The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen: Maya

I open my eyes on the day that marks my training half-done, and I nearly jump out of bed with joy. Caleb comes out of the other room shirtless and groggy, telling me to quieten down.

"Cal, only just over two weeks! Come on, be happy for me, okay?" I grab his hands and feel the familiar lightning course through me, and I jump up and down with excitement.

"Okay, Maya. Be calm, okay? I am tired. I have just come from dream land." He pronounces each word slowly and carefully, and I see how formal he's being.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I just think we should stop acting so informal around each other until I'm no longer your mentor. I mean, it's bad enough that we muck around. But if we become too comfortable, it could turn out as more than that."

"I totally agree," I say. Then I pounce on him and send us both tumbling onto the bed. He laughs with pleasure at my buoyant attitude, and then stands and runs his fingers through his hair. He runs to the bathroom and I hear the shower go on for two minutes. It turns off and then he runs back out, fully clothed.

"Long shower," I comment.

"Yeah."

"How'd you get your clothes?" I ask him.

"Uh... I went into my room and got them."

"You ran past me naked? Oh God, I wish I had better eyesight."

"Not funny," he says, frowning. He points to the bathroom, and I walk towards it, sticking my tongue out at him. When I'm ready, we walk down to my classroom together, turning formal just when we normally run into half of the other students. Today we go into the classroom silently, and we pass the first class easily. I've finally learnt to understand the old way of writing. In self-defense, Caleb kicks my butt as usual, but I'm able to beat all of my other classmates. I focus on Caleb with all of my concentration, and I watch every move he makes. I'm finally able to block some of his easier attacks, though I end up on the ground, winded.

"Wow, Maya. Nice work today," he comments, appraising my high performance. I smile warmly at him and he gives me a warning glance. When it comes time to control my powers, Caleb helps me with my newfound ability to read minds, and I'm extremely grateful for this. It still becomes overwhelming when I let my guard down, even though I've been practicing as hard as I can. In politics, he helps me with the tough questions, and I make it through the class without incident. After classes that day, we are both invited to a mid-training party, and we go happily. We find at least forty people up at the surface, and half of them are carrying beer and vodka cans. They find a spot about a mile away, and then people start drinking. Caleb takes a beer to be polite, and I take one as well. I can tell when the alcohol has gotten to him, because he takes my hand in front of everyone there. Most people are already too far gone to notice. I pull my hand out of his and look him in the eye.

"Cal, listen to me. You're not having any more alcohol, and you aren't going to get drunk or act stupid."

"Maya, look at the beer can," he says simply. I do as he says and then I'm confused. The can isn't open.

"But why've?" I ask.

"None of these guys will remember it tomorrow, Maya. Think about it."

"But do you actually like me?"

"I love you Maya," he says, and it makes electricity run down my spine. "I'm only holding back for the sake of the people around us. Otherwise, I would do this." He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. "And this." He brushes my hair out of my eyes. "And then, I would love to do this." He leans down and kisses me softly. The kiss slowly, gradually deepens into something more, and I soon find myself out of breath. He looks me in the eyes, searching for something. "Maya, you are my whole world." I gasp, because the way he says that makes me feel amazing. I open my beer and take a sip, more for something to do than for actual enjoyment of drinking it. To me, it tastes like crap. He opens the can and drains it at once, then throws the empty container onto the ground at his feet.