“Me, either...”
“Oh, how I wish we could just stay up here, just like this...”
“Me, too...”
“I guess ... I guess that I'm just afraid...”
“Afraid?”
“Afraid that I'll lose this memory too...”
“Cor … I don't want to go, either, but it's not for the same reason as you ... listen to me, you can't do this to yourself ... you can't be afraid of living, because you're afraid that you may, or may not, forget ... you will remember this night, just like all of the rest of the days and nights that we will spend together...” he looked down at her, “and I plan on there being a lot of those...” he finished, giving her a smile. After seeing a smile sweep across her face, he continued with, “I'll see you tomorrow, okay?” He kissed her cheek, and then rose to his feet.
“Court,” she started, “you can come in and go down the stairs...” as she watched him walk to the side of the three-story roof line.
He turned and flashed his most handsomely, cunning grin. “Now, what fun would that be?”
And then he jumped...
Coralie rose quickly to her feet and dashed to the side from where he'd leapt. She watched as he gracefully landed onto the ground beneath her.
When Court turned, he smiled and winked, sending flutters straight to her stomach.
Suddenly, Coralie felt that she had witnessed a familiar scene before, as she watched him disappear into the darkness of the night.
What was this feeling? This feeling that had overcome her? Not the overwhelming butterflies pent up within her stomach that she felt every time the very thought of Courtland Cumberlin crossed her mind. It was something else. The feeling of seeing the same scene before. Why did she have the feeling that she had already witnessed this sight before? Had she just watched Court jump from several stories, only to land gracefully on the ground below her? Had she seen him perform the same act before?
That would be ... preposterous, absurd, ridiculous even. Wouldn't it?
Coralie continued to look out into the darkness that was the night. She exhaled a heavy sigh. Even though she couldn't see him anymore, she could still feel him with her. Not like his very presence. More like it felt that their souls were connected. Like she could feel where he was at that very moment. And this feeling only increased the closer she was to him.
Yeah, that didn't seem crazy.
Coralie didn't know what to think anymore.
Since she'd turned seventeen last month, things in her life had seemed to have changed. She couldn't explain it.
The life that she had once known – her one-dimensional, naïve, simplistic life – had changed into something more.
Something much more. Something much bigger. Bigger than herself.
Bigger than anything she had known to exist.
What was this? This change? Was it something that happened to everyone her age? Did every one of her peers experience senseless and irrational changes within their lives?
Something was definitely different. Different about her. Different about her surroundings. Different about her life.
The more Coralie thought about the different things going on around her, the more her thoughts ran hastily through her mind.
Maybe it wasn't that she was changing. Maybe it was something else. Maybe it was her true-self coming through.
Not changing, just revealing her true-self through the opaqueness that was her life.
Chapter 11
Coralie sighed as she sat in the back of the classroom, staring out of the two story window of the East Wing classroom building. Her teacher's voice had started to taper off into the background until it was a mere mumble.
She sighed again.
Private school had its perks, she guessed. And she had been given the choice – she chose this...
Granted, the choice was between Chelsea, a prestigious preparatory school and being home-schooled. Where, surely, home school had its benefits as well, the sound of attending Chelsea just seemed a better fit, all things considered.
Coralie, along with the other three hundred members of the student body, were required to wear uniforms – guys in khaki pants and a white, button-down, collared shirt, accompanied by a navy blue blazer and a matching tie; girls in a navy plaid or plain khaki skirt, and a white button-down, collared shirt, also accompanied by a navy blue blazer. Everyone looked the same, every day. Coralie was glad that she could blend in.
Esteemed, elite, and uniformed, Chelsea was perfect for someone who had always felt as an outsider. But Coralie thought it was a good fit for different reasons as well. Prestige academics, pristine facilities, and exceptional faculty ... not to mention a difference in the social aspects.
At Chelsea, at least, she would have the option of having a connection to the outside, social world. Although she had many acquaintances, there were very few individuals that Coralie would consider as friends and even fewer that she actually did. Besides Coralie's social life was quite limited. It basically came down to classroom activities and involvement – no after school curricula, other than the occasional self-defense or weight and strength training held at the University where her father was a Professor. Usually, she would only attend when her parents insisted.
Breaking her thoughts, someone slid into the empty seat beside her. She glanced in the direction of the sudden motion. “Court?!?!” She somehow managed to contain a scream, jumping in surprise.
Court leaned in, seeming somewhat amused, and asked, “Did I scare you?”
His light, golden hair swayed carelessly just above his brow. His bright blue eyes were staring back into hers, she felt lost and at home, all at the same time – if that was even a possibility. But it was – with Court ... it was always that way ... anything and everything was possible.
Putting an end to his waiting for an answer, Coralie said, “Startled is more the word...” returning his smile. “... What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice low.
Court leaned in even closer, his eyes shining. “Would you believe I'm on a secret mission???” he asked playfully, arching his brows. She let out a low snicker, and then shook her head 'no'.
He shrugged with good humor. “I guess you got me...”
“So...” she nudged his continuance.
“So ... oh yes, what am I doing here ... at Chelsea, you mean...” he mumbled over his words lightheartedly.
“You're stalling...” she attested, in attempt to persuade him to answer her question.
“I assume you are always this observant...”
“Court...” Coralie spoke his name calm and stern, in a hopeful attempt to persuade him to answer.
Court grinned. “Okay, okay ... easy ... I just came to check on a few things...”
“Check on a few things? Like what?”
“On … well, my sister needed me to check on a few things, here, while she was away...”
“Your sister, huh...” Coralie repeated with reservations.
Court flashed a playfully sneaky grin. “Okay … and I’ll admit, maybe I wanted to check in on you, too...”
The two stared at each other for moment, then the bell rang and students started to stir all around them.
“May I escort you to your next destination?” Court asked, still smiling at her. Coralie nodded in agreement.
The two of them walked down the hallway, side by side, students scurrying all around them. As they approached her locker, Coralie turned and asked, “So, what ... you just get to roam wherever you please?”
“Well,” he started with a grin and a shrug of his shoulders, “yeah... I guess so... Norewood gave me full access to the campus...”
“Must be good to have friends in high places, huh?” Coralie added.
He smiled, and then said, “You have no idea...”
Coralie knew that there was some hidden meaning behind Court comment. She pressed on. “So, did you find it?”
Court moved closer to her and was stari
ng at her, deep into her eyes. “Find what?”
Coralie's breath caught in her chest, as it nearly always did when Court looked at her this way. “Umm,” she started to stumble over her words, “... what you were looking for...”
Court allowed his smile to grow across his lips, as he moved in even closer. He paused just mere inches from her face, and then said in an almost-whisper, “You could say that...,” causing Coralie's heart to begin to race.
“So, I guess that you won't be … I mean … I guess I won't be seeing you around Chelsea anymore then...” she queried.
“Now ... I wouldn't say that...” he said slyly, backing away from her slowly.
“Well, Courtland Cumberlin,” Coralie started, trying to regain her composure, “... what, exactly, would you say?”
Another grin swept across his face, as he leaned back in, moving closer to her face. “I would say that,” he paused, breathing her in, “I have some unfinished business to attend to ... so, yes, I'll probably stick around here for a while ... maybe not specifically, limited to, Chelsea, but I’ll be around ... you never know where I might reappear ... “
Coralie smiled. Then suddenly, realizing she had been holding her breath this whole while and wasn't breathing, she exhaled loudly. Breathless, now, she tried to regain her poise and form a somewhat normal question. “So, like what kind of ... I mean, like what sort of unfinished business do you have here?”
Still close to her, Court pressed his finger to her lips, which sent shivers through her entire body. “Shhh ... that's the secret part...” Court smiled and Coralie swallowed hard. He eased his body away from hers. “Still on for tonight?”
Coralie only managed to nod her head in agreement. Her words being held captive within. She had been long awaiting this night. The longest five days of her young life, it seemed. Though she had seen him every night - atop her rooftop, outside her bedroom window, talking for hours - the days had seemed to drag on and on. It was the night that she longed for … until now … here he was, standing in front of her.
Court smiled again. “You better go ... don't want you to be late...” he said pointing up, right as the late bell rang throughout the hallway.
Coralie tried to slow her heart rate as she watched him walk down the hallway. She leaned back, resting her head against her locker, taking in a deep breath.
Suddenly, becoming very conscious of the fact that she was all alone in the hallway, Coralie snapped back into reality. Ms. Sieve was going to be ecstatic of her late arrival, she thought to herself sarcastically.
Coralie grabbed her Lit book and notebook and slammed her locker door shut, as she began to run toward her classroom. The sound echoed through the empty hallway.
* * * * *
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Court's phone chirped from inside his jacket pocket. He stepped out into the sunlight, exiting the side door of the east classroom building of Chelsea, and pulled the phone from his pocket.
“Hello, dear sister ... great timing...” Court answered.
“How did you – oh forget it ... I'll never get used to that...” Criston responded, causing Court to let out a slight chuckle.
“So, Sister, how's foreign affairs?”
“Not bad, I guess ... not much action right now...”
“But what about –”
She cut him off. “Okay, okay ... you are so in the loop...”
“Comes with the package...”
“Whatever ... so, yeah, there was a little situation last night ... but nothing to mention ... hence, the reason that I didn't. What about you? Anything to mention...”
Court allowed another chuckle to rise. “Oh, I don't know, just a few action packed events, here & there ... you know, like rescuing Coralie Collier from demonic attackers and certain death … but other than that...”
Criston could hear the snide smirking in her brother's voice. “Oh, stop it, Courtland...” she protested.
“Oh, little sister, are you feeling a bit left out?” he jeered.
“It's just that you get all the good places...” she pouted.
“What do you mean? Romania ... that's not good enough? Criston, it's beautiful there ... the architectural cities and history –”
“Awesome,” Criston said sarcastically, “Architectural cities, great history ... it's all just wonderful. But where's the action? Where's the fight?” She continued to grumble.
Court strolled through the courtyard that lay between the four old, large, stone classroom buildings of the prestigious campus of Chelsea. “Look, Sister, you're going to have to settle down a bit ... you're going to blow it...”
“Oh, come on -”
“I mean it ... You may not take this very seriously, but Mom and Dad do … and believe me, they will make certain that you are sent home immediately if anything, I mean, anything, is compromised...”
“But –” Criston started to interrupt, but was quickly cutoff.
“You've always wanted to travel, Cris, and now that you're old enough, and Mom and Dad actually considered it,” he paused to let out a sigh of disappointment, “... and now, you're upset, all because of what? It’s not what you expected … it's not exactly what you thought it would be?”
“No, it’s just that –” she started, but was cutoff again by Court’s words.
“This is our reality, Criston ... it's not a game ... your tantrums will not be tolerated...”
“It's not a tantrum ... tantrums are for kids –” Criston argued.
“I rest my case...” Court replied, with absolute composure.
“Court –”
“Criston...” Courtland countered.
“Okay, fine ... but if there's nothing going on here soon, I'm going to –”
“You are going to stay right there until your duties are complete ... because that's what we do...” Court paused to let his words sink in, “... right, Sister?”
Criston's words fell silent, because she knew her brother was right. She finally gathered enough equanimity to speak. “Whatever ... so, what does your upcoming schedule look like? Anything interesting?”
Court stopped and looked back toward the East building, into a large window of a classroom full of students – one, in particular of his interest, Coralie Collier.
He smiled at her, still staring into the window from the courtyard, as she sat beautifully, unknowingly in her seat.
“Well, Sister ... it looks like my daily schedule is going to be pretty full for a while...”
“With what? Your duties or Coralie Collier?” she said, attempting to patronize her brother.
Ignoring her obvious patronizing tone, his smile grew wider and he answered, “Both...”
Chapter 12
Knock. Knock.
Cal turned when he heard a knock at his office door. “Come in.”
“Professor Collier?”
“Yes, that's me, kid ... what can I do for you?” Cal answered the young man that stood in his office door.
The young man started, seemingly hoping to make a good impression. “Well, Professor Collier, I was told to see you about an upcoming summer program here at the University – an eco-conservation internship...”
“Yes, the internship – are you a student here at Talmedge?”
“Well, not exactly ... I mean, that is, not as of yet ... I had planned on transferring here in the Fall, but I was really hoping to get a jump start and get in on the internship with you over the summer, “ he paused with sincerity, “Professor Collier ... you really don't know how much this would mean to me … “
Cal stared at the young man for a moment. “So ... you say that you have planned to transfer here in the fall...”
“Yes, Sir.”
“From where, may I ask...” he asked, intrigued.
“Of course, Professor Collier, I would be transferring in from Jemson University, upstate … It’s a very small college, nothing in comparison to Talmedge, of course...”
“Yes – very private, pr
estige, elite – I know it well ... I have accompanied some research teams from there on excursion abroad. I was even offered a position there once. Great school...”
“Yes, Sir...”
“Why transfer?”
“Well, Sir, I moved here for my grandfather...”
“Oh...”
“Yes, Sir, you see, he is not...” the young man suddenly paused, as if at a loss for words, “...well, he is in need of my help, so...”
“That's quite a noble gesture for such a young man – to give up the things that he has worked so hard for...” Cal said, commendably.
“Well, yes, Sir ... but you know what they say ... 'Blood runs thick, thicker than water ...'“ he paused, but only to reclaim his thoughts, “... besides, I don't feel that I'm giving up anything that I couldn't regain in time ... and even if that was the case, I would do anything to help the man who had a hand in raising me...”
“Well then...” Cal paused waiting for the young man's name, which he noticed that he did not catch at the beginning of their conversation.
“Xavier –” the young man filled in the silence.
“Yes, Xavier ... it sure seems that you have a strong head on your shoulders ... and that's just what we need here –”
“Pardon, Sir...”
“Our eco-conservation team ... we need a fine, young man, like yourself … now, of course, there are a few fine points to discuss and a bit of paperwork to get you started and worked into the program...” Cal said, shuffling paper along his desktop, “... and if you'll give me just one, quick second, so that I can locate them...”
“Sure thing, Sir ... take your time...”
It took Xavier only a few steps to reach the large book case on the wall that faced the Professor's desk across the room. He scanned the spread of books that inhabited the shelves. Some he recognized, some he didn't. There were some decorative pieces –presumably placed by the professor’s wife, he guessed – and a few strategically placed picture frames. His eyes set on one, in particular. “Your daughter, I would presume,” he said, plucking it from the shelf, and pulling it closer to get a better look, though he had already memorized her face in every detail.
Empyreal: Awaken - Book One Page 7
