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But it’s no worry. He’ll be off in a few days like they always are. Getting hung up on another self-proclaimed sports hero is the last thing on my agenda.
No matter how cute he is.
3
RENXEL
Competition day hits me like a ton of bricks. I’m normally the first person on the course. The first to hit the climbing wall before the others, and the last to stay behind as the sun falls away into shadows.
This morning is different. My comm buzzes violently from under my pillow, demanding my immediate departure. I should be up and at it. I should be prepping for this day, ready to tackle it as I have so many competitions before it.
Yet my fingers hit the snooze. There’s a vision playing behind my eyelids that I cling to. She has raven black hair and eyes like a kaleidoscope. Greens and browns fill my dream state, giving off a warm hue that sinks me further into the sheets.
My waking self might not let me play with this fantasy. He’s a more rational fellow altogether. He’s driven, direct, and determined to win. Maybe too determined.
The sun fills my room with its blazing light. Between it and the ever-insistent comm alarm, I accept defeat, watching the vision of her vanish as light sears my eyes with the painful reminder that it is only a dream. I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but it’s hard to let go of either way.
Blood starts pumping as I pull myself from the bed and sure enough, he’s back. Mr. Competitor. Mr. Wins-at-any-cost.
I can’t help that it feels good to be a winner. I don’t think I’m the first to admit that it does, but it’s a temporary arrangement, winning. It comes, it feels, it goes. It doesn't stay with me like this feeling I've had since I met Mira.
Mr. Competitor won’t let me alone with that feeling, not for long. Giving in, I head to the shower to shake off all memories of her as best I can. Water trickles down my slate gray skin, but it can’t scrub the vision from my brain.
Getting dressed, I realize there’s only one solution to this problem. I need to test it.
Maybe it’s just the effect of the dream itself. Maybe she’s an illusion I cooked up in my subconscious while the hours ticked away. I've been lured into a false sense of security.
It’s time to burst this bubble, once and for all. I dress quickly, telling myself I'm not excited to see her. I just need to know if this wave that has a hold of me is real. I need to throw it into the elements and see if it stands. If it vanishes, then it was just a figment.
A figment can’t break your heart. A figment can’t cause you pain or take years of your life from you. I need to know if this is real.
Jogging down the stairs, I see that I’ve missed the breakfast but not the girl.
“Yes, Mrs. Menzel. We’ll have that waiting for you when you arrive.” I hear her light, clear voice ring out over the lobby, and it hits me.
I haven’t even seen her face, and it hits me.
The dream feeling I was ready to sleep through this competition for lurches in my belly. Damn. I shake my head, prompting it to go away. How can I possibly compete with thisfeeling jumping around in my gut? It’s a good thing I missed the morning meal. There’s no way I could keep it down like this.
“Mr. Garome? Can I help you?” Yet in all my worrying, I can’t stop my feet from sauntering towards her at the front desk. It’s like another Kiphian has taken over my body.
I'm standing here with nothing to say.
Clearing my throat, I scrounge for some words. “Uh, hi. How’s it going?” She makes a kind of half smile and the now familiar tug claws at my sides. It is a powerful feeling. But fated mates? No, it can be.
“I’m fine.” She shrugs. “But aren’t you running a little late?” She points to the clock behind her. The lobby is well cleared of competitors by now.
“Just getting my beauty rest.” I can’t help this smug person who takes me over when I'm with her.
She smiles fully. There it is. Making her smile feels like such a win.
“Is that so?”
“Yep, and I thought I’d come say hi and see how your morning has been.”
“Fine,” she offers, like she isn't sure. “But you better get out there.”
“Are you doing anything later? If you want, you could come watch me compete.”
