[ Turn for turn, pitch to pitch. Jake's voice goes whisper-lite, faux-humility. ]

I paid attention in class, Ani. [ Weird, how her judgy syllables make his grin kick upward even further. Like either way, she's given him a helping of something extra to hold onto, dislike, distaste, irritation. A beat of thought, before he allows, ] They are an almighty pain in the ass.

[ Without looking up: ]

What are you doing later?

[ Followed immediately by, ] —dark hair?