Chapter 4 #2
She burst out laughing and shook her head at me as if I was a hopeless case. “Figures. Is there anything that you don’t excel at?”
“Oh yeah! Far too many!” I exclaimed with an overly dramatic expression of discouragement.
“Really?” Linsea asked in a dubious tone. “Such as?”
“That would be telling,” I replied teasingly. “Hang around enough, and you just might find out.”
“Careful, I might take you up on that,” she said in the falsely menacing fashion.
Saying it was sexy as fuck would be quite the understatement. The ease with which we communicated further cemented the fact that we were meant for each other. Despite my nearly non-existent personal experience with females, I wasn’t so clueless as not to recognize flirting when it happened.
We entered the hangar located a short distance from the river.
Dozens of canoes, kayaks, waterboards, jet skis, and various other crafts and water-based sport equipment were stored in neatly organized sections of the space more or less shaped like an H.
I headed straight for the section with the canoes.
They each sat on racks secured by digital locks. Across from them, in the central part of one point of the H, a couple of washing stations allowed us to clean our crafts before storing them again. I settled my canoe on the left one.
“You’re up early,” I said while pulling the hose to start rinsing my canoe.
She nodded. “I like exercising in the park along the water. I got curious when I saw a lone paddler. So I came to have a peek.”
“I’m glad you did,” I said.
To my surprise, she gave me a strange look and tilted her head to the side while pondering her response. Based on her emotions, whatever thoughts were crossing her mind had nothing to do with her coming to investigate the lone paddler.
“You put on an amazing show the other night,” Linsea said pensively. “I’m not really into rock bands—even though that’s not really what yours is. But I can’t deny that I really enjoyed it.”
“Thank you. It pleases me.”
“You vanished really quickly. The rest of the band mingled with everyone, yet you were nowhere to be seen,” she said, her tone nonchalant despite the intensity in her eyes.
Although I expected that question would pop up sooner than later, I still fought the urge to squirm.
“I don’t like crowds,” I said, smiling at her confused expression. “Your reaction is normal. Everyone is baffled by this. Performing during a show is fine, but I’m really not too keen on what happens after.”
“Why? Too many groupies?” Linsea asked with a taunting glimmer in her eyes.
I snorted then nodded. “At the risk of sounding vain, I have to say yes.”
“That’s the price of fame for you,” she quipped, before taking a more serious expression. “There was a record label present that night.”
My face immediately closed off. “That’s a hard pass for me.”
She frowned, unsure how she felt about my response. “What of the band?”
“I told them to find a new singer if they wanted to move forward with any potential offers,” I replied while applying some soft soap on the canoe. “The guys always knew the deal from the beginning. It’s not like I sprung this on them last-minute and blindsided them.”
“But they undoubtedly hoped you would change your mind,” she insisted.
“You’re right,” I conceded. “However, that’s entirely on them. I made my stance crystal clear to them over and over again. If they decide to remain in denial, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Why don’t you want to?” she asked with genuine curiosity. “You’re very talented, with incredible charisma, and you seemed to enjoy yourself.”
“I do enjoy singing, just like every other Temern. And I’m sure you do as well. But that doesn’t mean I want to make a career out of it,” I replied in a factual manner.
“Fair. Then what career actually appeals to you?”
I repressed a smile at this subtle get-to-know-a-potential-partner interrogation.
“In truth, I don’t know,” I said in all sincerity.
Right on cue, Linsea frowned. It was never a good look to have reached my age and still not know what we wanted to do, especially in an environment such as Acadia where everyone here was extremely driven and ambitious.
“But you’re working on your master’s, aren’t you?” she asked carefully, her confusion audible.
“I am,” I confirmed. “But this will be my third one.”
The shock plastered all over her face wrested an amused smile from me. That too was a common reaction whenever I revealed this to people.
A million thoughts flitted over her beautiful features. She was weighing which question might cross into the realm of inappropriate while also wondering how to sate her curiosity.
“That’s quite expensive,” she said at last.
I snorted. “Technically, you’re correct. However, beyond the fact that I can afford it, I’ve also been lucky enough to receive scholarships that have covered the cost for all three of them.”
Her brows shot up with a mix of shock, awe, and persisting confusion.
“So you’re some kind of Whiz kid, as the humans like to say,” she replied, still circling around the question she truly wanted to ask.
I shrugged as I began to rinse the soap off the canoe.
“Not really. I’m just very curious, and I love to study.
As I can’t stay idle, I’m constantly on the lookout for a new passion to capture my attention that will also give me a better understanding of our world.
Since I’m an overachiever, I always strive to excel at whatever I do.
In return, it’s given me some great opportunities such as these scholarships. ”
“Considering how hard they are to obtain, I think you’re being excessively humble, which is pleasantly surprising.
Lead singers and guitarists in bands usually have the reputation of being very hungry for attention and praise,” she said in a slightly teasing tone, although her curiosity remained unsated.
Under different circumstances, I believed she would have pried a lot more openly.
As this was our first real interaction, Linsea would likely continue to test the waters for a while longer.
I wanted her to simply be blunt. Saying I had nothing to hide would be a lie.
However, if I ever hoped to have a chance at a future with her, sooner than later, I would have to reveal the freaky side of me that forced me into this hermit and asocial life.
“But to answer your question, I suspect I’ll eventually end up at a desk job drafting laws and articles around the Prime Directive and vulnerable species,” I said nonchalantly.
“A desk job?” Linsea echoed with an almost horrified expression. “You’re far too charismatic to lock yourself up in some sterile room typing up articles of law.”
I shrugged. “Time will tell, I guess. What about you? What exciting career appeals to you?”
She clicked her beak in that typical fashion that expressed reflection for us, a bit like when humans chewed their bottom lip before answering a sensitive question.
“Initially, I wanted to do charity work. But I’ve been seriously reconsidering it,” Linsea said pensively.
It was my turn to look surprised as I turned off the water and activated the fans around the base holding my canoe so that it would start drying it.
“Why? What changed your mind?”
“Control,” she replied in a self-evident manner.
“I just finished an internship, which is why I missed the previous semester. One of the things that became painfully obvious was that charities are constantly begging and hoping they’ll receive some crumbs.
The main way things move forward for them is if they have allies and advocates in high places.
If I become an ambassador or political envoy, I can put pressure on the right people to make things happen. ”
An almost predatory smile settled on my face.
“Well, well. Someone isn’t a goodie-two-shoes, like Benedict loves to say. For some reason, I expected you to be the type to avoid making waves. So I’m quite pleased to see you’re an assertive female and a go-getter, who knows exactly what she wants and takes the steps to achieve her goals.”
“I try,” she retorted with a smug and coquettish expression that had me chuckling.
With the dryers having completed their task, I picked up my canoe and brought it to its reserved rack before locking it. I glanced at Linsea, her emotions broadcasting the same hesitation I felt. We weren’t ready to part ways but didn’t quite know how to take the next step.
“Do you want to have breakfast?” Linsea suddenly asked.
Despite the casual way in which she spoke those words, and her relaxed demeanor, every fiber of her being was tense, bracing for a rejection. The silly female didn’t realize that I was already hers.
“I would love to, but I would need a few minutes to take a quick shower,” I said in a sheepish tone. “I’m musty.”
“Oh! No problem at all. I can wait... Unless you have other plans?” she asked carefully.
“None. I’ll be quick,” I said with a smile, before frowning. “Hmmm, maybe we should avoid the cafeteria?”
She slightly recoiled at this unexpected request. “Why?”
I shifted on my talons, feeling a little self-conscious. “Not to brag, but if we’re seen together, people will probably start bothering you.”
Linsea’s face closed off. Although most people would deem it a neutral expression, her emotions screamed loudly her blossoming suspicion.
It made me chuckle again. A part of me felt guilty as she had no idea that every Temern’s innate ability to block their emotions from others didn’t work with me.
She was an open book to me, while I was entirely closed to her. ..
... for her own sake.
“I’m not hiding a secret girlfriend, if that’s what thought is currently crossing your mind,” I said teasingly.
“This is genuinely to protect you as people can be quite invasive. I’m used to people ogling me nonstop, and it no longer bothers me.
As you said, it’s the price of fame. But if you’re fine with it, then it’s no problem. ”
“I’m fine with it,” she replied firmly.
“Then the cafeteria it is,” I replied with a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Obviously, that wouldn’t have been my choice. At least, it was early enough that there wouldn’t be too many people present, which would make the crowd bearable, or at least manageable. I turned to leave, but before I could get even five steps in, Linsea called out to me.
“Actually, wait! You make a good point about your groupies being fairly hardcore. Let’s go somewhere private so that we can eat in peace. Come to think of it, having people staring at me while trying to enjoy my meal would be rather awkward,” she said, making a face.
I laughed. “I can promise you that it is. But like I said, we can do whatever you wish.”
“Private it is. By the way, I could go get food for us while you shower,” Linsea offered.
“Sure!” I said, thrilled at the idea not to have to expose myself to the masses earlier than necessary.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“I would love the athlete’s breakfast number two,” I replied while reaching for my bracer on my left forearm to transfer her some credits.
Moving at surprisingly fast speed, Linsea grabbed my wrist, stopping me, before frowning at me with a somewhat outraged expression.
“No! I got it,” she said.
“What the fuck?!” I exclaimed, with an even more offended expression, too stunned to even properly enjoy the wondrous feel of her hand on me.
She released my wrist, and I almost whimpered at the loss of her contact.
“You can buy me breakfast another time,” she said dismissively.
I almost argued. However, beyond her stern look warning me not to, her offer pretty much guaranteed a second date. Only an idiot would pass up that opportunity.
“Fine, but it is dinner that I will buy you,” I said in a slightly grumpy tone.
She immediately relaxed and chuckled. “Or that works, too.”
“Pinky swear,” I insisted.
This time, she burst out laughing while giving me an incredulous look.
“What?!” she asked.
“I said pinky swear,” I repeated in an unrepented fashion. “If I recall properly, it is a human pledge.”
“Yes, it is. And I’m quite familiar with it. I just never expected to hear it from you,” she said with an amused expression.
“Good. Glad you’re familiar with it. And never assume anything about what I would and wouldn’t do. You will get whiplash from all my unexpected behavior,” I said in a mysterious tone laced with a hint of smugness. “Now swear.”
She shook her head at me, the joyful aura emanating from her wrapping around me in the most wondrous fashion.
“Fine, you bully. I pinky swear,” she said with pretend displeasure, as she raised her pinky finger towards me.
“Good girl,” I purred as I wrapped my pinky finger around hers, hooking them together for a second before dropping my hand. “Meet at the picnic table near the gazebo?”
She nodded. “Deal.”
I smiled, my heart soaring with excitement. “See you soon, then.”
“See you soon,” she replied before turning around and exiting the hangar.
My gaze lingered on the perfection that she was as she gracefully walked away. Yeah, no matter how crazy I was, I could never let her go. Linsea was my soulmate.