If there's one man whose name will go down in the annals of history for not one, but several era-defining inventions, that is none other than Enrico Solheim. A household name in the business world, he is the thirty-year-old business magnate, tech genius and visionary that Future Today magazine listed under "the most influential people under the age of forty". His is not a story of rags to riches; to the contrary, it is one of success from the very beginning.

His influential family owns several companies, including a well-established hedge fund firm, though the Solheim name was widely known for being the largest shareholder of Solheim Corporation, which was founded by Enrico's grandfather Pietro Solheim. As of today, Solheim Corp. holds significant swathes of real estate, including office buildings and hotels, such as Solaris Towers in the tech hub and eco-city Komoreby.

Evanna shifted in her seat, and her eyes continued skimming the article. The screen cast a bluish-white sheen on her face.

Showing intellectual prowess from a young age, Solheim started inventing and dabbling with technology at the tender age of thirteen. By fifteen, he aspired to build a warp drive to overcome the limitations of light speed. Graduating from the University of Komoreby with a double degree at the age of twenty, his fascination with speedy transport eventually led him to found Helion, an infrastructure company, through which he introduced his revolutionary vactrain concept.

The article went on to describe ZipTube. She clicked the search results tab and scrolled down.

When the Sky is Not the Limit: Helion Chief and Centibillionaire Enrico Solheim Eyes Orbital Infrastructure with Skyhook.

Enrico Solheim's Interest in Skyhook Wanes: a Blow to the Space-Faring Dream.

Brains and Heart go Hand-in-Hand: Enrico Solheim's Biggest Philanthropic Endeavor Yet.

She paused—then clicked open the article.

Enrico Solheim, founder and CEO of Helion, is not new to the philanthropic scene. He took his support for scientific research to new heights by funding the construction of a particle collider at HEPLOK, a high energy physics laboratory based on the outskirts of Komoreby. The ambitious project had been stagnating due to insufficient funds and is considered crucial for exploring the mysterious world of quantum physics. His commitment to humanity's progress has been applauded, especially since it came at a time when he is focusing on bringing his brainchild ZipTube to fruition, as well as founding yet another startup according to some sources.

Evanna leaned back—and winced at the pain that blossomed when her back made contact with the chair. You can get Rind's help and go home, Ev. Then no more Lycans and caning and all of this stupid crap.

As she headed downstairs, hope kindled within, and she got to work on the next task she had planned that Monday evening.

After school, Evanna had obtained supplies from a grocery store to whip up her chosen delicacy of chocolate truffles. To her dismay, it had turned out too sweet. She now busied herself with round two.

Her phone stood propped up on her octopus tripod to display the recipe. The dark, granite countertop was smeared with chocolate and coated with a dusting of cocoa powder. A half-empty can of coconut cream and various utensils added to the chaos around her. As she worked, her thoughts strayed back to Solheim. Thanks, dude. That machine wouldn't even be built if it weren't for you then. And just like you to doubt his intentions, Mom. Just 'cause he's a rich guy.

"Mom! Aunt Jan!" Evanna yelled. "I need another baking tray!"

"It's up there," her mom shouted back.

"Where?"

"Do you live in this house or not?"

Evanna heaved a sigh.

She gripped the bowl and went back to mixing its hot contents into gooey chocolate lava. A wonderful aroma permeated the kitchen. She straightened up too fast and winced again.

There were angry red welts on her back, along with bruising. Ranting about her ordeal to a sympathetic Marilda had helped and also dissuaded her from reporting the incident.

"Why are you making this all of a sudden?"

She turned. Janet walked in, her printed pants swishing with the motion.

"Well, it's for Mari-chan," Evanna mumbled and lifted the spoon to watch the hot, viscous mixture drip down in a satisfying dollop. "She's having me over, like, the whole day tomorrow."

A metallic clatter disturbed the quiet when her aunt slid a baking tray over to her.

She smiled. "Thanks!"

Janet brushed a finger on the inner wall of the mixing bowl and tasted the concoction. "It's good."

"I'll leave you and Mom some too. That first batch is too sweet though."

"Thank you." Janet smiled and turned to leave. "Mary's still not happy about you skipping class tomorrow."

"C'mon, Aunt Jan, it's a holiday. Plus, I've already arranged to have a longer class next week."

"I'll talk to her again." She strolled off, carpet slippers absorbing her footfalls.

Satisfied with the consistency, Evanna shoved the bowl in the fridge and grabbed a kitchen towel to start cleaning the counters. Her phone rang with an upbeat punk rock song.

"Hey!" Marilda's voice said the instant she picked up.

"Yo."

"Er, I was wondering..."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think this whole thing you've told me could be a delusion?"

"No!" Evanna's voice rose in indignation. "I'm not crazy, Mari-chan! I mean, okay—a little bit. What made you think that?"

"Well, you've been going for counseling too..."

She groaned. Great. Mari-chan thinks I've lost it. "That's 'cause my mom was making a fuss about—I told you!"

"Fine, fine."

"By the way, you think I really shouldn't report the Lycan?"

"No way." Marilda adopted her matter-of-fact tone. "It's a shadow practice only in Kom High 'cause of Sandy's new policies. It happens elsewhere. And Lycan's, like, one of the oldest and the most powerful teachers around. You mess with her, and you're dead."

Evanna was acutely aware of a deep, rumbling ball of outrage growing inside. Well then, Mom would go ballistic over what brought on that punishment than the punishment itself.

A fusillade of words shot out of Marilda's mouth, "Have you talked to him yet about where you're gonna meet up tomorrow and stuff?"

"Oh, not yet." Her heart started capering around in her chest. "I'm just going to text him to meet me at Dendron Mall super early tomorrow."

"By the way, some people are wondering what you talked to him about during the assembly."

Why did he have to come talk to me when—well, not like you gave him any other choice, Ev. She groaned again.

When she made no response, Marilda let out a laugh. "Anyways, I'm so excited for you!"

Evanna giggled. "I'm a bit occupied right now. I'll get back to you later, then?"

"Laters!"

She took a deep breath to quell the onslaught of nerves she experienced at the prospect of a day out with Shane, as well as finally meeting Adam Rind. It was akin to clearing a particularly difficult level in a video game, and the elusive prize hovered before her inner eye. Wait, you're just assuming he must've swapped universes too, Ev! But why else would he act so erratic? Why move to that crappy house so far away? He knows something.

After cleaning up, she headed upstairs and flopped down in front of her computer. Glancing at the time, she logged into Arcana Online and opened up a communication channel with Serafina.

Artemisia: Sef! You there?

Serafina: Hey, hey! I gotta tell you something big.

Artemisia: I gotta tell you something big too! But you go first.

Serafina: OK, so I played a few games with Croizar and Santuin on CoN! They're awesome! Their rank's Diamond! Anyways, it was so fun!

Artemisia: I might check out CoN during the holidays then.

Serafina: Yes! Can't wait to play with you! Um, so...

Artemisia: Yeah?

Serafina: Croizar's my new crush!

Evanna goggled at the screen. Should I tell her he's actually Junho from Obsidian? Maybe, not yet.

Artemisia: I give you my blessing, Sef! XD

Serafina: Why, thank you. But, well...

Artemisia: What??

Serafina: Croizar seems to have an online gf!!! : / It sort of came up in the conversation.

Artemisia: What! Oh no...What gf? What exactly did they say?

Serafina: Don't wanna talk about it now, sigh. Anyways, what were you gonna tell me?

Artemisia: Never mind now.

Serafina: Temi! Tell me! I need to stop obsessing about Croizar's online gf for one thing.

Artemisia: OK. : / How should I start...

Serafina: From the beginning maybe?

Part of her wanted to just close the window, but something stirred within. Marilda's stupefied face popped into mind, and Evanna wondered if Serafina might have a similar reaction. A wave of relief washed over her—along with a feeling she hadn't experienced since middle school. Moisture collected in her eyes while a smile strained at her cheeks. Evanna blew out a breath and cracked her knuckles.

Artemisia: Sef, you're the second person to know this. The first was Mari-chan. I know it's going to sound crazy, but hear me out. I'm from a parallel universe.

Tuesday dawned in a resplendent rainbow of colors. Evanna couldn't help but admire the vista when she stepped out onto her balcony. Feathery cirrus clouds hovered high above her, glazed with pinks and oranges, like masterful brush strokes upon the canvas of the sky. She hugged herself when a cold morning breeze blew deliciously over her skin and whipped back her hair. 

More alive than ever despite the early hour, she set about getting ready for the big day. She was soon dressed in a roomy, black hoodie on top of a black graphic tee, black skinny jeans and her trusted, black sneakers. Huh, all black again.

While she smeared on her sooty eyeshadow, her brain played a vivid rendering of the day ahead. She applied red lipstick to her lips and dabbed them to even out the color. Finally, her hair went up into a messy knot.

The phone pinged.

A distracted glance revealed a good-luck message from Marilda. She smiled and ticked off the items on the list she had compiled the night before.

"Let's do this, Ev!" She pirouetted around and grabbed her backpack.

After booking an Alico, she tiptoed downstairs to be met with the sound of clanking in the kitchen. Mom's up already, even though it's a holiday.

"Mom, I'm leaving!" she called out as casually as she could.

"Why are you leaving so early?" Mary asked.

"Um, I happened to wake up early, you know, 'cause of habit. Anyways, the Alico's almost here. Bye!"

She let herself out and drew in a lungful of fresh air, which soothed her nerves. Within minutes, the Alico eased into her line of vision, its quiet rumble disturbing the stillness of Serin Drive. She dashed towards it and flung herself in.

"Welcome aboard, Evie."

"Sai, am I glad to hear your voice!" Evanna said breathlessly. "Let's go!"

The little car navigated the streets at a relaxed speed. It was quieter than usual, and the smooth ride invoked a pleasant daydream. Time flew by as the vehicle transported her to the heart of the metropolis, where familiar urban landmarks shot into the sky in steel, concrete and glass.

An iridescent sheen jolted her out of her trance, and her eyes traveled the curving length of her favorite car. It glided along with alien grace, the neon spokes on its wheels pulsing as if it were a living denizen of the city. Equorea. Beautiful name for this beautiful beast. She nodded to herself with a smile. Forget flying saucers, Mari-chan. This is the bomb.

When the Alico deposited her at one of the entrances of Dendron Mall, Evanna trotted in at a brisk pace. There was a tranquility about the place that struck out to her the moment she stepped in. The shops were just starting to open, and there was barely anyone around. Her first stop was Kawaii Kawaii.

She approached it as fast as her short legs could carry her, and found Jinxy yawning as she flipped the sign to display "open".

Jinxy's eyes widened. "Evie, what are you doing here so early today!"

"Hey!" Evanna grinned as she skidded to a halt and bent over to catch her breath. "I was so afraid this might be closed or you might not be in."

"I'm doing some overtime to get some extra cash." Jinxy grinned back. "So, what's up? What do you need?"

"I'll tell you—let's go in."

When Evanna emerged from the little shop, a tote bag slinging from her arm, the mall had come alive. Holy cowsies, that took way too long. We're going to have to tweak the plan a bit, Ev.

She raced down to the supermarket on the lower ground floor and paused on the way to read a text from Shane, which informed her where he was.

Her hand juggled with her things and freed itself to tap out a quick response: "I'm coming!"

Evanna's nimble form darted around the supermarket like a hyperactive hummingbird, and by the time she was done, the bag on her arm was quite full. Her backpack was stiff and full as well. I probably resemble a turtle. Sighing, she transferred an item or two into the tote bag. How come he hasn't called me to ask where the heck I am! Should've asked him to come to the supermarket car park.

She wove around a gaggle of strollers on the way to the nearest elevators. Once the elevator belched her out onto the ground floor, she hurtled towards where she thought the car parks were located. Her phone rang, and she stuttered to a halt, the tote bag jouncing with the momentum. Holy cowsies! He's probably mad!

She smacked the phone to her ear, almost dropping it in her attempt to jab at it, and panted, "Shane, I know I'm late!"

"Are you lost?"

Evanna blinked. Huh, he doesn't sound mad. But then again, maybe his voice is also like his face. You can't make sense of it. "Yeah, a bit. I had to get some stuff as well."

"Where are you?"

"I'll get there super fast, okay? I promise!" She cleared her throat. "Um, are you mad at me?"

"Nope. Girls are notorious for being late—especially when they go to malls..."

She rolled her eyes. Like, you don't go shopping. All that cool stuff you wear grows on your backyard? Plus, I'm not even, like, shopping. Not like that.

"Tell me where you are," he said, his tone light-hearted. "I'll come get you."

"I dunno! But I'm good—thanks though."

Evanna ended the call and powered on.

After tramping through the place and backtracking, she asked for directions. She finally found the correct car park.

A warm blast of air greeted her as the automatic doors closed and sealed off the air-conditioning. She had only taken a few steps before she spotted him—and her heart fluttered.

He was leaning against a sleek, black muscle car. His hair was messier than ever as it fell over his forehead. Shadowed under the dark tufts of hair, his eyes were trained on the phone in his hand. Evanna's gaze roamed over his simple, white tee—and the toned biceps that peeked out from the sleeves. I didn't know strumming a guitar could give you those...Does he actually work out?

She curbed her self-consciousness and strode towards him.

The tote bag slung from the crook of her right arm—her arm of choice for heavy lifting. Okay, the bag's a bit heavy. What if I develop, like, bulging muscles? She tried to imagine it and suppressed a giggle, though her arm protested louder with each step.

Shane's voice broke into her thoughts, "That looks heavy."

He reached out to help her, but she ignored the gesture, which prompted him to just open the car door. "Do you want me to put it in the trunk?"

"No, thanks." She dumped the tote bag on the floor of the passenger seat. "Maybe later."

As Evanna got in, Shane sauntered off to pay the parking ticket at the nearby kiosk. She fished out a wig cap.

By the time he eased into the driver's seat, she had it on. In her peripheral vision, she noticed that he was about to say something, but hesitated and watched her instead. Focus, Ev, ignore him. He's not the sort of person you can be buddies with, so who cares what he thinks.

Evanna produced a black wig next, put it on and checked her appearance in the side-view mirror. Can you stop staring at me, you ogre? It's hard to focus when you stare with those eyes of yours. What are they anyways? Like, black holes?

"Where did you get that wig?" he finally asked.

Words eluded her for a moment while her brain marveled at his velvety voice in the closed car interior, which blotted out all other sound. "Um, this anime merch store here. Kawaii Kawaii it's called. Neat little place."

"Hm."

"I think I'm done now."

"Looks like you're wearing a wig."

She shot him a look and was even more annoyed to see the mischievous smile playing on his lips. "It's not perfect—it's anime hair, after all. L's."

"You like L?"

"Who doesn't?" She narrowed her eyes. "Wait, who do you see yourself as? L or Kira?"

"Ryuk—I see myself eating apples and chilling the entire show." He was grinning now.

Rolling her eyes, she yanked out a black cap from her backpack. "See? Now people can't see much of the hair either. I'm a guy now."

"When you said you had a plan, can't say I expected this. At all."

"Mhmm."

When she cast a quick glance at the mirror, she realized that she was wearing makeup. Holy cowsies, I forgot to not wear it today.

Evanna whipped out tissues from the depths of her backpack and wiped her lips. Then she attacked her eyelids, rubbing off eyeshadow. Some black still remained, and it was all around her eyes. Whoops, I look like—

"You look like a raccoon," Shane whispered.

She scowled. "Guys wear eye makeup. It's fine. I mean, you should know, 'cause guys in rock bands definitely do."

"I don't."

"Well, that's just you," she huffed. Besides, you don't need eye-makeup. Those eyes of yours with those dark, low eyebrows. They can probably slow time itself.

She admired her work one last time in the side-view mirror and tugged at her hoodie. "I'm hot, by the way."

He barked out a laugh.

"I meant the heat!" Color rose in her cheeks. "Don't you have, like, air con!"

He started the car. It came to life with an impressive vroom, sending vibrations up her spine. Then he switched on the air conditioning. Cool air whooshed out of vents and washed over her, making her sigh in satisfaction.

In the awkward silence that followed, she breathed in his signature scent of mossy woods. A sudden giggle threatened to erupt, and she stifled it with difficulty. Then she turned to him and smiled.

He stiffened as if touched by a live wire. "Are you okay?"

"What?"

"You smiled at me," he said, his voice a low, euphonic rumble.

She fidgeted in her seat, ignoring the dull pain on her back—then rummaged inside her bag. "I, um, got you something."

Evanna pushed a little box tied with black ribbon into his hands. He just looked at it, and his smile widened. Then he proceeded to open it.

She blinked. "You don't have to open it now!"

"Nope. I have to."

"I made it with Ollever cocoa, and it's probably a bit melty—you know, 'cause of the heat. I just wanted to say thanks for doing this for me. And, um..."

His attention shifted to her, which made her stare at a random point in space—lest she got trapped in the inky, mysterious depths of his eyes.

"I realized I've been mean to you over the last couple of months, since I...made your acquaintance." She squirmed inwardly at the silly assumptions she made about him. "I'm sorry."

"What?" he whispered, his head cocked. "Didn't catch that."

She glanced at him. The impassive mask veiled his face.

"Sorry," she murmured, a little louder.

"What?"

She scowled. "Sorry!"

He laughed.

"Why do you laugh when I glare at you!"

"Because you're cute when you do."

She blushed a brilliant shade of red. What? He thinks—

"Don't worry about it." His laughter waned into a gentle smile. "People fight battles we don't know about. You're a bit...thorny, especially around me, and that's understandable."

Evanna tried to rein in her crazed heart. Wait, what does that mean?

"You made these?" he asked.

He was surveying the chocolate truffles in the now open box. She had drawn cute eyes on them with white frosting, though now they had started to melt.

"Mhmm." She folded her arms. "It's probably not the—"

He popped one into his mouth—and winced.

"You must've had one of the sweeter ones! I thought I removed that batch. Just spit it out and—"

Her eyes widened when he simply ate it.

His lips eased into a smile again. "Thank you."

It was as if an invisible hand hurled tinder into the fire in her cheeks. Your face is going to melt too by the time you reach Cape Valinia, Ev. And we haven't even started yet!

"I'm ready to go now." Despite her attempt to modulate her tone, her words still came out chirpy.

Shane eyed the heavy bag by her feet with interest. "Are you running away?"

"No, that's just food. We can't starve all day, can we?"

"We can just stop somewhere to eat once we get there?" He smirked. "Unless you're not confident with your disguising skills?"

"Well, this is just something I put together at the last minute," she said, bristling. "And it's only for use during the ride—not for walking around."

"So why can't you just walk around?" He raised an eyebrow. "Not like you know anyone there—or you'd be asking them for help and not me."

"Yeah, but you probably have fans there? Do you want wild rumors circulating on fan forums and some stupid scandal ruining your music career?"

"I don't really care, given that I won't be pursuing a music career." He closed the box and placed it on the back seat.

She barely managed to stop herself from blurting out "why". You're too talented to quit! That sort of explains why you don't take music as a major subject. But then, no more Obsidian? What will you do instead? Right, that's none of my business.

"But I thought you've lived in Cape Valinia?" She threw a hesitant look in his direction. "Loads of people who know you there most likely and more than happy to report to your family that you're, I dunno, gallivanting around with some girl, and you'd get grounded for life."

Shane chuckled and gripped the steering wheel while one hand flicked the gear stick. "Nope, not gonna happen."

Evanna frowned and opened her mouth—then closed it on second thought. Fine, enshroud yourself in mystery. The chances of me hanging out with you after this is nil.

She didn't like the note of despondency that struck her heart. Get a grip, Ev. Just because you have some stuff in common with him, do you see yourself being buddies with him? And he's only doing this 'cause he feels indebted to you after that incident.

The car moved out of the parking slot, and he asked, "Have I finally rendered you speechless?"

She crossed her arms. "I don't have anything more to say about it."

"Okay, so what's in the bag?"

"I told you—it's food."

"Yes, but what? I have to ask in case it's goop I can't eat."

"I don't eat goop! In fact, I got chips for you. Though I prefer fat fries, not the thin stuff."

As the car slid towards the nearest exit, downlights winked through the windshield. Her eyes settled on his hand on the gear stick. Manual. I've never driven manual.

"What else?" Shane cast a sideways look. "It looks too heavy to be carrying just chips."

"Well, yeah, that's just a snack," Evanna said. "There's also a carton of fruit juice."

He glanced at her heavy tote bag yet another time. "The rest of the weight consists of the drugs you're smuggling there? Put on your seatbelt by the way."

Rolling her eyes, she clicked the seatbelt into place and bent down to open the bag. "See? No drugs."

He stared at her open bag for a good few seconds.

"Look where you're going!"

"You brought—"

"What?" She pouted. "You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."

"That's...a lot of bananas."

"Yeah, well, not like one is going to fill you up. It's nature's fast food, isn't it? Like I said, you don't have to eat it."

He chuckled. "No, I like bananas."

"Okay then," Evanna said, mollified—then another thought occurred to her. "You've had brekkie, right?"

"No, I was thinking of getting takeaway and have lunch when we get there."

"Oh, I haven't had brekkie either—I'll share my bananas with you along the way. I wouldn't want you to, like, faint from hunger and kill us both. Then we can have lunch in Cape Valinia."

"Hm...you changed your mind about walking around?"

"Yeah, 'cause you're okay with it too."

They arrived at the exit, and Shane slid open the window to feed the receipt into the kiosk, at which point the boom barrier lifted. The road yawned out before them under bright, cerulean skies.

"Evanna?"

She blinked at him. "What?"

"How about you take off your disguise along the way?" he asked.

"Why?" Evanna narrowed her eyes.

"I want to see you, not...L."

She peeked at him from the corner of her eye and suppressed a giggle. Maybe we could've been friends if you were...If he was what exactly? More of a nerd? He is one somewhat, looks like—just not obviously so...'cause everyone sees him as the rock star?

Evanna looked at the seats, itching to curl up her legs. The ogre seems to be taking care of his car—but then, my socks are perfectly clean. She carefully wriggled out of her sneakers, pulled up her feet and hearing no remonstrance, made herself comfortable in anticipation for the trip ahead.