Shared Skies Page 10

  “He is rather big and strong all right,” murmured Renny, waving her hand as a fan in front of her face. Cassie smiled at her and added, “But now he has no friends, oh! Except for recently, he’s been hanging around with the new guy Graeme, though I can´t see what they could possibly have in common.”

  Any further revelations were stopped by a tall, serious looking woman with cropped grey hair striding through the canteen towards them.

  “Hello, girls.” She smiled and her narrow lined face became amiable. “I’m Mrs. Patterson, the principal. I’m sorry I didn't get a chance to welcome you both this morning. I hope you will be very happy and successful at our school. And I want you to know my door is always open for any problems you might have, and now, as break is nearly over, I’ll show you to your next class.”

  Gaiah and Renny followed the principal as she left the canteen. “See you later,” said Donald. Cassie slowly waved one open hand in a slight gesture. Mrs. Patterson walked back down the main hall and paused to give the girls keys to their lockers, which were next to each other. She marched down to another annex where she introduced them to Mr. Hill, the economics teacher.

  He was not as inspiring as Miss Flynn but he tried hard to keep them interested in the ‘income elasticity of demand’ and the ‘price elasticity of supply’. Gaiah´s mind wandered. Was I really sitting in a conference hall in a different dimension this morning? Just thinking about it made her head swim, and Mr. Hill’s droning, quiet voice was a lullaby to her thoughts.

  It was strange to be in school and not feel a constant knot in her stomach; not to feel unsure and left out. All that had happened in the last few days had changed her. However, there was no doubt that having the confident Renny by her side made a big difference too. When she got her bearings, she might even enjoy this. For now, all she wanted to do was sleep. Those two guys were also occupying her thoughts.

  Graeme certainly seemed interested. God, he was good-looking! And Neal, well, he was really strange and she hadn't liked what she overheard in the little shop. Did he really warn me off Graeme after that class? How weird, and Cassie said he'd been a nice bloke. What could have made him change so much?

  “Come on Gaiah, Kaley will be waiting.” Renny’s voice made Gaiah aware the class had actually finished and the teacher was leaving the room.

  “Right, I’m ready.” She slowly gathered her books and looked at Renny who was still buzzing. “Maybe they have study hours or after school clubs or volunteer activities? Should we find out?” Renny said.

  “Renny, are you mad? I spent ten endless years going to school and now, although things are different and I am different, I’m not different enough to want to look for more school time. Anyway, I’m wrecked.”

  “Maybe later, when you’re used to the place?” Renny’s voice was hopeful as she followed Gaiah out the door. They were passing their lockers when a scrap of paper sticking out of hers caught Gaiah’s attention. She pulled it out, smoothed it and read,

  ‘Work beckons–more shelf-stacking and abuse taking! Still, have to earn some money because I’d like to take you out sometime! See you tomorrow.

  G.

  What a buzz. She would never have thought someone like Graeme would look twice at her. Okay, he had a reputation, but he was so good looking, it was inevitable there would be stories about him. Renny peered over her shoulder.

  “Powers! He works fast. You must be so energized. What are you going to do? What are you going to wear? A date on your first day and with such an electric looking guy! Wait ‘til Kaley and Alasdair hear.”

  Gaiah didn’t want to tell Kaley or Alasdair about it yet. Everything was catching up with her, she was really exhausted and her head was spinning. At this moment she longed to be sitting alone in the kitchen in Linden Gardens, her father upstairs working away and the sound of rock music travelling down through the house. To be sitting in the armchair with no inter-dimensional threat and no one waiting for her to become a superhero.

  “Oh My God! From the look on your face that economics class must have been brutal.” Cassie was strolling towards them.

  “Hey Cassie, guess what? Graeme has written a note to Gaiah asking her on a date.”

  Renny was still looking at the note and didn't notice the expression change on Cassie’s face, but Gaiah did. Cassie blurted, “Don’t go! He has quite a reputation, you know. You really don’t want to get involved with him.”

  Gaiah stared. What was this? A second warning? Was Cassie jealous? Had she been out with him and joined the line of his conquests? This was too much. Why were people telling her what to do? She was too tired to be tactful.

  “Do you know what, Cassie? I've only just found the note. I haven’t thought about it. And I have no idea what I even want to do. So you can give me your advice another time, if I want it. We must go now, my grandmother will be waiting.”

  Ignoring the hurt on Cassie’s face and the surprise on Renny’s, Gala wheeled around and stalked out of the building.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was a quiet journey home. Gaiah already regretted her cranky response to Cassie. It had also upset Renny, who was now uncharacteristically silent in the back seat. Or perhaps Renny realized she shouldn't have mentioned the note to Cassie and was trying to make amends by being silent. Either way, today had been just too much.

  “Is everything okay, girls? Today wasn't too awful, was it?” Kaley asked.

  “No, it was fine. It’s just that I’m really tired.” Gaiah’s voice was dull. Gaiah was close to overload. She caught Kaley giving her an appraising sidelong glance before making cheerful, innocuous chatter all the way home.

  Alasdair was in the kitchen taking a steaming shepherd’s pie out of the oven. Renny waved at them all. “See you in a bit.”

  Kaley looked up. “Don’t forget to set your dual time, dear. You have less than half an hour, Gaianan time.” Renny nodded and shimmered out of sight. Gaiah went to her room and closed the door. She curled up on her bed and rang her father. Sinking back against her pillows she closed her eyes. It was so nice to hear his voice. It seemed like a long time since they had breakfast together in Linden Gardens.

  “Gaiah! I was just thinking about you. Well, how are things with Alasdair and Kaley?”

  Gaiah was impressed at the casualness of the question. Kaley’s encognating had made him believe the whole situation was perfectly normal.

  “Oh, it's all good, I miss you though. How are you managing?”

  “The kitchen doesn't seem the same without you in the armchair. But I bet you don't miss that miserable school. I'm glad you're out of it. You'll be pleased to hear, I got the agency to send a housekeeper, who keeps food in the fridge and everything ticking over, so don't worry about me.”

  “Yeah, good idea. I'm delighted to hear it. Are you working on anything new?” The life and energy apparent in his voice as he described his new piece told her even more than his words about how focused he was on his work. He signed off by saying that he had to go now, as the CD was coming to an end and he had to get another one on straight away as silence would break his impetus.

  “Love you, bye,” she said as they hung up. She was glad he was in a good place now, but a strange sadness weighed her down. So much was going on in her life that he just wasn't part of.

  She showered, pulled on a soft tracksuit, snuggled into a huge, multi-coloured, fleece dressing gown and went back to her grandparents. Alasdair and Kaley had moved the food into the living room. It was a warm, terracotta-coloured space dotted with glowing, wooden lamps. The furniture was soft and comfortable. Gaiah settled herself on a long sofa, while Kaley put on a dvd.

  “This is called The Holiday,” she said. “Nothing too taxing, and Alasdair can always read his book if it gets too girly.”

  The log fire crackled as they ate. By the time they had finished eating and Cameron Diaz was meeting Jude Law, Gaiah was dozing. By the time Kate Winslet was meeting Eli Wallach, Gaiah was sound asleep. She barely felt her
grandparents cover her with a quilt and the sound of the closing door was just a distant click fitting into her dreams.

  ***

  Gaiah woke feeling refreshed and focused. She knew that there really was absolutely nothing she could do about whatever the Gaianans expected of her, just nothing. So she resolved, at least, to try and sort out her confusions about Graeme and Neal, and of course, apologize to Cassie.

  By the time she was dressed in simple jeans and sweater, Kaley and Alasdair were already in the kitchen.

  “Good morning, dear, good sleep? Help yourself, there’s some porridge on the stove and the cream is in the fridge. We are thinking of arranging for Renny to stay a night or two with us. To get you started on controlling your encognating. What do you think?”

  “That’s fine with me,” said Gaiah, happy to have any plan of action. There was a prolonged shimmering by the door of the kitchen.

  “That’s the equivalent of knocking, if you’re using an occupied door,” explained Kaley. Renny appeared. Today, her look was American high school prep–white shirt, short-sleeved angora jumper and short, checked skirt, black tights and boots.

  “Hi, everyone. Oh, porridge, electric! Can I have some please?”

  “Of course.” Kaley ladled out a bowl of the steaming, creamy mixture, handed it to Renny with a bowl of brown sugar. “But eat quickly; you really don’t want to be late again today!”

  They weren't. They had double economics first class, and Mr. Hill expanding on ‘price volatility in markets’ gave Gaiah time to think about what she wanted to do. First, Graeme. She brought his face to mind and smiled. He was gorgeous, charming and funny. I don't believe all those stories.

  Hell, I’m eighteen. I don’t know anyone here, why should I be worried if some girls are jealous. I liked the look of him from the moment I saw him in that shop, why shouldn't I go out with him? She searched her mind. There wasn’t any reason. She smiled. There, that was sorted.

  Now she turned her attention to the problem of Neal. According to Cassie and Donald, he had been a normal, rather nice boy, then he became a cold and distant loner, shunning his friends. Could this just be normal male teen behaviour? Plus he had a very unhappy home life which can only have been getting worse as he got older. Or is he an Or’kan occupied? The thought sent a chill through her. It might explain how strange I feel when he looks at me. She remembered her heart leaping as he stood next to her in class. She mentally shook herself. Forget it. That’s mad.

  And anyway, is he really the guy from Inverness? When she tried to remember it seemed hazy. And that odd remark he´d made about staying away from Graeme. What was that about? Well...was he jealous? Maybe he always felt left out or something? Maybe I can be the person to break through his barriers; after all I’ve just been through the same thing, well, more or less. We could be friends, couldn't we?

  For some reason this thought made her breath catch. It felt dangerous, but why? But she couldn't lose anything by trying, could she? Right, she had a plan for both guys. She was pleased with herself and gave Mr. Hill her full attention for the rest of the class.

  Maths class was next, and Mrs. Kane was already going in the door by the time they arrived up from the annexe. Gaiah scanned the room quickly. There was no sign of Neal. Donald was in his usual place, and Graeme was sitting at his desk, his hair flopping silkily over his eyes, his denim sleeves rolled up showing his tanned arms. His face lit up when he saw Gaiah, but there was no chance to talk. Mrs. Kane had decided to quiz them all on what they had done yesterday.

  Gaiah looked over at Donald and smiled but his smile in return seemed rather strained. When the bell went for break Donald stood up and muttered. “You two going to the canteen?”

  Gaiah had gone over her timetable with Kaley that morning, so she answered promptly. “No, we’re on a short day today, so we’ll be heading home.”

  “Okay.” He turned to go.

  “Donald, what’s wrong with you?” Renny stopped him. “Yesterday, I thought you were going to be our new best friend, and today it’s like you can’t get away from us fast enough.”

  “Well…it’s just that…Cassie rang me last night, and she was upset. She said Gaiah had turned on her, before you all left yesterday. I know you two are like the hottest thing that has happened to this school and all, but Cassie’s really nice and-” Gaiah interrupted.

  “Oh God, I know! I was such a bitch yesterday, where is she? I really want to apologize.”

  “Really?” His face brightened. “You’ll find her in the art room, that’s down in the annex past your economics room and just beyond the bathrooms. They've been having an exhibition there for the week. Hey, that’s cool, see you tomorrow.” He left with a smile on his face.

  Renny was still smiling at being described as one of the hottest things in the school. Gaiah was acutely aware of Graeme, still sitting in the back of the room. Now, he got up and ambled over to her. He looked nervous, and his dark eyes were serious as he said, “Well? Did you get my note?”

  Resolution made, Gaiah didn’t hesitate. “Yes.” She smiled up at him. “I did, and that would be great.”

  A triumphant grin spread across his face and he punched the air. “Wonderful! Let’s make it soon. We´ll chat about it later.” His eyes were shining as he reached out a long tanned hand and pushed some loose hair back behind her ear. Her whole body jumped at his touch, and he smiled again.

  “See you tomorrow, Gaiah.” His voice was low and intimate, and he walked out of the room. Renny shook her head admiringly. “Wow! He’s some mover, isn't he? When do you plan on meeting him?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, some weekend? I’m not in a huge rush, it’s just nice to know he wants to go out with me.” Gaiah knew her big grin was taking away somewhat from her cool demeanour. “Hey, I need to go find Cassie and apologize. I’ll only be a few minutes, do you want to come or go to Kaley? I’m sure she’ll be outside now.”

  Renny arched a plucked eyebrow. “I’m sticking with you, Gaiah, you know that.”

  They had no trouble finding the art room; the door was decorated with full hand prints in brilliant colours, and covered with a coat of varnish. “This is brilliant.” Gaiah held the door open and they stood in the doorway to admire it.

  “It was Neal’s idea about four years ago.” Cassie told them from behind a long table where she was rearranging her display in the exhibition. Renny went to look out the window into a small volley ball court to allow Gaiah time to apologize.

  “Look, Cassie, I’m really sorry for being so up myself yesterday. The truth is…I was feeling miserable. I missed my dad, and there was too much going on. I thought you were really nice, hoped we’d be friends, but then I upset you with this Graeme business. So I’m sorry for biting your head off.”

  Cassie put down the painting she was holding and came over to Gaiah. ”Don’t worry, I’m sorry too. It wasn't your fault Graeme asked you out. I shouldn't have said anything. Friends?”

  Gaiah’s wide smile was almost an answer in itself. “Yes! Of course. Now, can I see your work?”

  Renny joined them and Cassie showed them four beautiful pastel abstracts. Shades of light grey and pink in swirls and waves, merged with dark silver, giving way to pale blue and a misty white. “It’s based on a highland dawn.”

  “I love it,” said Gaiah. “God! The art department here is really good. As far as I could see in my old school everyone shared five tubs of acrylic paint and a block of plasticine.”

  Cassie laughed, “It’s great here, they’re really supportive. Come and look at the rest.” She led Renny over to admire some vibrant batiks, but Gaiah was drawn to the end of the room by some large pieces.

  ”Oooh! These are incredible!" She drew closer, the work enthralled her. Four large sheets of thin copper, each about two foot square, were mounted on pieces of polished wood. They were all worked into a developing pattern of curves and circles, undulating and intertwining and connecting. Some areas of the sheets were polished to
a glowing sheen and others were treated so they were pitted and dark. One thin gold line flowed around and through each piece, slowly fading and merging into the brightest and largest portion of the polished metal. What was it? How was it affecting her so? Her heart seemed to fill up with…what? Recognition? Loss?

  “These are Neal’s pieces.” Cassie’s voice cut into Gaiah’s wonder.

  “Neal?” Gaiah was stunned. It was the last thing she would have expected from that brooding, sullen guy. Yet, the more she looked at the work, the more she was sure there was an awful lot to the person who had created them.

  Cassie stood admiring them too, her own pieces forgotten. “He’s brilliant and should go to an art college. But he won’t even discuss leaving here with the art teacher.”

  Gaiah was sure there was some connection she could make with Neal. Anyone who could create work like these, had to have the heart and soul of an artist. Surely that was going to be their point of contact? Cassie was staying on to fix her pieces, so Gaiah and Renny said goodbye and headed out to Kaley who was waiting in the car.

  On the way home, Kaley told them she'd spoken to Renny’s family, and they had agreed Renny could stay for a while. “You do need to synchronize your Earth sleep, and it’s important for Gaiah to start on her encognation training. Alasdair and I are shifting to Gaiana briefly this evening. I’m leaving pizza for the two of you, and we’ll be back in time to bring you to school.”

  “That’s cool. I can’t wait to start learning how to 'suggest' properly.” Gaiah buzzed with a new vitality as if yesterday’s misery and exhaustion, and even the chat with her father, had cleared away the last of ‘London Gaiah’. Now ‘half Gaianan Gaiah’ was a much different proposition. She enthusiastically quizzed Renny and Kaley about Gaiana.

  “What was it like to grow up there?”

  Kaley answered this one. “Much the same as Earth really, but with the vast difference that there is no violence or poverty. Everyone is free to choose their own life.”