The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

Unexpected Pleasures: Part 1

Chapter One: Unexpected Pleasures

"Wake up, sleepy head," Cynthia said to Marianna, while shaking her out of sleep. If you don't get a move on the others will leave without us."

"Fine with me," Marianna grumbled while Cynthia shook her bed.

"Oh, come on and get up," Cynthia demanded, but Marianna refused to move. "Here I thought you were used to not sleeping." She teasingly nudged Marianna a bit. "Rise and shine, grumpy bear."

"All right, I'm awake," Marianna grumbled while staggering to the bathroom.

She emerged twenty minutes later, a little more refreshed, but not with the same bright-eyed optimism as her friend had. She didn't say a word to Cynthia while she retrieved her bag from the closet.

It was empty to Cynthia's surprise. "You mean you're not even packed yet. M.J., you knew about this for two days. I can't believe you're such a procrastinator when it comes to fun."

"Calm down, Cynthia. It's just a little weekend trip. I'll just throw a few clothes in a bag and go." She rummaged through her dresser and closet, looking for anything appropriate.

"I don't get you, M.J.," Cynthia teased. "Don't you even care a tiny bit about your appearance?"

"How do you mean?" she asked, throwing a few more things in the bag.

"Forget it!" Cynthia plopped down on her bed in defeat.

An hour later a horn blew from a blue van out in front of the dormitory. Marianna had a flash of a memory that paralyzed her for a moment. She thought it to be just paranoia and grabbed her bag and headed down the stairs with Cynthia.

Jamie Maynard stood by the outside door impatiently glancing at his watch. "You women can be so slow."

"Lucky for you, Jamie," Cynthia said with a smile. She was flirting as usual. "For that crack, you can carry the bags." He gave her a look of shock, but she looked dead serious.

"Thanks a lot, Cin," he fired back her. Marianna laughed as Cynthia pranced out of the door like royalty. She had a way of making guys do things for her without much effort. All she had to do was batt her eyes and wiggle her hips and she could get the members of the opposite sex to do anything she wanted. Jamie looked defeated as he glanced over at Marianna and said, "I suppose you want me to take your bags too?"

"One bag and I got it," she said and he looked relieved.

Three young people entered the van to find Carolyn and another couple conversing while yet another young man sat alone in the back corner seat.

Cynthia revelled in gossiping with Carolyn, while Marianna sat in the back seat opposite the young man and began to write in her journal.

Loud music blared out of the vehicle's speakers, while the rest of the group preferred to yell out the windows to other drivers on the highway. "Pathetic, aren't they?" the boy in the corner called to Marianna.

"They're not so bad," she said and then jotted down a few words. "A little overzealous, but they're young."

"And how old are you, ninety?" Marianna closed the book she had been writing in and looked straight into the boy's eyes.

"Age is a matter of perception," she said and looked straight into his eyes. He looked even younger than her, but not in the physical sense. "A man can live a thousand years and retain no knowledge of his former lives." She continued speaking as she noticed the young man was listening very attentively. "Or a woman can live nineteen years and gain the knowledge of a thousand lost lives."

"Philosophy major?" It was an odd question he asked, but by the way she was speaking she should have expected it.

"No. I'm studying for my degree in genetics and biochemistry," she said while looking a away. "I'm a senior."

"Oh, that's fascinating," he said and she wondered if he was being sarcastic. "I guess my psychic abilities just went down the drain."

"Psychic?" Marianna asked while laughing. "Is that a joke?"

"Sort of, I'm majoring in paranormal studies," he said and it was something she wasn't expecting to hear. "Oh, by the way, my name's Marcus Hunter, lowly freshman." He held out his hand, which Marianna reluctantly took. She pulled her hand away rather quickly giving Marcus just a small smile. Marcus tried to lighten the mood by saying, "Hey, I thought all seniors were like ancient fossils. You know, older than the professors. You don't look more than sixteen."

"I'm nineteen in earth years," she said, laughing and he looked shocked.

Marcus moved closer to her. Marianna didn't protest even though she felt nervous about him being so close to her.

"So," he said with a long sigh. "You haven't told me your name yet."

"It's Marianna," she said hesitantly. "Most people call me M.J., accept for Carla. You can call me whatever you like."

"Marianna," he said. "I like it. It's pretty. So who's Carla?" He asked her the question, but didn't wait for her to answer. "Don't tell me... your lover."

"No, nothing like that," she said, laughing at his remark. "She was my guardian."

"Oh,' he said intrigued. "What about your parents?"

"My mother died when I was twelve, and for the past three years Carla has taken care of me."

"My mom's dead too, but I don't remember her," he said and she wondered if he was telling the truth. Was he just saying this to get closer to her, and why would he do that with a girl he didn't even know? "I was too young," he added.

Just when things were getting a little too intense Cynthia popped up from the seat in front of them. "Hey, you two, secret meeting? I hope anyone can join."

"Poor sweet Cynthia," Marianna said pocking fun at her friend. "She's always taken in by over-dramatics."

"Well, M.J., looks like you and Marcus are the ones getting cozy," Cynthia said, pointing out something she didn't want to admit to. "There's nothing overly dramatic about that."

Marianna and Marcus laughed hysterically at Cynthia's wide-eyed innocence. Even so, Marianna was happy that her friend had talked her into this trip. School had become her entire existence, but school had been the furthest thing from her mind right now. She spent the entire drive talking to Marcus. He seemed shy at times, refusing to volunteer any information about his family or where he was from. Instead, he wanted to know about her. She liked that about him. In a way, it seemed strange to her that he was so secretive. She shrugged it off and decided to enjoy herself.