MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) (6 page)

“You did not encounter a virtual world.”

“Then where did I go?”

“You came into contact with a parallel universe.”

Maxim blinked hard with disbelief. “What about Grayson. Does that name mean anything to you?”

“Yes…Grayson is your alternate self.”

Stunned, Maxim got to his feet and allowed Tinley to escort him from the lab.

7

As usual, Kip and Starla were standing by his truck when Nexa and Oddily drove up and parked in front of the school. After Oddily had climbed out of the car, she glanced at them and was surprised to see the expression on Kip’s face. It wasn’t his usual menacing sneer that had long since burned into her memory, but it was a look of eagerness as he stepped away from Starla and headed towards her.

Oddily abruptly began to walk in the opposite direction at the same time Kip tried to catch up to her. She was just about to start running when Nexa stopped her with her hand and whispered, “Let’s find out what’s on his puny mind.”

“Oddily, wait up!” Kip called to her.

The alarm showing in Oddily’s sweet face made Nexa’s heart go out to her.

“Hey, give me that!” Kip tried to grab Oddily’s backpack from her shoulder, but she dodged his attempt.

“No, it’s mine,” she scowled at him.

“Let me help you, damn it!” This time Kip succeeded and wedged Oddily’s bag under his arm like a football.

While observing Kip’s antics, Nexa figured out Maxim’s little surprise. He had altered Kip’s mind, an ability her brother wasn’t supposed to have. It wasn’t until Oddily had tugged at her arm that her attention was brought back to the moment.

“What should I do, Nexa?”

“Remain quiet and enjoy the show,” she smiled.

Just then, Starla stepped up to Kip and demanded, “What are you doing?”

“What do you think? I’m helping out Oddily.”

“Carrying this for her?!” Starla grabbed Oddily’s bag from him and tossed it on the ground—then pulled him off to the side. “Okay, what’s up, and why haven’t I been included?”

“There’s nothing going on,” he glowered at her. “Can’t a guy be nice once in a while?”

“We’re talking about Oddily here, you jerk.”

Kip shrugged. “I know, but I like her now.”

“Oh, give me a break!”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Hell yeah, I have a problem with it!”

“Well get over yourself, because I’m not messing with her anymore.”

“Read my lips,” Starla pointed to her mouth. “Do what you’re told, and quit giving me a bad time.”

“Nope, I’m leaving her alone.”

Starla put her hands on her hips and scowled. “Does this mean you’re going to be nice to everyone?”

“No…I don’t think so.”

“All right Kip. What the hell is wrong with you?” Starla looked at him strangely. “You’re acting really weird right now.”

“No I’m not…am I?” Kip scratched his head.

“Whatever!” Starla was becoming frustrated with the whole matter. “Listen, if I pick out someone else, will you mess with them for me?”

“No problem. Who’s my next victim?”

Starla’s eyes narrowed into two slits as she surveyed the new girl standing by Oddily. “Go after her,” she pointed at Nexa.

Kip shook his head. “Nah…pick someone else. She’s too hot.”

“Better looking than me?” Starla’s voice became whiny.

“Well…!”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Starla tried to slap his head.

“Hey, don’t mess with the hair!” He dodged her hand. “You’re prettier…all right?”

“That’s better,” she smiled. “Now go and do as I say, or you won’t get any action tonight…if you know what I mean.”

“But that’s blackmail!” he complained as Starla walked away, but then calmed himself. “All right…you win!”

Kip’s attention went back to Oddily’s backpack, but it had disappeared along with Oddily and his new victim. He needed to keep Starla happy, so he roamed the campus until he found them again, and sauntered up to Nexa. “Hey what’s up, babe?”

“My name is Nexa.”

Nexa remained patient while Kip gave her a once over, and then said, “Okay, now go away.”

“You’ve got attitude—I’m impressed," he smiled. “To bad you’re so damn tall. Maybe I should nickname you, Giraffe.”

Nexa quickly scanned Kip’s mind, searching through the mayhem of thoughts to find out what he was up to, and had to smile when she found the source. “Starla has put you up to this.”

“Hey, you’re fairly smart for a blonde.” Kip gave her an evil eye, but that was a mistake. He was now under her control after loosing himself in her transparent blue eyes.

Nexa smiled. “I bet you didn’t know Starla has been keeping a secret from you.”

”She has?” Kip stared at her with an absent mind.

“She’s jealous because you’re bullying everyone but her.”

“Yeah,” he nodded slowly.

“And she wants to be the only one you pick on.”

“Okay.”

Nexa took her finger and turned Kip’s head, so he could find Starla huddled with a group of her friends. A menacing smile began to spread across his face, and then he left. Nexa watched him sneak up on Starla and dump his cup of coffee over her head. The expression on her face was priceless while Kip chuckled at her with his horsy laugh.

Starla’s friends gasped at what he had done while Starla shrieked in shock and outrage.

“You jerk!” She threw Kip a murderous look. “You are so dead!”

One of Kip’s friends intervened. “Hey man, what did you do that for?”

“She wanted me to,” he grinned while taking pleasure in watching Starla complain to her friends.

“I don’t think so, dude!”

“Nah…she does.” Kip checked out Starla’s rump while she stomped away. “She and I are going to have a good time tonight.”

With Nexa’s keen eyesight and overly sensitive hearing she didn’t miss a thing, and she was satisfied with the new situation she had created between Kip and Starla.

Nexa turned her head and was surprised to see a handsome kid talking with Oddily.

“You’re Paul.” Nexa greeted him with a charming smile.

“Yeah, it’s nice to finally meet you.” His brown ‘puppy dog’ eyes were warm and inviting as he gave her a nod of acknowledgement. “What’s all the commotion going on over there?”

Nexa followed his gaze to the small crowd breaking up. “Starla got mad at Kip.”

“What else is new,” he grinned.

“This is Nexa’s first day here,” Oddily’s large green eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Paul looked surprised. “Well, with your looks, I hope you’re prepared for a lot of attention!”

“I can hardly wait.” Nexa forced a bright smile.

“Sure, whatever you say!” Paul glanced over at Oddily and winked.

Paul’s dry sense of humor came as an unexpected surprise, and Nexa genuinely smiled this time. “Okay smartass. I see how it is.”

“Ahhh, you think you know me already!”

“Come on guys, we’re going to be late for class.”

While the three headed for their first class, Nexa’s flesh began to crawl. There was something in the air—an energy that was both formidable and unwavering. Suddenly, fear gripped her heart. Her instincts warned her of an unfriendly presence, a presence that was too close for comfort.

Without warning, she turned around and headed back to the parking lot.

“Where are you going?” Oddily called out.

“You two go ahead. I forgot something in the car.”

When no one was watching, Nexa ducked behind the gymnasium and entered the forest. She scouted the perimeter of Forest Ridge High, surveying the school from different angles, and was just about to head for class when she spotted something. It was only a flash but clearly, movement had caught her attention.

* * * * * *

Oddily sat at her desk watching a short film on the Civil War while constantly glancing over at the classroom door. Nexa hadn’t shown up for class yet, and neither had Starla.

The incident with Kip and Starla played over again in her mind. It didn’t make any sense. Why would Kip spill coffee on his girlfriend’s head? Whatever the reason, she didn’t care as long as it wasn’t her head. Knowing how particular Starla was about her appearance, she probably drove home to clean up.

Suddenly, a beam of light streamed through the darkened classroom when the door opened. Nexa had stepped inside, heading to the back of the room where Mr. Belmont sat by the projector. Within moments, the teacher was telling Oddily to get her stuff and go with Nexa.

After they were clear of the room, Oddily was curious. “How did you get him to excuse me from class?”

Nexa smiled. “Just a little friendly persuasion.”

“Where are we going?”

“Home.”

“Does Maxim know?”

“No, I haven’t talked to him yet.”

“Oh good…let’s surprise him, okay?”

“That’s not such a good idea, Oddily.”

“Oh, you’re right. What if he’s busy right now?”

“Wait a minute. Don’t jump to the wrong conclusions! Maxim would love…!” Nexa’s voice trailed off when Paul jogged up to them.

“Hey guys, what’s up?”

“We’re going home,” Oddily smiled brightly with her thoughts still on Maxim.

Nexa studied Paul for a moment before asking, “Why do you ask?”

Paul shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “If you were ditching, I wanted to tag along.”

While Oddily excitedly talked with Paul, Nexa took the free moment to contact her brother.

Maxim?

Hello sis. How is your first day at school?

Oddily and I are on our way home.

Maxim laughed.
Was it that bad?

That’s not it. I’m detecting a strong presence on campus.

In that case, leave right now and I’ll meet you in front of
Stafford
Manor.

No, don’t do that. Oddily wants our return to be a surprise.

I’m glad you told me. I’ll try not to disappoint her.