“Ugh, so I came over to tell you I can’t give you a ride to school today,” Jaime says with her mouth half full. “Apparently I broke house rules by staying late after class waiting for you. So mom said she’s dropping me off as a way of punishing me.” She stops to take another bite of her waffle. “As if being grounded isn’t bad enough.”
Guilt sinks in again, having Jaime wait up for me at school. But I can’t help but feel happy for her at the same time. Too bad I can’t put things in perspective for her. Here, she has parents who care about her, even if it comes with the occasional punishment. Tough love is still better than being stuck in foster care.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “Do we always ride to school together?” Unlike Jaime, I manage to say this without a mouth full of waffles. This is my first meal here and I don’t want to look like I don’t belong in this nice house. Not that anyone would know. But just the same, it’s important to me that I make a good impression.
Almost as if by magic, the waffles on my plate suddenly disappear. Skipping dinner probably has something to do with it, that and dimension hopping can certainly make a girl hungry. But before I can ask for a second helping, my aunt is one step ahead of me and is already sliding two more waffles onto my plate. She’s rewarded with one of my sheepish smiles and I dig in.
“You sure you’re okay? You’ve been acting totally weird since yesterday. Of course we always ride together.” Jaime’s voice is full of concern. “Your car is way nicer than my Jetta. Besides, I practically live here. Not that my parents ever notice—except when I violate curfew.” She winks.
“Since Jaime’s mother is giving her a ride, I can run you up to school this morning. Your car should be ready any day now, then you can go back to driving yourselves,” Maggie offers.
“Thanks Aunt Maggie.” That sounds so weird coming out of my mouth.
Jaime holds her wrist up to check her watch. “Look, I gotta run. Mom is probably pitching a fit as we speak not knowing where I am.” Jaime rolls her eyes. “Thanks for the breakfast Maggie,” she yells back, heading out of the kitchen.
I scarf the last waffle on my plate and wait as my aunt tidies up before giving me a lift to school. She stops wiping the counters long enough to take a look at me.
“Is everything alright, hon? You have been acting a bit confused. Disconnected almost.” She walks over to me and puts her hand on my forehead. “Well, it doesn’t look like you have a fever, but do me a favor and take it easy today. I don’t want you to overdo it in case you’re coming down with something.”
I study my aunt’s face, wondering what side of the family she from. “Hmm? I’m fine really. Guess I didn’t sleep as well as I thought I did.”
She gives me the once over as if she knows I’m hiding something. “If you say so,” she says, letting me know she’s not entirely sure I’m telling the truth. “Are you about ready to go?” My aunt grabs her keys from the kitchen table and wanders out of the kitchen.
I pat my backpack. As ready as I’ll ever be.
But we don’t get far. As soon as we make our way outside, we notice her car is blocked by Cooper’s Land Rover.
“Looks like you have a ride to school after all.” She kisses the top of my head and strolls back into the house. “Don’t forget to take it easy today.”
I sigh with relief. I’m glad I don’t have to go through another round of her second guessing my awkward state on the way to school. That and I’m sure she has better things to do with her morning than to chauffeur me around town.
I immediately run over to the familiar shiny white SUV. “I’ll see you after school,” I manage to yell over my shoulder before my aunt makes her way back into the house.
“You!” My tone changes the second I enter the Rover. “You have a lot of nerve dropping me off here to figure things out on my own.”
Cooper raises his hands in defense and chuckles. “What? No thanks for picking you up?”
“Stuff it Cooper.” His amusement at my expense is getting old. He’s still sexy hot and all, but a girl can only take so much. “What else have you failed to fill me in on?”
He gently puts the truck in reverse and eases his way out of the driveway. “What would you like to know?”
“My father, for starters. What the hell was up with that cryptic message you whispered to me at the last minute? He’s either missing or you just don’t know where he is. Which is it?”
His eyes remained glued on the rearview mirror. “You didn’t ask your aunt?”
“No. I had a hard enough time trying to figure out who she was.” I’m definitely pouting. I know it’s not a good look for me, but there you have it: I’ve been reduced to a brat. I realize this is beginning to become a habit whenever I’m around Cooper. He always seems to bring out the spoiled child in me. If he wasn’t so hot, I would have stuck my tongue out at him too. “You could have told me.”
“Fair enough. But about your dad—honestly, I don’t know where to begin. Your dad went missing a few days ago. By the time I finally figured it out, all leads to his disappearance were cold.”
“Does this have anything to do with me?” Cooper never came out and explained exactly why I was brought back or who initiated my return. Surely this isn’t a coincidence.
Cooper thinks for a second before answering. “I wasn’t sure before, but now I’m thinking maybe it does. There are other reasons behind my bringing you back, but I figured that by doing so, it would also undo whatever happened to your dad.”
“Kinda like me taking over a life I never left.”
“Precisely, darlin’”
“How does this work exactly? Alternate universes, I mean.” As he maneuvers his way out of the neighborhood, I can already tell that the one thing that hasn’t changed in this reality is the traffic. Rush hour in the metro area can set you behind schedule, even if you’re only traveling a couple of miles. So I know we’ll be sitting here for awhile. Cooper has plenty of time to explain things while we sit, whether he wants to or not.
“In order to explain alternate realities, you have to think of multiple universes as two sheets of paper lying on top of each other. Now, imagine a small slit that goes through both sheets. If you were walking down the road and slipped through that perforation, you’d now be on the other side of the second sheet. It would be similar, except now you’re now on the other sheet of paper.”
“Are there more than two alternate universes?”
I know I’m on to something when I catch Cooper’s smile. “Yes. Every time something changes in the timeline, a new reality is created.”
“So, instead of two sheets of paper, it’s more like a ream.”
“Yeah,” he chuckles. “I guess you could say that.”
“This still doesn’t explain how I have parents in this reality, but I’m an orphan in the other.”
“Doesn’t it? There are realities where you have one, both, or none of your parents. In this scenario, you were placed in another world where your parents died in a plane crash when you were five.” Cooper pauses for a second before he continues. “And I’m guessing you died in the crash along with your parents, because like I said before, in order to avoid a paradox, your father must have chosen a reality where you couldn’t run into yourself.”
It takes a moment to digest this. What he’s suggesting hits me: I don’t have a mother in this world either. “So here, it was only my mother who died. What changed? I mean, I know I have to expect some differences between the worlds, but why weren’t me and my dad on that flight?”
“Because you two were together.”
“You mean…” I choke on the words.
“I’m afraid so, darlin’. While your mom was on that flight, you and your father were over in the other reality, making sure you were safe.”
I shake my head in disagreement. “Impossible.”
“What do you mean?”
I might be new to this alternate reality stuff, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure t
his one out. “If my father supposedly took me to a place where I couldn’t possibly run into myself because I was already dead, how is it that he knew ahead of time? If the events happened simultaneously, how is that possible?” And for that matter, if he knew about the crash ahead of time, how could he allow my mom get on the flight here? The thought leaves me with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“You’re smart, I’ll give you that. But in all honestly, I can’t answer that. I’m pretty limited in what I know. I wish I could tell you more.”
Of course he did. “I get it. I have to get answers from my father and he’s conveniently missing.”
“You know, sarcasm isn’t a good look for you. Look, I can’t tell you things I don’t have the answers to and I know there are things you’re finding out that aren’t easy to accept, but I’ll do the best I can to explain what I do know.”
“Fine.” I want to change the subject anyway. I don’t want to end up being all teary eyed talking about my parents right before going to a new school. Oh shit, school! “So tell me about this Dominion Hall Academy then. Why am I going there? It sounds like another institution.”
“Well, it should, Dominion Hall is a private school,” he says. “It’s the most exclusive school in Northern Virginia. Actually, in all of Virginia.”
“Super.” Maybe this universe isn’t quite everything Cooper made it out to be.
Chapter Nine
Dominion Hall Academy
There’s finally a break in traffic and we roll into the parking lot with several minutes to spare. I sit there, staring out the passenger side window completely stunned. The campus is almost identical to Dominion House for Girls, only the plaque at the front gate reads, Dominion Hall Academy, Est. 1924. So instead of housing foster delinquents, it is home to the nation’s finest youth in the country. The shift in priority is evident. Even though the sprawling campus hosts the same set of buildings, I’m shocked to see how pristine everything looks. How in the world am I supposed to acclimate myself to this?
Cooper parks the car in front, facing the brick buildings. “I know. It looks the same doesn’t it, but different at the same time, huh?”
We stay sitting in the parking lot, staring at the students amble about before class, while I gather enough courage to get out of the SUV. I was able to fool my aunt and possibly even Jaime, but this is an entirely different ballgame. How am I supposed to pretend I’ve been a part of this world in front of teachers and classmates? They’re basically strangers to me. There’s no way I’m going to be able to pull this off.
“You’re telling me.” I cling to my backpack and resign myself to the fact that I’m no longer in Kansas anymore and suck it up. Hey, school is school, right? How much different can it possibly be it be? At least I know my way around the moss covered buildings.
I know this is a long shot, but I ask anyway, “Are you a student here too?”
“Sorry, darlin’. Been there, done that.”
Great, I’m on my own again.
“Ah, come on. It won’t be so bad. Besides, you have Jaime. Just stick close to her and you’ll be alright.”
Easy for you to say.
“You’ll be fine, trust me.”
“Ugh! Stop doing that!” Cooper’s refusal to stop reading my mind infuriates me enough to give me the courage to finally get out of the SUV and face my fears: my first day of school. Not that anyone will know, but on the inside, I’m a ball of nerves. This is way worse than going to a new school for the first time. At least then, we’d all be in the same boat. But here, everyone will assume I know everyone and I don’t have the slightest clue as to what I’m doing.
I scramble out of the truck, glad be free of Cooper’s intrusion into my thoughts, but stop short, with one leg dangling out the door. “If you’re too old for school, just who are you anyway? Or is that something you can’t answer either?” I’m being snarky, but he deserves it. “And what’s up with the accent?” Even though this is Virginia, which is technically the South, you don’t hear too many Southern accents this close to the District.
Cooper’s face tightens, like he’s annoyed, but then lets out a deep laugh. “Boy, nothing gets by you. I may be past my prime, but I’m your friend and I hope you know that. And yes, I can even answer your other question. I’m originally from Richmond.”
Okay, being from Richmond explains the slight inflection in his voice and I believe him when he says he’s a friend. I don’t really have a choice but to trust him at this point. “We’ll talk later.” I finally manage to extricate myself from the SUV.
Damn, I get several steps away from Cooper’s truck and realize I forgot to ask if he’s picking me up after school. Oh well, I can figure that out later, I think to myself as I make my way down to the grassy quad in search of Jaime. I assume she’s outside waiting for me before class so we can walk together. While I scan the area for her shimmery platinum hair, I feel something hard hit the back of my head.
“Ouch!” I whip around and spot a group of girls playing lacrosse. The back of my head continues to throb where the ball made contact.
“Sooo sorry,” a voice calls out followed by hollow laughter.
I’d recognize that apology anywhere. A tall lithe blonde comes rushing in my direction in order to claim her ball. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s the one responsible for the pathetic attempt at an apology. Per her usual M.O., she doesn’t sound sorry at all.
“Come on Etta, it’s not worth getting into it with her.” Jaime miraculously appears by my side just in time to grab me by the shoulder. Her attempt is clear: to steer me away from a confrontation. As always, Jaime takes the position of buffer when it comes to me getting into trouble.
Even though I recognized the voice, I still manage to do a double take at the girl running towards us. “Who is that?” I ask anyway, already knowing the answer. I have a feeling this isn’t going to be the end of me and Lacrosse Barbie and I want to be sure.
“You sure you’re okay? The ball must have hit you harder than I thought. That’s Jenny, duh. You know, her dad’s the Mexican Ambassador? Access to free booze because her family owns and operates Mexia beer? Super bitch from hell? Ring any bells?” Jaime looks at me curiously. “And judging from bump on your head, she must really have it in for you.”
My eyes narrow as I watch Jenny claim her ball and trot back to her group of giggling friends. The Barbie Brigade is just going to have to watch out. If they think they’re dealing with the same Etta, they’re in for a rude awakening—they have no idea who they’re messing with now.
“Why?” It’s obvious we hate each other, but I can’t imagine having anything to do with a girl like Jenny that she’d actually go to great lengths to make my life miserable. In the other world, it was only logical that she’d be petty enough to make fun of the poor orphan girl. Everyone did. So what reason can she possibly have to bother with me here?
Suddenly, I’m confronted by an affectionate rub on my right shoulder and a male voice. “Hey, are you okay? I saw that ball whack you right upside the head.”
I’m mortified that there are witnesses to the most embarrassing moment ever. And on my first day! I subconsciously rub the small bump on the back of my head. “I’m fine, really.”
Jaime points in the direction of the male voice behind me. “That’s why.”
“Oh.” I spin around and am startled to be looking straight into the blue eyes of Alex Stewart—the captain of the football team. Wait, does Dominion even have a football team? This strikes me as more of a lacrosse and rowing type of place. Why in the world is he talking to me, and more importantly, why in the world does he care whether I’m okay or not? All these questions buzz through my head and it kills me that I can’t come right out and ask.
“So, who’s the guy that dropped you off?” Alex questions me with a curious look and I can hear the underlying hurt in his voice.
I managed to somehow make the hottest guy in school jealous. Where am I?
“Yeah, Etta.” Jaime raises her eyes up at me. “Who’s the guy?”
“Just a friend.” There, that sounds like safe enough answer. I’m not sure what they know, who they know, and more importantly, what all I’m supposed to know, but its obvious neither of them have ever met Cooper before. For now, I’ll stick to keeping my answers to a minimum, at least until I can get my bearings.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. Look, I gotta run. Coach has us practicing during first period study hall.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “See you at lunch?” He sounds expectant, like there’s the slightest possibility I might turn him down.
“Uh, sure.” I assure him, not knowing how else to respond. Pleased, he sprints off into the direction of the main building.
Jaime clicks her tongue and smirks. “You don’t seem too concerned that Alex saw you with another guy.”
“For the record, I’m not with another guy, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.” I give up trying to explain this to Jaime. And when she mentioned Alex yesterday, I hadn’t put the pieces together until now. Is he my boyfriend?
“I think,” she begins, linking her arm through mine, as we make our way into the main building, “there’s a lot more you’re not saying. But don’t worry; I’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”
• • •
Fortunately, taking over someone else’s life, even my own, isn’t as difficult as I initially thought. Other than not having homework to turn in during calculus class, most of my morning classes go off without a hitch. I just need to make sure to keep my head down and maintain a low profile.
Jaime said she had to turn in some extra credit during lunch, so I have to spend the lunch hour on my own. I avoid my classmates—I don’t want to get stuck talking to someone and screw-up royally, so I venture outside and find an empty spot near one of the large oak trees that line the quad. I double check to make sure I’m not sitting on an ant hill and sit down to have a peek at the sack lunch my aunt made for me.