Quantum Entanglement

by S R Watson

  Next, we had our Managing Expectations class. The jest is that each course has a theory and application component. The practice of our powers is meant to be confined to these courses and with supervision. Too late. Last night’s gathering already broke that rule. The rules for the academy are too numerous to remember, so we are given a handbook for reference. This leads into the rules for our existence. Non-negotiable rules set forth by Earth’s council, which is similar to Earth’s political structure except humans are ignorant of our rules. They don’t know that supernaturals exist. Three guiding principles are at the forefront of these rules.

  “Rules are in place by ‘The Council,’ which is made up of two supernatural beings from every class found on Earth to ensure compliance and harmony among the supernatural and human race. It is important that supernatural existence is concealed to prevent fear, chaos, and war,” Professor Thorne emphasizes. “Broken rules have a punishment system in place similar to the human judicial system. There is a supernatural jail and prison, but the more extreme offenses are punishable through banishment. These rules are at the core of most rules.

  Rules:

  Supernaturals must conceal one’s own identity class and/or the existence of any supernatural being.

  Don’t use supernatural powers in the presence of humans.

  Don’t use supernatural powers for personal gain, to harm, or create an unfair advantage against humans.

  After lunch, we have study hour to work on stuff from our individual universities followed by a Social Norms class that is a type of psych course.

  “What do you feel like eating, princess?” Elysian taunts.

  “I’m not a princess … and you can pick.”

  “You’re the vegan in this friendship,” he insists. His talent for reminding me that we’re just friends is not very inconspicuous.

  “Vegetarian, I correct.”

  “Well, pardon me. Still, you’re the one with the special diet. I’ll eat anything.”

  I try to contain my grin, but it’s futile. I double over in laughter while he just stares at me incredulously.

  “Did you just have a dirty thought?” I shake my head furiously, but he’s not buying it. “You did too. The moment I said I’ll eat anything, you broke out into a fit of hysterics. You dirty girl.”

  “Hush it.”

  “What good does it do for me to keep my innuendos to myself if you’re just going create your own?”

  “Food. Let’s get back to food,” I suggest, drying the tears from my eyes. “Besides, I’m not the dirty one. I’m sweet.”

  “I bet you are.” His eyes darken for a split second, but I saw it. “Back to the food,” he agrees.

  “That curry stuff you brought to the creek Saturday was pretty tasty.”

  “It’s settled then. I’ll take you.”

  He really is thoughtful and kind like he spoke about last night. It makes sense that I’m starting to crush on him a bit. Okay, maybe more than a bit. It’s the real reason I get so flustered when I see him with Madison. She can have any guy here, so why can’t she just go pick one of them? Elysian is connected with me and not her.

  “So tell me about Shelby. How did the two of you meet?” His steps falter. “Or not. I understand if she’s a sore subject.”

  “No. It’s fine. You just surprised me is all.” We continue to walk toward the restaurant. “We met our freshman year in biology. It was your stereotypical guy-meets-girl moment. She was the nerd, and I was the jock in the story even though I told you I don’t describe myself as being one. I pretended to need her to tutor me. Science is my favorite subject … I probably could have tutored her. Anyway, it worked. All the long study hours together afforded her to get to know the real me and not the jock everyone assumes that I am.”

  I swallow my guilt because I’m everyone. “What happened?”

  “Graduation happened. As we began our final stretch toward graduation, she started having doubts about us. It should have been a red flag that she kept me a secret from her parents. I wasn’t who they’d pictured for her. I didn’t care how opposite we were … it’s what made her special. She said we needed a break to see if we were both just settling for what was comfortable. That break was for her because I didn’t have any doubts.”

  “Maybe you’ll get back together.” He and I may be connected, but it’s clear she still has his heart.

  “I’m done waiting. I heard that she is in another relationship now—a quiet, nerdy guy from the debate team who’s more her speed and fit her parents’ expectations. All I can do is pick up the pieces that were my life before she stormed into it.”

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought her up.”

  “No problem. Talking about it is good. It makes it more real. I’m getting ready to start a new chapter in my life that she won’t be a part of. Anyway, what about you? When was your last boyfriend?”

  “I did have a boyfriend. We broke up the day I got brought here.”

  “Uh-oh. What happened?”

  “It was nothing like what you had with Shelby. We were only together for six months. Before then, I kept my head down and focused on my studies. I had a small group of friends that he kind of worked his way into. He was the artsy, creative type. One night, we got separated from our mutual friends, and we just kind of hit it off.”

  “So what went wrong?”

  “He started to change. First, he joined a frat house, which was no big deal. But then he morphed into someone I didn’t recognize. His partying and quest for popularity was a turn-off, and we started to grow apart. When all this weird stuff started happening with me, I couldn’t tell him, so I avoided him. He read it as me blowing him off and keeping things from him, so he broke it off with me. It was a long time coming, so it didn’t hurt as much. Nothing like your story.”

  “Well, we both have some healing to do. And I will say I’m glad that I don’t have to start this next chapter alone. It’s great to have a partner in this mess—someone who gets it.”

  “Same,” I agree.

  “So, what’s up with you and the demigod hottie now?” Loren probes. “You can’t keep telling me it’s nothing.”

  “It is nothing. We’re just friends,” I insist as I set up a blanket and several pillows on the floor facing my 42” television. Elysian is due to arrive at any minute.

  “Friends, huh? What’s this setup you have going on? It looks like a date night to me.”

  “Elysian is coming over, but it’s not what you think. We both like the shows I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, so we planned a little television marathon.”

  I spread a variety of candy in the middle of the blanket just as the microwave dings to let me know the popcorn is ready.

  “Sure thing. I think you’re both in denial, but it’s not my business.” She walks over to her side of the closet and begins to rummage through a basket of folded clothes. “Here is my contribution to your date.”

  She hands me a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. “It’s not a date.” I sigh as I take the liquor from her.

  “Mhmm. Well, while the two of you have your non-date night, I’m going to hang with a few girls you haven’t met yet. They’re from my coven. They’re super chill, so we’ll have to all get together soon.”

  “You’re welcome to stay.”

  “Not a chance. Thanks for the invite, but I’ll pass.”

  The sound of three rapid knocks has my heart slamming against my chest. Why was I suddenly nervous? This isn’t a date. We’re just two friends hanging out. I blow out a cleansing breath and ignore the accusatory stare I’m getting from Loren. I go to the door and pull it open just as Elysian is about to knock again.

  “I see you’re breaking out the big guns,” he jokes, gesturing toward the whiskey still in my hand.

  “Ummm … Loren just gave this to me from her secret stash.”

  “Good evening, Loren. Will you be joining us for our Nick at Nite marathon?”

  Oh, jeez. I brace myself for her
inference that this is more than what it is. Please don’t say the date word.

  “Nah. You two kids have fun. I have other plans tonight.”

  That’s it? Thank goodness. I guess she has more restraint than I gave her credit for.

  “Have fun with the girls,” I say as she heads toward the door.

  “He looks mighty fucking yummy. You better get on that before Madison seals the deal. It’s not like she hasn’t been trying,” she whispers in my ear. She then smiles at us both, leaving a flush of crimson on my face.

  If he heard her, he isn’t letting on that he did. He takes a seat on the blanket and looks through all the candy. If I’m being honest, he does look insanely hot. His shirt clings to his chest and abs with every swoon-worthy etch of perfection on display. His gym shorts hug his muscled thighs, providing ideas about how powerful his thrusts must be. He flips his shoulder-length hair as his cerulean blue eyes pierce mine. The skeleton key he always wears dangles around his neck.

  “Are you just going to stand there staring at me, or are you ready to get this marathon started?” he teases.

  “I’m not staring at you. I’m looking at the key you never take off. What is it for?” Nice save, if I say so myself.

  “Yes, you were. But it’s okay. I’ve already accepted that you’re a little weird.”

  “Shut it,” I respond, embarrassed that I got caught and wasn’t as crafty with my excuse as I thought. Luckily, he can’t read my thoughts.

  “I’ve had this key as long as I remember. Even as a kid. When I asked my folks about it, they had no clue other than I was attached to it. As long as nobody was missing it, they didn’t see the harm. Now it’s part of what makes me … well me, so I never take it off.”

  Everybody has their quirks, I guess. I don’t question him anymore about the key. I grab the popcorn from the microwave and then take a seat next to him. I snatch the Almond Joy from the pile, and he gives me the side-eye.

  “I don’t even like those.” He grins. “I’ll happily take the Sour Patch. Where are your cups?”

  I point him in the direction of our mini fridge. We don’t have many dishes, but the few we do have are enough for two people. He gets up, and it takes everything in me not to stare. I blame Loren. Why did she have to go and make me see just how sexy he is? I mean, it’s hard to miss, but damn. I busy myself with changing the channel to Bewitched. Sam wiggles her nose to move something across the room, and the irony is not lost on me that unlike the witch she is playing on TV, they actually exist. My roommate is a witch. I have to remember to ask her if she can move things with a wiggle of her nose.

  “So you’re just going to start the show without me? Some host you are.”

  “This episode is almost over. To be honest, I’ve seen most of them. I just like watching them all over again.”

  “Oh, absolutely. That’s part of the fun.”

  He sits back down next to me, closer than he was before. I can feel the heat radiate from his skin, and my nerves are back. He pours the whiskey into the cups he filled with Coke and passes one to me. I happily accept. Anything to take the edge off. He looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

  “What?” Why was he looking at me like that? Studying me. “Who’s staring now?” I tease as I shove him.

  “You know, you’re kind of cute,” he surmises.

  Where in the hell did that come from? “Wait. Only kind of?” I try to make a joke so he doesn’t see the butterflies he’s stirring inside me. The feeling is so foreign. I didn’t even feel this with Cooper.

  “You know that you’re cute. But I get to see you this way.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

  “What way?” He now has my undivided attention.

  “This carefree redhead with a tank that can barely support her boobs and cheer shorts that show off lean but muscular legs. Oh, and your top bun is so adorable. It’s such a contradiction to your effortless sex appeal.”

  I take his cup and peer down at its contents. Yup, still full. “Okay. What did you drink or pop before you came here?”

  “Pop?”

  “You know. Like popping pills.”

  “Actually, I don’t know. I don’t pop pills. Hell, before I came to this academy, I didn’t even drink this much. My life was wrestling and working with my team to win the championship again.” He tugs at my top knot, and I feel a throb inside my panties. Ugh, it’s not like he said anything too suggestive. He’s looking at me too close now. I blame the lack of attention my vagina has gotten lately. “So why is it when I tell you how sexy you look right now without even trying, your first thought is that I’ve taken something?”

  “Well, because I know you don’t look at me that way. We’re just friends.”

  “We are friends, but that doesn’t mean that my eyes don’t work. I was just thinking about how I’m the only one that gets a front row seat to just how sexy you really are. Now we can get back to the show.”

  How in the hell am I supposed to concentrate on the TV show now that he has dropped that whole “you’re sexy” bomb? I take a few hearty gulps of my whiskey. The accompanying burn is a good indication that there is more alcohol than soda in this cup.

  “You know, you’re pretty heavy-handed there with the alcohol,” I accuse.

  “You only had one Coke left. I had to split it between both of our cups.”

  “We have several cans of Sprite left and even more of sparkling water,” I point out.

  “Umm, no. You don’t mix either of those with whiskey.” He takes a sip of his own Coke-deprived concoction. “You just remember to sip yours. You know your tolerance isn’t that of a normal person.”

  I take a few more gulps in spite. “Too late. My cup is empty. I think I need a refill.”

  “Any more and you’ll be smashed before the next episode of Bewitched starts.” He passes me the popcorn instead. I roll my eyes but take the bag anyway. The alcohol has done absolutely nothing to dull the ache between my legs—if anything, it’s intensified.

  The show starts, and soon, we’re in hysterics over Samantha’s and Darren’s antics. The reprieve of sexual tension is rewarding. We watch so many episodes that I don’t remember the moment my head rested against Elysian’s shoulder. He looks down at me at the precise moment that I look up at him. I feel his kinetic energy pulling me closer. His lips brush against mine softly, and just like that, those damn butterflies are back. And they brought back the tingling to my lady bits. I don’t have the strength to put the brakes on this not so friendly exchange even if I wanted to. My tongue darts out and lick the seam of his lips. A guttural growl escapes him as he opens for me. He deepens the kiss hungrily. His hands entwine deep within my hair, fisting the strands around his grip. My head falls back as a soft, audible moan slips past my lips, but he continues his assault along my neck. The ache between my legs grows so exponentially that clenching my pelvic floor muscles are futile. The moment a single hand palms my ass, the rest of my composure comes undone. I begin to tug at his shirt, urging him to take it off.

  “Shit,” he curses underneath his breath. “We can’t do this. This was a mistake,” he says, standing quickly to his feet.

  “Right,” I agree. I’m such an idiot.

  “Sorry,” he offers.

  “It’s fine. You’re right. This was a mistake. This whole night was a fucking mistake.”

  I jump up and begin to clean up the remaining snacks lying about. I can’t even look at him after I just made an ass out of myself.

  “Let me help,” he offers, picking up the empty bag of popcorn.

  “Just go,” I snap, yanking the bag from his hand. “I’ll take care of this mess. Please,” I add a little softer.

  His eyes soften, and he looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. Instead, he leaves out the door without a backward glance.

  That went south fast. My pride is more than a little wounded. Damn, he had to feel that. He kissed me back. He said he was ready to move on from his ex. Did he have a change of heart, or
does he have his sights set on someone more his speed? Someone like Madison. Ugh. None of my business. He wants to be strictly friends? Noted. I won’t make that mistake again.