The Gemini

23. An Inexplicable Bond

Carter Reynolds

Honestly, all things considered, that tour could have been a lot worse. Still, I was glad it was over. I had started feeling dizzy after getting on the subway, and that hadn't gone away.

The administrative office for Evergreen University was located in a stone building across from the McKay Lecture Hall, which Imani was nice enough to guide us through. She held open one of the glass double doors that proceeded to a small lobby that included a desk and a secretary.

"Hi." Imani smiled brightly at the secretary. "These four just got finished with their tour. I was just taking them here so they could get everything signed before they come back in January."

As pleasant as Imani's voice sounded, her voice was echoing in my head with the force of a mallet. I couldn't control any of my senses right now, and everything was uncomfortably heightened. Lena had already filled the quota for freaking out today, so I tried to keep everything under control. I could do this. I could survive listening to a boring conversation. I could fill out my stupid paperwork and get back to the penthouse. This was going to be fine.

The secretary looked up at Imani, unamused. "If I remember correctly, you're not one of our tour guides."

Imani's smile faltered. "I'm just trying to help."

The secretary scanned all of us like she was realizing that we were actually here for the first time. "Would you mind giving us a moment?" She asked us, a slight edge in her voice.

No one said anything, so I spoke up. "Sure."

The secretary stood stiffly and nodded to Imani before walking into another room. Since I was nosy and could hear through the glass, I listened in.

"Evergreen University is a private school, and we rely on the wonderful experience our dual enrollment students receive to ensure that they'll invest in our education by the time they graduate high school. And that experience starts with the tour. A tour that should have been conducted by someone who can represent this university-"

"Are you saying I can't represent this school?" Imani asked. "I literally go here. I'm the president of 3 clubs, I work in your school's costume department for free, and I've been on the Dean's list every semester. I applied to be a tour guide and was turned down because I didn't have the right personality, whatever that means."

"That doesn't change the fact that it seems you hijacked one of our tours. I would hate to put you on probation, but that's what will happen if I see no other options." the secretary replied shortly.

"What's going on?" Lena asked.

"Imani's getting lectured," I responded.

"That's not fair." Lena frowned.

"Yeah well, Mariposa's the one who made Imani take care of you. If we should be lecturing anyone, it's her." I shrugged.

"You would love a reason to hate Mariposa, wouldn't you?" Lena smirked.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"Hey, um Miss?" Lena waved her arms wildly, trying to get the attention of the secretary from behind the glass door. It worked, and the secretary returned to her desk with a solemn Imani at her side. "Look, I think this is all just my fault."

"Of course, it isn't." the secretary assured Lena.

"I fainted during the tour, and my friends stayed back with me. The actual tour guide left us behind, and Imani was doing us a favor." Lena continued.

"Well, you see-"

"We took your stupid tour, let us go," Lena interrupted. "And you should be thanking Imani, not reprimanding her for going out of her way to help us."