Shelzi
Member
"If I told you who I am, you wouldn't believe me."
"I'm going, Papa. You and I both know I can't hide away in these woods forever."
My father held up the acceptance letter, his eyes reflecting hurt and his voice accusing. "We didn't talk about this. I don't understand why you didn't even tell me you applied."
I let out a heavy sigh, guilt warring with determination. It wasn't my intention to hurt him, but it was inevitable. "Because I knew you'd react badly. And I did tell you I was ready. Multiple times," I reminded him. I was twenty years old, for Spirit's sake. I had a duty to uphold. Justice to service.
A degree to get.
"I can't protect you if you leave!"
And there it was. The crux of the problem. Marcus Stonewall had been my protector my whole life. After he found me, he withdrew from everything and everyone, making me his sole purpose. Instead of taking me to the temple to be raised by the Druids, he kept me secret and safe. I was eternally grateful for the childhood he'd provided. But I wasn't a child anymore.
"I can protect myself, Papa," I said gently. "You made sure of that."
He collapsed into the seat across from me at the kitchen table suddenly looking years older. When did his hair turn gray at the temples? How long had he had those deep lines around his eyes? "Terra, we don't know exactly what you need protecting from. I don't know if it's the Gods or some secret sect, or who knows what else. And if the High Druids find out who you are, there'll be no escaping the burden of duty."
"There's no escaping it anyway. One day I'll take up that mantle, but for now, Pop, we're just talking college. You know, dorms and frat parties and sexual experimentation."
He winced and I laughed, feeling some of the tension lessen between us. Papa didn't like it, but only because he loved me. We may not agree but he knew I wouldn't be stopped.
I was going to college.
***
I pulled my old Silverado into a spot in front of the apartment building where I'd be living for the next four years. It was a quaint three story, brick building with freshly painted white stairs leading to each level. I'd been lucky enough to snag a ground floor apartment, probably helped along by the four year lease I'd signed.
Excitement bubbling within me, I scampered out of the truck, grabbed a couple boxes out of the back, and headed to my apartment. I sat the boxes outside the door and after digging the key out of my back pocket, let myself in. Leaving the boxes for now, I stepped inside and took a deep breath.
It didn't smell like home yet, but it would.
The movers and deliveries would arrive tomorrow. For now it was a blank slate waiting for me to put my touch on it. The apartment had an open floor plan, with a curved bar seperating the kitchen from the dining and living areas. Further back, a short hallway led to two bedrooms - one of which I'd turn into an office - and a decent sized bathroom with a deep tub. The tub had been a huge selling point. The floors were gleaming hardwood, the walls a relaxing cream color that would match whatever color scheme I decided on. Decorating this place was going to be so much fun.
"Knock, knock!"
I whipped around and was startled further to find two men standing just outside the door I'd foolishly left open. The one on the left was tall and lanky with messy red hair that could use a cut and adorable freckles dotting his otherwise pale skin. He was dressed in worn, baggy jeans and a Minecraft t-shirt that made me want to grin.
The guy on the right wasn't as tall, and he was built thicker than his friend. His dark, curly hair was short and neatly trimmed. He wore a plain black t-shirt with black jeans. He gave off doberman vibes, while the redhead was definitely more a cocker spaniel.
And the doberman was wearing polka-dot potholders and holding a cake pan.
I didn't know them, and maybe I hadn't been out in the world for more than a few hours, but I wasn't alarmed by their presence. Hard to be scared of someone bearing what my nose told me was chocolate. And man, did I love me some chocolate.
"Hey. Um. Hi." Smooth, Terra. Not awkward at all.
I hadn't been expecting to see anyone, so I'd dressed comfortably for a long drive and a day spent lugging boxes inside. Gray leggings, black Chucks, and a faded purple shirt with the neck cut out so it fell off one shoulder made up my outfit. I self-consciously smoothed a hand down my brown, unruly waves.
Neither of them said anything. I didn't know what else to say. It was just awkwardly quiet for too long before the redhead sharply elbowed the big guy in the side.
He took it with a grunt, then cleared his throat and thrust the pan towards me. "We brought you a cake," he said gruffly.
"As a house warming present," the redhead added, then flashed me an embarrassed smile. "We saw you carrying the boxes from our window. We live just across the hall."
"And you just so happened to have a cake ready?" I teased. I waved them inside and gestured to the bar. "You can set it there. I won't have furniture until tomorrow."
"I'm Body," the redhead said. "And this is Gavin."
"Terra. Nice to meet you both. And, uh, thanks for the cake. Do I smell chocolate?"
Body chuckled as he nodded, and even Gavin cracked a smile.
Maybe I was new to the outside world, but my instincts told me these two were good people, and I could use friends. I had an online buddy but that was about as far as my social interactions went.
Beings like me didn't usually get a chance at normal. Papa had helped make all this a reality, and I wasn't going to squander it.