Page 9 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
I burst through the doo r of our dorm room, practically slamming it in my excitement. Vivianne looks up from her bed, raising an eyebrow at me, her blue hair wrapped up in a messy bu n
“ What happened?” she asks, already knowing the answer is probably a disaster or some kind of insane thing I’ m going to have to process.
“ Oh my god ,” I start, collapsing onto my bed dramatically. “ I had the weirdest thing happen in air basics.” I pause for a second, throwing her a sideways glance. “ Also, you’re kind of rude for leaving me to walk up seven flights of stairs alone.”
Vivianne gives me a sideways grin, while she casually flips through a magazine like sh e’ s not the one who made me walk up those stairs in the first place. “ You lived. Besides, it builds character. And You do n’ t need me around to hold Your hand. Yo u’ re capable .”
“ Yeah, capable enough to collapse in the middle of the staircase and die from exhaustion,” I mutter,
“ Okay, okay. So, what happened in Your class?” Vivianne asks, flipping her magazine closed.
I sit up and rub my temples, trying to calm my excitement. “ Where do I even start? So, first of all, Xander —the guy who sat next to me— totally weird. He’s super shy and I thought it was going to fun and maybe we would be friends, but he completely ignored me the whole class ”
Vivianne raises an eyebrow, clearly confused about why she should care. I feel a flush rise in my cheeks. Vivianne chews on her lip, clearly mulling over the situation.
“ So?” she prompts me to continue
“ Well then, I was making jokes, and he kept shutting me down and when I tried to introduce myself, he literally jumped down my throat yapping about how ‘he’s not who I think he is’ or something.” I cross my arms, still super confused about what the hell happened. “I mean I don't know how to explain it, but it just felt like we had to be friends. It doesn’t make sense.”
“ Sounds like a kin bond,” Vivianne says, a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of her lips. “ Did You forget I told You there are some bonds that will feel more familial than Your mates?”
“ Well,” I say, leaning back and folding my arms, “ okay I might have forgotten about that, but he didn’t act like he felt any kind of bond. So, I thought I was just being crazy plus he was a total ass....”
“ Dear gods ” Vivianne says, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Bonds like that aren’t well known Aly he probably had no idea what was happening. Also, if he’s jumping down your throat thinking you believe he’s someone else did you maybe stop and think that it maybe happens pretty often, and the poor guy was just worried it was happening again?”
I frown. “Well- I didn’t know they don't feel it like I do Viv, I’m not from here. And You’re probably right about the whole mistaken identity thing. It just.... hurt? I don’t know I don’t handle rejection well.”
“ No way, I had no idea” Vivianne deadpans, her eyes sparkling. Her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Look just give him some time. “
“ Yup. Got it, giving him time.” I add with a dramatic sigh. “ But then, get this, we get paired up for the levitation exercise. You know, the whole ‘ levitate two feather s ’ thing. And guess what? I totally nailed it on the first try. Like, no big deal.”
Vivianne looks impressed. “ You nailed it? First try?”
I shrug, trying to act casual. “ Yeah, I just let the air flow naturally. I t’ s simple once You get the hang of it. You know, blow drying my hair and stuff helped.”
“ Cocky” Vivianne teases, leaning back against her pillow.
I laugh.
Viviann e’ s grin grows wider. “ I’m glad You’re getting the hang of things.”
“Yeah, I’m adjusting okay honestly, I just feel super overwhelmed sometimes. I mean I have what 10 weeks before the equinox? Plus, I’m learning all new stuff that people here have been doing since they were born.”
“You’ll get the hang of it. But don't put pressure on yourself the gods are in the driver’s seat just sit back and enjoy the ride. Plus, I’m here if you need help me and mom are always willing to help even if it’s just to talk things out.” she shakes her head a look in her eyes that just says ‘DU H ’
I roll my eyes, but I ca n’ t help but smile. “Thank You, honestly, I needed that reminder. Since mom and dad died, I’ve been on my own. There is a lot of deprograming going on its super weird. Oh! and speaking of weird, I have a serious question for You.”
Vivianne raises an eyebrow. “What now?”
“ Why didn’t You tell me I could talk in peoples’ brains.” I sass, crossing my arms and cocking my eyebrow.,
Vivianne goes still for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “ What did You just say? What do You mean ‘ Talk in people’s brains.”
“ Wait? You didn’t know?” I take in the shock on her face. Shit.... “I think I sent my thoughts to Saul and Xander earlier. I don't know how to describe it was like I had a thought and then they both froze like they were shocked… almost like they could hear me.” I frown. How the hell doesn’t she know.
Viviann e’ s eyes widen slightly, and she leans forward. “ Tha t’ s.... not good, Alyssa. You need to be careful. I've never heard of that happening.”
“I- How? Maybe I’m imagining it?” I ask my voice tight.
Vivianne exhales slowly, clearly thinking it over. “ Doubtful. If it had only happened once I’d say maybe. But twice? I can reach out to some people and see if they know anything about it. But until then You have to start practicing with me. You need to learn to control it we don't need You broadcasting Your thoughts to the wrong person.”
I nod, my stomach churning with a mix of confusion and fear. “ Yeah. I can do that.”
Vivianne jumps up soothing down her shirt.” Great. Now common You have a meeting with the dean.” She says walking to the door before shoving me through.