Unbound (Unbound, Book 1) ~Formerly Casting Power~

Chapter 35

"I'm sure you'll adjust and no, I will not try nose plugs." Miss Rose patted her unruffled hair.

"Just toast it is," I said, looking through the maps for a stop near a coffee shop.

"You won't find anything on that," Miss Rose said. "Your father has already left for work. He had to go in early to catch up on everything that's piled up during his time away to fetch you. But he left this here for you."

She handed me a handwritten letter and set of keys, and then left the room.

I looked down and realized that my father had given me the directions to the school, indicated who I'd have to talk to in the office, and if I were to look in the driveway... I jumped up and ran out of the house to the porch.

A new car with a bright red bow attached to its hood was waiting.

"Sweet!" I squealed and jumped in place. My own car! It wasn't just new to me, but new, like from a dealership. I could stop anywhere for coffee and still have time to make it to my appointment. Sooner or later, some genius will make a vehicle that could brew coffee. They'd be so freaking rich if it worked.

"This is so cool."

I heard an unmistakable click. As I turned around, another snap flashed in my face. Miss Rose lowered a camera and smiled.

"I promised your father I would take a picture of your reaction. That was perfect."

"Huh, thanks. Is this just for me?"

"A welcome home present, he said. This way he won't have to fight you for Gerard's services or something along those lines," she said and patted her hair. "I think children should earn their toys."

We'd had that conversation about buses less than twenty-four hours ago and already I had a new car? The man didn't waste time. It was the best gift that anyone had ever given me. I ran back up the steps and hugged Miss Rose, lifting her small frame off the ground.

"Oh, dear, I'm not big on hugging," she said, straightening her clothes of imaginary wrinkles as soon as I set her down. Recovering, she followed me into the house.

"Oh, that's okay, Miss Rose. You'll deal as well as I do without coffee. Pass it along to my dad, though, would you? Tell him that I said that this? Is awesome," I called over my shoulder. I was now a proud owner of a new Honda SUV.

"Do you like it?" Mrs. Renaldi asked as I took my buttered toast and started to inhale it.

"Was everyone in on this?"

"Oh, yeah." She grinned. "Your dad was so excited to get it for you. It was in the garage as soon as you agreed to come. That's why you never parked in there when you guys got home," she told me.

So, the conversation last night was just for show.

"Huh. Well, I'm off, but thank you for the toast."

"Main Street has the best coffee in town, by the way. I saw you looking it up on the bus schedule. Just punch Celestial Java into the navigation system. I doubt you'll get lost in this place after living in Briarville."

"Thanks. See you after school." I ran out of the kitchen and back outside to find the way to the caffeine Mrs. Renaldi had promised me.

* * * * *

Outside the gates of the manor, Wickenton was a quiet community with a small-town feel—I saw one lady walking her dog and no traffic—though it was home to over thirty thousand people. I turned onto Main Street when prompted by the car's navigation and saw a row of businesses aligned on each side of the street with angle parking. Parking in front of Celestial Java, I took a deep breath.

Stepping out of the car, I looked around.

The store on the right-hand-side of Celestial Java was called Page's Corner, a used bookstore. On the left, there was a travel agency, Atlas. The buildings were all red-brick and looked alike with their large store-front windows and single white doors. The café had a couple of unoccupied patio table sets with matching chairs set up for customers. In the window, someone had painted the planetary system above the store's emblem.

The bell above the door tinkled as I entered, announcing my arrival. For once, I was glad to have chosen to leave my hair down. It masked the pink of embarrassment rising into my cheeks. Every table was filled with customers, and I could feel curiosity in their gazes. The magic in the room was overwhelming, just as the town had been when I arrived. No doubt everyone here knew who I was.

"May I have large double-double?" I asked the lady who appeared at the counter through beaded curtains leading in from the back. She had straight white-blonde hair with an orange headband that matched her bright orange halter top and flip-flops. Her jeans were faded and patched with symbols of peace and yellow smiley faces.

"To have in or to go?" she asked.

"Um, uh..." I nibbled on my bottom lip as everybody continued to watch me from the glossy black tables and elemental-colored, backless chairs. "That is to go. Thanks."

"They won't bite, you know," the lady said in a soft voice, leaning forward so nobody else could hear. "They are just curious. I'm sure you understand."

"Yeah, I get it, but I'd still like the coffee to go. It's been a long week. I'm going through caffeine withdrawal here," I said and then sighed. Manners, Nora. "I'm sorry. I'm not up for being the center of attention. I'm sure you understand."

"Of course, I do." She turned her back and prepared my order, and I looked around.

Inside was cool and dark. The black walls were painted with constellations, comets placed in a random order, and the burning sun jutted out from behind the counter, paper-Mache-style. Hanging lamps enclosed in white shades hung in a horizontal line from the ceiling. The first was a black-lighted new moon followed by waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, waning crescent, and finally, another black-lighted new moon. The full lunar cycle hung in an ingenious row.

"Here you go, Hun."

"How much?" I asked and pulled out some change as she pushed the steaming cup across the counter.

"The first cup is on the house. Come back soon." She smiled and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Thank you, um?"

"Oh, sorry, my name is Luna. I own Celestial Java."

"I'm Noreena—Nora. I like the decorations in here. Very original."

"Thanks. It's a work in progress," she said. She grabbed the pot of coffee from the burner and headed to the other customers to provide refills.

"Thanks again," I said, holding up my coffee cup in a salute with a smile, and walked out to my car with everyone still watching me.

Before the door shut with my departure, I heard hushed conversations begin.