Danika's Gift

by Jayn Wilde

  Danika’s Gift

  By

  Jayn Wilde

  Chapter 1

  “Sam, it hurts.” I whined.

  “Oh stop it Dani. Let me just push a little harder.” Sam’s faced twisted, cheeks puffed.

  “It won’t fit. You can’t just jam it in there.”

  “I am going to make it fit. You will love it, I promise.”

  “Sam, this isn’t the way it works you know.”

  “Oh Dani, I know what I am doing. You will thank me for it later.” Sam winked.

  I let out a strangled cry as it finally slipped in.

  “Now, we just need to get the other one in and you’ll be good to go.”

  “Look, Sam, you are my cousin and I love you. But, squishing my feet into these boots just to impress a bunch of strangers on my first day is not a good idea.”

  Samantha sighed and plopped down on the couch. “Fine. Wear those damn sneakers then.”

  Without another word, Sam huffed out of the bedroom, leaving me to wrench the leather boot off of my swollen foot.

  ****

  “Let’s do this.” Sam nudged my shoulder.

  “I don’t think I can.” I stared at the grass by my sneaker-covered feet.

  “I will be here to help you. “

  I sighed and waved my hand towards the admissions office. Sam took the lead and I followed her to the doors. Sam, or Samantha, was not just my cousin, but also my best friend. She understood I was “special” and even though she couldn’t wrap her brain around what I could do, she loved me regardless and looked out for me. The only problem was Sam was three years older than me, so it would be unlikely we’d have any classes together. She was working on a degree in Business Administration and I had no idea about my own goals. Sam had big dreams for her future and a plan in place. Me, well, I just wanted to get through this one day without falling apart.

  I’m here Mom. Give me the strength I need to get through this day.

  I had already registered online for my classes and picked up my books last week. Now all I needed to do was navigate my way through the crowd of young adults around me and get to my classes. No one there looked at me strange. No one there knew me. In fact, there were very few people from Greenburg that could afford to come to this university. The only students who ended up here were on scholarships, usually athletic ones, and a handful of academic ones, like me.

  “Will you join a sorority?” Sam’s question woke me out of my stupor.

  “Are you kidding?”

  “I know you aren’t really comfortable making new friends. A sorority has a family atmosphere and that might do you a lot of good.”

  “I’ve read enough books and watched enough movies to know I am not sorority material.” I let out a nervous laugh.

  “You never know.” Sam looked sideways at me, avoiding direct eye contact. She knew the subject would freak me out, but she approached it any way. “Plus, it looks good on a resume.”

  “Not for me.” I avoided the real thoughts I had. The thoughts of how I wouldn’t fit in and they’d probably skin me alive once they knew the truth about me. “I just want to be a faceless cog in this place. Just be a normal girl doing the daily normal stuff.”

  “Normal, you are definitely not.” Sam smirked. Sam knew my IQ was off the charts and she tried to focus my attention there, instead of on my gift, or curse. “You could academically run circles around ninety-nine percent of the school population. Probably even give a few professors a run for their money.”

  “Here’s my class,” I interrupted her. I knew what she was doing. I appreciated it and yet I knew it was just a tactic my family had in place to distract me. Especially when I was wallowing in guilt, fear or depression.

  Sam sighed. “Ok. Keep your phone on vibrate. Text me if you need anything. I’ll see you later.” She gave me a quick hug and went off to her own class. I turned and looked into the lecture hall packed with students. Kids my own age. I stood in the hallway for awhile, contemplating going home.

  “Hey, you coming?”

  I turned to my left and looked at the source of the voice. It came from a huge, muscled chest standing not more than a foot away from me. My eyes traced the chest up to the muscular neck above it and slowly up to the handsome face staring down at me. I wasn’t short by any means, at five foot eight, but this guy seemed to tower over me. He had the most amazing green eyes I had ever seen that crinkled at the corners as he smiled. My eyes slipped down to his lips, deliciously curved in a big smile with perfect white teeth. My eyes continued to scan up and down his face, to his dark brown wavy hair and back down to his perfect nose and then to his strong jaw line. He was tanned, muscular, and hot as hell. I felt my knees go weak and my heart beat race. He was so close that I could smell his soap and shampoo; he smelled of citrus and a hint of something musky. I opened my mouth to speak, but it was too late. Professor Corbin announced the start of class and asked us to take our seats.

  Mr. Hottie moved past me, his arm brushed gently against mine. He winked at me as I just stood there dumbstruck. Professor Corbin cleared his throat and I hustled inside, taking a seat as far as away from everyone, including Mr. Hottie, as I could.

  I tried to focus on Professor Corbin for the remainder of the time. He was talking about what he required of his students, basic math principles and the curriculum for the course. As I sat there, I sensed someone looking at me. I dared not look, but I had a feeling it was Hottie. I tried not to look, honest. It was just that I dropped my pencil and couldn’t help but see him when I straightened back up in my seat. Yep, Mr. Hottie was staring at me. My stomach did some weird flip-flop. There was a look in his eyes that I didn’t understand. What good was an IQ of over one sixty if a person had no people skills? I felt utterly confused and uncomfortable.

  As Professor wrapped up class, I put my books together. I couldn’t stay here, not near Mr. Hottie. I needed to get away and forget those eyes. Those dreamy emerald eyes that did funny things to my stomach. I waited until all of the other students left, pretending I was busy packing my messenger bag. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Hottie standing just outside the door, surrounding by a small group of cheerleaders. Well, they may not have been cheerleaders, but they all wore short skirts, had perfect hair, perfect faces and perfect bodies. I noticed he laughed as one of the girls stroked his arm and spoke in his ear. Frowning, I turned towards the skinny, balding man shuffling papers.

  “Professor?”

  “Yes, um, Miss…?

  “Danika. Danika Rodriquez”

  “Yes, I’m sorry. It takes me awhile to remember everyone’s name. Then, once I do, the course is over.” He chuckled as he shoved papers into his bag.

  “I think this class isn’t right for me.”

  Professor Corbin stopped and looked at me. “Why ever not?”

  “I looked at the curriculum, and it is…well…basic.”

  “Yes. This is Algebra One my dear.”

  “I know. It’s just that I already learned Algebra. I chose the courses the website said were required. I’m just afraid of wasting your time,” and mine, I added silently.

  “So you are advanced in your education then?”

  “I believe so. I was home schooled and my mother taught me Algebra a few years ago.”

  “A few years? Dear, how old are you?”

  “Seventeen, almost eighteen. I learned Algebra at 11 and Calculus at 13, Physics at 15. I honestly think I signed up for the wrong courses.” Suddenly, my stomach twisted as I realized that my entire schedule was probably made up of classes that I had already studied. Being in advanced classes as a freshman was not going to accomplish the normal scenario I had envisioned for myself. I immediately felt frustrated and depressed at the same time.
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br />   “Let’s get you over to the main office and see if an advisor can help you with your classes my dear. I do teach advanced math as well, so perhaps you will be in another of my classes.”

  I nodded and waited for Professor Corbin to finish packing his bag. My eyes drifted to the doorway again. Mr. Hottie wasn’t there anymore. Perhaps he overheard our conversation. Perhaps he felt I was “too smart” for his liking. I knew I wasn’t his type, but the realization that I was a freak on a whole new level depressed me further.

  ****

  “Hey.” A deep voice bellowed just behind me.

  I tried to swallow the knot that formed in my throat. I watched as Mr. Hottie stepped closer, his hair glistening in the afternoon sun. Out here, in the courtyard, with the slight breeze bringing his scent to me, I felt my knees go weak. The pink and white flowered trees behind him, the image was one straight from a romance novel or one of those shampoo commercials. His smile was big and bright as he came within a few feet of me and stopped.

  “Oh. Um. Hey.” I sounded like an idiot. My vocabulary was extensive and the best I could do was utter a few sounds that mimicked words. His presence unnerved me to no end.

  I turned and walked away from him. I felt the sudden need to run and get as far away from him as possible. Having had little interaction with others over the past few years, with the exception of Sam, made me uncomfortable in public. But, whatever emotions this guy was stirring within me was confusing and I was scared.

  “So I wanted to talk to you after class.”

  “I have to get going.” I didn’t slow down, but his long, powerful strides kept him right next to me.

  “Yeah. Ok. I wanted to invite you to a party this weekend.”

  “Why don’t you invite one of your groupies?” I could see my car just ahead and quickened my pace.

  “Groupies? Oh. No. Those girls just like to hang around me.”

  “Egotistical much?” I shot him a darting glance as I fumbled with my keys.

  “No. Just being honest.” He grinned at me and I could swear I saw a twinkle in his eye.

  “Anyway, I’ve got to go now. Thank you for the offer, but I’m busy.” I pulled my door open, stepping back and bumping into his rock hard chest.

  He leaned over and the heat of his breath swept over my ear, causing shivers to run through my body. “I didn’t say when the party was.”

  I slid away from him and down into the seat of my car. My heart was racing. I stared up at him, waiting for him to move his hand from the doorframe. He didn’t get the hint until I turned the ignition and the car roared to life. His smile became even larger, showing off perfect teeth set between those luscious lips. With a shrug, he simply turned and walked away.

  I slammed the door shut, hit the lock button and watched him sidle away. He was sinfully gorgeous and his walk was confident. He never glanced back. I took in a few deep breaths as I fastened my seat belt. With shaking hands, I shifted the car into gear and headed home.

  ****

  “So, how did it go?” Sam peered at me over her can of cola as she sipped it.

  “Horrible.” I poured myself yet another cup of coffee.

  “Ick, how do you drink that sludge?”

  “Same way you drink that crap.” I laughed at my cousin. We were both sugar and caffeine junkies, we just had different sources and neither liked the other’s.

  “So tell me what was so horrible.”

  “I picked all the wrong classes. It was a mess. Luckily, my first class was Algebra and once I realized what I had done, the Professor helped me straighten it out with an advisor at the admissions office.”

  “So that wasn’t so bad.”

  “No, but I also bumped into a guy going into class.”

  Sam set her can aside and leaned over the table at me. Her eyes scanned my face. “And?”

  “And, nothing. He seemed to be waiting for me after class. But after I talked to Professor Corbin, he was gone. Guess I am too nerdy.” I didn’t want to mention how he followed me to my car. She’d go crazy if she knew I blew him off like I did.

  “Hmmmm…” Sam had a weird expression on her face. “What did the guy look like?”

  I described Mr. Hottie to Sam, but downplayed it a bit. I didn’t want her to know I was all hot and bothered over some guy whose name I didn’t even know. Honestly, it was the first time I had come into contact with a guy and I probably just let my imagination get to me.

  “He doesn’t sound familiar to me. Not that I know everyone on campus, but at least he doesn’t have a reputation that makes him known, if you know what I mean.” Sam winked and I laughed.

  “Anyways, it doesn’t matter. My classes are all switched around now, so the chances of running into him again are pretty slim.” I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice, but I don’t think Sam was convinced.

  “Did he have anything special going on?” She hooked her fingers as she said the word special.

  “No. Honestly, my gift has been quiet since Mom died. No one has any lights, colors, shapes around them. It’s almost like the gift died when she did.” I wiped away the tear that fell as I spoke.

  “Well, that could be. Or, maybe because you’ve shut yourself off to the world.”

  I knew that my cousin was smart and perceptive. She could always read between the lines, no matter how big the words I used were. And, she always studied my body language and facial expressions.

  “Anyway, I have homework to do and forms to fill out. Is dinner almost ready?”

  “Are you kidding? It’s Tuesday. Your night to cook.” Sam laughed when my mouth dropped open.

  I had completely forgotten what day it was. My nerves were bundled tight since last night. I checked my wallet and then made an executive decision.

  “Pizza tonight!”

  Sam laughed as she grabbed the menu off the fridge and threw it to me. I called in our usual order. Two pies, one extra, extra cheese and one Hawaiian barbeque chicken pie. It was going to be about 30 minutes, so I slid over to the couch and went through some of the paperwork that had been handed to me by my advisor.

  I was under eighteen, so there were forms I had to fill out that other students didn’t. Before Mom died, she helped me become an “emancipated minor” and Sam was my “guardian” so to speak. I got a monthly allowance from my trust fund, which covered our apartment, utilities and school expenses. We both would have to get part-time jobs for food and “play” money. For now, we were just trying to get settled in with school and after that we could each focus on getting jobs.

  Sam had lived in the apartment for two years and her parents paid her monthly expenses. When Mom died and I moved in, we agreed to give her parents a break and use my allowance to cover the costs.

  My aunt and uncle were good people and my mom was very close to them both, even though my parents divorced when I was three. My dad’s sister and brother-in law, my Aunt Patty and Uncle Donald, never blamed my mom for the divorce. They knew being married to a cop was hard on most people. But for my mom, it was the constant worry and stress that kept her up nights.

  When my parents divorced, dad decided being a cop wasn’t worth the heartache and he became head security for a major computer company. It was great for awhile because he was around a lot more. For a long time, I even dreamed of them getting back together. But, when that company moved him to Australia, he just disappeared from our lives. We stayed close to my aunt and uncle, and Samantha and I became fast friends.

  I stared at the papers in front of me, not really seeing them. I remembered my mom’s smiling face and how she and my dad would look at one another. Even after the divorce, they still looked at each other that way, but there was something else in their eyes I could never understand. I saw the pain and hurt, and I saw the love, but that other emotion, I didn’t grasp. It was the same look in Mr. Hottie’s eyes that I didn’t recognize.

  I wished I could read people the way my mom did. She had her own gifts, you know. Perhaps not magic
al or mystical, but she had a way with people that was amazing. She could understand their emotions, the look in their eyes, their body language. And, she had an amazing ability to calm others when she spoke. I always wished my gift was like that; something beautiful and amazing. And helpful.

  “Dani!”

  “What?”

  “Get the door.”

  Shoot! I hadn’t even heard the doorbell. I swung it open quickly, an apology on my lips. But, the words caught in my throat. There, standing in the hallway with our pizzas was Mr. Hottie.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  My brain stopped working. I think I even stopped breathing. Mr. Hottie was frowning, until he looked in my eyes. Then, his face lit up as he smiled at me like he had done earlier that day.

  “Hey there. Didn’t know if I’d see you again.”

  “Um, yeah. This is kinda weird.” Smooth one Dani. I wanted to smack myself in the forehead.

  “How much do I owe you?”

  “Oh. That’ll be twenty bucks.” Maybe I imagined it, but his eyes dimmed for a second. Was that disappointment?

  “Hold on.” I stammered as I patted down my pockets. Where the hell was that money?

  “Got it, Dani?” Sam called out as she walked towards me. She hadn’t seen Mr. Hottie yet. For some reason, I didn’t want her to. She was a guy magnet with her long strawberry blonde hair, toned athletic body and bright blue eyes. We rarely went out in public together, but when we did, guys always saw her and not me. Which was ok, usually. But for some reason, I wanted Mr. Hottie to like me. Even if it was only in my imagination and for me to savor in my dreams.

  “Hey.” Damn, Mr. Hottie saw Sam. Oh well.

  “Hey, Derek. Didn’t know you delivered pizzas.” Sam was aloof, not flirty at all. I was confused and at the same time relieved. I ran back to the couch and found the money on the cushion. Sam grabbed the pizzas from Derek and placed them on the table.

  “Yeah, just part-time to make some extra cash,” Derek smiled sheepishly.

  “See ya,” Sam said as she waved over her shoulder and walked away from the doorway.

  “Here you go, keep the change.” I grinned nervously at Derek. His eyes never left mine as he took the money. He brushed my fingers with his and an electric jolt shoot up my arm. Before I could even wonder if he felt it too, I saw his eyes widen and he looked at his hand. He did feel it.