Page 18 of Oleander
“Mortal Realm Studies. I’m going to be an ambassador for the human government like my parents.”
Ambassador? Human government?My eyebrows scrunch in confusion before I wipe the look from my face. I bookmark that thought, fully intending to question Ander later. I thought our worlds were completely separate and humans didn’t know about the existence of the Otherworld.
“That’s why my parents named me Gaia, after the Mother Earth goddess from the human world.”
The name sounds vaguely familiar. Possibly from when we studied Greek mythology my sophomore year in high school. “Oh, right. It’s nice.” It’s actually an extremely beautiful name, but I don’t want her to think I’m hitting on her. After my girlfriend dumped me and I went full-on nuclear, I’ve sworn off girls for good.
“Thanks!” She beams from ear to ear. “How did you receive your name?” She tilts her head to the side, her metallic pink eyeshadow shimmering in the lights and making me feel the pressure of her questions.
“Oh, um. My mom.” Gaia’s stare intensifies if that’s possible, and I’m pretty sure I got the question wrong. “I like your tattoo,” I blurt out, not really knowing how to make small talk with a fairy girl. I point toward the abstract rose sticking out of her dress and hugging her collarbone.
Gaia laughs loudly, “Oh, Skyler. You’re too funny. This rune was given to me by my great-great-great-grandmother before she passed. I can make flowers bloom and bring any plant back to life when I activate it.”
Whoa.Note to self: Fae tattoos are actually super-charged magical runes. I’m glad she’s laughing my comment off and not reading too much into it. “That’s got to be helpful for class,” I chuckle, like my mind isn’t completely blown by all of the magical capabilities surrounding me. Everyone seems to have ink, including Oleander.
“Totally. If I fail Advanced Botany, my mother will disown me.” She eyes me curiously, the purple spotlights shining over us and obscuring all other colors. “You don’t have any runes?”
“Nope. Rune virgin over here.” I mentally facepalm myself for saying something so stupid. “But not like,virgin-virgin. Ya know?”
Oh God.
And now I want to punch myself in the face for being creepy, but at least Gaia laughs.
“Oh my, Skyler. You are an absolute delight.” Gaia links arms with me, finally leading us toward the bar. It’s set up under a giant chandelier made of gnarly, twisting branches dotted with tiny tealights. “Let’s get honey-ginger beers. They’re to die for.”
I order our strange beers at the bar before remembering that I don’t have any money or even know if they take American dollars here in Faerie. I subtly spy a few other students taking their drinks from the bartender and walking off with little more than a quiet thanks.
We do the same, strolling over to a waist-high tree stump acting as a cocktail table. We stand in silence, sipping our beers and watching the party grow. The more I drink, the more I like the taste, and soon it’s gone.
“That was really delicious. What did you say it was called again?”
“You’ve never had honey-ginger beer?” Gaia eyes me with a deeper curiosity. “Where did you say you were from again?”
Shit.
“I didn’t.” I’m standing my ground and keeping my past close to my chest for now. I’ve known her for ten minutes. We stare at each other, and she cocks her head, narrowing her eyes at me.
Double shit.The tiny fairy girl is a little scary, studying me with a calm intensity like she's ready to attack.
“Gaia!” Our staring contest is broken by a tall, lithe girl walking toward us.
Gaia smiles wide before spinning around. “Nerine!”
They hug and kiss before Gaia turns around, grabbing onto the taller girl's hand.
“This is my girlfriend, Nerine. Nerine, this is Skyler. He's new here.”
“Hi,” Nerine gives me a small wave and smiles hesitantly before tucking her chin-length bob behind her ear.
“Hey. Nice to meet you,” I reply automatically.
She nods, taking a sip of her own drink.
“Wanna dance, babe?” Gaia asks her girlfriend, who seems to be a lot more quiet than her significant other, and once again nods her response.
“We’ll speak later, Skyler,” Gaia whispers before slipping away and tugging her girlfriend after her.
I’m left with an empty cup and a slight buzz. The sweet-tasting alcohol seems to be hitting me harder than I expected. I grab my cup and head back toward the bar, eager for a quick refill.
