Shangri-la
Chapter 3
Lotus slid the spoon out of her mouth, her lips kissing the ice cream from its perch before with a slight lick she bit down on the cold chunks of cookie dough. She was waiting, waiting, waiting.
My dearest love, soon we will be together and we won’t have to wait anymore.
The door sung open with the tinkle of a bell and Iris stepped inside, followed by a teenage boy – the friend. When their eyes met, Iris quickly yet shyly walked over to the table and sat down.
“I didn’t know what flavors you like, so I only bought some for myself,” Lotus said, putting down her spoon and picking up her napkin, dabbing lightly at her lips. She smiled at the way the boy stared at her, the way his face so easily betrayed his shallow thoughts. “I’ll give you the money to buy some of your own,” she added.
“Thank you, but I’m fine,” Iris replied, folding her hands on the table top and staring down at them, her mind working with unphrased questions.
“In that case,” Lotus stood up, “there’s no sense in us hanging around here anymore. Let’s take a walk.”
“Walking where?” the boy asked, his tone dripping with defense.
“Just around the block.” Lotus looked intently at Iris. “You’ll come, won’t you?”
“Yeah, of course!” Iris shot a glare at her friend and stood up.
Lotus led the way outside, reminding herself that she needed to have patience as her eyes glided over her care.
We’ve already waited so much, Shangri-la, a little bit longer won’t hurt us.
“Have you tapped into your power at all?” Lotus asked.
Iris frowned. “Power?”
“Don’t worry. Most aren’t able to do anything without an Escort helping them the first time. It’s usual for people to live and die without even knowing they have this power.”
“And I have it?” Iris inquired.
“Of course! That’s why I said that we are the same.” Lotus chuckled. “What did you think I meant?”
“Justin kept saying that you were a–”
“Iris! You don’t need to share that!” the boy, Justin, interrupted.
“I was a what?” Lotus prodded.
“A les–”
“Iris!”
“–bian.”
“A lesbian?” Lotus laughed in delight as the boy’s face turned red. “It’s a good theory, I suppose.”
“I was just joking,” Justin mumbled.
“So what is the power?” Iris asked quickly.
“We, you and I, can take on the form of our animal spirit guides.” Lotus looked up at the sky. She had to finish this up quickly.
“Animal spirit guides?” Iris repeated.
“Every person has one to protect and guide them. Some religions refer to them as guardian angels, but in reality they’re animals.”
“And we can transform into them?” Iris’s voice rose with excitement.
“Yes, we can.” Again Lotus looked up at the sky.
Patience.
“You’ll teach me how?” Iris’s enthusiasm was palpable, almost addicting. Lotus felt the urge to perform the ritual that very night, but she forced herself to say,
“Tomorrow, I will. Do you have school?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” Iris sighed, disappointed at being forced to wait.
“Then after your last class, meet me again here at Cold Stone. Is that all right?” Lotus quickly slipped her cell phone out of her purse to check the time.
Patience.
Smiling again, Iris answered, “Yeah, that should be fine.”
“I’ll see you then.” Lotus waved as she walked over to her care and pulled the door open, calling, “Goodbye Iris!” before climbing inside.
Back home in her apartment, Lotus lit several candles before turning out the lights and lying down on the couch, her hands sliding along her body before they rested on her stomach. Her chest rose and fell as she took in one deep breath, her eyes drooping shut.
Once a month is not enough, my Shangri-la. Each full moon feels farther and farther away. But soon, my sweet love, we’ll be together forever.
Pictures and motion filled Lotus’s mind, accompanied with emotion that washed over her and threatened to drown her. Grimacing, Lotus tensed as the message formed itself in her consciousness.
Beware of ice.
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