Reflections Of Another World (Reflections Series Book 3)

Chapter 1 – Meetings and magic

The first day he arrived, I think everyone loved him it was instantaneous. At least I know I did. The way his honey blonde hair always flopped over his face to the warm brown eyes that always sparkled. He was friends with everyone and seemed to consider everyone his friend. He even greeted me on his first day, not that I responded.

As soon as everyone realised how fast he could run, he was on the track team so I managed to see a lot of him. He smiles at me every day from across the canteen where I sit by myself. At least I like to think it’s me he smiles at, but I’m not sure. It’s been this way for the last six months since he first arrived.

I cannot bring myself to respond to him in all this time. For every time he greeted me, smiled at me, or encouraged me in my running, I have never answered him. Today is our first day back at school after summer, and I’m hoping against hope that I can bring myself to say something, anything to him.

Walking into school with my head down looking at the ground, I still heard the jeers, so I marched along quicker. I know I should be used to it, but even how many years later it still hurt.

Back off and leave her alone. I heard a growl from behind me, and turned in surprise to find the guy I most wanted to see defending me. My heart swelled in response but I kept walking.

Hey, Leena, how was your summer? he asked as he walked beside me and a little thrill went through me at the nickname he always called me.

My real name was Eileenia, which was long and bizarre. My parents had adopted me so I couldn’t ask what my name meant. It was then I realised I hadn’t answered him as usual.

Hi, Hayden. I whispered and when he heard me, he stopped walking.

Now that wasn’t too hard, was it? he cheered at me and I ducked my head down even further. I guess I’ll see you down at the track later? he asked and I gave him a small nod.

He walked off and I glanced up to watch him move away from me. With his blonde hair shining in the sunlight, all I could do was sigh.

I made my way over to my locker to store my stuff away before going to class. I doodled on my notebook as I waited for the teacher to arrive. The room boomed with boisterous noise, which increased my anxiety.

Everyone settle down! First things first, welcome back. Second, whomever you are sitting with will be the person you will work with for the year. Your last chance to move is now. Our teacher insisted.

There were shuffling’s and grumblings but I knew no one would take the chair next to me. Everybody thought I was too weird. When I heard the chair next to me scrape, I jolted back in shock.

Looking up, I saw Hayden smiling at me, his eyes shining as he winked. I couldn’t even move let alone say anything. He managed to stun me as well as everyone else in the room with the rumours that resounded.

Are you sure? I whispered to him, not daring to glance his way.

Leena, look at me, he ordered in a soft voice and I forced myself to lift my eyes to his beautiful brown ones. I’ve always wanted to sit with you, and I’ve always chickened out. That won’t happen this year. His words overwhelmed me but I managed a small smile.

It continued that way for the rest of the day. He refused to let me stay in the bubble that had been my world for the whole years of my schooling. I had no idea what to say to him when we ended up at our track meeting that afternoon. After saying nothing to him all day, but to have him there supporting me meant so much that it made me want to cry.

I walked into the change rooms to see the other girls glaring at me. My heart started thudding at their unhappy looks but I walked in and changed regardless. They made no move towards me, but I knew they would do something. I left as fast as I could and made my way out to the sunny grounds.

The coach ordered us into groups for warm ups and that’s when they started tripping me over as often as they could outside the view of Hayden and our couch. By the end of the whole session, numerous bruises covered me. I staggered back to the change room to find someone had stolen all my stuff.

So much for a fresh start to the year. It was the same as every year, if not worse. I sat on one of the bench seats, pulled my tall lanky frame close to me and cried. Why did this always happen to me?

One of the magpies who hung around the grounds came in and stood next to me, but I had nothing to say to him. He carolled to the rest of his family. Before I knew it there were five or six birds chirping at me. Yes, it’s official, I can talk to animals and they can talk to me.

No wonder everyone in school thought I was a freak. I stood taller than most of the guys, I had violet coloured eyes and I could talk to animals. Between my sobs and the birds carolling, I didn’t hear anyone enter the room until it was too late.

Leena, are you in here? Are you okay? I’ve been waiting for you. What the hell? I heard Hayden’s words but as usual, I couldn’t respond. It looks like he now knew the truth about me.

Goddess above, Leena, what happened? he asked with concern that made me cry more.

I found it strange that none of the birds flew away, but they stared at Hayden with wary eyes. He approached me and leaned over to wipe a tear from my eye. He squatted in front of me so that we were eye to eye.

How did you get these bruises? he gestured to the ones on my exposed arm as he rubbed his finger across the bruise. Was it the other girls?

They took my stuff too. I whispered.

I’ll get it back for you, don’t you worry about it okay, he promised.

I realised the spot he touched began to burn. Glancing down, I noticed the bruise he rubbed appeared healed. I looked into his eyes to see a rueful expression there.

See we can be freaks together, he admitted as he gestured to the birds. What are they saying?

When he acted as if there was nothing wrong with my weirdness, I snapped upright in surprise. He should run screaming from the building but he continued rubbing the bruise on my ankle.

How did you know that? I asked trying not to allow the sensations of having his fingers rubbing my skin overwhelm me.

I’ve watched you a lot, ever since I arrived here. One of the things I’ve noticed is that whenever a bird, animal or even a bug comes near you, I see you tilt your head a certain way and I know you’re listening to them.

Please don’t tell anyone. I said to him in a stutter.

Leena, you have a rare talent. The only one I want to tell is my mum, if you’ll let me. My talents are boring next to yours; all I can do is healing, he gestured to my bruise free ankle. And I have super speed. You are far luckier. He explained and my shock increased with what he told me.

Is your mum a scientist? I don’t want anyone to study me. I blurted out as my nerves increased but he chuckled.

My mum would adore you, but no, she’s not a scientist, I promise. If it cheers you up, your talent is so unique that I want to know more. He admitted and I ducked my head to smile.

Are you sure? I asked with the tiniest bit of hope flaring inside me.

Yes. Now we had better get moving before it gets dark, I’m sure your parents are worried.

He offered his hand to me, and with shaky digits, I put mine in his and he pulled me upright. He was one of the only guys who were taller than I was, and I liked that I had to look up at him. It made me feel normal for even a second of time.

My parents won't be home, I don't see them much. I whispered to him and he looked sad for a moment before sending me a cheery smile.

No rush then, hey? Awesome, we can continue our chat. He told me as his grin widened.

The funny thing was I didn't speak, but he talked about his family, who he obviously adored. He told me about where he came from, which sounded so wonderful that I wanted to live there. He dropped me at my door with a smile and a wave.

My heart throbbed in response as I watched him leave. I dragged myself inside the lonely, dark house, lay down on my bed and slept. Too many overwhelming things had happened today for me to comprehend, so I let them go keeping only the image of Hayden in my head.

A rustling disturbed me and I looked at the clock. Wow, it was only seven, and what a surprise, no parents either. It still confused me why they would adopt me, so they could pretend that I didn’t exist.

It had always bothered me, and when they were home, it’s not as if they paid me heaps of attention. I’m not saying they didn’t care, they always left me enough money for everything I needed, but they remained distant from me.

The rustling continued, and I looked over to my windowsill to see my possum friend pointing at something. I poked my head out only to run away from the window. Hayden and another girl sat in the park opposite my window.

My sadness overruled my jealousy, but not by much. Hayden could have any girl he wanted and that appeared obvious to anyone. He must have walked me home because he found me crying in the change rooms, not because he liked me.

I gestured for the possum to sit in the tree above them so I could hear what they were talking about and he scurried off to assist. For a moment, I could hear nothing, until I focused on Hayden’s lilting accent that always made me want to swoon.

-My life bond, Mum. She is. I know it. I’ve known from the first day I saw her. I heard Hayden speak.

She’s an earth child, Hay; she can’t be your life bond. The girl advised in a voice far wiser than her years showed.

That’s the funny thing, Mum; I think she might be Argonian. He admitted and the girl looked at him in utter shock.

No Argonian would abandon their child on earth, what a cruel move. To leave your talented child here to fend for themselves, I can't imagine that happening. The girl sounded livid and sad all at the same time.

Will you listen to my reasoning? Hayden asked her and she nodded her head. Her name is Eileenia. Tell me what does that mean in ancient Argonian. I know it’s not an Earth name. He insisted.

You know what it means, Hayden, eilen means violet, your point being. The girl looked at him with a frown.

Her eyes are violet, Mum. Goddess above, she has the most stunning set of violet eyes. She’s so beautiful. His words were like a soft summer breeze wafting over me, but I didn’t miss the girls gasp.

Does she show any talent? the girl asked and Hayden nodded.

Yep, she can talk to animals. Hayden sounded proud.

What an awesome talent. I still have to wonder about any parent who would abandon their child here. Tell you what, Hay; I’ll dig through the records on births that year. I’m assuming she would be a fifteen point two, the same as you? she asked and Hayden shrugged.

I’ve only known her for the last six months so I don’t know her age.

Alright, I’ll look into it. You realise that I’m going to want to meet her. The girl warned.

Yes, I don’t think she’ll believe you’re my mum, but I’m willing to try. She’s shy and timid. She spoke to me this morning for the first time since I’ve known her. Hayden admitted.

Poor thing. If she is Argonian then I am going to kick some butt over her parent’s mistreatment of her, even in the darkening sky, I saw a weird flash of intense power in the girl’s eyes and I believed her too. C’mon, I’ll race you home. She told him with a laugh.

Yeah, like you’ve got a chance of beating me. Hayden scoffed at her.

In a blink, they disappeared. The possum crept up to my windowsill and I gave him a treat, a pat, and a thanks. He had left me with a lot to think about, with my major one being that Hayden thought I was beautiful.

He liked my weird coloured eyes, and he liked me enough to tell his mum, if that was his Mum, about me. The other thing was did my name mean violet? Did my biological parents name me after the colour of my eyes?

I lay back down on my bed with confusion and strangeness circling my mind. Most important, a tiny flutter of happiness unfurled in my chest.

I was up with my kookaburra friend who always acted as my alarm clock. I changed, went for my morning run, and got ready for school. The kookaburra chastised me for only having toast for breakfast, but I had too many butterflies in my chest to fit in much food.

I slung my old backpack on my shoulder, as my new one had disappeared thanks to those stupid girls, and walked out the door. I slammed it shut behind me only to see my parents pulling up in the car.

Good morning, Eileenia, Mum sounded cheerful as she did one of those cheek rub, pretend kiss things. I hated them because nothing seemed less loving. Time for school, is it? Oh, and look you even have a boy waiting for you this year, how wonderful.

I turned away from my gushing mother with her blonde hair in its perfect, coiffed bun to see Hayden waiting for me with a slight frown on his face. The riotous butterflies in my stomach took flight as he smiled at me.

Gotta go, Mum, bye. I said as I moved away from the car and towards Hayden. His frown returned when neither of my parents seemed concerned about my welfare, but I shrugged. I was used to their behaviour.

How are you this morning, Leena? he asked me before he handed me my new bag, complete with all my things.

I gaped at him; he did get my bag as he had promised. Tears filled my eyes at his gesture; nobody had ever taken the time to look out for me like this.

Thank you. I said before running back inside to exchange my stuff over into my new bag.

Who is this boy? Dad asked as I prepared to leave.

I looked down at my short, almost bald father and shrugged, having no idea what to say before walking back out the door. Once again Hayden did all of the talking while I listened. It wasn’t until he meandered away from school that I thought I had to say something.

Where are we going? I asked.

We are trying a little experiment, he told me as he led me down to the empty pathway that runs by the creek. Put your sneakers on, I want to see if you can beat me.

I had to wonder how he knew that I always carried my sneakers with me. I often went for a run during lunch instead of listening to others ridicule me.

With a sharp move, I shook my head, no, I don’t want to. I told him and he stopped walking, but he turned to face me a small smile.

I want you to trust me, Leena. I think there’s a good reason why you think you can’t do something and it’s because you’ve never had anyone tell you that you can. A determined look came into his warm brown eyes as he spoke.

Alright. I agreed and placed my sneakers on my feet. His eyes glimmered at me, as he turned his cheeky grin my way.

Try and keep up, he murmured close to my ear, which made the butterflies start dancing. He left so fast that I didn’t even see him. C’mon Leena, I’ve already done a lap. He teased before he shot along the path.

At his words, I pushed myself into a run. This was what I loved about running, the sheer exhilaration of the wind in your face while all my muscles revelled in the movement. It was also my freedom. My way to escape from the depressing way life can be sometimes.

Faster, Leena, faster. His voice encouraged from behind me, then in front of me in a split second.

I saw his grin, and for the first time, I grinned back as I sped up and chased after him. The funny thing was I had never caught up to Hayden, some days I came close but it was never close enough. Today I flew through the air as we ran, and I even got side by side with him. His smile was enough to keep me happy forever as we slowed down to a walk.

You have super speed too. He cheered.

He collapsed on the ground next to our bags while I stared at him wide eyed before glancing at my watch. I choked as I realised we only had five minutes to get to school, while he raised an eyebrow at me.

I can’t Travel like mum but we’ve got plenty of time for a blink and zap. He told me in a lazy drawl, while I tried to understand what he said.

He rolled to his feet, leaned over to take my sneakers off, and put my horrid black school shoes back on. It warmed me inside with how the little things he did endeared me. He offered me his hand, which I accepted to pull me upright but he didn’t let go. Instead, he handed me my bag, picked up his own but made no move to leave, while I knew we would be late for school.

Leena, I want you to put in your mind the old gum tree that stands behind the basketball court at school, he told me and I looked at him in confusion but did as he asked. That’s excellent but we need to land behind it so no one sees us. That's great now keep that image clear in your mind and close your eyes. Now imagine we are there, Leena.

I followed his instructions to the letter while feeling foolish, but I opened my eyes to find myself in the exact place I’d envisioned. That astounded me and to be honest it scared me. We had covered a half hour walking distance in the blink of an eye.

Well done, Leena! You did it. That’s fantastic. Hayden cheered from next to me as we scurried to class.

All that day I considered everything that had happened, not only this morning but also what I overheard last night and my worry increased. There was something so untoward and bizarre about the situation.

I glanced over at Hayden in the class before lunch and he beamed back at me. With my toes tingling, and my stomach fluttering in an increasing frantic beat, I tried to keep calm.

I looked away from him and bit my fingernail. Dread took over me when I realised I had to stay away from Hayden Johnson; I had to avoid him no matter what. It made me sad thinking about it, but I didn’t want to become more of a freak. This was not normal.

He walked over to sit at my table at lunch, his face full of so much light and happiness, so I almost said nothing. I wanted him to smile at me like that all the time because it made me forget my annoying life. However, I had to walk away whether I liked it or not.

Please don’t. I whispered and he frowned.

Look, Leena, about this morning, I can explain. he appeased but I shook my head, jumped up from my table and walked away.

I know he watched me walk out of the building with the way his eyes burnt into me. He tried all afternoon to talk to me, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. There was no track meeting today, so I left the school to walk home.

I hurried along as best I could with my thoughts being the only thing to trip me. I’d come to the realisation that I was even weirder than I first thought. There had to be something wrong with me.

Leena, wait up and let me talk to you, Hayden called from behind me so I slowed. His hand reached out to grab mine but I snatched it back. I’m sorry, Leena. I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard so fast, but the fact that you can do these things is fantastic, he stopped and made me face him. It means you maybe Argonian, not a child from Earth and for me that’s more thrilling than words could describe.

All it did was make tears come into my eyes that he didn’t realise what a true freak of nature I was. Moving back from him, I clutched my bag strap tighter to me.

I don’t want you to talk to me anymore. I whispered to him and he looked taken aback.

Leena, please, don’t be upset over this. Please give me a chance to explain. He called out to me but I continued moving.

I made it to my once again empty house, ran in and slammed the door behind me. I threw myself on my bed and cried for all the stupid things in my life. My stupid weirdness, my overreaction, even for my crippling shyness. I hated it, I hated my life and I’d managed to push the one good thing, the one shining light that was Hayden away from me.

Chapter 2 – A dinner, a movie and a run

I couldn't bring myself to talk to Hayden for the rest of the week. Words sat on the tip of my tongue, but I stopped myself every time. He never gave up; he always tried to talk to me. I retreated back into my shell as if we had never had those two precious days together.

I arrived home on Friday afternoon to find my parents packing for another weekend getaway, so I hid in my room until they left. Once again, I was on my own. To cheer myself up, I decided to make spaghetti Bolognese.

I put on my iPod and sung along to my favourite songs, trying to distract myself from the dreadful week I had endured. It was while I was boiling the water for the spaghetti that I realised something had changed. I turned to find Hayden smiling at me from the doorway of my kitchen.

Hey, Leena, you should lock your door you know, it was wide open when I walked past. He said to me in concern.

My parents must have left it open, I said as I pulled off my headphones. I’ll lock it now.

Have they left you alone for the weekend? he asked his voice fierce and I nodded. Leena, you shouldn’t be alone all this time. He sounded concerned.

I’m used to it.

Trying to ignore his presence, I put the spaghetti into the boiling water. I set the timer and stirred the sauce, not realising that Hayden had walked up behind me.

That smells awesome. He took a deep breath while I flinched away from him, but his words still thrilled me.

Did you want some? I asked and that shocked me.

I hadn't meant to say anything let alone ask him to stay. Blaming the fact that I had tried to avoid him all week seemed easier. He was like a cute puppy who was way too hard to resist.

I would love some, thanks! First things first, I’m going to lock that door, he disappeared for a minute before popping back into the kitchen. I forgot my mobile, so do you mind if I call my mum? he requested and I pointed to the phone on the bench top.

While I organised to drain the pasta, he talked animatedly to his mum. His final words of ‘sure I’ll ask her’ had me a bit worried. I spooned the sauce into two bowls and it seemed weird to serve that extra portion. I was used to doing everything on my own.

Do you want a hand? Hayden asked from behind me but I shook my head. Mum wanted me to ask you if you’d like to come over to our place for dinner tomorrow night? he sounded eager and I shook my head even harder, as panic swelled within me.

Please, Leena, I promise that if you feel uncomfortable in any way that I’ll bring you back home. He begged me but I didn’t answer him.

I handed him a bowl and walked into the lounge room. Turning on the television, I sat down on the couch, and started to eat. He followed me in looking perplexed but he sat down and ate his meal with gusto.

I’ve had so many questions that I wanted to ask him from what happened earlier in the week. They were on the tip of my tongue but fear stifled my voice. I didn't want to know that I was a bigger freak than I had ever imagined.

How fast were we running? I blurted out the words, and he looked over at me with a little twinkle in his eye.

Are you sure you want to know? he raised his brows and I forced myself to nod. Fast enough that we could’ve been at school quicker than we got there with the blink and zap. He explained and my eyes widened.

What exactly is the blink and zap? I asked and he chuckled.

That’s the name my mum gave it, and everyone uses it nowadays due to the real name being way too long. It is as the words state. You picture where you want to go, you close your eyes and concentrate on it, and then zap you’re there. Look, I’ll do it right now, he put his bowl on the coffee table before reappearing at the front door. That’s why I will never need a car. He cheered as I stared at him wide eyed.

He walked back over, picked up his bowl, and carried on eating as if he hadn’t done something strange and unexplainable. The room remained silent except for the television, as I tried to absorb all that he had told me.

He finished before me, but waited until I’d stopped eating to carry my bowl back into the kitchen. I watched as he walked back in with a frown as if something had occurred to him. He sat down next to me staying quiet and I wondered what bothered him.

I need to ask you something, and I don’t want you to panic about it but I noticed you looked tired today. Have you had nightmares for the last couple of days? he sounded too serious.

I flinched backwards at his shocking words. How did he know that? I stared at him unsure of how to answer.

I nodded at him and he frowned, damn! I’m sorry, Leena. He said as he pinched between his brows.

What do you mean? I hesitated in asking because his words scared me.

We have a connection that goes soul deep. When one of has a nightmare the other person shares… I’ve been having them too. He confessed.

My nerves edged closer to panic but I stayed silent. The thing was every time I woke up screaming the only thing on my mind was Hayden. It was as if I knew he was in a distressing amount of pain.

I guess we should be lucky it didn’t start when we first met. He muttered almost to himself and I could do nothing but stare at him.

I don’t understand.

I know and I’m sorry that I’m terrible at explaining how it works, he pushed a hand through his hair almost in frustration. C’mon, how about we sit and watch a movie for a while and forget I said anything. He murmured.

I looked at him, wondering why he was so different to anyone else at school. Why was he taking the time to be here with me? Why did he want me to have dinner with his family? I tucked my long legs under me and watched Hayden while all these things went through my mind.

He turned to me and smiled, making my toes tingle as he gestured for me to sit next to him. Caution kept me from moving closer but he frowned at me. Placing his arms around me, he dragged me closer.

I pressed into his side, while his arm wrapped around my shoulders to secure me in place. The butterflies in my stomach and the dizziness in my head from being this close to him overwhelmed me.

There that’s much better. He told me his tone laced with satisfaction.

We sat that way for what felt like ages, and I knew I never wanted to move away from him. He provided a warm and comforting presence as he held me. My insides may have rioted but overall a cherished sensation wrapped around me.

I never had a lot of physical affection from my parent’s, except for mum’s fake rub cheek thing. In a way,