Stranger

Chapter 9: Sophie

Twenty minutes turned into two hours thanks to the heavy fog currently hanging over Tahoe, preventing Ethan's private jet from taking off. Luckily Ethan—currently talking to Jared in the cockpit because, apparently, along with his duties as a driver and a tutor, Jared was also a pilot—Will, and Sophie were tucked safely in the aircraft. Sophie already had her seatbelt buckled, excited at the prospect of flying for the first time.

The furnishings in the jet were much more comfortable than Sophie anticipated. All she had heard about flying was how horrid airports were—especially security—and how uncomfortable the seats were. Then again, not many people travelled by private jet. The only level of discomfort Sophie was currently feeling, however, was sitting directly adjacent to Will, who did not seem as keen on flying as she was.

"So?" he asked her after another long moment of silence passed between them. "Do you have any questions?" He jerked his head downward, gesturing at the thick pages currently resting in her lap.

Sophie glanced over at Will. His eyes were determined to avoid Sophie, probably because she was sitting next to a window.

"You know we're still on the ground, right?" she asked.

"Of course I know that," he snapped, throwing a steely glare in her direction.

"Hey, I was just saying," she said, lifting her hands up in hopes to pacify his temper. "No need to get all snippy." She dropped her eyes to the papers in her lap, rubbing her lips together as she did so. "Okay, so basically I have to choose two subjects to focus on for my degree, but because I've missed the first five years, I'm going to have to learn all four of the metaphysical sciences and the history of peculiars, on top of you training me and Ethan experimenting with me."

"Yeah." Will pushed his brow up, waiting for the question Sophie was going to ask.

"Well, it just seems like a lot," Sophie said.

"It is." Will reached out and grabbed the packet of paper from Sophie's lap without asking and flipped through a couple of sheets before pulling one out. "This is the bell schedule. Notice that Wednesdays and Thursdays are block, which means classes are longer, but you only do three on one day, three on the other. Plus, you have office hours to catch up on homework or to talk to your professors about class. You also have specific blocks for studying. All this free time is where you'll get caught up."

"How am I supposed to pick two major classes when I don't really know the basics of any of them?" Sophie moved her eyes from the papers to Will's face. "What if I fall behind while trying to catch up?"

Will turned his head in order to lock eyes with her. For a moment, he said nothing. Simply stared. It wasn't intense or intimidating, but Sophie still felt herself squirm underneath his gaze, as though he could somehow see directly to her very soul. "You're smart, kid," he told her.

"You don't even know me," Sophie muttered, managing to break contact with him in order to look at her lap. She felt her cheeks redden from the compliment he paid her; she wasn't sure if he meant it or was just saying it to shut her up.

"Maybe not," Will said, "but somehow you've managed to survive traveling up and down the coast of California at seventeen years old. You can't do that without brains or money, probably both. But judging by the clothes you're wearing, I'd say it was just brains."

Sophie crossed her arms over her chest, her face flushing even more than it had already. "I do odd jobs every now and then," she said. "And isn't it hypocritical to be judging my attire, Mr. Lumberjack?"

"Lumberjack?" Will asked. "I was complimenting your brain, not insulting your clothes."

"Did you hear what you just said?"

"And I'll have you know," Will continued, ignoring Sophie's question, "these clothes are both durable and comfortable."

"Ah," a voice said, interrupting the two. "I see your fiery personalities are already getting acquainted with one another." Ethan slid into the chair across from Will, resting his hands on the small table that divided them. "I have some good news. We should be taking off shortly and arriving in Catalina," he glanced down at what looked like a very expensive watch, "in an hour or so." He turned his warm gaze on Sophie. "Do you have an idea of the two subjects you might be interested in studying?"

Sophie inhaled, trying to ignore the man beside her. She barely even knew Will, and somehow he'd already managed to make a home underneath her skin. "Yes," she said. "I think Astrology and Tarot would be cool to learn."

"Good choice," Ethan said with a smile. "Professors Neal and Alexander are both incredibly proficient in their chosen fields. If you do not mind ..." He reached out and grabbed the bell schedule from Will, flipping it over and setting it on the table. "If you'll just give me a moment, I'll write out your schedule, including the times when you'll meet with me, Jared, and Will. Of course, I'll get you your own official schedule once we reach the academy, but for now ..." He handed Sophie back the sheet with three different schedules. One corresponded to Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, one to Wednesdays, and one to Thursdays. "Block schedule won't go into effect until the week after next so the new students get used to being at the academy. The weekends are yours to do what you will: study, practice—if you join the soccer team or dance team—sleep, but a lot of students choose to go into town and explore the island. It really is a lovely place. I'm sure you're going to love it, Miss Harper."

Jared's voice over the intercom interrupted Ethan, informing everyone to buckle their seatbelts because they'd be taking off soon. From the corner of her eye, Sophie saw Will grip his armrests. She felt her own heart leap when the plane itself started to move. The corners of her lips quirked up. She was about to embark on another adventure.

"I think, Miss Harper," Ethan said with a smile, his soft blue eyes crinkling, "that you are going to do well at AckPec."

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