Escapism (The Escapism Series) (6 page)

  The steam escaped into my room, slowly evaporating as I came out of the shower wrapped in a large white towel. I was surprised to find Calliope already parked in my driveway wearing big black sunglasses and resting on the passenger side door. I quickly dressed and dried my hair, taking a minimalist approach with wardrobe and makeup application.

  I grabbed my bag and hurried down the stairwell, making a quick stop in the kitchen before rushing straight out the door. My mother, who conveniently loved to make breakfast, was at work.  I quickly toasted waffles to go—super convenient breakfast food.

  “Morning, Cal,” I greeted as I tossed my book bag in the back seat.

  “Morning. What time do you have class?”

  “Nine. You?”

  “I might go to the gym instead.”

  “Cal, you can’t! This is your opportunity to start fresh. This isn’t high school anymore.”

  “You’re right. It’s better than high school because the notes are all posted online, so really, I’m not missing anything besides the random anecdote.”

  Calliope’s driving was usually impeccable but today was a different story—she was all over the place, breaking abruptly and speeding at every opportunity.

  “Cal, if you kill us, it won’t matter if we’re late.”

  Calliope laughed and playfully slapped my arm. “Relax already. You should be used to my driving.”

  “I’m assuming Marla took the bus today?” I knew how difficult of a task it was to get Calliope up and running.

  “I don’t do eight o’clock. Change of topic. When do you get to see this Nicholas of yours next?”

  The car swerved a little.

  “I may never see him again if you keep driving like a lunatic. Keep your eyes on the road.”

  I couldn’t quite figure out how to describe how I felt about Nicholas. After all, he had left an eerie first impression that was hard to shake.

  “He’s gorgeous,” I sighed, continuing, “I bet you of all people remember seeing him at Landon’s party.”

  “No, I can’t say that I do,” she replied, indifferently.

  “He’s pretty tall, has longish brown hair and grey eyes. How could you forget?”

  “
Dude
, I was totally tripping that night. He does sound good though—I’m impressed. I was starting to think you weren’t into guys.”

  I shoved Calliope as she pulled into her parking spot. “So, he’s gorgeous, right? I’m dying for deets.” Calliope’s eyes sparkled as she edged her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose.

  “Listen, I have to run. Call you after class. You should go to class today and at least start off the week with some attendance.”

  She put her sunglasses on her head and rolled her eyes at me. Calliope was the type of person who was naturally gifted both intellectually and physically. She had shiny black locks, sparkling green eyes, and a slender frame. Most guys never stood a chance once they laid eyes on her; she was a total player, and according to her, with not many contenders. I’ve never seen a guy hold her interest for much longer than a day, let alone a week.

  I walked through the congested parking lot toward the glass doors by the student center. The wind whipped against my skin as I rushed to reach the doors. I placed my hand against my neck as my scarf danced with the wind in a soft spiral embrace, loosening around my neck ever so slightly. A few students lounged on the concrete blocks, conversing amongst themselves. There was a smoking section by the student center where I purchased a pack of gum. The smell of smoke lingered in my hair until a gust of wind drew the scent back out upon the pull of the second glass door leading into Vari Hall.

  I walked through the maze of the building to Curtis Lecture hall. I climbed two levels of stairs and entered through the middle lecture hall doors. There were only a few vacant spaces this time. I quickly sat down and pulled out my laptop to follow along with the course notes.

  York U’s wireless server verified my authenticity and I began to check my e-mail. The professor began lecturing on globalization and outsourcing, which sounded all familiar most likely because it was an introductory day and high school econ was not entirely wiped from my memory.

  Leaning back in my seat, I took off my leather jacket while reaching for my neck, realizing that my favorite scarf was missing. I looked on the ground, but there was no scarf to be found.

  I asked the girl beside me to guard my belongings as I left hurriedly down the stairs from Curtis hall hoping to find my scarf. As I walked toward Vari Hall, I remembered when my mother first presented me with the scarf on my nineteenth birthday. I shivered as I pushed against the heavy glass doors and the wind cut into me once again. As the fallen leaves rustled, stirring up the aroma of autumn, I inhaled deeply and searched hopelessly all around.

  I moved toward the central pond, praying for it to be anywhere else but there. To my relief and dismay, it was not in the pond—it was still lost. The campus was desolate; only a few students acknowledged my presence.

  I continued to walk through the grass and leaves with my arms wrapped around me for warmth. A violent gush of wind struck again, causing my eyes to shut in an attempt to prevent debris from entry. From the corner of my eye, I saw my scarf entangled in a tree branch. I rushed over to save it, but another gust of wind struck and it took flight with the wind once more.  A few students passed by and one thankfully grabbed a hold of it.

  “I take it this is yours?” The edges of his lips twitched into a smile.

  I reached for my beloved scarf. “Thank you so much. Losing that scarf would have ruined my year,” I smiled at the tall, lean guy in front of  me. “I’m Xenia Sanders.”

  “Kiran Aldridge,” he said with a grin. “You must run on warm.”

  “Huh?” I uttered, confused.

  He leaned in. “No jacket today?”

  “I kind of panicked and left my stuff behind in class,” I said, smiling vaguely while holding up the scarf. “It was a gift.”

  Kiran offered his jacket, placing it over my shoulders.

  “Oh, no it’s okay, really,” I said.

  “You’re shivering, please,” he insisted.

  As soon as his jacket covered me, I smelled the cool cologne that resided in the warm fabric. Kiran was without a doubt easy on the eyes, with his messy black hair, perfect nose, chiseled jaw and electrifying light green eyes. When he smiled, his right cheek dimpled, as if he needed more in the cuteness department. He had two piercings, his right eyebrow and his tongue. Calliope would be all over that had he fallen under her radar.

  He covered his head with the hood of his blue sweater and placed his hands into his pockets as we walked back together toward Vari Hall.

  “So what are you majoring in, Kiran?”

  He tossed his head back before he looked at me with a sideways glare that sent sparks. He was too beautiful—it was upsetting to say the least.

  “My major is undecided for now,” he dodged, carrying on, “What about yourself?”

  “Somehow I ended up in business and econ, but I’m still not sure how I decided on that,” I replied, biting my lower lip as I mulled it over again.

  “But it’s not written in stone. I’m still keeping my options open,” I quickly added.

  “Options are always good.” Kiran’s lips curved into a smile and the air between us no longer felt unfamiliar.

  “May I ask you something?” he whispered.

  “Um…okay,” I mumbled. My neatly combed hair was now a tangled mess. My head felt light and the air around me caused my body to convulse in successive shivers.

  “Do you think you are living up to your potential?”

  “Probably not,” I replied quickly.

  “Good answer,” he said.

  “What about you?”

  “I know my potential—
quite well
,” he admitted.

  “Someone’s confident.” I grinned. 

  He simply raised his eyebrows smugly as we drew near to the eerily silent lecture hall.

  “Thanks for walking me back,” I said, while he rested against the door.

  “Oh, your jacket…uh, here,” I handed his jacket over.

  “Anytime.”

  “Nice meeting you, Kiran,” I said, re-entering the empty lecture hall.

  I had my scarf back so I was content. My laptop and bag were still in the same spot fortunately. I put my laptop back into its fancy hard case and into my book bag with my wallet still inside and untouched after a quick inspection. I wrapped my scarf around my neck and tied it together securely before I put my jacket on—Kiran would be proud, I thought to myself giggling.

  I decided to look for Calliope—who was likely hunting for guys in the gym or student center—and hang out.

  As I took the winding stairs down toward Vari Hall, something unusual unfolded. While I made my way through the crowded and chaotic hallway, observing people passing me, I realized it was time. My heart raced at an unusual pace, pounding against my chest. Everybody before me moved faster until I set my eyes on one person who walked toward my direction. He was the only one who slowed the quickening time. Eerily, he looked straight at me with his lips in a hard line. He furrowed his brow and shook his head as though my presence annoyed him. I hoped it was all in my imagination.

  I observed his hard face once again as he continued to look intently at me. A strand of dirty-blond hair covered his right eye, liberated by his short ponytail, as he walked past me. Feeling a light draft, a shiver emanated throughout my body. He exited through the central glass doors toward the commons. All he carried was a beat-up leather-bound book in his left hand. Swiftly, I was overcome by an urge to follow him, and I did just that. Exiting through the same doors, I attempted to blend in with the crowd while peering over shoulders and in between heads for a better look. My attempt to remain inconspicuous failed miserably.

  “Xenia! Hey Xenia! Come and sit with us,” Calliope hollered from the pond, which was located in the center of the commons, and opposite to where the eerie guy was skulking with Kiran.

  He glanced over while in the middle of what appeared to be a heated conversation with Kiran, whom quickly diverted his eyes from my direction as though we’d never met. Absolutely mortified, I avoided looking in his direction, and walked toward Calliope instead.

  “I tried calling you. I thought you were having lunch with us,” Calliope stated.

  “Sorry. My phone loses connection when I pass through Curtis Hall,” I lied. However, there was some truth to my embellishment having heard other students complaining earlier about dropped calls and poor reception.

  “Hey, did you notice those two guys sitting across the pond?” I asked. Calliope and Marla shrugged their shoulders.

  “That guy just gave me this weird vibe and the other guy he’s with is Kiran. I actually met him earlier out here.”

  “Oh. So you skipped class then?” Calliope beamed as though she had won an undeclared bet.

  “
No
. Not intentionally. I lost my scarf and he helped me retrieve it,” I said defensively, while Calliope shrugged her shoulders unconvinced.

  My skin crawled after a mere glance in his direction. I could sense his revulsion of my very presence, as if I had imposed on his turf.

  “He’s probably just a stuck up trust fund baby, who cares,” Calliope hissed, running her fingers through her straight black hair.

  “Cal is right,
sort of
. People give dirty looks all the time,” Marla said with a sympathetic head tilt and pat on the shoulder.

  “Okay, who wants to grab some juice? I need a boost,” Marla squeaked.

  “You guys go ahead. I’m taking off,” I huffed.

  “Do you want a ride home?” Calliope kindly offered.

  “No, I’m okay. Just a little worn out.” 

  “Call us if you need anything,” Marla hugged me tightly.

  “What would I do without you two?” I gasped as Marla released me from her embrace. Calliope tossed her car keys and I reached to catch them midair.

  “Thanks, Cal.” I was grateful to have such caring friends.

  “Oh, I forgot to mention, I dropped off our parking pass apps. It shouldn’t take too long now,” Marla illuminated.

  “It’s about time! I’d like to be chauffeured around for a change,” Calliope snarled.

  “And soon you will, Miss Karsten,” I replied, bowing playfully.

  On that note, we parted ways.

  “So what kind of drink are we talking about?” Calliope asked as she and Marla strolled off toward York Lanes, the campus retail center. It was actually one of the first places Marla had introduced me to during orientation week. Leave it to Marla to gravitate toward a retail center.

  I made my way toward the parking lot. Naturally, Calliope had parked by the farthest side of campus, closest to Tait McKenzie, her new found haven.

  At York University’s Keele Campus, I felt like I was in a mini city of its own accord. I took the scenic path behind the student center toward the track center. Surrounded by green grass, an abundance of maple trees, and humungous geese occasionally perused the campus.

  Only inches from Calliope’s car door, I heard a familiar voice.

  “Xenia,” Kiran whispered, catching me off guard.

  “
Holly crap
, Kiran,” I said, desperately trying to compose myself.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “You don’t have to talk to me, you know,” I snarled. “That is, if you’re going to ignore me in front of your friends.”

  “That’s what I came to talk to you about. I didn’t mean to ignore you, but it was for your own good.”

  “What are you talking about? A simple wave would have been good.”

  “You don’t understand who I associate with.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “It’s a little
complicated
,” he replied.

  “I can do complicated.”

  Kiran smiled in amusement, but his eyes remained troubled.

  “Give me a lift home?” he asked. “I’ll explain along the way.”

  I rested my backside on Calliope’s door and spun the keys between my fingers.

  “Well?” Kiran edged closer in anticipation.

  “I don’t even know you. You could be a kidnapper for all I know.”

  “I’m mildly offended, Xenia.” Kiran’s phony frown slowly turned into a smile. He was immensely entertained. “First of all, you’re not a kid and second of all, I could have you willingly.”

  “Ugh, conceited much? All right,
fine
,” I groaned. I was eager to find out what Kiran had to say.

  “So you agree then? I could have you willingly.”

  “No, but you can have a ride.”

  “I’d like a ride,” he winked, playfully.

  “Do you always twist people’s words around?” I snarled, while unlocking the car doors with the remote.

  “Only on special occasions,” he smiled big showing his pearly whites as he opened the passenger door.

  I put the car in reverse and Kiran offered directions. “Make a left and drive down Ian MacDonald Boulevard to Pond Road. It will be less congested.”

  “Uh huh,” I mumbled. “So why don’t you want to be seen with me exactly?”

  “Do you realize how far you can travel? I’m not the first one you’ve met,” he asked.

  “Travel? Where?”

  “To the transitory portal that leads
Offline
. You
had
to have felt the energy change. You know that prickly sensation, the air gets thicker, you start to feel a little … you know … a little
too good
, if you know what I’m saying, girlfriend,” he winked and nudged me. Kiran scrutinized my expression, waiting for some indication that I understood.

  “Who was that guy you were sitting with?” I asked, worriedly.

  “Someone you should avoid.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Because he’ll want what you have, and you obviously don’t know how to shield yourself.”

  “Come again?” I was growing anxious with every confusing minute.

  “The ability to transition between two worlds while—”

  “
I can travel between two worlds?
How do you know that?”

  “Those, like us, can sense one another’s energy. You get better with practice. Pull over and I’ll show you.” He removed his seatbelt and shifted in his seat to face me.

  I checked the traffic and signaled while pulling over. I faced him, both willing and able to experience all that he spoke of.

  “Place your hands in mine.”

  I instantly felt a bolt of electricity run through my skin accompanied by a flicker of light in my line of vision. I quickly retracted my hands.

  “Don’t let go,” he said. “We have to maintain touch so I can show you what I mean. You don’t need to use touch, but it will be easier for me to show you.”

  I didn’t pull back the next time. The energy seared through my body with intermittent flickering of lights and an array of scattered images.

  “Don’t close your eyes, Xenia,” Kiran advised.

  I listened but what I saw next was inexplicable—we were by the pond in the commons. “How?” I anxiously tried to catch my breath.

  “Xenia. Just
breathe
.” Kiran’s soft voice strained to comfort me.

  “How’d we get here?
Where
are we exactly?”

  “You were here earlier—when I first met you,” he replied.

  “We’re on campus, though it feels
different
,” I replied.

  “Exactly,” he said. “We’re in Styx, a transitory world, a portal between two worlds. Things only appear ordinary, but are far from it.”

  “Styx is on campus?” I asked.

  “Not exactly. Styx exists between two worlds. It’s a realm that exists in any place. You travel to it, like we just did,” Kiran searched for any sign of comprehension on my part.

  I placed my hand in the fountain of cool trickling water. “So I traveled through to another realm while I searched for my scarf?”

  “Yes, and your presence invited me in with you as I passed by, yet you had no clue.” Kiran curiously examined my face, continuing astonished, “It doesn’t work that way for us, unless you’re immortal, and even then, there’s no guarantee.”