A Common Language

Dedication:

To my family. Thank you for always standing behind me while I pursue my dreams…no matter how strange they are.

A Common Language

By Caitlyn Bogart

Copyright 2013 Caitlyn Bogart

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter one

Chapter two

Chapter three

Chapter four

Chapter five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter eight

Chapter nine

Chapter ten

Chapter eleven

Chapter twelve

Chapter thirteen

Chapter fourteen

Chapter fifteen

Chapter sixteen

Chapter seventeen

Chapter eighteen

Chapter nineteen

Chapter twenty

Chapter twenty-one

Chapter twenty-two

Chapter twenty-three

Chapter twenty-four

Chapter twenty-five

Chapter twenty-six

Chapter twenty-seven

Epilogue

Chapter one

Notes

Congratulations,

You have been accepted to the Music College of the University of the Arts in Cambridge, England.

Our world-famous campus is happy to welcome you into the ranks of our elite academy. We have reviewed your audition tape and believe you have great potential. We would be honored to include your unique abilities in our campus. Please arrange to travel to our campus, just south of Marshall Airport, Cambridge, to pick up your schedule, uniform, and room key at least three days before the beginning of the term on the 23 of August. We have included some personalized information for your convenience, including a bus schedule leaving the airport to campus and an explanation of our unique five-year program. Please be aware that we accept no late students, no excuses. Do not be late. Also note that every first-year student must try out for one sports team and every student, regardless of year, must be enrolled in the athletic program. Come prepared for try outs within the first few days of school. View the separate page and our website for more information about our varied extra-curricular activities or about your individual needs on campus. Please contact the Dean of Music Admissions, Thomas Allen, with any questions.

Welcome. We are looking forward to a great year with your talent at UA,

Thomas Allen

The University of the Arts – Music College

Somewhere in Spain:

My letter from the university came in today. They want me back for a fourth year. Isn’t that exciting, Mom? Lupe announced to her mother at the dinner table, purposefully taking an oversized bite. She reveled in the disapproval in her mother’s gray eyes. She lived for moments like this. The university was where she wanted to be. Not this prison of a house.

You can do what you want, Lupe, but you are paying for it. You know how your father and I feel about this…phase. As if to make her point, her mother nodded towards her daughter’s UA shirt. And get your feet off the chair. Just because your father is away on business doesn’t mean you can act the fool.

Fine by me, Lupe finished her dinner quickly and packed what little she wanted to take from her ‘home’. The university was her real home--a home for the musically talented--with dorms. It was where she belonged. Talent was the only thing Lupe could rightly call her own. She was finished depending on her parents. After this year she wasn’t coming back.

Somewhere in Russia:

Sasha. We got our ticket out of here, literally: UA is willing to pay for our plane ticket. Come on, there is nothing for us here. We have known that for the past two years. I say--after this year--we stay in England. Leave this place behind. We are all that we have left. England is safer for us anyway.

I know that, Demitri. I know that, Sasha sighed, grabbed his bag, and packed the things his brother handed him, not bothering to look at what they were. He trusted him enough to give him the right stuff. It was habit by then; without trust they had nothing.

Somewhere in Japan:

Masashi Sou!! She had been yelling for him for the past ten minutes. He was ignoring her, trying desperately to drown her out with the words on the page. Masashi!

Masashi sighed and looked up from his music theory book. It wasn’t going to stop, was it?

Do not make me come up and drag you down here! You know I will! He swung his legs off his bed, making some unnecessary noise so she would silence herself for a moment. He calmly walked down the steep thin steps to see his bubbly and easily excitable sister, Miki, holding an open envelope and a white sheet of paper; he recognized the University’s emblem on the top of the parchment.

What have I told you about opening my mail? Just because I am younger than you doesn’t mean you can ignore my privacy, he said very calmly to her, knowing full well it would do no good. She did this all the time.

You got accepted for your second year! Miki was glowing, Wait, weren’t you already accepted?

You have to audition every year to prove you are a good investment for the university to make and it helps with the scholarship process, he explained, glancing at the letter, anxious to get his hands on it. She extended the letter towards him. Thank you, he said honestly, but with a touch of venom for her sake. He grabbed the letter and read it. She was right. He almost hit his head on his door frame as he went to pack his things. It was always hard to leave his family and he wanted to give himself as much time as possible.

Somewhere in Romania:

Yo, Dragen! Put that guitar down for two seconds, you got mail, Dragen sighed and headed to the back of the bus. Looks like we’re losing our driver for another year, boys, Stefan called to the rest of the band. Stefan was the drummer and unofficial leader of the band. He was the best at inspiring every member to work their hardest. And he always performed eloquently with crazy fans and interviews.

Aw man, come on, Dragen. The last guy was awful!

Hey! It’s his dream, who are we to deny him the music that we taught him? Stefan put the complaints to rest. Well? What are you waiting for? Let’s get you packed.

Dragen just nodded gratefully as Stefan cleared the way to his suitcase.

Somewhere in France:

Percival! His mother ran into the room smiling brightly. She wouldn’t look at him, keeping her eyes upwards.

Mother, how many times do I have to tell you? I go by Percy now.

My apologies, She curtsied with a smug look on her face. Unfortunately I won’t get a chance to get used to that. Not for the next five years at least…. She let her sentence taper off to catch his interest.

What in the Earth are you…. He caught a glimpse of the paper behind her back. She held it up for him to see. Watching the realization set in on his face, she smiled from ear to ear.

You got a full-ride scholarship for all five years!

But, that has never happened before--not ever in the history of UA--I researched it, Percy couldn’t believe his senses. This was not happening. Nothing this good had ever happened to him. This could be the fresh start he had been dreaming of.

Look for yourself, he said, handing over the ivory parchment. Percy read quickly; his mother hadn’t made a mistake. He ran onto the terrace and screamed like a mad man to the world that his dreams had come true.

Somewhere in the United States of America:

Kallison Marie Hardford, get in here right now!!

What now? Kalli ran down the hallway, her fuzzy socks slipping on the hardwood floor. Especially at times like these, distractions kept her young.

What the heck is this? Her mom was leaning against the kitchen sink holding up a thick piece of paper. Kalli recognized UA’s emblem on the top.

Is that--?

It is an acceptance to…. She looked at the paper. University of the Arts in Cambridge, England. It says here you got a full scholarship, 5 years. Wow they must want you really bad, Kalli screamed and jumped around the kitchen. You aren’t going, Her mother’s voice crashed through her joy like a bundle of rocks over her head.

What? Kalli exclaimed, hardly able to believe her ears. Mom, this is what I’ve been working for. It’s my dream! This is my life! Dad wanted me to go. He applied me before… Kalli’s eyes slid to the floor. The past few weeks had been so hard.

Well that wasn’t your father’s choice to make in his position, her mom said. Her voice was cold. You are not going to some school on the other side of the world. You are 17 years old. I’m not letting you go on some grand adventure to England. You are going to go to the college right here, She added. I was young once. I understand the appeal, but it’s not happening.

But, Mom! Kalli protested.

No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You aren’t going and that’s final, Her mom went back to cleaning the dishes, turning her back on the tearing Kalli. Her decision was made and nothing her daughter said would change that.

Fine! Kalli yelled. She ran back to her room and slammed the door. She pulled out the already-packed suitcase from under her bed. This was her only chance. She was leaving tonight and that was final.

***

Chapter two

Prelude

Marshall Airport, Cambridge:

Kalli scrambled to catch the bus that was scheduled to leave for the campus in a few moments. It would be four hours before the next bus came, so she didn’t want to miss this one. She was a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. She just had a very long flight resulting from an intense fear of flying combined with a screaming kid behind her. She was a complete wreck. The last strands of her ponytail barely caught in the band and her eyes wired from the plane’s coffee. Her luggage was heavy and slipping from her sweaty, stressed hands. She ran anyway.

There were people all around her. Everyone seemed to be in a rush to get somewhere. She kept her eyes open for collisions; she got out of the crowd and relaxed a little. She was going to make it. The door to parking lot D was about 20 yards in front of her and the bus was waiting in a close parking spot. She quickened her pace. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a pale head covered in midnight black hair rushing in the same direction. She didn’t care until he ran into her right in front of the door, causing her to drop all her things.

"I am so sorry, Mademoiselle! he said in a thick French accent. He knelt to the floor and handed her bags to her. Despite the collision, he was poised and graceful. Kalli felt a twang of jealousy which she attributed to her lack of poise on a good day. I am terribly sorry. He paused, taking a moment to look at her, Well hello. My name is Percy." He extended his free right hand politely.

He’s weird. I wonder if that’s how all French guys are? Well, I’m not gonna stay around to find out. I’m in a hurry. Kalli brushed past him and readjusted her bags as she walked towards the already nearly full bus.

In-A-Hurry, That is an interesting name. I like it. Percy easily caught up to her using the long legs of his 6-foot frame. What’s the rush?

I have a bus to catch. Part of her felt bad for being so short with him.

Mind if I escort you? I’m headed to parking lot D.

Do I have a choice? Kalli asked, frustrated. She really didn’t have the time, or the patience, for this clown. Who the heck is this guy? Why won’t he leave me alone?

Of course, miss. If you wish for me not to, I will not. His eyes were honest and wide.

I prefer to escort myself. She kept the words short and hard, making it obvious she did not want him around.

As you wish. He dropped behind her so she couldn’t see where he was headed, but she was not going to turn around to check. The last thing she wanted to do was encourage him.

Kalli barely made the 3 o’ clock bus. All the seats in the front were taken, so she walked to the back and sat next to the window. She closed her eyes for the first time in--what felt like--days. Maybe she could sleep on the way there. Exhaustion started to rush over her, inescapable like a storm.

Percy ran onto his bus just as it pulled out. That was close, he muttered to himself as he walked through the crowded aisle to the back of the bus. He rounded the corner to the main isle to see ‘in a hurry’ lying against the window. Well, hello again. Her eyes fluttered open and her smooth jaw opened as she stared at him. In a hurry? Was it not? By the way it is generally not nice to stare, but I really don’t care if you do. Are you are going to UA as well?

Yes, obviously. She faced the window again.

That gives us something in common. Fate I believe they call that.

Kalli threw her head back in frustration. She regained her composure quickly. Was this guy following her? If so, how could she lose him? The last thing she needed was a stalker. Let’s try something, shall we? She smiled as nicely as she could muster. It was time for those years in theater to pay off.

Of course! His bright blue eyes lit up. He was happy to finally get some headway with her. He was poised on the edge of his seat. He couldn’t explain it, but he wanted to be her friend. He felt that he would need her at some point. And she would need him. Maybe it was just a feeling, but he was in the habit of trusting his instincts.

Have you heard of a cannon or round? Like row-row-row your boat? She asked earnestly.

Gently down the stream? He smiled his most charming smile.

That’s the one. She smiled back, convincingly.

Yes, I have heard of it. She noticed how startling his eyes were. The blue popped out against his pitch black hair and pale skin. He was young and trusting but old and wise at the same time.

Well, I wrote one on the plane. Will you sing it with me?

Yes, but I must warn you I am not much of a singer. Kalli wondered what his musical talent was. He struck her as a singer: relatively outgoing with good stage presence, something she recognized easily.

That’s okay. I’m not great either. I’ll start. Here we go. She sat for several minutes in silence before he began to wonder when he would hear her sing. He was terribly excited to see how talented she was.

Uh… should we start? he asked her softly and kindly, not wanting to offend her. He didn’t want to push her obviously thin patience.

What are you talking about? We started a while back. You were doing so well at following along. But then you spoke and ruined the music.

Ha-ha, he said with rich sarcasm. You are rather humorous, miss.

And you are rather persistent, sir, she said, imitating his accent poorly and smiling tightly before returning her concentration to the trees flying past the window.

Are you making fun of my nationality? A lesser man would be offended.

Kalli was silent, so he leaned towards the window to see what captivated her. She felt him shift, and his soft breath on her neck sent uncomfortable shivers down her spine. Do you mind!? Goodness! she pushed him hard in the chest to make him sit back. She was thankful that he stayed where he landed. She wasn’t sure what kept him there: fear, shock, or just obedience. Honestly, she didn’t really care as long as he didn’t try to talk to her again. At least he could understand such an obvious rejection.

Percy liked this one. She was a challenge. There was certainly something very special about this ‘In-A-Hurry’ girl.

Maasaaaaaashiiii!!! she cried, running eagerly to meet him and cherishing the warm hug his waiting arms gave her.

Lupe. He greeted her calmly and pulled her into a tight hug; she was so small in his arms but not in a breakable way. She was too independent and strong minded to be breakable. Anyone who claimed otherwise didn’t have very long to live in this world.

Are you still just as logical and calm, ‘Sushi?

As often as I can. How many times must I ask you to not call me Sushi? It’s Masashi. He looked down into her gray eyes. They had a hint of lavender in them that fascinated him. His wrists rested comfortably on her waist as they always had.

Sorry, slip of the tongue. She smiled up at him, just happy to see him again. How are Miki and Kaname?

Annoying as always, he winked. She knew full well how important family was to him. They were the only people who truly got under his skin. Well…they and Lupe of course, because she refused to be left out of that club. How was your summer?

Dull without you. Dad was gone most of the time and Mom tended to just look at me disapprovingly without much effort on my part. It’s sad when they stop trying to cover up that they’re disappointed, She laughed. Maybe I can move in with your family. They sound like a lot more fun.

You would be welcome.

Oi! You two! Am I going to have to hound you about public displays of affection again this year? the head administrator of the dance college, Luke Stanley, said sternly.

I was hoping they would fire that guy, Masashi sighed as he dropped his hands.

Heard that! Mr. Stanley said as a warning. It was his personal mission to keep the students of the Music College in check. No one knew why, but he seemed too invested in the Music College student’s behavior, maybe because the music program outshone his dance program every year.

Lupe quickly changed the subject because she could see the danger in Masashi’s eyes. Did you see who your roommate is for this year? Is he here yet?

Yeah, I looked into it; his name is Percival Delano. He is French--a first-year. Not great, but at least he’s not a smug fifth year like I had last year, and who knows, he shrugged. Maybe he’ll be interesting to mess with. Preferably quiet too.

You’re mean. Lupe accused, but she was smiling so she knew he wasn’t completely serious. I got a first year too. An American. Fresh blood, She smiled almost demonically. But, remember that Thomas wants us to try more to reach out to the younger grades, some kind of do-good kick he’s on. Oh! The twins called. They said they would be here by tomorrow.

Oh, good. More trouble, Masashi muttered sarcastically. He wasn’t as fond of the twins as Lupe was. At least Dragen will get here soon so there will be someone else with a logical bone in his body.

You could just say that you need someone to scare the living bejesus out of the twins for you so they’ll leave you alone. If you’re going to be mean you should just get to it, and don’t beat around the bush. If people annoy you so much, why don’t you just room with Dragen when he gets here?

Lovely as always, He laughed lightly. Dragen doesn’t want to. I brought it up last year, but if he can manage a room by himself he will do that every time. Nothing personal. He said he would be here the day after tomorrow. He called me yesterday to let me know, Masashi flipped his new cell phone around his agile hand.

Nice phone. How does that work, the calling thing? I have always wondered. I mean, he doesn’t really talk, so how do you know what he means over the phone? Dragen was Masashi’s best friend. They fit together perfectly because neither of them liked to talk.

Lupe, he is not a mute. He just prefers not to speak. He just told me like you would without all the excess babble, He elbowed her. He had to bend over a little to hit her arm instead of her neck. What could he say? Lupe was short.

Are you saying that I babble? Lupe mocked hurt feelings and elbowed him hard in the stomach, but he barely felt it. After all year of her playful abuse, he had become immune to most pain.

That is precisely what I am saying, he grinned

Some people never change, She sighed. Well, from what I can tell, this is going to be a very fun semester. I’m excited, She did her little excited dance just to see his eyes roll.

I know. I know, Lupe. I am too.

***

Chapter three

Counterpoint

The bus pulled up in front of the large main building of the campus. Percy tried to help an unwilling Kalli off the bus since she was unsteady from the long bus ride. Not to mention, she just woke up and she had a tendency to not wake up happy and was stubborn as a mule to do things on her own.

"Careful, Mademoiselle. Let me help you," Percy lifted Kalli off the bus easily despite her protests.

Put. Me. Down!