Harmony

by Sonya Bria

  “Perfect, just what I need this morning, another episode in battle of the wits,” I said, steeling myself for the confrontation. Too late, Bethany spotted us.

  “S-o-ph-i-a,” Bethany said as she headed over. “Nice outfit. How long did it take you to come up with that?” Her lackeys laughed.

  I rolled my eyes. “B-e-th-a-ny,” I said sarcastically. Two could play at this game. “Is that all you’ve got? Didn’t you see The Kardashians yesterday? This is all the rage. I’m really surprised,” I said, using my best shocked voice. “I would have thought you’d be wearing this already.” Emily and I walked away, suppressing our laughter.

  “You are so wicked, Sophie.” Emily swung an arm around my shoulders. “But she deserved it.”

  I thought Bethany was one of your friends? Ian interjected.

  I rolled my eyes for about the twentieth time this morning. Are you still here? I thought back. Catch up, will you? We’ve been mortal enemies since the sixth grade. Geez, for my subconscious, you are not with it today.

  Apparently, Ian said.

  I said goodbye to Emily and told her I would see her at lunch. The bell rang just as I slid into my desk.

  “Ms. Flynn, so nice of you to join us today.” Busted by Mr. Harris again. How I hated Calculus.

  Calculus is easy.

  “Stop it,” I hissed under my breath. “I don’t need this today.”

  I can help, you know.

  Really? As if I didn’t have enough problems already. Seriously Ian… I pleaded. If you want to help, go away. I couldn’t stress it enough. Trying to hold a conversation within my mind and listen to Mr. Harris drone on about equations was giving me a headache. I winced. If you are going to hang around all day, be quiet, okay? I can’t concentrate, I thought.

  What’s wrong?

  I could tell he was concerned with my tone of voice. I relented, I’m curious…why’d you pick today to show up? There was no response. Good, quiet at last.

  The rest of the morning passed with little drama. Thankfully, no episodes as I was referring to them now. I caught up with Max and Em at their lockers. “Hey guys,” I said, leaning on the locker next to Max.

  “Hey,” they said in unison.

  “How was the English test?” I asked Max.

  “Killer, I should have studied with you guys,” Max said as we all walked into the cafeteria.

  “Today’s menu leaves little to be desired,” I said, peering at the containers behind the glass. “We should have gone off campus today!” I grabbed an apple, water, and a bag of chips.

  Is that all you’re eating?

  I sighed. I knew it was too good to be true.

  “What’s the matter?” Em asked.

  “Oh, nothing, just talking to myself again,” I replied.

  “You’re doing that a lot today, what’s up?” Emily quizzed me.

  “Just tired, that’s all.”

  We sat at our usual table in the back where we liked to watch the masses consume their lunches. Senior status afforded us the best tables and views. It was so typical, I thought. There was the cheerleader’s table, the footballers, the drama club, and so on.

  It’s a little much, Ian said, viewing the pictures in my thoughts again.

  I’ll just be glad when it’s over, I thought back.

  Teenage angst leaves little to desire.

  I smiled. It was pointless to keep trying not to hold a conversation with him. I’d forgotten what it was like to have Ian lurking around. I missed him.

  THE PAST - GUARDIANS

  The Knights of the Red Branch gathered in council. Conall sat at the head of the table, methodically drumming his fingers on the arms of his chair. His warrior’s body ached from one too many battles; battles fought on behalf of the King of Ulster, Connacher.

  The secret chambers of the Red Branch were forever dank and musty. Countless knights had sworn their allegiance to the Ulsters in this room. It was becoming harder for Conall to keep the past, present, and future separate. The mantel of history was staggering. Even as a young knight, Conall knew his purpose in the gods’ supposed plan. His destiny too had been foreseen. The loyalties and ties were weakening amongst his brothers. Rifts had been appearing for centuries. Conall had no doubt that what had been foreseen through prophecy and his own visions would divide the House of Ulster.

  Although he already knew the outcome, Conall slowly raised his aged hand to silence the other knights. He cleared his throat, “Brothers, I see that we are at a crossroads. Long have we been guided by the Druids in righteousness. Yet, I fear that Cathbad’s latest prophecy holds dire consequences for us all.” The knights were restless; this was not unexpected. “What say ye, Nemed?” Conall redirected his speech.

  “You are closest to our king.” Nemed rose. “He prepares now to secure the infant in seclusion.” The knights gasped loudly, banging their fists upon the table. Chairs scraped against the stone floor, and pandemonium ensued as knights clamored to be heard.

  “Nay!” the knight Ferghus said in disbelief. “The Druids have never led us astray.”

  “I am with Ferghus!” the knight Daman spoke.

  Nemed countered with his palms flat upon the table. “Your loyalties should be to the king!”

  Heated arguments arose amongst various knights, and chaos was soon to follow. “Silence!” Conall shouted. “We solve nothing this way. We have heard the arguments, now we vote.” Conall continued, “Who says ye yay? Who will uphold his vows to the Red Branch?”

  Conall searched their faces. A hushed silence fell upon the room. It was as he had expected. He could count on Ferghus, Daman, Conn, and Rian. The others wavered in their commitment. His gaze finally rested upon Nemed. His demeanor was resolute.

  “I am loyal to our King. I serve Connacher,” Nemed said.

  “It is as I feared,” Conall stated. He did not expect a reply. The silence was suffocating. Conall was resigned to his own destiny now. “So be it. The fate of the child is set. Death according to the prophecy of Cathbad.”

  Nemed slowly rose and bowed in deference to Conall’s position as their leader. “I take my leave, brother. I cannot justify a child’s death.”

  Momentarily caught in the events of the future, Conall shook his head silently. The burden of his calling weighed heavily upon his soul. The divide must happen. “From this day forth, Nemed, and all who follow, will be banished from this council and stripped of your guardianship,” Conall sadly replied. “May the gods be merciful.”

  “To you also, my brother.” Nemed and two other knights most loyal to the King left without further ado.

  The rest of Conall’s vision unfolded like the game the gods played. The players were all in place. He’d played his part. Nemed warned the king of the Red Branch’s decision. As foreseen, Connacher was furious. The infant, Deirdre, was spirited away from her parents. She would be raised in seclusion under the care of one of the king’s maidens until Connacher could wed her. Conall bowed his head. A pity that Connacher’s good intentions would be devoured by his future greed, jealousies, and ambitions. If only he could see Cathbad’s true intentions with his prophecy. He shuddered; the mystical power Conall wielded took its toll on his frail human frame. All gifts bestowed from the gods required a price. Darkness would ensue. Deirdre’s death was her price in the whimsical nature of the gods. Another would come, that much Conall could see. For now, she was hidden in time.

  Conall smiled and said, “All in good time. All in good time.”

  TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE (SIGHT)

  My life moved forward or as forward as it could in high school. I felt restless, itching to get out and discover something beyond the confines of Jefferson, Oregon. Jefferson High, Jefferson‘s Café, Jefferson Laundry …everything in this town had a Jefferson attached to it! I felt trapped in a box. The only thing keeping me in place was the sudden reappearance of Ian. I was perplexed. What did this all mean? Why now? Something had changed, but I couldn’t place my finger on it, yet.

&
nbsp; After his initial contact, Ian backed off considerably. It was weird. I knew he was there; I could feel his presence lurking in my mind. Okay, lurking sounded creepy. Ian was tentative, like he was waiting for me to initiate something.

  I rolled my shoulders and stretched out on my bed. I would have time tonight at work to ponder some more. Working in a library had its advantages—I could study to my heart’s delight or voraciously read like I preferred. My mom and Grams always said knowledge was power, and I knew I could find my answers in books. I knew someone else had to have experienced what I was going through with Ian. I was sure of it. I quickly got ready for my shift and grabbed a cookie on my way out. My stomach growled; hopefully, Grams would remember dinner tonight.

  The library was only four blocks away, and as I walked, I pondered the crazy state of my life. The dreams were back again. Not so scary this time around; they held certain sadness about them. What was it about this version of the dream that bothered me? There was just something beyond my reach. I knew that until I found the answers I was seeking, I couldn’t relax and concentrate on my studies.

  “Hey, Mrs. Hewitt,” I said, as I approached the circulation desk and hung up my jacket. “All quiet this afternoon?” I could hope.

  “Hello dear. Yes, just a few studying,” Mrs. Hewitt replied, handing me a list. “I have a few things when you get a moment. Reshelving, new cards, that sort of thing.”

  “No problem.” I smiled. “You have a good night, and say hello to Mr. Hewitt for me.” As I looked over my list of duties, I tapped my pen in a rhythmic sort of way on the desk. A pattern emerged, but what was it? Yes, of course. A song. The one my mom and Ian sang. I mused, humming right along. Why, though? I had the most vivid, life-like dreams of anyone I knew. Ian was also so life-like in my head. This was really starting to freak me out. How could I have such a clear picture in my head of someone I’d never met? He had eyes I couldn’t quite place, and that accent! I have never even been to Ireland! My brain said “imaginary friend, sub consciousness,” but my heart told me differently. I tapped louder, mesmerized by my thoughts. It was all spinning loudly in my mind.

  “Shhh,” came from the guy sitting at the table across from me.

  I buried my head in my book. “This is crazy,” I murmured. “Just what I need, another episode.” An idea suddenly popped into my head. I wonder…let’s see what we can find. I quickly opened the library inventory in a browser window and typed in meaning of dreams. Nothing. Okay, what about the meaning of people in dreams? Nothing. Then I typed in “conversations in dreams.” I scrolled down the possible matches found in stock. I quickly wrote down the card-catalog number and headed to a nearby shelf.

  Understanding Dream Telepathy. I found the book under the section, “Cosmic Reading Selections.” I chuckled to myself, nice one Mrs. H. On the first page it said, “…Sight telepathy in dreams is often the most associated form of telepathy, but also the rarest.”

  “Great, another statistic,” I mumbled. I scanned a few more pages until something caught my eye. “Sight telepathy is achieved when one’s mind and soul conform to that of nature around them. It is the most powerful form of communication between two like individuals—a deep lasting bond between souls.” I quickly sat down, my knees weak. Wow. Unbelievable, but maybe I could find my answers in this book. My mind was racing exceedingly fast at the possibility.

  I slowly made my way back to the circulation desk despite the rapid pace of my beating heart. It was almost a relief to know that this connection with Ian was potentially something real. It blew my mind. Could Ian be real? Maybe I wasn’t really going crazy! Talk about self-affirmation. I decided to check the book out and study it later. I really needed to focus on my science homework. .

  I situated myself in a more comfortable position and began to read from my science textbook, “During the 1800’s, many advancements were made in medicine. Many of our currently held hypotheses surrounding…”

  Sophie, I need to speak with you. He had such horrible timing.

  Not now, Ian, I thought a bit overwhelmed. I’ve got to study. Later.

  It can’t wait. I need you to listen.

  “What do you want?” I said out loud, earning yet another glare from the guy sitting at the table across from me.

  Sophie this can’t wait; we are running out of time. Focus on my voice.

  “Oh, not again,” I groaned, then thought, you heard what I read, didn’t you? Is that what’s so urgent? I quietly repeated my mantra, “I’m not crazy, I’m not crazy…” It wasn’t working.

  Enough!

  Wow, since when did my subconscious get an attitude? I quipped back defensively.

  Since you won’t listen and take this seriously! Ian fumed.

  I could actually see him pacing and running his hands through his hair in frustration. Whoa, how’d I do that? I thought. Okay, if I give in, admit you are real, and do this little exercise with you, will you then leave me alone?

  Ian gave in. Yes, it seems like I don’t have a choice, but I’m hoping you’ll understand.

  Fine. Just hurry up. I have science to study.

  Close your eyes, he began. Close your eyes, Sophie. I can see they’re not closed.

  Wait a minute, you can see me too? I was really confused now.

  Yes, it’s hard to explain, but I’m trying to help you understand. Clearly he was frustrated with me. He sat down in a chair. No, a worn, leather chair. Mahogany. My favorite…Good. You are seeing me. Now focus your body. Relax, Soph. Center your mind and thoughts on my voice. Ian began to sing.

  Oh, that’s the song from my dreams. What is it? I sincerely asked. I desperately wanted to know.

  It’s one of our connections; what binds us together from long ago.

  Where is it from? I know I’ve heard my mother sing it too.

  As have I. It’s been passed down from one Celtic generation to another.

  I shifted in my chair and pretended to read from my book. Wait, you knew my mother? Are we related? I asked confused. Maybe that was why Ian seemed so familiar; secretly, I hoped not.

  No, but our families do have a connection that has brought me to you.

  “I don’t understand…” I said whispered out loud. I was so immersed in our conversation that I scarcely realized that we were face to face!

  See how easy it is when you let your guard down and focus? Ian smiled.

  His smile. I wanted to reach out and touch him. It came flooding back—the past visits and conversations, jokes, and shared secrets from my youth. It was so overwhelming that I didn’t realize tears were streaming down my face. I looked up and the guy across from me was staring. “What? It’s a sad book,” I said defensively. It didn’t matter really. I was remembering Ian. Not the subconscious Ian that I rationalized, but the real Ian. I still had a nagging thought that it was too good to be true. Or was it? Was it really such a stretch to believe that two individuals could connect one with another on a different level? What did that stupid book say? “…on an astral plane, one with nature.”

  You look perplexed, Ian ventured.

  “A bit confused,” I said.

  But not surprised?

  Not really. And that was the strange part. It’s all starting to make sense to me; albeit fuzzy sense, but kind of cool in a weird sort of way.

  Good, because we need to meet in person, Ian began, I was thinking that…

  “Wait a minute!” I said, and everyone in the library stared at me. My cheeks burned and I slumped in my chair. I returned my focus back to my book and thought, Meet? I’m not sure I’m ready for that. Let me wrap my brain around this whole idea that you really are a person and not my sick subconscious playing a mean joke!”

  Sophie, trust me. Have I ever let you down?

  “No,” was all I could say. Looking at his perfectly gentle face and deep eyes that spoke volumes to my soul, I knew it would be okay. It was true, subconscious Ian was always readily available. Was it such a stretch that Ian, the individual, wo
uld be any different? I was the one who had put him on a shelf, left him there to gather dust all these years. He must have felt such a betrayal on my part. I was a bit ashamed.

  Don’t worry about it. I left just as much as you left me too, Ian interjected.

  Are you reading my thoughts? I asked in alarm.

  You’ve always let me before.

  Well…that was when I was young. Don’t do it anymore. It’s kind of creepy.

  Fine. No more thoughts for now. Ian tensed.

  Thank you, Ian. Wait a minute, if you can read my thoughts, can I read yours too? I asked.

  Ian sighed. Soph, nothing has ever been kept from you. You’ve seen it all before. It was if he was waiting for me to reject him. His eyes clouded over. I was just about to test my newfound telepathic skills when he said, Please, let us meet first.

  That was cryptic; we’d have to broach that subject when we met. When we met? Now who was crazy? Squashing my lingering reluctance, I enthusiastically embraced once again this new discovery. Nothing seemed important anymore. It was like a mission that I needed to see through and finish. I didn’t think I could be satisfied with the rest of my life until I had all the answers. I didn’t see Ian perfectly, but my heart told me I could trust him. That was enough for me. Ian relaxed, probably sensing the new direction of my thoughts. So, I said ,when do we meet?

  CONFESSIONS

  There wasn’t much entertainment on a Friday night in Jefferson. We had a small, run-down theater that showed second-rate movies, the kind of theater that your feet stuck to the floor from decades of grime. We also had a couple of diners along Main Street that served as various after school and game night hangouts. Most of the time, we’d pile into cars and drive the short distance to Salem. Salem was a Mecca compared to Jefferson.

  On such a Friday night, I found myself tagging along with Max and Emily. It was really my cover for meeting Ian, and if I was completely honest with myself, a safety net in case I might have gone off the deep end. Exactly where we’d meet, I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t even sure I was sane or if Ian existed. However, this much I did know: If Ian could really see me; he’d know where to find me. That was the only thing I didn’t doubt.