The Dreamer's Curse

The Oddness Called Time

[Chapter 5]

I dialled Joe's number after my class on literary analysis. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?" he said, a bit flustered.

"Hi," I said. "It's Jane."

"Jane, hi, I just got out of class."

"Me too," I bit my lip, realising that I was grinning like a madman. "I'm in the park, near the concert hall."

"I'll meet you there in ten. Minutes, I mean."

I laughed. "Alright. See you in ten."

"Minutes," he whispered before hanging up.

I sat on a bench and pulled out a book. A fresh layer of snow had just fallen, and I was enjoying the frigid weather. There was just something endearing about the winter, as if you could see the true warmth in people through their coats. I had barely opened my book when someone tugged fiercely at my hair. "Ouch, that hurt," I said as I snapped my head around. "Raph!"

"What happened to your hair?" he moved to grab my hair again. I slapped his hand away.

"Watch the tone," I glared at him. "There's a better was to greet me, you know."

"Not if you forgot to send me your paper last night. Professor Fiddle's gonna kill me! I've got twenty minutes to do it, so hand it over."

"Your paper is not my responsibility, Raph! But fine. Here, have my paper then! I don't have to go to his classes anymore."

Raph cursed. "Did he kick you out of his class?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, he assigned me to one of his projects."

"Oh?" Raph's interest peaked. "What project?"

"None of your business, Raph, now go do your paper or you'll have to retake the class!"

Raph raised his hands in surrender and ran off. Seriously, how could he be so irresponsible? I retrieved my book from the bench and brushed snow off its pages.

"You look upset," Joe said casually. I spun around, nearly hitting him with the book in my hand.

"Sorry," I blurted out. "It's nothing, shall we go?"

He grinned at me and offered his arm. I hooked a gloved hand in it, and we made our way around the downtown area. I didn't need my coat to feel warm, for my heart was filled with such a steady flame. I stared up at Joe, knowing that he was the cause of this strange sensation. He caught me staring, and I turned away.

"Have I got something stuck on my face?" he teased.

I shook my head and glanced back up at him. "It's nothing."

He gave me a mischievous grin and broke out into a run, taking my hand in his. I gasped as the cool air collided with our faces. He laughed melodically and gave me a wink. I rolled my eyes. It stunned me that I could not predict Joe as I could have predicted other human beings. It surprised me further that the feeling inviting itself into my chest was not that of heart-racing madness, but that of a constant warmth – the kind you tend to day in and day out only to look at it and say, well, haven't you grown!

Joe slowed when we reached an intersection. Our faces were red from exercise. I smirked at him. "Where are we going exactly?"

"I have no idea," he replied breathless. I looked into his eyes for traces of humour. They were glinting with glee, but they were completely serious.