Convergence
A Remington Carter Novel
Book One
M.E. Coleman
Convergence
Convergence © M.E. Coleman 2017
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, businesses, or locales is coincidental and is not intended by the author.
In the past…
Under the cloud of disapproval from our father our driver closes the door as we’re sent off for our transgression. It’s not the first time our lives have been uprooted nor will it be the last. Our only regret this time is leaving her. Whether she made up her mind which of us she wanted or not the other would always be there for her. If it was my brother I wouldn’t begrudge him his happiness just as he would do for me. Our father says we’re lucky he discovered it and hopefully ‘the girl’, he won’t even say her name, will be too embarrassed to mention it to her father. Even at sixteen we know it will be impossible to forget her. I share a look with my brother as we leave the estate. We’ll get her back. Someday, somehow…
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I want to scream and rage. It’s not going to do me any good I know. My father, I could never call him dad he isn’t that type of parent, would have me sent back to Australia immediately. The best I can hope for now is to be able to finish school in the states. Even though I just turned eighteen it’s mid semester break and my only other option is to return to Brisbane where my mother is with her new husband. As much as I love my mother I don’t want to intrude on her happiness even though she would welcome me with open arms. No, I have to find a way to get her back. The one I’m being sent away from. According to both our fathers’ who found out what was going on, what we were engaging in was unacceptable behavior. Mostly on my part, as the girl’s father put it, I was a deviant taking advantage of his only child. Mine agreed with him and I was being sent back to school four days early. Without a goodbye. I tried to call her, but her number was disconnected. One day I will find her again. They can’t keep us apart forever….
Chapter 1
In the present….
I stood in line with a housing application along with most of the rest of my coed building. A booth had been set up outside the admissions building to help with foot traffic. A malfunctioning fire sprinkler soaked the first two floors of my building requiring extensive rehab and displacing about sixty students. Private homes, apartment buildings, and rentals were all offering unused rooms at a discount for the rest of the semester until the damage could be fixed for anyone that couldn’t be placed in other campus housing. Technically as a sophomore I could live off campus already it had just been more convenient as a community college transfer to stay in the dorms and get to know my way around. As I stand in the warm air of early October I wonder if I’m going to get my application turned in in time to make it to my next class. The grass is still green, yet you can smell the crispness in the air signaling fall. Some of the leaves on the trees have turned colors and begun to fall already.
After another ten minutes of waiting I finally get to the front of the line to turn my papers in. It’s a good thing too, I’m really feeling the need for a bathroom. Maybe should have held off on the third coffee. The woman staffer takes my application, pulls off the tabbed number on the bottom and tells me that the relocations should be settled in the next few hours that the rooms have already been secured the students just needed to be assigned to them and to please check my email for updates. The school has been right on top of handling the situation. The broken pipes had woken everyone up around four this morning and we were already about to be settled. I get on the main sidewalk and put my things into my messenger bag. As I go to move on to my next, and last class of the day I spot Eli walking towards me. He hasn’t seen me yet and after the day I’ve had I would like to keep it that way for now. I huff it in the other direction fast to my class as I think about Eli. Eli, short for Elliot, McAdams he’s the typical “hot” guy on campus. Tall, at least six-foot, honey blond hair with whitish highlights from being out in the sun, bright green eyes, and a body built like a slimmer linebacker. He’s got muscles upon muscles, but not in a bulky way. Those muscles scream sex on a stick. I’ve heard more than a few girls comment on how they’d like to touch that body. He’s a sophomore, like me, and plays some sort of catching position on the football team, running back or something like that, I think. All the girls are of course wild for any popular team player and being exceedingly attractive just makes it worse, I like him, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the drama if it doesn’t work out. I met Eli in my English Lit class that we share. I tripped over a cord on the floor walking in and ran directly into him. I can and have tripped over my own feet before so at least I had a legitimate excuse this time. He caught me, and I felt exactly how warm and hard he was. Everywhere. We stood there staring at each other long enough that the professor came in and had to clear his throat to get our attention. I instantly colored up from my neck to my hairline, but Eli just laughed and swept his arm out in a bow to the open seats. We ended up chatting over the next few classes and he seemed nice. It doesn’t hurt to look at him either. He’s been hinting at a more personal relationship and I’m not sure if I want to give him the friend speech or go for it. As I’m almost to my class I hear a feminine voice yell my name.
“Remi, wait up!”, my best friend since third grade, Alex yells. Alex is the cheerleader of our duo. Alexandra Grant with the dirty blond hair that she’s currently chunked up with various shades of purple. A pretty round face and dark brown eyes with long lashes several shades darker than her hair. She’s short, about five feet three with a generous chest and a backside that puts the B in booty. Yes, I am slightly jealous of said booty. We met when she moved to my hometown in Connecticut. She was the only other girl my age on my block. I shared my hula hoop and we’ve been mostly inseparable since.
“Hey Alex,” I say, “what’s up?” She’s panting slightly as I greet her after she catches up to me. Pretty darn sure Eli knows I’m here now and most likely that I avoided him thanks to the big mouth of my bff.
“I saw you in line for the housing relocation, but you took off before I could get to you. I also saw a certain football player that seemed to be looking for something. Wouldn’t happen to know about that, now would you?” she asks. She knows very well my thoughts on that subject, but she just can’t leave it alone.
I sigh, “I was avoiding him. We’ve gone on a few dates. Mostly group things. The questions are starting to get personal and he’s noticing that I avoid answering.” Alex gives me a look, but changes the subject. She knows all the stuff I’ve had to deal with the last couple of years. She’s been a rock during it all for me. I’m the one that had insisted that she continue with our plans to go to the university as a freshman when I had to take gap year and then my freshman year at a local community college close to home after my dad disappeared right after graduating high school. Otherwise I would have been living with Alex instead of in the dorms. We have plans to move in together next semester when Alex’s lease is up and her roommate graduates. Alex’s place is a condo right on campus. One of several that her grandparents own and rent out to college students at the university. I had Alex give up my room when I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to the university for a couple years. Now that her roommate was moving out I’d be able to move in as soon as the semester was over.
“I know Remi, but maybe it’s time to
let some of that other stuff go you know?” She looks at me with her hands up. “The stuff with your dad may not ever resolve and I’m not saying you have to forget, but maybe just try to put it behind you. I know you like him. You get that look on your face when you talk about him like you used to when you talked about-“
“Don’t please Alex, he has never bothered to try to contact me. He knew where I was and I still don’t know where he disappeared to.” I don’t want to talk about that. Ever. My previous attempts at a love life have turned out disastrous at best. I finger the necklace at the base of my throat. It was a gift from two wonderful friends that also dropped off the map years ago. I miss them dearly, but if I ever get my hands on that piece of work I met later on he’s better hang onto his ball or I’m liable to remove them. Alex can probably tell I’m getting worked up as she quickly diffuses the situation.
“Okay, sorry, I won’t. It’s just I know you like him, more than you’re telling me. We’re best friends, you can’t hide it you know.” She says with a smile. “You should give it a chance. It’ll be different this time. You’re an adult and so is he. No one else can make your decisions for you.”
“I’ll admit it, I like him. A lot actually. That’s partially why I’ve been avoiding him. Also, I’d have to talk to him about everything if we got serious. At least some of it. I’m just not sure I want to do that yet. So, now I have to get to class or I’m going to be late, see you later?” I turn to walk off.
“I have to get to class myself or I’d stay and badger you longer. Let me know when you need help with moving your stuff,” Alex says. “Unless Eli will be helping you.” she says helping with quotation marks with her fingers and an eyebrow waggle.
“I know he’d help in a minute,” I snort, “Not sure I want to face him so soon yet though.” I laugh as I part ways with Alex letting her know I’ll text her if I need with my things. I haven’t really totally unpacked my stuff since it was just for a few months until I moved in with Alex, so it will mostly be clothes and some little things that shouldn’t be too much trouble.
I make my way to my class and sit through it without really hearing. On the bright side it’s a class that almost directly follows the reading, so I should be able to catch up easily from my text book. On my way out of the class my phone buzzes with a notification. I look at it seeing I have an email from the housing authority. I open it and there’s contact info for a Samantha Barrett, administrative assistant for Greyside Security, the company that owns the building that I’ve just discovered I’ll be staying in. Security firm with housing? Count me in. I call the number listed as I walk out into the quad.
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She walked away. I know she saw me and she just walked away. I feel a burning in my chest. I know I shouldn’t have such strong feelings for her yet, but it is what it is. They’re here and they’re not going to go away. I must figure out a way to talk to her without scaring her off. Something is bothering her, and I just don’t think she feels comfortable enough with me yet to tell me what it is. I sigh and start to make my way to practice. I have to greet the new roommate when I get home, then I’ll try to see if I can get Remi to hang out with me tonight.
Chapter 2
The building we walk up to isn’t far from the Everston campus. It’s a brownstone that has a discreet placard out front with Grayside Security and a key logo on it. I guess the lower floors are the business and the living quarters are upstairs. I follow Samantha to a side entrance she unlocks with a key. When we get into a foyer area there is another door with a keypad that she punches in a number then opens the door that I see leads to a staircase. The foyer is done up tastefully and minimalistic in tones of gray and white. Industrial carpeting and textured walls with three doors. The one we just came in and one on each opposite side of the room.
“There in an elevator, but it’s the older cage type and it’s faster to use the stairs unless you have a lot to carry. The owner wanted to keep as much original as possible as long as it still had functionality.” Samantha says. She seems to not appreciate the idea of the old-fashioned elevator. I kinda wanted to see it, but I would wait until later and explore on my own.
“It’s ok, I don’t mind stairs,” I say.
I follow Samantha up to the third floor, she informs me the fourth floor is a private area and the first two floors are for the business. When I asked exactly what the business was and who ran it she just vaguely said it’s a security firm and that the owner is very private in a manner that implied it was none of my business.
“She opened the door on the third floor and went inside. As I followed her in I stopped and stared. The whole place was an open floor plan with exposed beams and hardwood floors with rugs scattered here and there. The rugs varied in colors depending on the area they were in. The ones in the kitchen were jewel toned blue and purple, the kitchen was scattered with thin metallic pewter and black rugs. I could see several doors and a hallway further in with more doors that tied the living/kitchen area together with an almost forest green runner with accents of gold and copper. The kitchen was all brushed stainless-steel appliances and ebony marble countertops along with a matching breakfast bar. A huge off-white leather sectional couch was in the common area with huge pillows large enough to double as chairs around the coffee table, these in lavender and azure, weirdly enough it all came together nicely. The walls were alternating basic tones that flowed well together, cream accented with copper, white with pewter. The biggest flat screen I’ve ever seen took up most of a wall with a recessed media center with all sorts of consoles underneath it. Someone must be a gamer. Some potted leafy plants in stone planters dotted around helped break up the areas a little. Off to the other side of the kitchen/living area was a large mahogany rectangle dining table that looked to seat eight, and beyond that an alcove type area, if you could call it that, it’s actually pretty big, it has bookshelves lining the walls and easy chairs with lamps on tables next to them. This place is absolutely amazing, I can’t believe I’ll be staying here.
“Are the owners around? I’d like to meet them and thank them for allowing me stay until repairs are made to the dorm.” I was really curious too about who else I would be living with.
“The guys are out of town, but one of the roommates will be here later on today, I’ll give you your codes and keys and show you your room. All the other rooms are locked with codes as well, so you won’t be able to access them. I’m not sure if they’ll be back while you’re here or not. Even if they are I’m sure they’ll be too busy catching up on paperwork to have much time for you. Normally they wouldn’t have a girl here, I guess someone at the housing authority thought you were a boy. With a name like Remington I can’t say I blame them. I tried to tell them that the owner only wanted another guy here, but they said all the other spaces have been allotted and they’ve already paid for it so you would have to find alternate lodging on your own and pay for it until the owners were back to get a refund and make other arrangements and there really isn’t anywhere else left, so I guess they’re stuck with you for the time being.”, Samantha says. “Unless you have somewhere else you would like to stay? If so I can let the owner know and get your access code changed.” Must have codes specific to each person then.
Well MEOW. Guess someone doesn’t like other females on her turf. Certainly, longwinded as well. I’m torn between giving her the finger for being a bitch or keeping my mouth shut and accepting the room. Alex can’t have anyone for more than three days at a time, a rule that was enforced the last time her roommates’ boyfriend overstayed his welcome, I don’t want to have to do that unless it’s a last resort. I have money I could get a motel for a few days, but the ones close to campus are already full, I’d have to drive a bit and with my schedule it would be back and forth a lot unless I stayed in the library to study. I decide for now to stay. I can always take off to Alex’s if I need to.
I look at Samantha she’s pretty, dark, curly auburn hair and bright blue eyes and a pert little
nose in the middle of her peaches and cream complexion on a five foot maybe four or so inches with the two-inch heels, curvy in all the right places, dressed in a slate pencil skirt and jacket combo I’m feeling a little shabby. At five-eight in flats, jeans, and a t shirt, pretty much all that escaped getting wet, I’m not winning the petite award. I’m not heavy, actually I’m very skinny, mostly from running, I eat all the time, platinum straight hair, hazel eyes, with generous curves and long legs. Perfect for the modeling I do on the side to supplement my student aid. I get the catty reaction from a lot of other girls. As soon as they find out I model it’s insta-witch. Modeling isn’t the easiest thing ever, but a lot of people don’t know that. Most of the time it’s fun, but imagine sometimes having to just stand in the cold or the heat for hours without showing that the temperature is affecting you or it will ruin the pictures. Ever stood in the snow in heels and lingerie? I don’t recommend it. I didn’t want to take any loans out for school if I could help it and have debt, it helps a lot that I’m able to make good money for part time work, so I’m not complaining.
“I’m sure it will be fine or work itself out,” I finally say. I’m not going to be put off by someone acting territorial over people I’ve never even met. How to politely say ‘you can have them’ without actually saying it? I can’t think of anything nice. “Do you know what time the roommate will be here? I want to go grab what I can tonight, but I don’t want to be in his way.” I take charge of the conversation. I have things to do and I would like to get it done sooner than later. Chick has gotta go.
Samantha replies, “He should be back after practice around six or so, if he needs anything you have my number have him give me a call.” With that she turns and goes down the hall. She opens a door indicating this is my room and shows me the connecting bathroom that also connects with a room on the other side. She tells me it’s locked from the other side as that’s one of the guys bedrooms. I guess now it makes sense they would want another guy and not have to share a bathroom with a girl.
Convergence: Remington Carter Series Book One Page 1