Chapter Five

‍ The day passed quickly but it felt quite slow to ________________ who kept checking the time. Working while waiting help shave off that anticipations though not entirely. He did or a drink or two maybe four. They had simple coffee beverages like espresso, cortado, and americano as well as those over the top fancy drinks with lots of whip cream. _____________ settles for cups of macchiatos. He was in the middle of a cup while wrapping up one of many project folders when _____________ finally walked in. She had an different set of clothes on but still must be the uniform of the school. _______________ jumped to stand up but before he fully stood up though better of it and awkwardly say back done. But not before __________ catching him in the act.

She giggled at his blundering movement but still felt honored that he reflectivity was about to stand for her. Heat build in _____________ cheeks as _____________ made her way over.

“Working on something?“ ______________ asked upon noticing his set up.

“Uh, yeah work, but I was about to go on a lunch break,” he looked back down and hurriedly typed on his laptop.

“No rush, I'm going to get myself my own, would you like another cup,” she asked pointing to his half drunked macchiato.

“No thanks, I probably shouldn't drink any more for the rest of the day.“

“Ok,” ______________ shrugged and made her way to the store counter.

While she was gone ________________ hurriedly wrapped up and put himself on gone for lunch toggle. Then quickly but neatly put away his laptop and the rest of his gear.

________________ was back. She bought herself a fancy drink. It had some pink and purple swirls with froth and a tower of whip cream. But that wasn't the only thing she brought back. In her other hand was two pastries. She handed one to him.

“I have a betting feeling that you didn't try out any of the food here yet.“

“Well, no. Wasn't that hungry. But, thanks.“

_______________ was smiling still but looking at him expectedly. ____________ looked at her then at the pastry and back at her then sighed before taking a bite. He wasn't sure how he was going to feel about the pastry but he loves it.

“Wow this is…”

“I know right,” ______________ had a bit of a smug expression but _____________ didn't mind it.

“It's light but full of flavor, buttery but not too much, with just enough flacky fluffy-ness.“

“This,” _____________ leaned towards him pointing at the pastry, “is true magic.“

_______________ nodded his head with a mouth filled with pastry. The two finished there pastries in pleasent silence. One finished pastry and a fresh to-go cup later both ____________ and ______________ were talking on there way back towards ______________'s place.

“Do you think you will make it back in time,” _______________ asked.

_______________ shrugged, “if I don't, I just hop into the next closest cafe and work from there. But more importantly the project,” _____________ said the last sentence in a low voice.

____________ taking the change of conversation to get serious.

“You said your equation didn't work until you applied some of my incantation. What did it do? What was your original project about.“

“A new, better, faster, low costing biomass energy but with trash and not just natural waste. It will accumulate more energy than or at least equal to coal and nuclear energy.“

“That sounds, amazing actually.“

“What about you?“

“Hmmm?“

“What is your incantation supposed to do?“

“Oh, well, kind of like yours. It supposed to accumulate and transfer energy as a way to seek out other~energy?“

“You don't know what your incantation is supposed to do?“

“No. I do,” ______________ shoulders stiffin at the accusation. She looks up at _____________ and tried to read his thoughts without literally reading his mind. To gauge how he would judge her.

He looked back and fourth between looking at her who was patiently waiting to watching the street. There was no judgement or skepticalism, at least not on the surface, __________________ took a deep breath and sighed.

“You know about electromagnetic waves?“

“Yes, is it about electromagnetic waves?“

“Kind of, let me explain,” _______________ huffed.

______________ lifted his hands in surrender but he wore a smirk.

“Electromagnetic waves can be used to find or sense living things. But what if with the right incantation can simulate that to find a very specific person. Kind of like a mix of a homing beacon.“

_______________ nodded silently taking in everything.

“Is there somebody you're specifically trying to find?“

____________ stiffin at the question, her hand tightened around he backpack. She took two shallow breaths and tried to play it off cooly.

“No. It was part of an assignment, for school. You don't attend ______________ so I won't go into detail and confuse you.“

“Actually can you, I'll be attending there starting tomorrow. I think.“

That news made ______________ stop in her tracks but _____________ moving so she had to jog to keep up to him.

“Wait, what?! You will be attending _______________!“

“Yes. Kind of, I made a deal with the Dean to attend for at least two weeks before permanently making my decision… I already graduated early with a Master's degree and all so I was done with school. There was nothing there that could help me find the answers or finalize my equation. That is until you.“

“Oooo, so you think attending ____________ could help you with your equation. If that is the case no need to partner up then.“

“Actually it would be an even greater reason vwe should. It is only two weeks and I haven't made my mind yet. Plus I could use you expertise of the school and the work.“

_______________ rolled her eyes but smiled at his blantant flattery, “what about Dorothy?“

“What about Dorothy?“

“She's in the college section like you, plus you know her (kind of) they are most likely going to pair you up with her as your guild.“

“Yeah she's find as a college tour guild but you have been attending since since pre-school.“

“Kindergarten.“

“Tomato, tomato. The point is that you know the school inside and out including the college section.“

______________ didn't say anything but nodded.

“I need someone with that kind of knowledge to guild me.“

“Ok, I mean are you sure? Dorothy —”

“She was supposed to give me a tour today.“

“Uh-huh”

“But she only showed me the quad, or gardens, or whatever you call it,” ___________ remained silent waiting for ____________ to continue and after couple more beats he did, “I wouldn't have gotten to know anything about the school or meet you if I didn't rush into the school.“

“You what?! Well that explain all the professors coming out.“

“Sorry about the commotion.“

“Eh, it was a nice break from the structure,” _______________ gently brushed her hand against the bush leaves that was sticking out of the fence.

_______________ studied her intently. For what, even he doesn't know.

They reached as far as they could go together and stopped. _____________ turned to face _________________, but she was busy studying the sidewalk with both hands in her pocket.

“This is where we split up. But I would love an answer.“

__________ finally looked up at him. She open her mouth and the shut it. She studied him. His look, his face, his hair, his clothes, even the way he stood. Then she looked back and deeply into his eyes.

“When you did the incan- equation, what did it do? What happened?“

____________ eyes widen and head slightly jerked back. He was not expecting this question, though he should have.

He scratched the back of his head considering how to best answer the question.

“It is best to if you come see for yourself.“

______________ should said no. If anything at least for self preservation but there was a liquid current that ran though her body. It tickled her toes and created a buzz in her head, and overwhelmed the part of her that was cautious.

“Ok.“

**********†*******************†************************************†*******

____________'s apartment was a decent size. The living was combined the kitchen dining area. ________________ has such little furniture that it made the room seem big. But what stood out the most to ______________ was the inscription that was burned onto the wooden floors. Some of it she recognized as part of her incantation. The other half but have been his 'equation'.

“You~ burnt your floors.“

“What?! No. I drew on my floors planing to get rid of it afterwards, this being rented out. But then something happen and next morning I wake up to having a permit burnt mark on my floors,” __________ exasperated as he dropped his bag onto one of the dining chairs, then turned to __________, “you wouldn't happen to have an incantation that can get rid of burnt marks do you?“

“Sure, maybe, if this was really made out of magic,” ___________ said as she reached down to touch the burnt mark.

An electric magnetic shock ran through her fingers up and her arms. It would have shot her heart if she hadn't pulled away.

“Oh shit. This is magic! This is really magic! You? How?“

“I don't know, isn't this why you're here?“

“And why Dean Anthony wants you to enroll. Here I thought you were human? What are you anyway? Warlock? Bigfoot? Estakwvnayv? Skin-walker?“

“A skin what?! No I'm human!“

“How could your parents raised you to be human?“

“Because I'm an orphan.“

“Oh, sorry.“

__________ sighed, “it's no big deal, I lived from foster home to foster home. Nothing out of the ordinary happened to me until now. To be honest I am still gasping this whole magic concept.“

_____________ Nodded thoughtfully, “that's, understandable. So … what did it do?“