And just like that, I am linked with him again. I feel the pulse of our bond and history and love through our hands, like a wave of magic, the return of a long-lost friend. Of something meant to be. The feeling brings tears to my eyes. Perhaps we can take a step forward together.
"Hi," he says. "I'm Daniel."
"Hi," I reply. "I'm June."
June
Surprisingly, Day doesn't talk much on our way to the Ruby sector. We get onto the train, and it is nearly empty. I sit next to him, almost out of habit. Eden sits on his other side. As the train whirs into motion, I stare down at my hands. I can't believe what is happening. I feel lost in a fog, as if the whole thing is a dream. Day sits calmly next to me, but I can feel Eden staring at me. I focus on the details, a trick I had mastered over the years. The subway car is around 7 feet 2 inches tall. Parts imported from Antarctica. That's why it runs so smoothly, unlike some of the older Republic trains. The subway car lurches, and I am almost thrown onto Day's lap. My cheeks immediately turn pink. I catch Eden smirking at me from the corner of my eye, and I can't help but smile a little at the mischievous expression on his face. By the time we exit the train at Ruby, I feel like I am about to faint from the excitement and anticipation–for what exactly, I don't know.
The walk to Tess's apartment is short. We take the elevator to the thirty-third floor, where Tess lives in a fantastic penthouse.
I ring the doorbell. For a moment, all I can hear is Day's breathing. Then Tess opens the door promptly, beaming from ear to ear.
"Hi June!" she exclaims.
She doesn't see Day behind me. "Hi, Tess," I whisper, unable to raise my voice. Then I move aside. I see the wonder come over her face. It is almost as if she doesn't actually expect him to be there. She steps forward.
"Daniel…it's really you," she says, as if just realizing it.
"Of course it's me, cousin," Day says with an awkward grin, hooking his thumbs in his belt loops and rocking back and forth. He looks uncomfortable from all the attention.
"I…I can't believe it. Look how much you've changed!"
Tess steps closer, and Day takes off his cap.
"And you've cut your hair!" she exclaims, standing on the tips of her toes and ruffling his already disheveled blond hair. "And Eden!" Tess remembers, seeing him standing behind Day.
She gives Eden an affectionate hug. I notice Eden blush a little. Tess steps back, propping the door open with her foot.
"Oh, I'm just so glad you're all here!" Tess says, her eyes shining.
She ushers us into her apartment. Day looks around with his hands in his pockets.
"I forgot what a nice place you had, Tess," Day remarks.
"Yeah, me too," Eden agrees.
Tess smiles, looking slightly abashed.
"Take off your coats, make yourselves at home and everything, yeah?"
Tess is acting like a fussy mother, and Day obeys with an affectionate smile. I take off my coat, too.
"So what have you got up your sleeve today, Tess? You said you were cooking something special," I say, trying to sound casual.
"Oh, you'll see," Tess says with a wink. "Come help me in the kitchen, June."
Day
There is something about her. It isn't just that she is beautiful–and God, is she beautiful. I've seen pretty girls in my time, but she is…something else. But it isn't just that. When I passed her on the street, there was an aura about her. I knew right away that it wasn't the first time I'd seen her. I know her. I can't quite put my finger on it. But the more I look at and talk to her, broken pieces of the past are coming back to me. I remember fighting alongside her. Protecting her. Her protecting me. Challenging each other. I remember that she felt guilty about something terrible she had done, and it had eventually led to us growing apart–she had wanted to protect me as she had done so many times before. I think…we might have loved each other.
The thought makes my heart beat faster. In fact, everything about her does. Her glossy, silky dark hair. Her glowing skin. And her eyes, God. Her dark eyes smolder with determination and intelligence, accentuated by the gold flecks in them. But there is also a certain sadness in them, a wistfulness that makes them seem bottomless. Damnit, I hate this goddy amnesia crap. What I wouldn't give to remember what really happened in my past with June. Why had it taken so long for us to see each other again? Tess must have known about her. Why had she waited to bring us together for 10 years?
My mind is filled with questions, but I push them aside. I am here to have a good meal with the people I love. I look over at Eden. He looks deep in thought.
"Hey Eden, what're you thinking about?" Eden looks up quickly.
"Oh, nothing in particular."
I give him a knowing look. "Oh come on. I saw the way you looked at Tess." Eden blushes.
"What do you mean?"
"You like her," I whisper.
"I–I don't know what you're talking about, Daniel," Eden stutters, flustered.
"Oh come on, Eden. I know everything."
We hear the sound of an oven opening, and smell the delicious smell of cooking meat.
"Smells great!" Eden exclaims, sounding relieved. He practically leaps off of the couch. "Let's go see what Tess has been cooking."
I sigh and follow him.