She grimaced as she was hit by five angry shouts from her outraged sisters.
“Sorry. Just had to put that out there.”
“Jynxie was such an amazing help to you in the air race. She would be awesome now, too,” suggested Spirit. “Besides, she’s an honorary sister. Her place is here with us.”
Chapter 3 – The Other Mobius
“Why are you so nervous?”
“First date with a guy I hardly know. A ton of guilt thinking about Brad, back home. This outfit makes me look fat. I’ve got a zit on my forehead. I’m a boring person with nothing to say. Oh, and he has the same name as my sister’s arch enemy.”
“Your sisters what?”
Ashley blushed. “Just kidding. I tend to babble when I get rattled.”
“You want me to come along . . . for moral support?” asked Mac.
“Would you? You’re a life saver.”
“NO. Are you nuts? I’m not going with you. How dumb would that be?”
“Then why did you ask?”
“I was mocking you. Didn’t realize I was being that subtle. Sorry.” To emphasize her point, she made a goofy face at her roommate.
“Shut up. You’re not helping.”
“I wasn’t trying to,” teased the other girl.
“Can you see the zit?” and Ashley moved a handful of bangs off of her forehead.
“Now I can.”
“I knew it. What about these jeans?”
“Haute Couture. Very chic.”
“No. Do they make me look fat?”
“Nothing can make you look fat . . . unless you stand next to me.”
“You’re still not helping.”
“Give me another chance.”
“What about me being boring?”
“Tell him my stories . . . but use your name instead of mine.”
“Can I?”
“No.”
“Last chance, roomie . . . what about my guilt over Brad?”
“Ashley, you decided to go to school in Berkeley instead of your state college because it was a couple of thousand miles away from you beau. Face it, subconsciously you want to break up with him. Or, even better, have him break up with you.”
Ashley thought about that for a few seconds. “Is it that obvious?”
“Maybe you gave it away when you said he was a self-absorbed, egotistical jock with the intellect of a sea cucumber whose idea of a good time is to watch every college basketball game. Substitute baseball and football as appropriate.”
“At least he doesn’t watch soccer . . . that’s gotta be the worst sport ever. Borrrring.”
Mac, who was at Berkeley on a soccer scholarship, threw a pillow, a comb and a shoe at her roommate. “This conversation is officially over. Go. Leave. Save your razor-sharp wit for your date.”
“Just promise you’ll leave your cell phone on, okay?”
“I promise. Just don’t call me . . . or text.”
*****
At least she was fashionably late. As she approached the beautiful three hundred foot tall bell and clock tower, her heart was pounding and she could feel her face flush. If she started to sweat, she was done for. How gross would that be . . . meet the guy with pit stains on her blouse. Then she saw him and her first impulse was to flee. In fact, if she hadn’t grabbed hold of a park bench and hung on for dear life, her legs would have done just that . . . all on their own.
“Hi,” he called and waved.
Too late to take evasive action. Arm the photon torpedoes, Scotty, we’re going in. Why her mind thought of that silly Star Trek line was beyond knowing . . . unless it was a sign of her impending nervous breakdown.
“Hi,” she called back.
He strolled up and her heart skipped a beat. If he was good looking in a Fed Ex uniform, he was downright delectable in blue jeans and an old tweed jacket. Very collegiate. Walking up to her, he put his arms on hers and pulled her close. Her eyes flew open . . . but all he did was give her a friendly kiss (more of a peck) on her cheek. Releasing her, he took a half a step backwards (and out of her ‘personal’ space) and said, “You look great.”
“Liar,” she teased. He laughed good naturedly, and all of Ashley’s fears and trepidations evaporated. She exhaled, smiled then relaxed. Mobius or no Mobius, she was attracted to this guy. “But thank you,” she added. “You look so Ivy League. I like it.”
“I was going to wear my Fed Ex duds . . . I know how you ladies are attracted to men in uniform”.
“Personally, I prefer UPS . . . there’s something about the color brown that I find irresistible.” He grinned and that was the wrong thing to do. His face became so handsome that it took a monumental effort not to grab him and return his kiss . . . but on his lips. She felt herself flush and was glad it was too dark for it to show.
“So, did you want to go to the top?” and he pointed at the Campanile.
“Is that where you take all your dates?”
“Only the beautiful ones.” He said it with no trace of boasting or sarcasm, just pure sincerity.
She had to respond to the compliment but was afraid she would say something stupid like, “Other than Lord Z’kkk, you are the most handsome man in the galaxy.”
“What?”
Ashley’s eye flew wide again . . . she thought she had said that in her head. But apparently, she actually spoke it out loud. Good grief. Her mind raced through possible explanations that wouldn’t make her sound like a lunatic. After a few awkward seconds, she managed, “Sorry, it’s from a . . . a fantasy story that I’m writing. Well, about to write. Just putting my thoughts down on paper. It was a silly thing to say. Sorry.”
“Speaking of galaxies, can I let you in on a little secret?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “If I could, I would have majored in astronomy. I’m so totally fascinated with what’s up there,” and he pointed at the night sky. “I could be really passionate . . . correction, I am really passionate about the mysteries of the universe.”
He had to stop saying just the right things. A few more revelations like this and . . .” She forced herself to stop that train of thought since she was beginning to blush, flush and sweat. “So why don’t you study it?”
“No money to be made. Being passionate about the stars won’t bring home the bacon, so to speak. On the other hand, if I could, I would love to write about it. But, you know, make it a flight of fantasy as opposed to textbook type stuff. Good versus evil, a beautiful princess and her faithful dragon, alien cities and exotic technology . . . that kind of thing.”
“Have you ever written anything?”
“A few pages . . . but apparently I don’t have a great imagination.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Why?”
Ashley laughed. “Anyone who could see the potential of picking up girls while working at a Fed Ex store has to have an incredible imagination.”
Aaron laughed. “I like your sense of humor.”
“I like your . . .” Drat. She was going to say face, personality and everything else about you. But that was probably a little forward of her. “. . . passion.”
“For all things intergalactic?”
“That too.” She lost the battle between her mind and her emotions. She grabbed him and kissed him on the lips . . . but only briefly. She was still a lady, after all.
“Well. Wow. Um . . .”
“And you’re articulate. Very appealing.”
“Girlfriend (just an expression but it gave her goose bumps), I think you are out of my league.”
“Probably. But, you have a few hours to try and catch up.”
“I take it you have a plan for the evening?”
“Up the Campanile, ooh and aah over the romantic sights then we find a coffee house and talk about space . . . the final frontier (“Good grief, another Star Trek reference. What a geek” she thought. Hopefully to herself.).
*****
It was called the Free Speech Movement Café. The name was great
, the coffee good, but the ambiance lacked any charm. Still, it was perfect.
“I assume you know all about Mario Savio.”
“Of course. He was the guy that started the free speech movement. “Umm . . . ‘you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop,” she quoted.
“Why am I not surprised that you knew that?”
“It’s kind of sad. Back in the 60’s, this place was the center of social change in this country. Hippies and free speech. Now, it’s a lot more . . . normal I guess you say. No more long haired protestors, no sit-ins, just your average college kids.”
“Yes and no. The social protests are a shadow of their former selves. But the University is now world class. Some surveys have it ranked higher than Harvard and Stanford. I take it as an honor to be here.”
“Again . . . very passionate.”
“Is that good or bad.”
“As long as it’s about the same things that I’m passionate about, it’s wonderful.”
He smiled wryly. “You’re not implying that if we disagree on a subject, my point of view would be wrong because you don’t share it?”
“You inferred incorrectly.” Then she teasingly added, “Well, mostly.”
They both paused to sip their coffees. They had already discussed a number of topics – from the view on top of the Campanile, to the upcoming school year and the courses they were taking, home life and parents (he had no siblings), and now Berkeley’s infamous past.
A conversation about things like free speech and social issues was something that Ashley could never have with Brad. Even talking about her classes would have bored him silly.
“I like your bling,” and he pointed to the duplicate of Egg’s translation necklace around Ashley’s neck.
The girl fingered it as she had done a billion times before. “Thank you. It was a gift?”
“From a boyfriend?”
“No.”
“A relative then?”
Ashley smiled. “Yes, a relative. A very distant relative.”
“So tell me about the story you’re going to write.”
“The story?” she had already forgotten what she had told him.
“Yeah. About a galaxy far, far away (now he was quoting from Star Wars. What a nerd.).
“Oh, yeah. Well . . .” then she stopped. Instead of telling him about Aerianna, her sister and all the rest, she decided to test his imagination . . . or lack thereof. This could be fun. “Um . . . no.” She smiled mysteriously.
“No? Why not. Think I might steal your idea and write it myself?” His eyes were twinkling.
“I have a better idea. I’m going to give you some information . . . some of the plot. But I want you to figure out where the story goes. See if your imagination matches mine.”
“Yikes. I’m being tested. And it’s only our first date. Do you grade on a curve?”
“No curve. Pass or fail. And, what makes you think there will be more than one date?” She tried to look indignant but failed miserably.
“I accept the pass/fail grading. As to future dates, . . . some things are meant to be. Who are we to stand in the way of fate?”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, that was lame.”
“What?” he protested in mock indignation.
“Lame and you know it. Try again . . . but be more imaginative.”
“Alright. How about . . . I’ve never felt more comfortable and compatible with anyone than I do you.” He paused then added, “And on a more shallow note, I find your looks to be . . .,” he smiled from ear to ear, “. . . acceptable.”
“Acceptable. Wow and Oh my gosh. You’re sweeping me off my feet,” and she started to laugh. Aaron joined in and neither could stop until the other patrons gave them a few ‘shushes’.
They dried their eyes then looked at each other. Aaron reached across the table and took Ashley’s hand. “I will ask you out again. And, if you say no, you will break my heart and send me into a deep depression. I don’t think you could live with that guilt weighing on your soul.”
“Much better. See . . . you do have an imagination.”
“Then you’ll go out with me again?”
“Since this date isn’t over yet, you’re still on probation. However, you’ll be pleased to know that your performance so far has been . . . acceptable. Keep up the good work and perhaps you’ll be rewarded with a ‘yes’ when you ask me out again.”
“Fair enough. So, tell me some of the plot to your story and I’ll see if I can figure out the rest.”
“Okay. So there’s a girl who’s very close to her grandmother. One day the older woman takes her up to the attic in her turn-of-the century farmhouse. Inside a musty old chest is a flying suit and three pieces of jewelry with powers that no one’s been able to figure out. Anyway . . .” and Ashley went on to tell him the story of Flying Girl. Well, the first part of the story. She left out key elements to see if Aaron could figure it out.
He wasn’t as quick as Ashley had been. But, he did eventually ask the right questions and came to the correct conclusions.
“Very, very good. I’m impressed.”
“Not as dumb as I look, am I?”
“I wouldn’t go quite that far. Let’s just say that for a man you show remarkable intuition and imagination.”
“So I passed?”
“With flying colors. Do you think it would make a good story? And don’t you dare say yes just to flatter me.”
“Fair enough. I . . . um . . . like most of it. The part that doesn’t feel right is that the heroine is nine years old. That sounds more implausible than the flying suit or jewelry.”
“You never met my sister.”
Aaron scrunched his face. ”What does that have to do with anything?”
“If you knew her when she was nine, you would have said something like ‘She’d make a perfect Flying Girl.’”
“I thought sisters were notorious for not getting along. Sounds like you and . . . um, Flying Girl . . . are close.”
“We are. But please, don’t call her Flying Girl. Her name is Egg.”
“No way. Your parents named their kid Egg? Sorry, that’s just weird.”
“Those are her initials, dummy.”
“I knew that.”
“Liar. Anyway, it’s late. Would you walk me back to the dorm?”
A few minutes later, they were at the gate to the dorm complex. Both were a little nervous since this would be the time for a goodnight kiss.
“Well, I had a great time, Aaron.”
“Can I call you again?”
“You’d better.”
They stared at each other . . . but nothing happened.
*****
Ashley got back to her room, opened the door, stepped inside then slammed it shut.
Mac, who was watching YouTube or some other viral video, yelped at the noise. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Am I okay? Am I okay? No. I’m not okay. I’m . . . I’m . . . I’m in love.”
Her roomie smiled knowingly. “Must have been some goodnight kiss.”
“Oh my gosh . . . yes. Yes, it was.”
Chapter 4 –GO
The Mountains above Fair’Giggle
Serenity didn’t want the Shamie. . something she had no control over . . . to be part of the contest. And though it was only temporary, she could manipulate the hologram to some extent. So using reverse psychology, which she was sure would work on that simple-minded Egg, she had Spirit’s avatar suggest Jynx.
But it didn’t work and Egg said. “She’ll be great.”
Up on the ship, Serenity cursed under her breath. She hurriedly typed some more commands into the control pad and sent them on their way.
“Bad idea,” hissed Soo. “No offense, Spirit.”
“None taken.”
“Why is that a bad idea?”
Before the serpent could respond, Sylvia interceded. “She’s rig
ht, Egg. We should have Tee’ka not Jynx.”
“Again, why?”
Serenity didn’t have time to formulate an excuse. All she could do was hope that Egg would listen to her Feminion. “I just think Tee’ka will be more helpful than a shape-shifting pet. Trust me on this.”
Spirit joined in with, “You’re right, Sylvia. I was just being selfish in wanting Jynxie by my side. Sorry Egg.”
“Butterfly and Burpie . . . do you agree with them?”
“Yes” and “Yup.”
Egg went quiet as she studied the faces of the other girls. Deep in her mind, some strange things that had happened were begging for her attention. The way the six had talked without using contractions. Weird suggestions by Syl about coffee. Soo trying to rhyme instead of using words that began with the same letter. Even Sera’Fina . . . she had referred to BreeZee as a butterfly. But when Egg asked, she said she had never heard of the insect. Tee’ka’s wand was always turning red. And now they all were trying to get her not to take Jynx. Curiouser and Curiouser.
What would Ashley do? She decided to try something that she thought would meet with her sister’s approval. “Sorry, guys, I’m going to overrule you on this one. Spirit was right the first time; Jynxie saved us in the air race. She deserves to be here . . . honorary sister and all that.”
If they agreed, then it was just her imagination.
But they didn’t.
All five started to protest . . . and way too loudly. Spirit finally quieted them down and said, “Sorry Egg. I know it’s your right as our leader. But Jynx is my pet. I must insist she not be put in harm’s way. You understand, don’t you?”
Not only did they not go along with Egg; Spirit had just called Jynx her pet. She had never done that before. She always referred to the Shamie as her companion. And, come to think of it, Sylvia also said pet . . . she would never be that inconsiderate.
Egg needed time to consider the implications. But, in the meantime, all she could do was say, “Sure. I understand. ”She turned to Mysteria and said “I’ll take Tee’ka.”
“Whatever.” The masked girl pressed the device in her hand and the hologram came swirling out looking very confused.
Box Set #3: The Serenity Deception: [The 4 book 3rd Adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood] Page 34