Dex doesn't move.
He's staring at the screen like it might change if he looks hard enough.
"Jake — Daphne."
His jaw tightens just slightly. Not enough for most people to notice.
But Jake does.
He walks in like he owns the place, hands in his pockets, scanning the board. "Alright, who did we get paired with—"
He stops.
Looks at Dex.
Then at the screen.
Then back at Dex.
A slow grin spreads across his face. "Oh."
Dex doesn't look at him. "Some weirdo."
Jake lets out a short laugh. "Yeah, you look real thrilled about it."
"I'm fine."
"Sure you are."
Dex finally exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. "It doesn't matter anyway."
Jake tilts his head. "You sure about that?"
Silence.
That's all the confirmation he needs.
Jake steps closer, lowering his voice. "You like her."
Dex immediately shakes his head. "No, I—"
"Dex."
He stops.
Swallows.
"…It doesn't matter," he mutters. "She's Moroi."
Jake shrugs. "And?"
"And it's not… allowed," Dex says, quieter now. "It's not even— I shouldn't feel like that."
Jake watches him for a second, then smirks slightly. "That's exactly why you should take my spot."
Dex looks at him like he's lost his mind. "What?"
"I switch with you," Jake says simply. "You get Daphne."
Dex blinks. "No. No, that's a bad idea."
"Sounds like a great idea to me."
"She might not even like me," Dex rushes out. "She probably hasn't even noticed me. And if I say something weird or—"
"—you will," Jake cuts in, grinning.
Dex glares.
"That's not helping."
Jake claps him on the shoulder. "Relax. Go talk to her. Set it off, get it out of your system."
Dex hesitates. "And if it goes wrong?"
Jake smirks. "Then you'll survive. Probably."
Dex exhales, nerves written all over him. "I don't know how to do this."
Jake starts to walk off, then tosses over his shoulder—
"Just don't try to be yourself."
Dex frowns. "What's wrong with myself?"
Jake doesn't even turn around. "Nothing."