Alex stepped up behind Trudy to where Miles could see her before saying, “I’m up.”
“Can we talk?” Miles asked.
“Sure. Trudy, I’ll be back in a minute.” As Trudy walked back to the couch, Alex walked into the hallway and shut the door behind her. She crossed her arms before asking, “So what’s up?”
“I want to talk about what happened between us at Little Bucks.”
“If you don’t mind, I would like to pretend that what happened didn’t happen.”
“I do mind actually. Alex, I don’t regret kissing you. In fact, I’m here because I can’t sleep thinking about you and that kiss.”
“Miles, Randy is pretty sure that he can re-create that remote of his in five to six days. This time next week, this crossed reality will be corrected. So save your passionate feelings for the other Alex.”
“I don’t like the other Alex in the same way that I like you and I know you have those feelings for me as well.”
“No matter what I feel for you, nothing can happen between us. I don’t belong here. The other Alex belongs here.”
“You can always make this reality your home.”
“I can’t do that. That wouldn’t be fair to the other Alex.”
“You know there’s a chance that Randy won’t be able to duplicate his remote. And even if he can duplicate it, there’s a chance that it will make matters worse.”
“What do you mean?”
“Instead of correcting this crossed reality, you could cross over into yet another reality.”
“That’s a chance that we’ll have to take.”
“Alex, there may be an inconceivable number of realities and you are willing to take a chance and cross a portion of those realities?”
“Miles, Randy had come up with an address system, so we won’t be crossing those realities like you think.”
“And what if that address system is not perfect?”
“Miles, you’re not going to say anything to talk me out of trying to get home, so give it up.”
“Fine, I’ll quit trying. Are you working tomorrow night?”
“I was supposed to, but that changed. Sylvia will be working and not me. Why?”
“Go out with me tomorrow night; on a date.”
Alex looked at Miles as if he had lost his mind before uttering, “You can’t be serious.”
“Yes, I’m serious. You said it yourself that you have five, maybe even six days left before you and the others will attempt to correct reality. We both have feelings for each other, so let’s spend that time together.”
“That’s not a good idea… for many reasons.”
“Myself, I can’t think of one reason not to date.”
Alex said in a volume to where only Miles could hear, “I was a man in my reality.”
“You’re definitely a woman in this reality though.”
“Fine, physically I’m a woman, but mentally I’m a man.”
“No, Alex; you’re not even a man mentally.”
“What do you mean?”
“Alex, even you have to agree that your mindset right now is of a woman and not of a man.”
“Even if that is true, we can’t…” Miles didn’t give Alex a chance to finish what she was saying and again gave Alex a passionate kiss. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before Alex pulled away and uttering, “Stop doing that!”
“Alex, give it a try. Give us a try. Go out on a date with me tomorrow night.”
“As a friend, I’ll go with you anywhere you want, but as long as there’s a chance to correct this crossed reality, I’m not going on a date with you.”
Miles gave Alex a curious look before asking, “So if Randy’s remote fails to work, you’ll date me?”
“No, I’m not saying that.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“I’m not really sure right now what I will do if this turns out to be my reality, and… and I’m not going to guess as to what it would be either.”
“If Randy’s remote fails, will you please keep an open mind about going on a date with me?”
“That I can do,” Alex said before gesturing towards her door. “Trudy and I were watching a movie, so I really need to get back in there.”
“Do you mind if I come in and watch it with you and Trudy?”
“It’s already thirty minutes into the movie.”
“That’s okay.”
“Okay; you’re welcome to join us.”
Alex walked back into her dorm followed by Miles. The movie was two hours and fifteen minutes long and when it came to an end, Miles left the dorm. Alex and Trudy went to their respective beds. Before Alex went to sleep, she wrote in the diary; however, she left out the part about Miles kissing her.
During the next several days, Randy worked around the clock to re-create the remote. Ben helped Randy where he could. Alex, Doug, Kenny, Brandy and Cindy just focused on their studies. Alex worked her assigned shift and when she wasn’t working or studying, Miles would talk her into going places with him. Trudy tagged along with Alex and Miles to a few of those places.
Thursday, November 4 at 9:20 P.M., Alex, Miles and Trudy were returning to Harvard just after doing laundry at a Laundromat. Miles was the one driving, and he had pulled into a gas station and food mart for some gas. Most of the pumps were busy, and inside the station the customers were standing in a good size line while waiting to check out. Other customers were picking out the items they were going to purchase.
As Miles was pumping the gas, Alex and Trudy went into the station to use the restroom and to get sodas. Alex and Trudy were still in the restroom when Miles stepped in line to pay for the gas.
Miles was standing in line for a short time when a pretty eighteen-year-old woman stepped up to him while questioning, “Miles? Miles Appleby?”
Miles looked at the woman as if she was a stranger before saying, “That’s my name.”
“From the expression on your face, I see you don’t recognize me. Of course I was only ten years old when you saw me last. And I had the biggest crush on you then.”
Miles thought for a second before asking, “Mindy?”
“I knew that hint would tell you who I was.”
“Wow, you certainly grew up into a lovely woman.”
Mindy slightly curtsied while saying, “Thank you.”
“How long has it been since we saw each other last?”
“Well, I’m eighteen now, so it was eight years ago when your dad was transferred to a different base.”
“Do you live in Boston?” Miles asked as the line in front of him moved forward.
As Miles and Mindy were moving up slightly, Mindy said, “I do. I still live at home, just a few minutes from here.”
“How long have you been living in Boston?”
“Three years after you moved away, my dad was injured and had to take a medical discharge. Since my parents are from Boston, we moved here after his discharge. What about you? Are you living here or are you visiting?”
“I’m actually in my fourth year of Harvard.”
“Oh my God, that’s great. My dad believes that I have a good shot in going to Harvard next year.”
“How are your grades?”
“My grades are great. In fact, the school counselor just recently told me that I will be graduating before my class.”
“That’s great. I wish you luck with going to Harvard.”
“Thank you. Oh, how’s Trudy?”
Miles briefly gazed around the room before saying, “Actually, she’s here somewhere. I guess she and Alex are still in the restroom.”
“Trudy’s here?”
“Yeah; she is in her third year at Harvard.”
“I was thinking Trudy was more than a year younger then you.”
“Oh she’s twenty and I’m twenty-two. She skipped a grade, which put her a year behind me in school.”
“Cool. Is Alex Trudy’s boyfriend?”
“Oh no; Alex is short for Alexand
ra and she’s Trudy’s roommate,” Miles said before seeing Alex and Trudy stepping into view as they were getting sodas. “Oh, there they are now.”
Mindy turned to look. She then faced Miles again before asking, “So are you and Alex an item?”
Miles shook his head and sullenly said, “No. I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Really,” Mindy said delightfully. “You know, I still think that you’re still the cutest boy around.”
Alex saw the delightful expression on Mindy’s face and the smile on Miles’ face. Miles was about to respond, but stopped when he saw Alex and Trudy stepping up. Instead of responding, he asked, “Trudy, you remember Mindy, don’t you?”
Mindy noticed Alex’s serious and curious gaze towards her, but ignored it as she faced Trudy. Trudy was curiously gazing at Mindy too, but she was searching her thoughts.
When the answer finally came to Trudy, Trudy said, “Oh, yes. I remember you.” Mindy pleasantly grinned. Trudy then gestured towards Alex. “Mindy, this is my roommate and good friend, Alex. Alex, this is Mindy. When my dad was stationed in New Mexico about seven… eight years ago, Mindy and her parents lived next door to us.”
Mindy took hold of Miles’ arm and as she held it, she said, “And I had the biggest crush on him then. I couldn’t act on it then, but I can now.”
Trudy saw the jealousy in Alex’s eyes as Alex watched a grin coming across Miles’ face before he said, “A woman as pretty as you, you must have a boyfriend.”
Mindy shook her head while saying, “Nope; I’ve been boyfriend-free for a few weeks now.” Mindy let go of Miles’ arm and faced him. “In fact, there’s a party tomorrow night and I would love it if you would come with me as my date.”
When Alex saw a delightful expression coming across Miles’ face, Alex said disgustedly and loudly, “I’m going to wait in the van.” Alex put down the bottled soda that she was holding on the closest shelf and stormed towards the exit.
Miles and Mindy curiously stared at Alex as Alex stormed away. Before Alex was able to get too far away, Miles called out, “Alex, what’s wrong? Alex!”
Alex ignored Miles and kept walking. Everyone in the place watched Alex as she angrily shoved open the door and left the station.
When Miles gave Trudy a confused look, Trudy said, “Alex’s problem is that you are currently the biggest jerk on Earth.”
“What did I do?”
“Oh, God,” Mindy blurted out. Miles gave Mindy a curious look. “If I had known that Alex had feelings for you, I wouldn’t have asked you to that party.”
Miles whispered in Trudy’s ear, “Alex doesn’t want to date me. You know that. So why would she be upset with me when Mindy asked me to a party?”
Trudy whispered, “Alex still likes you, and you are flirting with Mindy in front of her. No woman would want to see that.”
Miles pulled out the money to pay for the gas, and as he handed it to Trudy he said, “Here’s the gas money. I’m going to talk to Alex.” Miles then turned towards Mindy. “Mindy, it was good to see you, but I’m going to have to pass on that party.” He then turned and walked away.
As Miles was leaving, Mindy asked Trudy, “Can I give you my number to give to Miles… just in case things don’t work out between him and Alex?”
Trudy just looked at Mindy as if Mindy had lost her mind.
Chapter Sixteen
Out at the pumps, Alex had climbed into the back seat of the van and shut the door. After getting comfortable in one of the back seats, she saw Miles walking towards the van.
Alex watched as he walked up to the driver’s side. After he climbed in and sat down, he looked back at Alex and said, “Alex, I’m sorry. I thought since you didn’t want to…”
In an annoyed tone Alex quickly said, “Miles, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I want to explain why I…”
In the same annoyed tone, Alex interrupted Miles with, “Miles, please don’t.”
“You’re mad at me, and…” Alex didn’t let Miles finish. She quickly opened the door and climbed out. Miles quickly got out also and as he walked towards Alex he demanded to know, “Why are you acting like this?”
Alex said through clinched teeth, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I’m trying to apologize.”
“You said that you were sorry in the van, and I believe you. I also don’t want an explanation or the details as to why that… that floozy is throwing herself at you.”
Miles gave Alex a confused look before demanding to know, “What is your problem?”
Without realizing as to what she was saying Alex quickly and angrily rattled out, “The guy I love enjoys being fondled by a bimbo and I’m not supposed to get upset over that?!”
Miles was surprisingly taken back for a moment before asking, “What?”
Alex realized what she had said and responded, “I didn’t mean that. I’m confused. I have been confused since I’ve been in this reality and this confusion seems to be growing each day.”
Miles delightfully grinned before asking, “You love me?”
Alex gave Miles a disgusted smirk before saying, “I like you. I over-spoke myself a minute ago. In fact, now that I think about it, it’s good that you have a date tomorrow.”
Miles continued to delightfully look at Alex as he said, “I told Mindy ‘no’. I passed on the party.”
“Well, you should go back in there. Tell her that you’ve changed your mind.”
Miles continued to give Alex a delightful look and as he shook his head he said, “I’m not interested in Mindy.”
“Stop looking at me like that, and… and you’re wasting your time being interested in me.” Alex faced the entrance to the station before she continued to say, “Before your friend leaves, you really should go back in there and accept her invitation.”
“Alex, I’m not going to do that, and I now believe that it isn’t a waste of time to be interested in you.”
“Miles, most likely in a couple of days I will be returning to my reality, and this confusion I’m having will cease… hopefully.”
As Alex watched Trudy leaving the station, Miles said, “Well, we’ll see what will happen in a few days.” Miles then turned to look at what Alex was staring at. “I guess it’s time to return to Harvard now though.”
Alex turned and watched Miles for a second as he walked towards the driver’s door. She then opened the back door again to climb in.
After Miles got comfortable in the driver’s seat he started the van. When Trudy was close enough to the van, Alex saw that she was carrying two sodas.
Seconds later, after Trudy sat down in the front passenger seat, Trudy faced Alex and held out one of the sodas for her to take before saying, “I bought the soda you put down. I thought you would eventually want it.”
Alex slightly grinned and while taking the soda, she said, “Thanks.”
Minutes after Miles drove off, Trudy realized that Alex was very quiet. Trudy glanced back at Alex and saw that she was thinking hard about something while holding the unopened soda. A slightly concerned expression came across Trudy’s face; however, without saying a word, she faced forward again.
A short time later, just after Miles parked his van on Harvard’s parking lot, Alex quickly opened her door. As she was getting out while carrying her unopened soda, she said, “I’ll get my laundry later.”
After Alex had shut the door and was walking away in a haste, Trudy looked at Miles before saying, “You really have her mad at you.”
“Yeah,” Miles said in a slightly mournful tone. “I guess I do.”
Minutes later, Trudy walked into the dorm and saw Alex’s unopened soda on the coffee table. She then saw that Alex’s bedroom door was shut. Trudy walked up to the door and knocked. When Alex opened the door, Trudy said, “I’m a good listener if you want to talk.”
“Thanks, but I really want to be alone right now.”
“Alex, Miles was an insensitive jerk at the gas statio
n, and he knows it.”
“Miles told me that he was sorry for what had happened and I believe him, so I’m over it.”
“Then why are you acting like this?” Alex gave Trudy a look as if she was debating on saying anything or not. “Alex, I consider you a good friend, and…”
Alex walked passed Trudy and as she stepped into the common room she said without looking at Trudy, “Trudy, I’ve been in this reality too long.” Alex then faced Trudy. “I was totally jealous when I saw how that… that girl was clinging onto Miles.”
“You liking Miles is no secret, so your reaction was normal.”
“Well, I should have been able to control my emotions and what I said to Miles, but I failed at both.”
Trudy gave Alex a curious look before asking, “Did you say something to Miles that you shouldn’t have?”
“I was extremely angry at Miles and I said something without thinking.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him that I loved him. I then told him that I didn’t mean it. I told him that I’m confused.”
“Are you confused?”
“I’m totally confused.” Alex gave Trudy a nervous look before she continued to say, “But not about my feelings towards Miles.”
“Alex, do you love Miles?”
“I think I do and seeing that girl all over Miles made me realize how much.”
“That girl’s name is Mindy.”
“Trudy, I don’t care what her name is!” Alex uttered. Trudy gave Alex a curious look. “What matters is that I’m at the edge of losing my male identity completely and… and if it takes more than another twenty-four hours for Randy to get done, I’m scared that I will. Even now I’m feeling the temptation of staying behind to be overpowering.”
“Are you thinking about staying?”
“I’m feeling myself wanting to stay. The only reason why I even want to go back to my reality is because I know it wouldn’t be fair to the other Alex if I stayed.”
“Alex, my advice is for you not to worry too much about the other Alex.”
“Why shouldn’t I worry?”
“Cross reality is an unknown territory to everyone, and I’m willing to bet that you are not the only one who is being conformed to the different reality.”
A Crossed Reality Page 23