The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(26)

Me: (Nods) Yes. Every time she calls me Raven, I cringe. And Kaeleb snickers. Which is annoying enough to push me over the edge. (Nods again) Soon. We will tell her soon. I think that I’m at the point where I can discuss certain aspects about my past with her that I couldn’t before.
Palmer: Excellent. I think that’s a very large step in the right direction.
Me: (Smiles)
Palmer: Will you allow her to call you Aubrey? Or will you maintain Raven as your identity?
Me: Um, I’m not sure yet. Raven is a part of me, but I’m learning to accept that Aubrey is a part of me, too. Am I ready to become Aubrey? No, not fully. But I think using my birth name may help get me to that point eventually, right?
Palmer: Yes, I think so. The more association you have with that part of your life, the more it will help you cope with your fear of death and to move forward. In doing that, you will eventually be able to combine Raven and Aubrey. You have to remember that you are not either/or, but comprised of both entities.
Me: (Nods)
Palmer: (Smiles) Good. So… you heading home over Winter Break?
Me: Yes, I can’t wait to see Linda actually. I miss her.
Palmer: I’m sure she misses you too. I know she will be glad to see you.
Me: Well, that remains to be seen.
Palmer: (Stands) Will I see you after the break?
Me: (Stands) Of course, Doc. I love our chats. (Punches him in the arm)
Palmer: (Laughs) Well, I guess we’ll be seeing each other soon then.
Me: Yes sir. (Smiles shyly) Um, thanks, you know, for taking the time to talk to me. To help me.
Palmer: (Places hand on my shoulder) You’re very welcome. We can continue next semester working through anything else we come across. But, you really should be thanking yourself. You’re doing all the hard work. (Squeezes shoulder) I’m proud of you, kiddo.
Me: (Blushes) Okay, well, see you mid-January then.
Palmer: I look forward to it.
Me: (Reflects internally) Me too, Doc.

Chapter Thirteen

Lowering the top of my suitcase, I quickly zip it shut, and slide it off my bed until it hits the floor with a thud, then lug it in front of my closet. After setting it down, I find myself surprised at the feeling of nervous excitement thrumming through my stomach.
“You packed and ready?” Quinn asks from behind me.
“Yeah, I think so. You?”
“Yep!” A pink (of course) suitcase slides its way right next to mine. I can’t help but grin. The girl loves her pink.
I turn to face her, the smile still present on my face. “Good.”
Suddenly my phone buzzes, causing me to jump slightly before I pull it out of my jacket. After reading the message, I quickly stuff it back in my pocket before sharing the news. “Kaeleb’s on his way up.”
Quinn laughs. “That boy never has any trouble breaking into the girls’ dorm, does he?”
“Except that one time.” I giggle. “Remember? When he got caught in Amanda’s room? I’ve never seen him move so fast in my life.”
Quinn’s eyes light up at the memory. “Well, the fact that he was only wearing those ridiculous Hulk boxers helped with the speed factor, I’m sure.”
“Idiot.” I shake my head as I watch her head into the bathroom. Kaeleb’s made no secret about his reasoning behind the Hulk boxers, offering the implication that there’s something superhuman hidden inside them that grows exponentially with strength and larger when stimulated. Ridiculous doesn’t even come close to describing it—or his delusions.
A knock at the door thankfully saves me from all thoughts of Kaeleb’s, um, superpowers.
Snapping out of it, I head over and open the door. Kaeleb’s eyes are bright with excitement as he enters the room, shaking the snow from his unkempt, yet still extremely sexy hair before sliding out of his bomber jacket and throwing it onto my desk chair.
A mischievous smile plays on his lips when he turns to face me, and he appraises my appearance from head to toe before whispering in my ear, “I like the hair. And the eyes. Brown suits you.”
My heart picks up, racing steadily as his cheek brushes against mine. “Next thing you know, I’ll be seeing you in something other than your standard Doc/Dickie/Concert Tee uniform. I’m looking very forward to that.”
Idiot.
My eyes roll into the back of my head as I push him away, his silent laughter only succeeding to make me more annoyed. “Save the wooing for Trixie.”
His eyebrows shoot up and the smile on his face broadens. “Tracie?”
“Whatever,” I scoff. “Does it really matter? I’m sure there will be another unfortunate victim falling for your pathetic pick-up lines by next week. I stopped trying to remember their names months ago.” I make sure to throw in an evil glare to further drive my point.
“Hmmm, interesting.” He chuckles, rubbing his hand along his jaw. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for the jealous type.”
“You won’t be pegging me at all. Ever.”
Kaeleb throws his head back in laughter before once again lowering his eyes and locking them onto mine.
After inching his face even closer, his breaths hit my mouth as his widened smile falls into an arrogant grin. “Never say never, Sunshine.”
I narrow my eyes even more, but feel my annoyance start to crack. I don’t know how he does it, but it’s impossible to stay angry at the man. Within a matter of seconds he manages to simultaneously infuriate me, challenge me and humor me as I fight back the laughter. The scary thing is that, over the last couple of months, I find myself enjoying it. Craving it actually, but of course, I don’t tell him that. I just knock him in the shoulder.