Shapeshifters

19

IT WAS A beautiful sunny day when I got up. It was about 8 in the morning and Dust and I were taking Sunny to college. We were all excited when Sunny opened her acceptance letter to North Dakota State University. Petunia got yelled at by some of the neighbors for being too loud. 

For some bizarre reason, Dust volunteered the two of us to drive her that fall for her semester. It was way too early in the morning, but I dragged my sorry rear out the door though, and we were on our way to pick up Sunny. 

We reached Sunny's house and honked the horn. Not caring if we got dirty looks from the neighbors. Sunny ran out the door, locked it, and put her stuff in the trunk then got in the backseat. 

"Are you ready for this?" I asked her.

She nodded. "I was born ready. I've been wanting to go to NDSU since I was young. Rose, tell me this isn't a dream!"

"Pinch yourself," I told her. Dust gave me the side look of "don't-go-there" but kept driving. 

It always amazed me how quickly Dust and I picked up on all the human ways. We both mastered driving in a few weeks, we mastered the talking ways in just a few days, we also picked up on all the ways around town pretty quickly. 

Sunny, Dust, and I all jammed to the radio all the way to NDSU. We allowed Sunny to pick the stations since she was leaving soon. We listened to pop, country, rock, R&B. Whatever she wanted. We reached NDSU and Dust unloaded her bags.

"Feel free to visit anytime," I was telling her when Dust came and stood next to me. "You're always welcome."

"I know it a little crowded in your apartment," Sunny said. "So, while I'm gone, Case can stay at my house. That way, you both get space while I'm gone."

"That sounds great!" Dust told her. "Thanks. I'll be glad to get out of Rose's hair!" He laughed as he pulled a my ponytail. 

"Wow!" I exaggerated. "Nice to know I bug you that much." I playfully elbowed his side. 

"Keep Petunia in line," Sunny chuckled. "You know how she gets. Make sure that nothing is destroyed while I'm away. The three of you get so reckless when I'm not there."

Sunny chastised us for a few more agonizing minutes. Then Dust cut it, "We got it Sunny. We aren't little kids anymore."

Sunny smiled mischievously. "You two," She lowered her voice. "Are still pups but somehow you act so grown-up." She sighed. "I'll miss you guys."

We exchanged goodbyes and hugs. Then Dust and I stood side by side, watching her go toward the school. When she waved her last goodbye, we got in the car and drove home.

"Is it going to be weird without me there?" Dust asked. "I mean, I've been living there for what, a year, a year and a half."

"Something like that," I told him. "But I'll sure miss you."

He grabbed my hand across the console while driving with one hand on the wheel. He glanced over at me and smiled. Oh, that smile when he's thinking of a plan.

What is going through that mind of his? I wondered. 

Lots of things that may or may not concern you. A voice, not my own, answered.  

I looked over at Dust. He was still smiling deviously. I smirked. 

"What?" He laughed. "Why am I getting the smirk?"

I gave him the look of "you-know-what". "You know exactly why. Just tell me what I want to know?"

And what would that be, said the voice in my head. 

"How long have you've known we could do this?" I questioned aloud. "I'm having a hard time believing this was a first." I tried to be serious, but a smiled slipped through.

"I've had the idea to try," He started. "But I never felt the need to act upon it. Until today. It was like you were projecting your thoughts to me. So, I did the same back to you."

Makes sense, I told myself. If you can hear me, say 'it's Dust. Your cag-mag and I like it'

It's Dust. Your cag-mag and I like it.

I stared in awe at him. We sat in silence while I tried to wrap my mind around it. For it only being 11:25 in the morning, the roads had a lot of traffic.

Dust and I sat in silence the rest of the way back. When we reached the apartment, we found Petunia, waiting outside, already there with some boxes.

"What's all this?" I asked as I opened the door. "What's with all the boxes?"

"I brought them so Case could pack," She said matter-of-factly.

"I'm not packing Petunia," Dust told her as he helped bring the boxes in. "Why would you think I would pack up? Where would I go?"

"To live in Sunny's house while she's away at NDSU," She was so sure of herself, it made me seethe. "That was the plan right?"

"Not that I heard of," I replied. "Case, can I talk to you for a moment? Alone," I added when I remembered Petunia was there.

He nodded and followed me. "What is it?"

"Don't you think that maybe it would be a good idea if you stayed at Sunny's place for a while?" I said. He opened his mouth to interject when I held up my hand to stop him. "It would give us a break from constant contact. Also we could," I dropped my voice in fear of being overheard. "Test out how far away we can be for the telepathy to still work."]

Dust thought about it for a minute before responding, "When you put it that way, you make it seem like a good and bad thing at the same time. Because I love you, I'll do it."

I gave him a hug. "We will still see each other, but just not all the time. Just don't get to close to Petunia. She's a piranha sometimes."

He laughed and walked out. I stood there, in the room, thinking about what my life would be like without anyone to talk with. I heard Petunia squeal with delight. Dust probably had told her the news. 

Dust, Petunia, and I spent the rest of the day packing up Dust's stuff. It was less than Petunia thought, but more than I did. I drove Dust over to Sunny's house and helped him unload all his boxes. I said my goodbyes and drove back to my apartment, not ready to be alone yet.