Chapter 9: Alicia, You'll Love It
Yeah, the chapter title wouldn't make sense unless you'd actually read the rest of the story. I'm hoping Alicia hates the cake, but I'm not a "planning" sort of person, so I guess that what happens just happens.
Milla was again trying to get him to dance with him. He just kind of followed her without doing the dance. Then there was a slow dance.
All of the couples paired up, and the larger groups of girls sang some of the lines.
You're supposed to lead, darling.
"I'm not good at leading."
Well, you'd better get good at leading in the next two seconds!
"I'll do what I can."
Sasha, just rock back and forth.
"Okaaay…"
He began to rock back and forth like everyone else over the roof was.
Then he began taking small steps. Milla would tell him if there was anything he needed to know. For example, since he couldn't see behind himself, sometimes she'd tell him telepathically that there were people behind him. (I did that with my crush last night. Not telepathically, though.)
After the dance, they both went to Milla's dorm. Her friends were there already.
"Hey, Milla, why's there a cake on the table?"
"Oh, Sasha gave that to me, darling. Would you like a piece? You wouldn't like it, Esphere, it's got a lot of coco in it."
"Oh, okay. Who wants coffee?" Esphere always seemed to need something to do.
"Not me, darling, I'll just have water. Alicia, are you sure you don't want to try it? I'll cut you a piece." That was Milla's way, assuming that everyone agreed with her.
"Umm… sure."
As she served the piece of cake, Milla said, "Sasha made this for me. Isn't it wonderful, Alicia, darling?" (The italics didn't mean telepathy right then. It was just Milla exaggerating the word.)
"Uh… yeah?"
"Good. I thought it might be a little too bitter for you."
"Oh, no, it's, um, it's perfect!"
"That's good to know, darling. Isn't it nice when people appreciate your cooking, Sasha?"
"I… guess."
Then Esphere kept them from having to continue the already-bland conversation.
"Hey! The coffee's ready, everyone! Sasha, do you want some?"
"Sure."
"And Milla, I'm gonna take the filter now so you can have your hot water. You sure you don't want a teabag in there?"
"Oh, um, no, darling. That's fine."
"Okay!"
"You know what, darlings? I think some fruit would taste good now." Sasha knew that she (and her dorm friends, for that matter) were vegetarians.
"Maybe some carrots, too?"
"Sure, Alicia!" She rummaged around in the refrigerator and Sasha was left to talk to her dormmates for a couple minutes.
"So, Sasha…" Esphere, with her annoying and constant bubbliness said, "How've things been?"
"Good. How are things around here?" He couldn't lead a dance, but it was easy enough to make small talk.
"They're really good. I think Milla missed you. She didn't levitate as much after you two broke up, and she levitates when she's happy. I'm glad you came back, too. You're nice."
"Oh, umm… thank you." That was… awkward.
"Did anything happen to your psychic abilities? Milla actually inspired a new paper I'm working on for my psychology class (wouldn't psychics be good at psychology?) about how emotions can effect psychic abilities."
"Well… My pyrokinesis got worse."
"Really? That's interesting. Maybe… Maybe depression causes a lack of psychic abilities. Did you get any better at your psychic skills while you and Milla were dating?"
"Oh! You're asking Sasha that stuff? That's smart, darling." Milla had returned.
"Yeah. He said his pyrokinesis got worse after you two broke up. It's really fun doing this. You find out about all the things you could never read in someone's mind."
"Umm… Do you mind if I listen, Sasha, darling?"
"No."
"Okay. I'll be quiet now, darling."
"Good. Now, Sasha, did you levitate well when after you two broke up? I know you can now, and so can Milla."
"I didn't try."
"Well, what skills did you try to use after you broke up?"
"Pyrokinesis."
"And…?"
"Pyrokinesis."
sigh. "Okay. What skills do you usually have?"
"Most of the basic ones."
"Okay." Esphere did a series of tests that showed her how powerful his different skills were.
"Wow, you're powerful. Okay, that's it."
"You should leave now, darling. It's getting late."
"Okay." He left Milla's dorm, thinking about Esphere's theology. Maybe it was right…
Maybe Esphere will be a big character, maybe Alicia will, who knows? I just like laughing at Sasha for being on a first-name basis with a group of party girls. I also like the name Esphere. I'm going to the peace march soon, so no more upgrades for a couple hours.