As a set down the steaming mug of cocoa, I contemplated my next move. My bank funds were currently very limited, and I could feel the pressure building in my mind. But I didn't regret it. I had to escape.
Looking back on the last few months, I was proud of my accomplishments. Not many 22 year old girls drain their bank accounts and leave the country to travel on their own. But I don't consider myself like other girls. Hell, if I was, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in right now. As a child, I knew something was always different about me. I felt different, and it was obvious that I struggled to fit in. Unlike other children, I never grew out of fairy tales. I knew that with all the intelligence in the world, and us only knowing a small portion of it, there had to be places and people that we haven't encountered yet. Who are we to decide if there aren't other worlds out there? We are only a small fraction of living beings. I became very interested in discovery itself, and journaled my desires to explore.
I had just had my ninth birthday when I discovered that I could move objects through my mind. I remember my parents fighting and witnessing my father hauling his suitcase down the stairs, yelling profanities at my mother. I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door, trying desperately to shut their voices out of my head. I felt so angry and helpless and the next thing I remembered was my mirror on my nightstand flying across my room and smashing into my wall into a million tiny pieces. I never touched it. At first I remember being frightened, and trying to piece together the broken pieces of my mirror, but of course I failed. It took years before I finally accepted that I was different. I kept to myself after that, making sure that I did what I was told, and completed school and other various activities. To everyone else, I seemed like a normal child, but on the inside I was screaming. Perhaps that's why I decided to go to England and adventure… either way, I was finally free.
A voice startled me out of my thoughts and I realized that the restaurant that I was seated in was now switching over to a bar for the evening. I was about to ask the waitress for my check when I heard a girl who looked to be about my age muttering under her breath beside me.
"He does this EVERY time we go out. The same damn speech, and these idiot girls fall for it every damn time."
A chuckled and continued to watch her grow more and more agitated with the man sitting at the bar, attempting to flirt with a blonde.
"WELL, it looks like I'll be buying my own drink!" she exclaimed as she dramatically pushed herself in between the couple at the bar.
"Don't worry, I'll buy your drink" I offered, feeling bad for her.
The girl flashed me a smile and ordered, and brought her drink over to my table, hollering over her shoulder "I'm glad someone has manners, Charles!"
Once she reached my table, I stuck out my hand and introduced myself. "I'm Ryleigh."
She smiled brilliantly and said "I'm Raven… and that's my lovestruck brother, Charles." She rolled her eyes.
We continued to make small talk until my ears perked up. I heard Charles mention the term, Mutant, and I almost choked on my cocoa.
"What did he just say" I asked quickly.
Raven rolled her eyes "Don't mind him. He's thesis for school is Mutations and since he is graduating in a few days, it's all he can talk about."
I cautiously began stirring the contents in my cup until Charles walked over.
"Come on Raven, we have to be getting home. I need to put the final touches on my thesis and don't want to be up late" Charles said.
"But I'm enjoying my time with my new friend Ryleigh" Raven whined.
Charles stuck out his hand and formally introduced himself.
"Uh, hi…" I managed to mumble out.
He was much more attractive close up. His eyes were a unique shade of blue, and he pushed his hair absent mindedly out of his eyes. I remembered why I thought men outside of the United States were so damn attractive.
He chuckled and my head snapped up instantly. I was positive I had said that to myself, but he glanced at me with a strange look.
"Well it was nice to meet you both, but I should get going too" I stated.
"But it was so nice talking to a girl for a change! Not that I don't love talking about boring stuff with you Charlie, it's just that… she isnt putting me to sleep with talking about mutations" Raven said sweetly.
"Maybe I will see you guys around" I said smiling.
"Oh yes! That reminds me, I'm throwing Charles a celebration party for his graduation! You have to come Ryleigh! It's in three days and it will be right here. Pleaseeee say you'll come! It will be so much fun to have another girl there and not old stuffy professors" Raven pleaded.
"Sure, I'll be there" I said.
"We would be delighted to have you there. Raven, we must be going now" Charles said, waving to me as he ushered her out the door.