Page 21 of Firestorm
I missed my brother. We’d never been apart this long.‘This long’being exactly one day, but still.
I couldn’t risk pushing any thoughts out to him while on a campus with so many other potential telepaths around. I vowed to keep to myself for at least another day before contacting him. I needed to get a read on how powerful the students and staff were before I started using my mind to contact Zephyr.
I crossed the massive courtyard at the center of campus, which looked like the stereotypical university. Large, older brick buildings loomed behind dozens of mature trees. The grass across the courtyard was perfectly green, the cobblestone paths perfectly manicured.
I passed groups of students in the courtyard, advertising for various clubs and sports. I kept my head down, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself than necessary. I was already starting at a disadvantage, being older than the other students. I didn’t need to make myself any more exciting.
I finally arrived at my building. I took a deep breath before placing my hand against the door I shared with a stranger. Hopefully…they wouldn’t hate me. Or be a murderer. Or a man.
Wait, were co-ed rooms a thing?
Praying to any deity that existed that my roommate wouldnotbe a man, I pushed the door open and took two steps into the room, and then I was face to face with…
Two girls!
The three of us stared at each other awkwardly for just a moment before one of them exploded into a ball of energy.
“Ohthank God, you’re hot!” she cried, throwing herself at me for a hug.
I was completely frozen as she threw her arms around me like we’d known each other forever. The other girl remained on one of the beds, giving me a bewildered grin as she watched the first girl practically climb on top of me.
“Willow,” The other girl chastised gently. “She doesn’t even know you yet. Tone it down, babe.”
“Ohmygod, I’m ruining everything!”Willowpulled off of me with a look of horror. “Hi, I’m Willow. My affinities are earth and water and I swear I can hear some thoughts, but we don’t tell randoms about that. This is Mia, one of my Links.”
I instantly relaxed. Her hot comment had put me on edge for a second. The last thing I needed on my first day was to let down some pretty girl by telling her I was, unfortunately, only into men.
Willow was still vibrating with excitement next to me. She had perfectly blonde hair, pulled back into a ponytail. Bright blue eyes and pink cheeks covered her pale skin, making her look like a doll. She was taller than me, though I wasn’t very tall, standing at only five-four. She was at least five-nine, and when Mia stood to greet me, I saw she was nearly the same height as her girlfriend, though she wore chunky, lifted boots.
“Hi,” Mia said with a soft smile. She had a cropped black bob, dark brown eyes and pale skin, made more-so by her makeup. Even her clothing was dark, a black top with a black school skirt.
“Hi.” I replied. “I’m Skye. My affinities are air and water. I just found out about the water, so…”
“This is so exciting. I’m so glad you’re cool.” Willow babbled as Mia shook my hand warmly. “I was trying to get us a special Chain room but I applied too late, and we weresoworried my roomie would be weird. Like a weirdo, anti-Link freak. Wait, ohmygod, you’re not an anti-Link freak are you? Wait, are you straight?”
I choked out a cough as Mia laughed airily. “You’re freaking her out, Will. Relax.”
“Sorry!” Willow squeaked. “I’m just so excited. I can tell we’re going to be friends.”
“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m not an anti-Link freak. Yes, I’m definitely straight, though I’d never ostracize a woman if it turned out we were in the same Chain.”
“Haven’t you been tested?” Mia asked. “It sounds like you don’t know your place in your Chain.”
I decided not to share that there was an issue with my testing since there was no way in hell I’d be having it redone. I held back a violent shudder at the thought of more needles.
“Grew up poor,” I explained with a shrug. Both girls nodded in understanding.
“That’s how it was for Mia,” Willow said, taking her hand and shooting her a look so full of love it made me want to hurl. “We were just so drawn to each other, and then we kissed and well…that was that. It’s a weird feeling to describe.”
I offered them a tight smile, but the pain in my chest flared again, and I rubbed at it without thinking. I actuallydidknow the weird feeling they were describing. Fucking Wyatt had somehow burrowed his way into my brain after only one kiss, and the more I thought about him and our immense attraction, the more I began to realize we may be more connected than I thought.
“Wait, what’s that? Are you okay?” Willow gasped dramatically. “Don’t tell me. You found one of your Links?! They rejected you?!”
“Will,” Mia hissed.
I choked out a laugh before sitting on the bed opposite Mia, rightfully assuming it was mine since the other was covered in a hot pink comforter with rhinestones on top.
“I uh…” I paused, wondering if I could trust these two girls. No part of me felt apprehension toward them. I’d known them all of a few minutes and I already trusted them. “Okay, so, I met this guy the other day, and…something horrible happened at my café, and then…I don’t know, we kissed, and he ran away from me.”
