The Quest of the Prodigy (The Alchemist of Time Book 1) Page 18

  She gave him a grateful smile. “What year are you in?”

  “I’m a sixth year, a year behind Aimon. Next year I’ll graduate and I can’t wait!”

  “You don’t like school?” she asked with a frown. She loved learning.

  “Nah, not really. I mean, I like the friends I made, and I value the techniques I learned. But I can’t wait to start working.”

  “What are you going to do when you graduate? What’s the economy like in the year 3000?”

  Richie laughed. Mimi didn’t know what caused it and blushed, looking down at her feet. His hand touched her chin, turning her face back up to look at him. Mimi had no idea what to do as their eyes locked. She hated her inexperience.

  “I love how inquisitive you are,” he said after what felt like forever. “But per your request, we must focused. Alchemy and Tai Chi only. That’s what you said.”

  Her face pouted. She felt like kicking herself. Why did she have to say only? She’d love to get to know Richie and his world better. Stupid heart for getting in the way of her mission! It was making staying focused so difficult when she craved to learn everything about him.

  RICHIE MADE her run a few laps and do stretches to warm up.

  “Are you ready?” he asked her patiently.

  “What if the other person is bigger than me?” asked Mimi nervously, thinking specifically of Captain Deatherage.

  “Well that is one of the best things about Tai Chi. It’s not about your personal strength. It’s about transforming your opponent’s strength.”

  “Come again?” asked Mimi.

  “Okay. So the word Chi basically means energy. It goes deeper than that, there’s actually a whole philosophy about that, but, two days and all. Okay, so Chi is energy and every person and object in the world is said to have it. And in Tai Chi it’s all about balance. So the best way to use your opponent’s strength against them is to knock them off balance. That sounds really simple, but it’s a challenge because they’re trying to do the same to you! Let’s start with basic exercises to get you familiar with Chi. We’ll do Pass the Ball and the Waterfall. Are you ready?”

  Mimi gulped. She had to try.

  Richie grasped her wrists, his touch gentle, and lifted them so they were level with her chest. He pulled her wrists closer toward him. Mimi relaxed, allowing Richie to move her hands effortlessly. Their movements were fluid as he moved her hands to the right, back to center, and to the left.

  “So imagine you are holding this great ball of calming energy, yeah? And you’re trying to push the ball to your right, slowly as possible, and then to the left. When you are the center of your body, try to feel the energy. Feel the warmth of the ball of energy. See the ball glowing bright, and let the light fill you with serenity. That serenity is power. That energy is strength. Inhale the energy deeply, then pass it back to the other side. Do this many times until your arms become heavy from holding the ball so long. This exercise will help you practice how to feel Chi. Because Chi is like love. You can’t see it, touch it, or smell it, but you can feel it.”

  Mimi was astonished by how profound his lesson was. She chuckled.

  “What?” he asked with concern.

  “Nothing. Just...never become a teacher, Richie.”

  “Why? Are you not getting any of it?”

  “No! It’s not that. Just,” she chuckled again, “all the girl students would be distracted by how truly adorable you are.”

  This made him laugh as well, and an adorable grin split his face. Mimi wished she was as confident as her best friend Meredith, who would know exactly what to say at that moment to win Richie over. Meredith would know how to look cool in front of a cute boy, instead of the hot mess that Mimi currently felt like.

  “Well shucks, thanks.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Mimi laughed and had to close her eyes before she lost focus completely. She needed to learn Chi.

  TWO HOURS of passing the ball and the waterfall later, and Mimi felt like her arms were as sore as if she had carried a heavy bowling ball for hours. She was showing signs of wear and fatigue, and just about pleaded with Richie for a break.

  “Okay, but only for five minutes.”

  They took a break on a couple of poolside chaises and Mimi cringed as she rubbed her sore arms gingerly. Richie frowned.

  “I’m sorry I put so much training on you so quickly. Tai Chi isn’t meant to be a rushed process. We are barley going to scratch the surface of Tai Chi as it is.”

  “I understand it’s a lot, Richie. And you’re doing a great job explaining it all. I wish I had longer to learn. But Bas’s father is worried a ruler from the future is trying to control history. He says if this happens, there is a chance that all of time can be destroyed. It’s a lot of pressure and I’m freaked out. I can’t do it all in two days. I can’t do it all in the month I promised the Barkleys that I would try. There is a good chance this will all have been for nothing.” She was surprised to find that confession had fallen out so easily. She really was comfortable with Richie.

  “Well between you and me, Mimi Mockel, I don’t think it’s too much for you to handle.”

  Her eyes widened. “Why do you have so much faith in me? We only just met!”

  He smirked and placed a hand over her shoulder. “Because you’re here.”

  “What?”

  “Not everyone would step up and accept such a quest, Mimi. Many people would just walk away, saying it’s not their problem. I know some people like that. But you said yes, even though you’re scared. You followed a complete stranger to a new world of Alchemy, and accepted the challenge. I told you I like your spirit, and I’m not a liar. Now, are we going to waste time with doubt? Or are going to raise your strength to the next level?”

  She smiled sweetly at him, feeling lighter than she had before. “Thank you Richie. You’re right, doubt is a waste of time. Let’s do this!” Her last words echoed around the pool room.

  “Now that’s what I call spirit!” yelled Richie, his last word echoing. Mimi laughed. It felt good to be silly. Sometimes being ridiculous is just what the body, and the mind, needs.

  “I’ve got this!!” she cried louder, and he laughed and added his own cheer, until their cries were reverberating all around them. He let her win with the loudest yell.

  For the first time in her life, Mimi felt like a warrior. A sense of bravery enveloped her and she kissed Richie on the cheek. He looked at her with happy surprise.

  “Thank you, Richie,” she said and laughed. “I feel confident, actually. Like properly confident. And it’s a nice change of pace. So with me now confident, can we leave here so I can check up on my brother? I want to make sure Albert isn’t too much for Bas to handle. Or the other way around.” Bas seemed even more immature than her brother, and she wondered who was giving who more trouble.

  Richie shook his head. “No way. I promised you a weekend lock down boot camp and I told you, I’m not a liar. You trust me right?”

  She frowned, wondering why he was even asking. “Yes.”

  “You trust I won’t hurt you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then trust me when I say we should spend the night here. If you leave, only for a break, it’ll make returning that much harder.”

  She thought about this. It made her think of Mondays. She enjoyed the weekend. She enjoyed sleeping in, visiting the library, hanging out with Meredith and Tucker, and of course reading books. But then when school started on Mondays, she did find she would rather be at home reading, writing her book review blog, or visiting the library. Richie was right. Sometimes it was better to push through a difficult task and not take any breaks. “Okay,” she agreed. “But at least let me call my brother.” She might be the Prodigy, but she would always be an older sister first.

  Richie pulled out his own communication device and Mimi leaned over to take a look at it. Unsurprisingly, it was gold. Instead of the rectangular phones popular in her era, it was round like a watch. He f
lipped open the cover of the device and pushed on the glass screen inside. “Call Aimon,” he ordered.

  There were a couple of beeps and then a hologram image emitted from the screen. Mimi’s eyes lit up as she saw Albert and Bas standing beside Aimon, lost in conversation.

  “So Bas, you’re a time traveler, obviously. Tell me something,” Albert was saying. “When does the zombie apocalypse happen? You’ve seen our future, so spill! What’s it like? How does it start? Do we have any hope of surviving?”

  Bas let out a heartfelt laugh and ruffled Albert’s hair. “Sorry, guy, I can’t spill. I’m not allowed to share future events with anyone. It’s more of a surprise this way!”

  “No spoilers!” Mimi teased. If they were talking about zombies, she knew Albert was doing just fine.

  “Mimi!” shouted Albert, jumping in surprise. “How are you floating in the air like that?”

  Mimi laughed. “Richie’s communication device is how.”

  “It’s called a Holo Call. And your sister was worried about you, so we decided to call.”

  “Geeze, Mimi, this isn’t New York City! You don’t have to fuss over me like you do back home! Besides, Bas is watching me!”

  Mimi gave Bas a skeptical glance. “Actually, that’s what worries me. A childish thief like him isn’t the best of role models.”

  “Oh come on!” whined Bas, “that’s so not fair!”

  “What if he gets hurt, Bas? What will you do?”

  “Then JAB will repair him! I told you she’s an excellent nurse. She’s saved my life more than once. More than a few times, actually.”

  Mimi really wasn’t comfortable with Bas watching Albert. She didn’t know him well enough yet; she didn’t even know him as well as she had come to know Richie in just a few hours. She’d have felt better if Albert was with her and Richie. But he would be miserable stuck with them.

  Richie, as if sensing her hesitation, touched her hand gently. “It’ll be okay,” he said, quietly enough the others couldn’t hear.

  He was right. She was trying to become the Prodigy for Bas, so what was the point if she couldn’t trust him? “So no need for health insurance, then?” asked Mimi and smiled. “My mom would be so jealous.”

  “What’s health insurance?” asked Bas curiously.

  “Oh, you are so British!” Mimi cried with a laugh.

  She had an online friend from back home who would always wonder what health insurance was, and Mimi was not the best at explaining it to her British friend who she met on Goodreads.

  “Bas was just going to show off that town to me!” Albert cut in. “We got to see the rest of the school today and never made it to the town. The one we passed on the way here. Do you want to join us?”

  Mimi thought it oddly nice of Albert to invite her. He seemed to prefer teasing her usually, but the offer sounded sincere. Before she could deny her brother’s generous invitation, Richie beat her to an answer.

  “She can’t. We’re still training. But you guys have fun, try the hot chocolate at the café. It’s amazing!”

  Albert’s eyes widened. Mimi knew hot chocolate was his favorite. When he was a little younger, every time it snowed their nanny would put a kettle of water on the stove, wrap him and Teagan up in blankets and dance with them to loud music until the hot chocolate was ready. Ursula was a great nanny. She prayed they would return home so she’d get the chance to tell her that.

  Despite Richie’s reassurances, Mimi glared at Bas. “Bas, if anything happens to Albert on your watch, I will kill you. JAB might be your insurance plan, but it’s your job to make sure you don’t have to employ her. Keep my brother safe, or else!”

  Bas looked surprised by her forceful words and Mimi almost laughed. She likely couldn’t hurt him if she tried. But if a loved one was hurt, there wasn’t a force in the universe that would stop her from making sure things were justified.

  “Wow! Mimi, chill! We’re just going to a café!” said Albert.

  No, you’re going to a cafe in an Alchemist town in the year 3000 with what might as well be a total stranger, thought Mimi. Worry tightened Mimi’s chest as the gravity of their bizarre situation dawned on her. She wrapped her arms around herself as they ended the call.

  “Are you all right?” Richie asked, as if her worry was so powerful he felt it too.

  “I don’t know, Richie. Why am I so worried about him? If I didn’t trust Bas I wouldn’t have left Albert with him. So why can’t I relax?” she asked, feeling herself near tears.

  “Mimi,” he said softly.

  She looked up at him, tears threatening her eyes. “Yes?”

  “Just breathe.” He placed a hand over her shoulder.

  The smooth touch sent chills down her spine, amplified when he pulled her into his arms. She tensed at first, caught off guard and not sure what he was doing or how to respond. But it felt so good just to be held. She had been so close to a meltdown, in dire need of comfort and reassurance, and sensing this Richie had wrapped her in his arms. She’d never been so close to a boy before. She rested her head against his strong chest and closed her eyes. Since the first time since she had entered the library all those years ago, she felt truly safe.

  She unwrapped her arms from her body and put them around Richie, clinging to him like he was a giant teddy bear. She nestled her head deeper into his arms and gasped when she felt him kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes, savoring that perfect moment.

  Mimi wasn’t sure how she had fell for this boy so fast. But suddenly she didn’t care how. She was just glad she had. So glad. “Thank you Richie.”

  “For what?”

  “For caring.” She gazed into his brown eyes, and her face felt hot again. But she didn’t want to look away. She wanted to stare into his eyes forever. “You’re the first boy to have ever cared about me.”

  “Well you know what I think?”

  “What?”

  “I think the boys in the year 2015 are stupid for not seeing how great you are.”

  Her face fell. “I’m not that great.”

  He laughed. “You’re selling yourself short. You’re smart, caring, loving and pretty. What more could a boy want?”

  Mimi’s frown deepened and she turned away from him. She wished and wanted to believe his adorable words. They would make any girl happy. But as she looked at the gold-framed mirror only feet away, she couldn’t believe him. This relationship, if she could call it that, was a roller coaster. One moment she felt so at home, and the next, plagued by insecurities from the Mimi she really was. The one no one had ever paid attention to.

  All she saw when she looked in that mirror was a curly-haired, scared looking girl. Her tank top did not hide her belly, and her tight yoga pants did her no favors. She was anything but gorgeous. She pulled away from Richie and went to face herself, lost in her degrading thoughts.

  Richie followed. His face looked concerned but he let her have a moment. “What’s going on Mimi? Talk to me. Let me in.”

  She found herself relaxing slightly at his caring words, but she was still feeling too self-conscious about her figure to look directly at him. She knew it was very negative thinking, but her reflection was like a bolt of reality: she was a waste of his time. Thinking about home while talking to Albert had brought the old Mimi back, and she couldn’t stop looking at her ugly figure in the mirror. She felt fat.

  Mimi had once heard a motivational speaker say that fat wasn’t a feeling, but she could almost guarantee that every girl had felt that way once in their life. She had never been pretty enough to have many friends or have many take notice of her. She was still in denial that it was possible someone as cute as Richie would want to know someone like her.

  “Mimi, you’re scaring me! Why won’t you tell me what you see?” he asked and placed both hands on her shoulders, looking at her in the mirror.

  “It’s just impossible for me to imagine you think I’m pretty. It’s hard to imagine I thought I could be a warrior. Even if I master balanc
ing Tai Chi, I just can’t see myself in combat. I could never hurt anyone! This was all a big mistake. Aimon was right. I’m not a Prodigy. I am too fat to be a Prodigy. I want to go home, Richie. I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

  Richie frowned at her words, and once again he held her. He was so strong. She felt so weak. What does he see in me?

  “You can’t go home! Not yet. Not until you try. You just didn’t promise Bas you’d try. You promised yourself you would try. Promise me you’ll try, Mimi. You’re clever. And you are pretty. You might be thinking to yourself you’re not as skinny as other girls—”

  Mimi cringed. Of course he saw it; he wasn’t blind!

  He must have sensed her worry because he kissed her cheek. “I told you Mimi, I like you. A lot. Why is that so hard to believe?”

  “You clearly don’t see what I see,” she said, staring at her reflection with sad eyes.

  “Then stop seeing it! Only you have the power to change how you see yourself!” Richie yelled. He grabbed the nearest chair and flung it at the mirror.

  With a shivering crash the mirror broke into hundreds of glass shards. Mimi screamed and ran away until the noise stopped. Mimi couldn’t believe no one came to check on them. Richie looked unfazed.

  “What was that?” she shrieked at him.

  “That was getting rid of how you see yourself, Mimi. Because it’s crazy. Sure you’re a bit rounder than some girls. But that’s only one aspect of you. You have a lot of great qualities!”

  “Do I? Like what?” she asked, not sure she believed him.

  “Like your face.”

  Mimi scrunched up her nose.

  “No, that is meant to be a compliment! You have a very nice face. It’s full, and symmetrical.”

  “Symmetrical?”

  “Yes. Guys like that. You have beautiful, desirable lips. Being thin isn’t the only way to be beautiful.”

  Mimi’s face felt hot. “Can you come back to the year 2015 and tell that to all the guys at my school?”

  He smirked, no longer looking as worried. “But more important, Mimi, you’ve got a mission. Any girl that is fiercely confident is smoking hot and sexy, no matter what they look like. Are you going to let doubt get in the way of your mission? I thought you were smart.”