Given New Worlds Read online

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE pest control service came the next morning. It was one of Abby’s precious days off from her medical classes, and her parents had mentioned that Abby should stay at their house, but she was too lazy to make the hour-long drive to the estate. Besides, Mom was shooting a movie in London and Dad was shooting his mouth over a spending bill featuring his very own drug cartel demolition project that was once again about to die a slow and painful death. Abby instead opted to hang out around campus until the fumes settled. The pest service had said it was safe to return to the condo immediately after the application, but Abby wanted to make sure any bug in the place was completely deceased before she entered the building.

  After an hour of enduring endless stares and whispered gossip at the coffee shop, Abby moved on to what would surely be an empty library.

  She could feel her nerves tingle and a sensation flow through her as she thought about the guy from a couple weeks ago. Would he be there again? Highly unlikely, but it was still fun to think about.

  The library was cool, silent, and empty; exactly the environment she needed to await the death of the bugs that had so maliciously invaded her home. She plucked A Walk to Remember off the shelf and noticed it still had the fold she’d used to mark her page. Tucking herself into a comfortable ball on the fluffy chair, Abby fell into the book.

  It was over an hour later when Abby remembered Nanny Lemon’s vision exercises. She closed her eyes and then opened them for the task when she saw him.

  Same male. Same table. Same disheveled hair. Different shirt.

  He wasn’t looking at her this time. He was buried in his laptop. Abby glanced towards the doors and noticed that her usual security must be getting lax. Pretending to stretch, Abby turned her head back and forth several times before satisfying herself in the knowledge that Rocket must be standing outside in the fresh air instead of inside the stuffy library.

  Abby knew there were plenty of cameras in the building. Whatever she did would be caught on video. So if she walked over and draped herself over the table, asking the guy if he’d like to run wild and free through the streets of the college campus, Dad and Mom would definitely find out.

  It would be better to be discreet. Not that anything would come of it - just a fun game. Something to take up time while she waited for bugs to die.

  Abby walked to the check-out kiosk and scanned A Walk to Remember along with her Campus I.D. under the red line claiming the book as her own for the next three weeks, then she picked up a pencil and piece of scrap paper from the materials desk, pretending to copy something from page seventy-three. Fortunately, the women’s room was directly in the path of where the cute guy with the nice hair was staring intently at his computer. It was clear that he was completely avoiding her gaze at this point, but he didn’t act like one of those ‘I’m too good to talk to you’ guys. Again, he was different.

  With each footstep, Abby’s heart rate increased. She could feel a smile tease at her lips but didn’t allow it to take over until she’d passed him, conveniently placing the small piece of paper on the corner of his table as she swished by and stepped into the ladies’ room.

  Her face was pink and excited in the mirror. Abby pulled out her powder and dabbed at the offending cheeks until they maintained the calm and cool look she preferred. With a deep breath she walked towards the door but stopped before touching its wooden surface.

  What had she done?

  She’d made contact with an unapproved individual.

  She’d taken it upon herself to communicate with someone beyond her parents’ cone of security.

  Abby stood in front of the mirror for another four minutes, debating on her next steps. There was no back exit in the bathroom. Not a window, nor any other way to get out but the door that opened near the table on which she’d placed the note. Acceptance of her fate exceeded her sense of fear, and Abby pushed the door open only to see that he was no longer sitting at the table.

  It was empty. No computer. No books. No handsome guy. Nothing.

  If Abby didn’t know better, she would have thought that feeling of emptiness in her heart was due to disappointment. But, she knew this was for the best. Walking to the table, she glanced down at the chair on which he had been sitting. There sat the note. Forlorn and untouched. Abby picked it up and placed it in her purse. She should have thrown it in the garbage, but something tickled at her to keep it. Maybe it was something in her that wanted her to have her very own memories, not those created by her parents or their advisors.

  Stepping out of the library and into the sunshine, Abby nodded at Rocket with a neutral smile. He was leaning against the wall and tapping into a cell phone, clearly noting the fact that she’d left the building at 2:53pm.

  Lifting her purse to her shoulder, Abby realized that her hands were empty. “I forgot my book,” she informed Rocket, and walked back into the building as he surely was now notating the fact that she was a complete idiot.

  Dashing to the bathroom, Abby picked up the book from the counter next to the sink and began to leave. But once again, that niggling burrowed itself into her thoughts. She didn’t know what it was. Worry that her parents would find out about her misstep? Adrenaline from her recent adventure? With a laugh, she decided to throw the note away. It would only cause trouble.

  She opened her purse and took out the crumpled paper. Unfolding it one last time to take a look at her foolish antics, Abby read the question she’d scrawled in pencil with her professionally disciplined manuscript.

  Who are you?

  Her breath caught in her throat as she saw a very distinct reply written underneath it in black ink.

  I’m Sean. Who are you?

  Abby felt her knees weaken and blood pour through her veins at lightning speed. He had replied. But he had also left. Maybe he’d waited so long for her to come out of the bathroom that he’d given up. Maybe he had a sporting event to attend and work out those fabulous arms. Maybe he had a date. Maybe Rocket had come in and politely asked him to leave.

  But he’d left the note. His name was Sean.

  Abby folded the paper neatly and slid it into her wallet, then looked up at the mirror where she caught herself grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. Where in the world had this smile come from? Abby quickly tried to cover it up with seriousness and non-emotion, but she couldn’t help herself.

  He’d replied.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  LUNCH with Mom on Sunday was uneventful. She pointed out a few more guys on her phone that were potential dating candidates, but Abby wasn’t interested. The only boyfriend image forming itself in her mind was Sean. It was ridiculous. Mom had a whole list of amazing men that were perfect contenders for future relationships, but all Abby could think about was some man she’d seen two times in a library.

  Struggling to shake it out of her system, Abby mentioned the current runners-up. “I’ve been communicating with that Dave guy,” Abby said, hoping to reassure her mom that some progress was being made on the boyfriend front.

  “You mean the environmentalist? He’s much older than you, isn’t he?”

  “He’s a marine biologist. Thirty-one. Not too much older.”

  “I suppose not. So, what’s the progress?”

  Abby didn’t mention the fact that Dave, the marine biologist was currently doing research in the Arctic Ocean and wouldn’t be back to the States for another three months. The last time she’d received a text from him was ten days ago. But it had been cordial enough.

  Going to interview some narwhals. Will text you when I get service again.

  Mom and Abby went through the lunch ritual like clockwork. They joked and smiled, chatted and dined. It would be another month before Abby would see her again, so she tried to make it a happy moment. Mom was wrapping up filming and the producers were screaming about time and money, so she would have to work every second until they could let her go back to real life again; whatever real life was for someone as well-known
as Mom.

  They shared an ice cream sundae for dessert. Abby promised she wouldn’t leak the ice cream secret to Mom’s nutritionist and Abby made Mom promise she wouldn’t worry about Abby’s dating regimen until after she finished filming.

  “That sounds good, honey.” Mom smiled, and her eyes moistened. It was rare for Mom to go emotional, unless it was for the cameras, of course, so Abby felt a flutter of concern toss around her now too full tummy.

  “What is it?”

  “You know we love you.”

  “Yes, Mom. I know.” Maybe Mom was stressed out and overly emotional today. That could happen, right?

  “Your father and I, we… You know we always try to make the best decisions for you.”

  “I know you’re trying to find the right guy,” Abby said, trying to sound comforting. “I trust you.”

  Abby watched as her Mom bit her lip and allowed a nanosecond of panic to flood through her. “That’s not what I…” Then she recovered. “I know you do,” she said, redirecting her previous comment. But it was too late. There was something else. Something Mom wasn’t telling her.

  “Well, Abigail. It’s getting late. I don’t want to keep you from your studies.”

  Abby didn’t bother rewinding the conversation. It wouldn’t do any good. If life had taught Abby anything, it was that her parents thought they were perfect. If she were to reveal an error such as the half-sentence Mom had spoken, it would surely be defended to the bitter end. Not worth it.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ABBY flipped through the channel guide like her finger was on fire. Hundreds of channels, but nothing to watch. She should be exhausted. School was taking its toll and she hadn’t slept more than five hours a shot since last Tuesday. It had been her mission to sleep for her entire day off, but here she sat, staring at the television, Mr. Sandman only available via email.

  Veena was at the hospital and Abby hated being in the stale workout room alone, so she donned a pair of jogging shorts and a running shirt, opting to feel the sidewalk on her feet.

  It had been a long time since she’d gone for a jog outside. Normally she would call the number on her cell for security and let them know what she was up to, but the note exchange she’d instigated at the library must have provided a wild side she didn’t know about, because she velcroed her I.D.s, credit card, and key into the pocket of her shorts, locked the condo door behind her, and took off.

  The breeze in her hair felt cold, but good. The fall winds were in full force and Abby was thankful to be rid of the oppressive summer heat. She glanced behind her and saw that she wasn’t being tailed by security. Surely, they’d placed the call by now and were sending a car or a runner to track her. She wondered what kind of lecture she would get from Dad.

  Both her parents had been extra sappy lately. They must sense that she was growing up, out of their reach. Abby ran faster and felt the smile on her face widen.

  She couldn’t live under their protective umbrella forever. One day she would be on her own. Taking her own life in her hands.

  Or would she?

  Maybe this whole ‘checking out a future mate’ thing was just another stepping-stone to a new world of protection. Abby sensed the smile slide from her lips. It shouldn’t be this way. She should be happy that she would be able to live in this protective bubble her whole life. Was she just thinking the grass would be greener on the other side?

  Abby ran to a cadence of prayer. Asking God to heal her of the worry, of the frustration, of wondering what her life would be like in the future. She needed to rely on Him. The life given to her shouldn’t be one of regret and envy. She needed to rejoice in all things.

  Several miles later, Abby found herself standing in front of the campus library. Was he there? Would it be ridiculous for Abby to go into the library wearing her running gear? She’d seen worse. One time, a group of kids set up a study session in their pajamas. Guys were always dropping into campus buildings wearing sweats, shorts, and t-shirts. Surely there was nothing wrong with Abby picking up a book on her way home from a run, right?

  She took a breath and glanced around for the ever-present security detail. They hadn’t arrived yet, but if history were an informant they would be here any minute. She drifted into the library casually, as if she had a plan, a reason to be there besides looking for Sean.

  He was there.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ABBY stood stock still and watched as his right forefinger traipsed a path around the trackpad on his laptop, occasionally clicking, occasionally typing into the keyboard with that silly two-finger typing style Abby’s grandma still used, occasionally leaning over to investigate one of the books piled on the desk. She didn’t realize how long she’d been standing there until a cluster of girls almost tripped over her as they entered the building.

  With an apology, Abby slipped out of their way and noticed Sean now looking in her direction. He smiled and lifted a questioning eyebrow. A glance out the small window of the front door indicated that security had no knowledge of her whereabouts. She should call them. But then Abby remembered she didn’t have her phone. She was definitely going to get it from Dad when he found out.

  But right now, she was going to step out of the safety bubble. She was going to have a conversation. She was going to be naughty. Her nerve ends felt like Pop Rocks as she strode towards the table.

  What would she say?

  What would she do?

  Did she look awful after her two-mile run?

  Did she stink like runner’s sweat?

  Too late now. She was at the table.

  Sean lifted his hand and pushed out the chair across from him with his foot. Abby was surprised. She was used to the full treatment; where men stood up, pulled out her seat for her, and didn’t sit down until they knew she was comfortable. But this man? He was different.

  Abby positioned the chair and sat, hoping her sweaty thighs wouldn’t stick to the wooden seat when she would eventually stand - which would probably be within seconds if security would get their butts in gear. They were likely standing outside the library at the moment, waiting for her to make an appearance at the front door so they could snag her and shove her into the back of a Tahoe.

  It had happened before. Once, when she’d gone to the mall with her Aunt Nancy and they’d taken the wrong exit after closing hours and had to wander around the parking lot looking for the car. That black Tahoe zipped up after two minutes and scooped them into the back like baby birds being hoisted back into the nest. Of course, Aunt Nancy didn’t mind. She found it quite funny and was just glad she didn’t have to walk around looking for her car anymore.

  The second time hadn’t been so funny. Abby was attending the Brickston School for Girls and hanging out with Stacey Maughan, the daughter of actor Kenneth Maughan. Stacey had convinced Abby that they were friends. For three whole weeks, Stacey and her friends included Abby in their conversations, talked about boys, and had even eaten lunch with her in the cafeteria. But reality had hit when they’d dared her to climb the garden wall in order to retrieve a purse Stacey had supposedly thrown over it the day before. Abby should have known better that Stacey wasn’t dumb enough to throw a Fendi over the cloistered walls of the school. But climb she did, and fell promptly over the other side when one of the girls threw a basketball at her. Panicked, Abby hadn’t been able to gather her bearings and ran the wrong way, eventually ending up on a crowded street teeming with pedestrians and traffic. Abby had tried to blend in, tried to act casual, but her school uniform was a dead giveaway and people began pointing fingers immediately. The hushed whispers around her indicated they knew exactly who she was. Abby had ducked into an unassuming bookstore, hoping it would keep the throngs at bay, but they’d only followed her in. Eventually, one or two began with the questions, then the pictures, then the yelling started.

  “Abigail Ellwood. What is your opinion of your father’s stance on…”

  “Did your mother have plastic surgery last year on her…
”

  “Abby! Look over here.”

  “Abigail! Will you marry me?”

  “Miss Ellwood. Can you sign my shirt?”

  “Tell your dad that public sentiment doesn’t appreciate…”

  It had taken eight minutes for security to arrive. Abby had been behind the counter of the bookstore, being protected by the owner - an old man with a vicious temper and a large cane. The crowds had refused to leave, but he wasn’t letting them behind the counter, and Abby had loved him for it. When security came in, they’d shoved and tussled through the yellers and picture takers, grabbing Abby like a prisoner and dragging her towards the Tahoe. They had even pressed on the top of her head when shoving her into the car, just like police did when putting a criminal into the back of a squad car. Abby had been humiliated. She’d known the pictures would circulate quickly. She’d known there would be hours of meetings to discuss the ramifications of the incident. She’d known the administration of the school would get an earful. She’d known somebody would get fired. She’d known Dad and Mom would have to sit her down for a talk. That was always the worst.

  But, for now, Abby was going to have a conversation with Sean. Let the ramifications reveal themselves at a later date. Today, she was going to be normal.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “HI Sean,” she said. A tingle of adrenaline shot through her system as his name exhaled from her lips.

  “Hi Jamie.” He had a dimple. It was one of those that only showed up when he smiled. He was smiling now. He was smiling at her. He was calling her Jamie? Oh no! What if this was a big mistake. What if he thought she was someone else. A blast from the past? An acquaintance? Old girlfriend? Aunt’s friend’s brother’s hairstylist’s daughter? No. That wasn’t possible. He knew exactly who she was. Everyone knew who Abigail Ellwood was. But she decided to play along. After all, today, this moment, she was going to be normal.