Read NEWBORN: Book One of the Newborn Trilogy for Free Online Page B

dinner pal. What am I
supposed to do? Go join somebody’s table randomly? It’s only the
first day and yet everybody seems to have made a friend. Sighing
into my yogurt, I have a sip of tea. I wonder where Kiri is. Or why
she hasn’t called to meet up.
    Duh, you idiot, says my alter ego. You haven’t exchanged numbers yet!
    Plus I’ve been gone all day so we haven’t had
a chance to reconnect. I should ask her to breakfast or lunch.
    Or somebody else … my alter ego hints. You know of whom I speak.
    Finishing my yogurt, I put it aside and lean
back in my chair.
    I just don’t know. Gabriel makes me feel so
many things. Attraction – that’s number one. I can so easily see
his face in my mind’s eye, the white of his smile warming me like
milk. Then there’s aggravation – that’s the other emotion he brings
out in me. I’m annoyed he won’t tell me more about who he is and
what the hell he’s doing here. He can’t be here to take a single class. I want to know what an Immag is, and a
Vampass.
    Geez, he hasn’t told me anything.
    Not yet, Nora , says my alter ego. Not yet. Patience is your friend.
    I think my friend is an empty plate,
actually. I know I’ve eaten enough and I’m not stupid enough to
attempt more. A yogurt is enough for me today. I’ll try more
tomorrow. Leaving the dining hall, I make my way back to my dorm,
my head still swimming in thoughts of Gabriel White.
    I never asked him what class he’s taking.
Hopefully it’s something he likes if that’s all he’s taking. Nor
did we make specific plans as to when we’d go to the beach. We
agreed we’d go but left it at that. I must shore up the ambiguity
if I want it to happen. And I do, I really do. But Gabriel can’t
know that.
    * * *
    “I had the most amazing day!”
    Kiri is leaning against her desk, her bob cut
swaying over her eyes. “I love my professors, Nora! My History of
Rock & Roll teacher came to class barefoot, Nora. Barefoot! I
knew we’d hit it off right away and we did. It’s a small class so
there’s lots of discussion. We were all talking about our favorite
rock bands.”
    I smile pleasantly as she goes on, only half
listening. My thoughts are a scattered array of everything – Kiri,
Gabriel, class, my dad… Fuck! I have to call Dad tonight. Or
was he going to call me? I can’t remember.
    “I’m a music major,” Kiri explains, gesturing
to a large case on her bed. “I play the cello. I’m hoping they’ll
let me into the orchestra. I mean, I think I’m pretty good…” She
trails off for a second, swiping her bob to one side, her eyes
bright and alive behind glasses. “What’s your major again?”
    “English,” I remind her, taking a seat on my
bed. For some reason I feel tired all of a sudden. It’s not like I
worked hard today. Shit, I haven’t even done any studying yet. I
can’t turn in already.
    But your anxiety , my alter ego says. It’s been bothering you all day…
    With some difficulty, I manage to ignore my
alter ego and spend half an hour discussing classes with Kiri. But
I can’t ignore my conscience when it comes nagging so I excuse
myself to make the call. I have half a mind to do it tomorrow, but
Dad is pretty serious about keeping up consistent contact. Mom,
despite her tears, is flaky when it comes to calling.
    Out in the hall, I dial Dad’s cell. Two rings
and an answer like always.
    “Nora.” Dad’s voice is warm. I’m already glad
I called.
    “Hi, Dad,” I say automatically. “How are
you?”
    His laugh is subtle. “It doesn’t matter how I
am, Nora, what matters is how you are. I’m not the one away at
school for the first time.”
    “That’s true,” I say. “But I’m fine, really.
Had a couple classes today. I have a couple more tomorrow. Looks
like I’ll have a ton of reading to do, but nothing impossible. If I
manage my time I should be okay. Anyway, how was your date?”
    “Oh, that,” Dad says, his voice losing its
confidence. “It was a date, Nora