straightening his hide shirt. Walking around his chair, he gathered his hat, fluffing the inside momentarily before placing it on his head. “You, young lady,” he said. “Got a gift.”
Tipping his hat, Eli headed for the door. His boots were loud on the floor. I watched as he burst through the double doors and exited the saloon. Sighing deeply, I felt the exhaustion hit simultaneously with celebration. Dreamdrifting was tiring.
“That was fantastic.”
My gaze landed upon the inky whirl of Ash’s dreamcatcher, its wild contours revealed by his v-neck shirt. “Seriously?” I asked self-consciously. “You’re not just saying that to be nice?”
“Never,” Ash said. “I was watching the whole time. You were amazing. For a first exchange with a subconscious persona that went incredibly well. You might just be a natural.”
“You’re biased,” I accused.
“Very.”
I laughed. “Let’s go home.”
“Sounds good to me,” Ash said. “Just say the word and we’re there.”
I was confused. “I already said I want to go home.”
Ash shook his head, incredulous. “This is the easy part, Annie,” he chided. “The other word!”
“Oh!” I giggled. “Dreamdrifter!”
11. The Party
We arrived at the final week of Adia’s psychology course. It was the Tuesday before the final exam on Friday. I was in the kitchen, watching as Oscar lapped busily from his water bowl. My phone beeped loudly from the table. Excitement flooded me. I hadn’t seen or talked to Ash since last Friday. He had played hooky on Monday. I opened the textbox.
Morning. See you in twenty minutes. Your training continues…
I smiled contentedly. I had no worries about Dreamdrifting now. My confidence had soared since helping Eli. Twenty minutes later I was locking the front door behind me and walking across the driveway to Ash’s toy bus.
“Hop in,” Ash invited.
I jumped in beside him. “Good morning!”
“Morning,” Ash reciprocated. “How’s things?”
“Peachy,” I replied. “I’m ready for more Dreamdrifting!”
“Cool,” Ash said. Flooring the clutch, he shifted Magic into first. Soon we were traveling up my driveway. Rocks were scattered with dust as we began the long ascent.
“I’m excited!” I exclaimed. “Eli was like two weeks ago!”
“Yup,” Ash agreed. “You’d earned a break.”
“I didn’t need one,” I complained. “I was ready for more right away.” Flooring the clutch again at the top of my drive, Ash turned onto the main road. I gazed over at him. “Ash?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think Coraline will let me join the Holurn?”
Reaching over, Ash took my hand. He squeezed it in a reassuring way. “I’m sure she will, Annie,” he said. “When you’re ready, though,” he added. “I can’t see her snubbing you.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Because I can’t see her snubbing me,” Ash answered. “And it’s the same difference.”
Silence had never been my enemy. I enjoyed some while gazing out of the open window. The sun was high and unfretted by clouds. After a while, however, I noticed Ash fidgeting beside me. I spoke up. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” he said quickly.
“You seem anxious.”
“Well,” Ash said, his tone unzipping in defeat. “I am –”
“Why?” I asked. “Why are you anxious?”
“Because,” he began. “I – I’ll be uncomfortable where we’re going.”
I frowned in confusion. “Where are we going?”
“To a party.”
“What!” I exclaimed. “I thought we were Dreamdrifting!”
“We are,” Ash said quickly. The red flush was rising around his neck again. “But we’re going to a party first.”
“Where’s the party?” I asked.
“At Everest,” he replied.
I digested this. “Whose party is it?”
“Wayfara’s,” Ash said, blushing still further. “I suppose.”
“Is today his birthday?” I asked. “I wish you’d told me. I would have got him a pres –”
“Nope,” Ash interrupted. “Not his birthday. Not in that sense, anyway.”
Impatience pummeled me. “Just tell me.”
“Fine,” Ash sighed. Hazel eyes closed. “He’s Utopian.”
I was stunned. “What?”
“Wayfara’s Utopian,” he repeated. “My little brother has done it. He has realized his subconscious mind. He is a Utopian.”
“Whoa,” I breathed. “That’s great news!”
“Is it?” Ash barked, his eyes exploding amid hazel landmines. “Is it, Annie? Is it great news?” Ash was breathing hard as he yelled in fury. “He’s only twelve! He’s too young! He’s seven years my junior! And somehow he’s, he’s…”
“Realized?” I offered timidly.
“Realized,” Ash agreed, expelling a long, heart ripping sigh. We were silent for several moments. “I’m sorry,” Ash mumbled, swallowing hard. “That was embarrassing.”
I shrugged. “So is stepping in dog poo but we all do it.”
Ash chuckled. “Thanks.”
“When did he manage it?”
“Sunday night,” Ash said.
“Is he ok?” I asked.
“He’s fine,” Ash replied. “He has recovered. Ever since the Second Great Manifestation, the Utopian transformation has taken a greater toll on the body. That’s what Todd told me, anyway.”
“Do you like Todd?” I asked curiously.
Ash scratched his arm. “He’s alright.”
I pressed further. “Are you friends?”
“We’re not not friends,” Ash said. Everest was rising from the trees, the glass windows of the tower room reflecting a clean, blue sky. Ash parked Magic against the deck. “A decent crowd.”
People filled the deck. Many were sitting under shady umbrellas while others stood talking in groups. Still more leaned against the railing, their hands clutching drinks. Some watched our approach, waving merrily. Several new Dreamdrifters were present. Their dreamcatcher tattoos made them obvious, revealed as they were by v-neck shirts and low summer dresses. A buffet table, piled high with delicious looking food, had been erected against the house wall.
“Welcome, friends!” Wayfara, surrounded by friends, was chilling in the shade of an umbrella. “Grab some food, some drink, and come hang out,” he encouraged. “The day is beautiful, the people too, and we want you!”
Suddenly, my eyes blurred amidst cream. Todd Arrowheart was smiling beside Wayfara and sporting enormous, sparkly white shades. “This is Todd Arrowheart,” Ash said, his introduction unnecessary. “He’s Adia’s brother. We owe him one for sharing that exam!”
“No worries,” Todd said. “And Annie and I already know each other, Ash. We’re actually good friends.”
“I need food!” I announced, tactfully interrupting their exchange. “Anyone ready for the buffet?”
“I am!” Ash replied. “I skipped breakfast.”
“I’ll come too,” said a voice I recognized.
“Come along then, Lin,” Ash invited.
“I will,” Divion said. He followed me and Ash to the buffet table, stepping around Ash to talk to me. “How’s school, Annie?”
“Good,” I answered. “I’m looking forward to dropping out.”
“How are your parents?” Divion filled his paper plate. “Dr. McGallagher’s excited to become Chair?”
I nodded. “Sure is.”
“Excellent,” Divion said, walking away. “Nice seeing you, Annie.”
Ash filled his spot. “I can see right through him.”
I grinned. “Really? Like how?”
Ash shook his head. “Those stupid questions about your parents, about your dad becoming Chair. He just wants to know that he knows the right people.”
“So what?” I shrugged. “There?
??s a ton of that in academia,” I added, cutting a slice of pie. “Have some. It’s apple.”
“Alright,” he conceded. Grasping our desserts, Ash and I retraced our steps back to Wayfara’s table and pulled up seats. Ash looked over his brother. “How are you feeling?”
“Fantasmic!” Wayfara exclaimed, swishing his colored drink.
Ash smiled. “Keeping hydrated?”
His brother winked. “Of course.”
Wayfara looked healthy. He was paler than he had been two weeks ago, but his skin seemed bright regardless. His ninja ponytail had been released so that his hair caught the breeze.
“Congratulations, Wayfara,” I breathed. “I’m so happy for you! But where are your wings?”
“He’s hiding them,” said one of Wayfara’s friends, a gangly boy. “He hasn’t shown us yet, either.”
“Aw,” I said. “Come on, Wayfara. I wanna see!”
“Me too,” Todd said from beneath his dark sunglasses, his creamy smile filling the day. “But he’s too shy!”
“Shy?” I repeated. “Why? Are your wings pink with yellow spots?”
“No,” Wayfara protested, staring at Ash. “I – I just…” But Ash, looking resigned, shrugged his shoulders. “Fine!” Wayfara said, turning to the group. “I’ll do it, but no oohing and aahing. You promise?”
“We promise!” Everyone chorused.
Wayfara put down his drink and stood carefully. “Ok,” he announced loudly. “You have all officially bugged me enough!”
“Go Wayfara!” Julian called.
“Whoo!” I added.
Todd gestured in mock disregard. “Whatever.”
“Less mouth, more wings!” Ash’s reluctant smile was spreading.
Wayfara, it seemed, had been waiting for Ash’s words. Stretching, he walked from under the umbrella to a large, clear space of deck. Shooing stragglers, he made space. Everyone was watching him.
“Speech!” Someone cried.
Wayfara was momentarily flustered. And then, lowering his head