Maxim couldn’t help but laugh at his sister’s poor imitation of the way some of the girls spoke.
All right—two weeks darn it, and not one more day.
He gave her a thank you smile, but Nexa didn’t miss the fact he still appeared to be troubled.
Now what’s wrong?
It’s about tonight. Something happened to me. Maxim sat back down and glanced up at the canopy of twinkling stars.
Go ahead, I’m listening.
Back at the dance, when I ran out of the gymnasium chasing after Oddily, I could tell I was too far away to save her from the oncoming motorcycle. I don’t understand. Something inside me snapped and all of a sudden everything blurred and I was knocking her out of the way. Sis, I can’t remember how I got to her in time.
Try to reflect on what you think happened, Maxim? This is important.
I’m not sure, but I think I experienced a time slip.
The same as father did with us?
Yes, remember how he would tease us by flaunting chocolate in front of us and instantly, the same candy bars were in our hands?
Yes, we had fun. He made time speed up so fast we didn’t catch him in the act of giving us the treat. Oh my—do you think that’s what happened to you?
Maxim nodded.
And yet, father’s not here.
You’re right. Maxim frowned at the mention of their father.
Then this means…
It means I did it, he finished her thought.
Nexa blissfully sighed, finally!
What do you mean? Maxim was caught off guard by his sister’s sublime reaction and became suspicious. You’ve been holding out on me, haven’t you?
She smiled and nodded.
And? Maxim waited for her to explain herself.
I’ve been dabbling with time for awhile now, and the occurrences are a staggering experience.
Are you talking about time slips? He was stunned and yet intrigued.
Nexa hesitated for a moment before fully opening her mind to him.
Maxim was stunned by what she revealed. You traveled into the past!
She began to grin, relieved that her brother finally knew her secret.
Nexa, why didn’t you tell me?
You have no idea how badly I wanted to, but when the same changes weren’t happening to you, I didn’t want your fear to try and stop me.
You’re right, I would have. Maxim still reeled from her confession. Now what?
I’m clueless, Max. I guess we’ll be a support system for each other while we finish turning into someone like father.
You and I are to become ‘Time Travelers’!
That’s my understanding, especially after what happened to you tonight. Truthfully, I thought for sure I was going to be the only one to follow in father’s footsteps, but now I’m so relieved we’re in this together. I have so much I want to share with you.
I’d rather you didn’t right now. Maxim’s mood became dark and ominous as he continued to gaze at the night sky. He didn’t want his sister to know how frightened he was of becoming something different from whom he was now. He reflected on the moment when his father had departed five years prior, and how unnerving it was to witness him disappear before his eyes.
You’re thinking of father.
No…yes, I’ll admit it!
You’re still angry with him.
Five years have gone by, Nexa. He said he would return soon.
For him, I’m sure five years is a short while, Maxim.
Quit defending him! Aren’t you bothered by the fact that we were just kids when he left, and now we’re young adults? He should be here to help us through this transformation. I can’t believe we followed every one of the paranoid rules he laid out for us after his departure.
Up until now, we did. Nexa stretched her arms over her head. But tonight’s been an education, don’t you think?
If you consider being cooped up in a gymnasium full of raging hormonal teenagers and picking up on their slang chatter educational, then yes, I suppose so.
So what are you going to do about Oddily now that you’re turning into a traveler of the universe?
Maxim raked his hand through his hair, which was his habit when bothered by something. I don’t know. Oddily has given me new meaning to my life. A purpose I haven’t had before. She’s become the first thing I think of when I get up in the morning and the last thought I have before I fall asleep at night. I desire to be with her—body, mind and soul.
You’re such a hopeless romantic. Nexa yawned. Do you think you’re falling in love with her?
Maxim mused over the question. I’m not sure what love is. That reminds me, we should check on her.
You go ahead—I’m going home. I think this is the longest both of us have been away from the property at the same time, and that’s not smart.
After walking his sister to her car and checking on Oddily, Maxim grabbed an extra blanket from the closet and flopped down on the couch to ponder the gamut of emotions raging through him until sleep gave him a reprieve from his mind.
CHAPTER 25
Oddily screamed and shot bolt-upright in her bed, panting, sweating, and clutching the blanket about her for protection. Her eyes flew open into the darkness of the unfamiliar bedroom. She saw shapes and shadows of the furnishings from the gray light coming through the window.
She let go of her breath in one long rush, knowing she had awakened from a series of nightmares reminding her of the horror she experienced at the dance. She climbed out of bed half expecting Kip to grab her, but nothing happened.
Hastily, she went to the bathroom to relieve herself then came back, burying herself under the bed covers. The sheer warmth about her was comforting, but her dress stuck to her where she had been sweating and she wiggled uncomfortably. She was still exhausted, as if she had relived the dance, and became afraid of returning to sleep in case the nightmare came back. Maybe she would stay awake until the morning. Yes, fresh night air was what she needed, so she left the warmth and security of the bed and tip-toed into the living room.
Maxim! She was stunned to find him stretched out on the couch with a blanket tucked up around his neck. He slept so soundly she didn’t have the heart or courage to wake him, so she slipped out the front door quiet as a church mouse.
* * * * * *
At the sound of footsteps outside the bungalow door, Maxim sat up and pulled the blanket from his body. A strong moonlight brightened everything in the room to black and silver. He got to his feet, listening. The doorknob turned and abruptly all of his blood was alive, singing caution through his veins. The door cracked open, and a pale figure, barefoot, stood on the threshold.
Oddily,” he said, hoarsely. For an instant, his body remained tense while it took his muscles a moment to react to the message of his mind. Then he relaxed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “You scared the shit out of me, creeping in like that.”
She remained silent while closing the door behind her.
In the moonlight, Maxim noticed her shivering and took a step forward. “You’re cold,” he moved to take her into his arms, but hesitated when she flinched.
“What is it?” he ignored her response and grabbed her, cradling her against him. He tried to give comfort to her trembling softness by stroking her back and hair. On his bare chest, he felt the wetness and cold of her cheek.
“Oddily,” he spoke with worry, hugging her even closer. “Are you going to be all right?”
“I don’t know,” her delicate arms closed around him, clutching him as if he might disappear. He held her steady, cradling her while she began to weep.
“You’re not alone in this,” he whispered. He rocked her gently, laying his cheek against the top of her head. “I’m here to help you get through this.”
Her small fist curled, and she struck him against his side, “Liar!”
Oddily’s response bewildered him. He bent his head, nuzzling her ear. “Please believe me.”
She d
idn’t answer. She simply held onto him with her face hidden in his chest while trembling with every smothering breath she took.
Finally, Maxim took his own deep, shuttering breath and confessed, “I care for you, Oddily. I mean—I truly care what happens to you.”
She burrowed against him. “I wish I could believe you.”
“I know. Come on. Let’s get you back to bed.” Maxim kept an eye on her while she entered the bedroom and slipped under the covers.
“Will you stay with me for awhile—until I go back to sleep?”
Maxim sat down on the edge of the bed. “I‘ll be right here when you wake up.”
* * * * * *
Oddily woke with a start. The dance! Her mind reeled once more with terror, but there was no dance. In fact, she wasn’t even lying on the floor of the custodian’s office.
The sight of the unfamiliar room helped her to regain a point of reference. How could she forget with Maxim stretched out on the bed next to her? He slept soundly, and her young heart leaped in her chest at the sight of him. He stayed with her as he said he would.
Oddily remained quiet and stared at him sleeping for awhile, studying every inch of his handsome face to burn it into her memory. She wasn’t fooling herself. She knew that being with this exquisite guy was fleeting, no matter what he had indicated in the wee hours of the night. The pain of the eventual loss was heart wrenching, and she had to avert her eyes—to turn away from the sadness threatening to overwhelm her.
Concentrate on something else, she ordered her runaway mind and with that said, glanced around at the fresh and airy bedroom. The ceiling was low with two small windows draped with soft fabric, and the walls were painted white with clay tile flooring.
The furnishings had a different and yet complementary effect on the room. Every piece of the old-fashioned furniture had been so well kept the overall effect was delightful. Oddily acknowledged her surroundings to be a safe and comfortable place. Unfortunately, the pleasant room became overshadowed by the haunting memories of the dance as her mind drifted back to the night before. Once again, she scolded her thoughts while heading for the bathroom. She went directly over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face.
“You may not think another hurtful thought for the rest of your life,” she scolded the image in the mirror. Then she glanced at her torn, grass stained dress and remembered her close encounter with the motorcycle. All she could do was moan when the whole incident came flooding back to her.
“Good morning!”
She heard Maxim’s magical voice from beyond the bathroom door, and her large green eyes widened. “Are you awake?”
“Yes, I suppose I am,” there was a muffled expression of amusement. “Are you hungry?”
Oddily opened the door and nodded. She wanted to say something, but the most idiotic things came to mind, and they were nothing she dared to say out loud. Will you marry me or, can I have a kiss? Or how about, I think I’m falling in love you!
“Oddily?” His voice broke her trance like state while she blinked at him several times.
“Where did your mind drift off to just then?” Oddily’s inner world still plagued his curiosity.
“I…I can’t—I’m starved!” she rubbed her belly and scooted past him.
Maxim allowed her to dodge his question.
CHAPTER 26
Maxim slipped Oddily’s arm into his and led her into the River Lodge dining room. The aroma of eggs and bacon smelled good as they took their seat at a cozy booth.
“Coffee?” The waitress handed them their menus.
“A glass of fresh squeezed orange juice sounds good.”
“That sounds good to me too.” Oddily’s request came from behind her list of options. She sensed a thousand eyes staring at her—talking about her behind her back with the pretense of idle chatter. Stop thinking, she scolded herself. No one here knows what happened last night.
“Now what are you thinking about?” Maxim studied her face as he often did.
“Sometimes I just want to get out of my own skin,” she lowered the menu.
“I’m glad you can’t.” Suddenly—impulsively—crazily, Maxim reached over and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“Oh!” A soft exclamation of surprise escaped her lips while giving him a goofy grin. Oddily could still smell the scent of him when he had leaned towards her, a guy smell she didn’t understand and could only respond to.
Maxim smiled. “Did anyone ever tell you how cute you look when you smile?”
“You just called me cute,” she giggled and shook her head in disbelief. Oddily never thought of herself that way—being someone who used to be an incredibly awkward looking child.
Maxim was intrigued by her reaction. She laughed with childlike abandon as though he had genuinely said something funny. Even when she returned to reading the menu, he continued to stare at her with interest and curiosity. He was hardly able to believe this fragile girl sitting next to him had changed his life so entirely.
After ordering for the two of them, Maxim sat back in his seat while his expressive blue eyes searched hers. “Talk to me.”
Oddily squirmed in her seat. “You truly want to know about me?”
He smiled. “I’ll sit here and listen to you all morning if you like.” And study you, he might have added. He couldn’t tell which would be the greater pleasure.
Oddily was thrilled with a sensation of terrifying sweetness. She found herself longing to share her past with this stranger, so in her soft, sweet voice she started to tell him about the car crash and the disappearance of all the occupants, except for her.
Maxim sipped at his orange juice in silence and listened, watching her with the eyes of his soul. The wonder grew upon him with every passing moment as she continued to share the fact that there were no traces of blood or anything at all to suggest others might be dead or alive. The only thing the police found was Oddily and a small pink teddy bear, swaddled in a blanket in the back seat of the wreckage.
Oddily began to remember many things she had almost forgotten. Little incidences that happened in her childhood and fought the tears that threatened to escape, while keeping the remembrances private.
Maxim listened to her story while he took in the innocent ways and gestures she had, movements as artless and unstudied as they were effective. Her eyes and smile gave such expression to her usual pouting face. Never had he met anyone this timid and her jitters made him wonder why she remained nervous around him. Finally, wanting to put her at ease, he placed his hand over hers. For a moment of surrender, she didn’t move. It wasn’t until the waitress came with their meals that the intimacy shattered. They ate in silence and when Maxim finished, he waited for Oddily to do the same while encouraging her to resume her story…but she declined.
Tell me about you,” she acted all girlish and interested. “I know nothing about you other than you helped me out of a trash bin, then a week later showed up insisting I get a haircut and then be my date for the dance.”
“And here we are,” he added.
Oddily nodded.
“What do you want to know?” Her curiosity put Maxim on guard.
“I’ve been wondering where you live?”
“In a secluded part of town.” His answer was quick and to the point.
“Do you have any other brothers or sisters besides Nexa?”
“No.”
Oddily stammered with the next comment. “You’re good at protecting your privacy.”
“Sorry—I have an unfortunate habit,” he smiled, but it appeared more like a grimace.
Maxim realized he had to say something about himself and decided to share the account of his mother’s death, how she died in childbirth, and the feelings of abandonment he went through when his father left him and his sister five years ago.
Oddily listened as he unfolded to her his hermit like existence without revealing any family secrets. She asked him many questions about his love for tinkering with elect
ronically engineered robots. It showed she was taking it all in and apparently she didn’t consider his hobby as anything out of the ordinary. Hers was the dispassionate interest with which she might have listened to a tale of the land of fairies, or some notable robotic empire long passed away from earth. They lingered at the table while the restaurant filled with people, warning Maxim it was time to hide.
Oddily frowned when Maxim put on his sunglasses again. As far as she could tell, he had some aversion to crowds. For his sake, she wanted to leave; but Maxim ordered another glass of orange juice. When the drink came, he sipped once more, willing to continue their conversation.
Maxim’s brows knitted together in concern when, in some way he couldn’t understand, he had caused Oddily to become uncomfortable. It was a long, awkward moment until they were approached by a familiar face, and he welcomed the intervention. It was Kendall, who had been sitting in the shadows of the restaurant where she had spotted the two of them together.
“Kendall!” Oddily spoke when she saw her approach. She couldn’t help staring at the dress she wore. It was sexy and feminine, exposing the silky tanned skin of her shoulders and upper back. When Kendall took a seat near Maxim, the gathered skirt floated about her knees and hinted at gracefully tapered thighs. She had come so silently that Oddily couldn’t repress her surprise and blush.
“Hi guys,” Kendall flipped her ponytail from side to side. She glanced at Oddily’s short hair and shook her head, sighing. “I would never cut off my hair like that—ever.”
“I like her hair,” Maxim stated smoothly while giving Kendall an ominous look.
Kendall lowered her eyelids with a demure flutter of lashes to hide the fact that she was taken aback by his protective stance over Oddily. With a pang of awkwardness, and wanting to appease him she said, “Well yes, of course—on Oddily it looks adorable. I was just talking about me and how I would look.”
Maxim believed she recovered that transgression well and nodded his approval.
Kendall knew if she were honest with herself, she’d admit the haircut enhanced Oddily’s pixyish features in a good way.
“Oddily,” she said with exaggerated politeness. “I’m so sorry about what happened last night.”
Oddily glanced down, touching the edge of her spoon as though she had never seen one before and shrugged. Then, aware of how badly she needed a manicure, she hid her hands under the table.