Against the Current, page 5
“They said the same thing about Ted Bundy.”
“I swear! You’re your father’s daughter.”
“Am I wrong?” I chuckled.
“No! That’s what makes it so bad.”
I laughed harder.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I had a glass of water sitting in front of me in addition to my science notes. The family laptop was also on the table. My mom had her own for work, then there was one that we all shared. They said I’d get my own for college, until then we all shared this one. However, my focus was on the glass of water. The sides had some condensation droplets forming, but otherwise, the ice cubes floated at the top, it all seemed like a normal glass of water. The puddle also seemed like an ordinary puddle so did the glass from the other night.
However, I gave this ordinary cup my full, undivided attention. Folding my arms on the tabletop and before lowering my head onto the top of my hands. My eyes were glued as the white counter was blurred out through the cylinder. Breathing in and out I tried to relax like I was the last two times.
The doorbell went off. Groaning, I pushed my seat away from the table and made my way around the table. I turned the doorknob Gabriel was standing there with his hands in his pockets and a large grin on his face. I swear his face must be surgically done so that he had a permanent smile.
“Roar!” A thump and a loud yell came from behind.
Winnie was wearing a tutu and bunny ears with her hands up in the air. Her little fingers were curled in. Persephone had her lion ears headband and had whiskers drawn on her face. She was somewhat crouched as her face was contorted.
“Welcome, to the circus.”
“I can see it is an intense one. I mean, even the bunnies roar.”
He chuckled and I rolled my eyes.
“The bunny is Winnie, and the lion is Persephone.”
Gabriel squatted down, and Winnie waddled over to him. The tulle from her tutu swayed.
“Hi, Winnie.”
She hugged him, and my shoulders fell slightly. I didn’t notice that I had tensed up.
“You must be Blair’s friend.”
My mom walked out from her side office and Winnie left Gabriel to head towards her. My mom’s hair was tied up since she got home. Gabriel stood up and held his hand out towards her.
“Hi, I’m Gabriel.”
My mom hugged him instead. I rolled my eyes. My family was full of traitors.
“So, what’s this project on?” My mom asked as she went over and pulled a glass out of the cabinet.
“We all had to pick a scientist from a list. Then we are to write a report on them, what they’re known for, then discuss their impact on our world today, in addition to predicting what the world would be like without their discovery. Blair and I picked Dmitri Mendeleev, the guy who created the periodic table.”
My mom poured some water from the front of the fridge.
“Well, that sounds intense, you all have fun with that, I’m going back to my fictional world.”
She waved us off.
“Winnie, Persephone, leave them alone.” My mom’s voice came through stern even though she was out of sight.
Persephone made kissy faces at us as she took Winnie by the hand and headed back upstairs.
“I don’t know what you were complaining about.”
Gabriel sat at the table and dropped his book bag onto the floor. He bent over and was grabbing some stuff out.
“You didn’t have to hug Winnie.”
He raised his head, and one eyebrow went up.
“I know, but it’s a roaring bunny, how could you not?”
I smirked. Okay, maybe Gabriel wasn’t Ted Bundy.
Gabriel had stayed until it was time for dinner. We were able to knock out a good chunk of the project in one night. Afterward, Gabriel got into his SUV and drove off. After dinner was done, I sat up in my room with the laptop rereading what we already typed up. I guess Anjuli was right, he’s a human version of a Golden Retriever. Luckily, he didn’t have the intelligence of one, he surprisingly wasn’t dumb either. Gabriel developed most of what the world would be like without the periodic table in a few pages in a blink of an eye. He did bring up a good point though, even if Dmitri Mendeleev hadn’t developed the periodic table, someone would have figured out some form of way to organize the elements because humans by nature categorize things.
I took a sip of some of the water on the nightstand. Then I closed my laptop and slid it between the nightstand and bed. The house was silent, and I thought back to that puddle from after school. Swinging myself around I folded my legs on the bed as I faced the glass. Taking in deep breathes I focused on the glass. Nothing, not even a single ring within the glass. I took a deep breath, held it before releasing it. I shifted in my spot and stared at the glass. A calming sense overtook me. Gradually, but noticeably a small droplet pulled from the surface of the water then rose above it.
Narrowing my eyes, I raised my hand, my palm titled towards the glass. Another droplet then another pulled. I smiled and little by little turned my hand to the side. All the water rose a couple of inches above the glass. The liquid was in a blob form, waving slightly as the droplets joined the group. My skin tingled. I moved my hand and the water moved in the same direction. I moved it to the other direction and the wavering blob followed suit. Lowering my hand, I aimed the water back into the glass. Most of the water dropped back in, with a little spilling over on the side. Grabbing my sweatshirt on my bed I dabbed the wood surface.
My heart drummed on. Jumping up I paced my floor. It could not be me hallucinating after these many incidences. This time though I was able to get a whole glass of water to not only rise but move it as well. What the hell was going on with me? Why was I just now able to do it? Why was I able to do that? In the dreams, I was able to make things move with the wind, but when I was awake it was water. I had more questions than explanations, not that I knew where to begin to get the answers. Placing my hands on my hips, I stood facing the glass again.
“You’re not helping my sanity,” I muttered. “Great, I’m talking to a glass of water.”
I threw my hands up in the air and groaned. I flopped myself onto the bed, and I bounced up in the air then landed on the comforter.
7
Blair
The warmth from the sun shined on me. My mom drove me to school, but I told her I’d walk home. She wasn’t happy, but after several pleas, she caved. I wanted to go to the beach after school, she only asked that I texted her when I was ready to come home, and she’d pick me up. The walk had warmed up me a bit on the spring day, but when I got to the water, all I could do was smile. The sand was light in color. The water only had slight as the water was a blue-green hue. My lungs took in the new air. Everything was fresh. There were people further down the beach, but this spot was empty. Leaning on one foot I slipped my sandals off, then leaned to the other to take the other off.
The sand felt soothing against the soles of my feet. The crashes of the waves against the beach pulled me closer. Once I got close to the line of wet sand, I dropped my book bag down. Bending over I rolled my jeans up to my knees the bandages were gone, but scabs ran up my legs. Taking a step closer my foot melted into the wet sand. Then another step, leaving a trail behind me. The water trickled up, slipping between my feet and the sand. The temperature was still on the cool side. Shaking my hands, I took a couple of breaths. Time to work some magic.
Opening my hands, I held them over the water. I closed my eyes and breathed. Gradually my breathing slowed. The soles of my feet began to prickle, and the energy seemed to work up my legs, through my torso. Working up my neck and down my arms. Water wasn’t touching my feet. Opening my eyes, the water was being directed around my feet. I smiled, turning my hands the water drifted to the side, portion of it ran over my feet. Could I make another water ball?
Taking in a deep breath I focused on the saltwater. With my hands, I little by little turned my palms towards each other. A clump of water came together and floated above the rest of the current. My hands shook slightly as a ball the size of a watermelon floated. My wrists wobbled to keep the orb floating. Pulling my arms out wide the orb stretched like gum to become a banner of water. Swooping my arms around the water swirled before dipping back into the body of water. My breath quickened, my chest contracting. Collapsing onto my butt the sand didn’t provide much of a cushion. I suddenly felt tired. Whatever this was, it was a drain on my energy. As I sat in the sand, I turned my hands over so I could look at my palms. They had the same sensation of the needles poking at the skin, almost numbing.
Lifting my head, I stared out at the water. This only started to happen when we moved here to Horse Bay. I knew I always had a connection to the water, but this was not what I had in mind. The story my mom had told me the other day about me running my hands over the water as a baby came to mind. Have I always been able to do this? I’ve been swimming and taking showers, but never saw anything like that happen. I don’t think I was ever going to find the root of this power. Reaching behind me I freed my hair from my ponytail and felt the strands fly free. Leaning back, I laid in the sand with my hair fanned out behind me. My arms were open wide, and I took in the rays. I was prepared to spend the rest of my life in this spot. My eyes were closed, but even the inside of my eyelids was bright. Heat and energy coursed through my body.
I had lost track of time, and my phone started to ring. Stretching back, I opened my book bag to grab my phone out of the side pocket. Barely opening my eyes, I answered it.
“Hi Mom.”
“Hi Blair, it’s almost five and I was curious if you were ready to come home. I want to start cooking dinner, so I’d prefer to get you now.”
“That’s fine. I’m at Apple Street beach access.”
“Okay, I’ll pack up the girls and be right over.”
“See you soon.”
“Okay.”
We hung up. Slowly I sat up and threw my hair back into a ponytail. Standing up I brushed the sand off my entire back. Mom would appreciate that at least. Throwing my book bag over my shoulders I headed back. My mouth suddenly felt dry. I texted my mom and asked her to bring me water. My feet felt heavy as I trekked up to the stairs with my shoes in my hands. The wooden steps felt much steeper than usual. Finally, I made it up the steps and sat off to the side. I was ready to sleep for hours. My head rested in my hand as I sat on the ground.
A mini honk caused me to jump. My mom turned the SUV around so that the passenger seat was near me. Opening the door, I dropped my bag on the ground before sliding into the seat. Once I had the door shut and my seatbelt on, she sped off.
“How was school?”
I shrugged and closed my eyes as I sunk into the back of my seat.
“It was fine.”
Honestly, I couldn’t remember a thing. All I could think about was the floating water from the night before and getting to the beach to try out bigger water.
“At least it’s the weekend. Do you have any plans for the weekend?”
“Nope.”
“Exciting stuff. I already started the lasagna and figured I’d finish cooking it when we get home. How was the beach?”
“Beautiful.”
“That’s good. If it’s nice this weekend, maybe all of us will go.”
“Maybe.” I paused and opened my eyes to look at her. “Do you have the water?”
“Oh, I grabbed you a water it’s in the cupholder.”
“Thanks.” I grabbed it and gulped down the whole bottle.
My breath was a little heavy.
“Oh wow, you were thirsty.”
“I guess so.” I responded then glanced over to her. “Do you like the water?”
“To drink?”
I shook my head as I tried to think of a way to ask the question.
“No, like to be around.”
“I guess, I just never really thought about it. We’ve moved around so much I found something I liked about each place.”
I guess she wasn’t like me then. We weren’t going to have some mother-daughter bonding over working on this water thing. We pulled into the driveway. Persephone nearly bolted out of the car as Winnie flared her arms about. My mom got Winnie out as Persephone ran into the house screaming, she had to use the bathroom. I dropped my bag by the door and sat at the table with my phone. I searched for ‘being able to move water’. Mom threw the lasagna into the oven. I slumped in the seat and propped my head up as I searched. Mostly cartoon stuff came up.
“You’re really tired today. Are you coming down with something?”
I glanced up.
“Nah, I just had trouble sleeping last night.”
My mom faced me and scrunched her features.
“I feel like that’s been happening a lot lately. Is there something with your room? Or at school?”
I shook my head. “Nah.”
She stared at me for a moment. My mom left the room and came back with her laptop. She pulled the seat away from the table and sat across from me.
“I know my agent would want to strangle me for thinking this, but I keep thinking about a story that would go along with your drawing.”
I smiled. “Brianna loves you, she’d roll her eyes, but would take anything you wrote. She knows your attention span and will take what she can get.”
She raised an eyebrow at me.
“You’re lucky you’re my daughter.”
“I’m your muse what are you talking about.”
She laughed. “You’re something that’s for sure.”
I chuckled as I glanced down at my phone and a symbol of four elements showed up. Were there others out there? Could I channel all four elements by myself? I was adding more questions than answering them. Glancing up from my phone and my mom was glued to her screen. A faint white light reflected off my mother’s face. I saw so much more of Persephone and Winnie in her face. Her eyes were big and round with a narrow nose. Unlike my sisters, her cheekbones were higher on her without the round cheeks. Her hair was a darker shade of brown than mine as it was close to her lower back when she wore it down. Then there was me. I could put a picture of my mom and of my dad near mine and find a part of me in each, I was more of a mutt out of the three of us girls. Genetics were weird. Was this water secret lying somewhere in my genetics too?
Getting up I went and poured myself more water into a clean glass. I took some sips as I brought it back to my spot. The clicking of keys filled the kitchen as her fingers danced across the keyboard. I placed the glass down on the table off to my right. I propped my head up with my left hand as my eyes grew heavy. I tapped my phone and water filled the screen. Glancing back at my water then at my mom. Taking a deep breath, I focused on the glass. A tall, but slender shape that was half-filled. Cool, the water in the glass was cool, and tingles started at my fingertips before dancing up my arms. I propped my head up with one hand and the other was close to my face. Twitching my fingers rings formed in the glass.
Soon three pea-sized orbs floated barely above the water surface. Slowly I made a circle with my finger. The three little balls rotated around once before dropping them all into the glass.
“I think I’m going to hang out in my room until dinner is ready.”
“Okay, have fun.”
Picking up my glass I slid my phone into my back pocket. I passed my sisters who were playing in the living room. Some of Persephone’s action heroes were mixed in with her dolls. I held onto the railing and climbed up the stairs. Once I got onto the landing, I made my way into my room and closed the door. I turned the light on as shadows were cast across my room. I went across the room and sat on my bed. Placing my glass on my nightstand I shifted over to my other side and took my phone out of my pocket. I didn’t understand what was going on, but it was real.
Pulling my legs up onto the bed I took a couple of deep breaths. Lifting my hands up in front of me, my heart raced. Focusing on the glass I raised the water slightly, little by little what was left of my water lifted. A smile spread across my face. Lifting my arms, a little higher the whole substance was out, floating, and moving slightly as it stayed together. Turning my palms to face each other the liquid squashed together. Twitching my fingers, the group separated, pulling apart, into three groups. My hands wobbled as the three shapes moved in a circle. With a swipe of my hand, it all fell back into the glass. My breathing was fast as I gripped the side of my bed. Heat radiated throughout my whole body.
Reaching over my hand quivered as my fingers wrapped around the cool glass. Bringing it up to my lips I gulped down the half of glass in seconds. Placing the glass back down on the wooden surface my head fell forward, my long brown hair fell like a curtain around me. My eyes were glued to the floor as my breathing evened out. Sitting back up I pushed the hair behind me. Could I create water myself?
Shifting again on the bed I rested the back of my hands on my knees. Pushing aside all other thoughts I tried to imagine water. The tingling feeling pricked at my palms. I heard a whistle then a loud bang. My eyebrows knitted together. The rushing sound of water reached my ears. Standing up I walked over to the door and opened it. Craning my neck, I peered into the bathroom. My eyes stretched.
“Blair, what was that noise?”
“Mom! I think a pipe burst!”
Water was on the floor. Crouching down I opened the cabinet under the sink. The piping had a large hole. Water came gushing out. Thumps came up the stairs before my mom stood in the doorway with a large bowl.
“I don’t think that’ll catch enough.”
“I’m home!” my dad called from downstairs.
“I swear that man has a sixth sense.” My mom muttered. “A pipe burst! Turn the water off.”
My mom placed the bowl at the bottom of the cabinet, but the water kept pouring out. I bit my lip. I had caused this. Note to self, I can’t create water. There were bangs then the water was turned off. My dad’s boots stomped up the stairs. He showed up in the doorway, breathing heavily and a mop in his hand.
