 

“That’s nice,” I comment, trying to look somewhere other than his face. Eye contact will kill me, I’m sure of it. Turn me to stone. 

“You should visit there for a time,” He invites, and randomly dips me. I almost scream, as he pulls me back up. 

“Maybe I will if I have time this summer,” I lie, my heart still racing from my near demise. “I do love swimming.” Do I sound polite enough?

“Maybe we can swim together?” He asks, staring me directly in the eyes. I gulp, and look back at the wall. 

Cai isn’t there anymore. How can I escape this? I wonder, as he pulls me closer. I can smell garlic on his breath. 

“Mind if I cut in?” Somebody asks, tapping me on the shoulder. Baron Dartmouth stops dancing. 

“Not at all, Sir Imperos,” The baron says, letting go of me. Thank you, Cai. I think, as the baron bends down to kiss my hand, then leaves. My hand is wet. Wet! 

I restrain the urge to gag and throw up all over the floor, and turn to Cai, wiping my hand on my dress to get the slobber off. Disgusting. 

“Perfect timing,” I say, as he takes my hand. “That guy was creepy.” 

“He’s actually married already,” Cai tells me, and my jaw drops. 

“Mainland people suck,” I mutter, as we move to the side of the room to dance, where we’ll be less noticed. 

“Yeah, we sort of do,” Cai agrees, as I almost bump into someone while dancing. My face goes pale. 

“I didn’t mean that you suck.” I quickly mutter. “I mean, you’re really polite, and not shallow, and ridiculous like the other mainland people.” 

“Well, thank you,” He says, very politely. “Must be the Metal island in me.” I smile and twirl, my dress making a swish noise. 

“Why do you live on Metal Island if your dad is Light?” I ask, as we move past a painting of the first governor. Hey, that face will be in my nightmares, hunting me down. 

“Mom and Dad got divorced,” He says. “Dad wanted to raise me here, and Mom wanted to raise me on the Island, so I spend six months each year at one of their houses.” I nod. 

“Sorry,” I always have to bring up the painful stuff, don’t I? First Flint’s dad, and now this. 

“Don’t apologize. You didn’t know.” I nod, and almost trip over my dress a third time. 

“How come boys get to wear pants?” I wonder aloud, my feet aching from my tight shoes. Cai laughs. 

“Society,” He says, as we waltz over to a balcony. 

“I hate society, then.” I say, as the song ends and we walk out onto the balcony, staring up at the sky. You can see the stars here. 

“Well, if you win this whole thing, and become governor, you could fix society.” He points out, smiling. “Though, knowing you, you’ll probably just get in trouble and get sent home before you can win.” I slap his arm with a laugh, and lean against the stone railings, my posture terrible. 

“Could I have the next dance?” Someone asks behind me. Luckily, it’s Ashton, who I know has good manners. 

“Okay,” I say, and Cai bows, kissing my hand. I flush and take Ashton’s arm, walking back down to the ballroom. 

“I see you’re friends with Caden,” Ashton comments with a smile. I nod. “I don’t really talk to him that much, but I can tell he’s very kind.” I nod.

“He is,” I reply. The rest of the dance passes in awkward silence. After Ashton, I dance with another random member of nobility, who thankfully isn’t a creep. Then Dennis dances with me. “So…you and Hadley…” I begin with a devious smile at him. Dennis groans. 

“You’re just like my sister,” He says. I’m not as petite as Hadley, but my hand is still tiny next to Dennis’. 

“Then your sister is just like my sister.” I say, thinking of Casey. She would love all this. 

“What’s her name?” Dennis asks, glancing across the ballroom at Hadley. 

“Casey,” I answer. “Your sister?” Dennis smiles. 

“Alaina,” He responds. “She’s really annoying, but she’s crazy smart.” 

“So is Casey.” I say, a smile on my face. “She was so happy when we got elevated to Gold, so she could continue with her education.” 

“That’s nice,” He says. “Are you going to continue education too?” I shrug, sighing. 

“I don’t think I could adjust to going back to school.”

“Then just hire a private tutor,” He suggests. “Golds certainly have the money to.” I nod, and look back at Cai, standing on the balcony. Should I have paid him for teaching me? “Thanks for dancing with me.” Dennis says, as the song ends, and he walks off towards Hadley. I turn and start moving towards Cai, but someone stops me. 

“Lady Ferrum,” The baron says, intercepting me. Oh, not this again. “We didn’t get to finish our dance earlier.” Yeah, and for good reason. 

“I think I might have a headache,” I lie, putting my hand over my forehead. “I think I may go to bed early,” I say, and try to swerve around him. 

“I’ll escort you to your bedroom,” He offers, grabbing my arm. His other hand moves to touch my waist. 

“No, I think I can walk by myself,” I say, trying to jerk my arm out of his reach. “I just need to alert my friend so they know where I am.” I pick up my skirts and half-run to Cai, standing on the balcony. “It’s the baron again. Can you help me get out of here?” I ask, panting. Cai looks alarmed, and quickly steps closer to me, his fists clenched. 

“Sure,” Cai says, and puts his arm around my waist, leading me out of the room. The baron waves, and I almost gag. “Sorry about him,” He says, as we run into my room, and lock the doors.