INTWINE: Star-Crossed DNA

By Christina Moss

Seventeen-year-old Julie from Southern California meets Seth a human from another world, and her life is flipped upside-down. Seth looks every inch the average Earthling, but the life of this other-world, rock-star royal is anything but. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that sends them around the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adamantine Inc
• Release date: Jan 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781649060075

Book preview

Prologue

(SETH)

I had a secret and I intended to keep it that way—at least for the time being. My choice would impact millions of people, but they’d hear of it in due time. Besides, it would be wrong of me to tell anyone before she even knew.

I stood in the kitchen before the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard. The green grass and lush privacy vegetation that lined the yard reminded me of my home planet, but I wasn’t in any hurry to return—far from it. Recent events had not only influenced my desire to stay, they meant my future would be going in a direction I hadn’t anticipated. It was, however, a future I was very much looking forward to, but there would be many barriers to overcome.

My mother sat out back on an iron-scrolled chair with thick cushions, sipping tea. She was to be my first obstacle, since I needed her agreement on my sudden change of plans.

I looked down at my black guard dog standing by my side. This is all your fault, I told him but he didn’t seem to care.

I pushed the handle and the door glided open easily. She turned and smiled at me. Seth! Finally, all is in order! We’ll leave on the starship tonight. Your father misses you and your brother, and you know how uneasy he gets when I’m away. I believe everything’s worked out quite well, don’t you?

Yes, very well. But Matt wants to stay on Earth for the summer and I think I should stay here with him.

She raised her eyebrows. Why would your brother want to stay?

To help Uncle Marcus with his research. It’s Matt’s first time here and I don’t mind staying . . . for him.

She looked skeptical. I do adore you, my son, but to be frank, you’ve never been in the habit of putting the wishes of others before your own. Besides, don’t you have obligations this summer?

No one needs me until September.

She studied my expression. Have I told you how much you look like your father?

Yes, Mother, many times.

You have his dark green eyes.

Weren’t we talking about something else?

She ignored me. It’s really no wonder the girls like you so much—just as they liked your father when he was younger. Of course, your birthright might also have some bearing on your popularity. She smiled at me again. So, my son, why do you really wish to stay?

I tried to sound indifferent. I told you why. It’s because of Matt, I lied. I wasn’t about to tell her the truth—not at this point anyway. I couldn’t tell her how everything changed for me just a few days before when I first saw Juliette. All she and I did was look at each other, but so intense was that moment words weren’t necessary, and my life had suddenly changed. No one had known the truth—prior to that instant I had no desire to claim my birthright. I’d planned to give it all to my younger brother. But when I looked into Juliette’s eyes, my future unfolded, and I beheld for the first time my true place in life, and that future included her.

My mother wasn’t buying the lie. Seth, if you cannot be genuine with your own mother, what’s the point? She grinned at me. Of course, until you are, you haven’t a chance of my approval anyway, so you may as well, how do they say it on this planet, ‘fess up’? I smiled at her and remained silent but I could see that she had become impatient. So? she prompted.

I looked beyond her at the mountains turning purple from the angle of the sun. It was frustrating. I wasn’t ready to reveal myself, but she had me cornered. I owe amends to someone here.

Oh, no! What have you done now? You just finished restitution for—

It’s not that bad. Apparently I’ve upset the girl.

The Earth girl? What did you say her name was?

Juliette. I sighed. She’s very sweet and I was too . . .

. . . too much yourself? She looked amused. I wasn’t.

I suppose.

Her eyes lit up and then she laughed her soft laugh. Sit down, Seth. She turned to the sliding glass door that I’d left open. Charles! she called. Seth will take tea with me out here!

Yes, ma’am, came the answer from inside the house. I sat on the edge of the chair that was positioned next to hers.

I don’t really want tea, I said but she didn’t seem to care.

So, it bothers you that you’ve upset a girl? she asked with more interest than I was comfortable with.

How could I tell my mother that I’d fallen in love with an Earth girl—a girl with a life expectancy of only eighty years? I avoided answering her question directly. Her art is exquisite. I’m sure you’d love it.

And?

And she argues with me.

But no one argues with you, Seth! Again she laughed. I didn’t.

Well, I guess no one told her that, I said dryly.

She put her elbow on the arm of the chair, rested her chin in her palm and looked at me for a few seconds. Well, this is quite a change. I spoke to your father last night. Would you like to know what he said about you?

No, not really.

Your father said, and I quote, ‘Seth is given to regarding girls in the way one regards paper towels—use once, then discard.’ It’s nice to see that you care about one of them enough to make amends. She sat back and sighed. I do pity these poor Earth people. It isn’t natural that they age so fast. Do you think anything can ever be done about it? Once again she’d changed the subject.

Mother?

Yes, Seth?

I’d like to stay here, with Matt, through the month of August, I said evenly.

She looked at me carefully, paused for a few seconds and said, All right, Seth. You may stay.

Finally! My first obstacle had been overcome, but just when I thought things were beginning to go my way, she added, But there are certain conditions . . .

1

The Dog

I was comfortably warm, the pillow felt soft and my eyes were still closed. My junior year of high school was behind me and I had slept late, luxuriating in the fact that I had two months of freedom ahead. I was contemplating how well things were going when I heard the front door slam and then heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. They could only belong to my dad or my twenty-year-old brother, Walker. Whoever it was banged on my door a few times.

Julie! I need to talk to you! It was my brother, sounding angry. Given the fact that he was usually easygoing, it meant something was terribly wrong.

Hang on! I threw on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, and swung the door open. Walker stood there, tall and lean, with dark hair and brown eyes—I was suddenly aware that he resembled my dad.

Do you know where Justin was last night?

Of course I knew where my boyfriend was because he’d told me. Sure, visiting his aunt in Cambria. He drove out last night to stay with her for the weekend.

He lied! He was at a UCLA campus party!

What? How do you know that?

Because I was there!

But he’s with his aunt. I picked up my cell phone, but Walker took it from my hand and put it back on the nightstand. What was he doing at a party? I asked.

Making out with a redhead.

The news struck me like a bullet to the chest. I sat down on the bed with my hand over my heart—right where the bullet had gone through. I looked up at Walker. He hesitated, and I guessed he was contemplating whether to tell me the rest. That’s not the worst of it. His hands were all over her.

No way!

His tone softened. It’s true. I saw it. He sat down next to me on the bed. Sorry, Julie.

Does he know that you saw him?

Oh, he knows. I was about to hit him, but my friends forced me outside.

So he knows that I know. I stood up and began pacing the room. Too bad it wasn’t a bad dream. I’d suffered many nightmares, but unfortunately that wasn’t one of them. The pacing wasn’t helping, and I didn’t know what to do. I sat back down on the bed next to Walker and broke down in tears. I just can’t believe it! Why would he?

Because he’s an ass! I’ll tell you one thing—he’d better hope I don’t see him again. He turned sideways and looked at me. Are you okay?

My mind was numb and I repeated myself. Why would he do that? I grabbed a tissue from my nightstand.

Because he’s an idiot. What do you want to do?

I have to call Nicole.

Here. He handed me my phone and I typed in a text message to my best friend.

Justin cheated on me! –J

Ten seconds later my cell jingled with Nicole’s reply.

OMG! On my way!

What’d Nic say? Walker asked.

She’s driving over now. Ten or fifteen minutes, I guess. I blew my nose.

Walker’s cell began to buzz. He looked at the incoming text and exhaled a sigh of frustration. The film crew is waiting for me in Studio City. I have to go. You’ll be okay until Nic arrives?

I nodded, but my eyes were still leaking.

Dad’s at the fire station and Mom’s driving Marty to soccer. You should eat something.

I nodded again and reached for another tissue.

He looked at me and smiled. I know some people who know some people. I could arrange to have him hanged, drawn and quartered.

It was so absurd I sputtered a laugh through the soggy tears. No. I looked at him. But that’s very big brotherly of you.

Look at that! Five minutes and you’re already over him.

I wish it were that easy. I still felt the bullet lodged in my chest.

You’ll be fine. You know why?

Why?

Because he’s an idiot. Call me if you need anything.

I will.

Or if you change your mind about the torture, speed dial me. The crew can film it. Again a laugh escaped. Walker hit me on the shoulder and then flew down the stairs and out the door.

I was done crying, but a dark cloud had moved in and the ripped flesh around the bullet began to ache a little. I went downstairs to the kitchen in a lightly dazed state and took out a small frying pan, a ceramic bowl, a fork and two eggs. I found a bagel in the fridge, cut it in half and put it in the toaster. I kept my hands busy while I made myself breakfast. It helped distract me a little from the images of Justin with another girl. When the bagel was done and the scrambled eggs were cooked, I sat down on the high stool at the kitchen island and tried to eat. While I did, I thought of how Nicole would arrive soon and how grateful I was to have her for a best friend.

I first met her when I was nine, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital right down the street. I’d had my appendix removed and when I woke up in the recovery room, I tried to sit up. That’s when a large and hostile nurse, who was having a bad day, ran over and began to yell at me, pushing me back onto my pillow and complaining bitterly about how stupid some patients were.

Her rant was interrupted when another girl in the recovery room began complaining dramatically. Why is the white girl getting all the attention? Please tell me it’s not because of the color of my skin! I knew it was the black girl’s maneuver to get the nurse to stop harassing me. And it worked. The nurse turned bright red and was so rattled by the accusation of being a racist, she left the recovery room and we never did see her again. Nicole and I laughed so hard we had to hold our sides to keep our stitches from pulling open. It turned out Nicole had an appendectomy the same day. She and I became like sisters after the Nurse Hatchet incident. In fact, on many occasions after that Nicole had proven her unconditional loyalty (unlike Justin), thereby earning my unfailing friendship.

The fact that we were opposites in looks and personality only brought us closer. She’d always been outgoing, while I’d always been somewhat shy. Her chocolate brown skin, hair and eyes, compared to my fair skin, blonde hair and green eyes, inspired her to nickname me, the albino.

After I managed to force down a little food, Nicole rang the doorbell and opened the front door. Julie! she yelled.

Kitchen! I answered.

Nicole stormed in and she was on fire. She slapped her purse on the counter and stood with her hands on her hips. I can’t believe it! He cheated?

Yes, he cheated. I went through the sketchy details.

I thought he went to Cambria.

Me, too!

To visit his aunt.

He lied!

What an ass!

That’s what Walker said. After taking in and letting out a staggered and involuntary breath, I knew I was really done crying.

What else did Walker say?

Something about having him mutilated.

She snickered. I do like your brother.

Nicole and I finished off the remains of my breakfast, then I took my dish to the sink and began cleaning dishes as Nic dried. I feel like someone shot me clean through the heart.

Hold on, she said, and she turned me around to inspect my back. No exit wound—you might need surgery to remove the bullet. Any other time I would have laughed but I didn’t have it in me. I think she was testing the waters to see how deeply I’d sunk into depression. Nicole looked at me and said, Sorry, my friend, too soon for jokes. Then she took me by the shoulders and guided me out back. Let’s go to the studio before anyone comes home. We walked through the backyard and into the studio (which was actually a two-car garage) and we fell limply onto a sofa and stretched our legs out on the coffee table.

I thought he liked me. Why would he cheat on me? I asked her.

Because he’s a heartless, indecent jerk and you’re better off without him, anyway.

I smiled. Is that the stock answer for times like this?

It sure is. And in this case, it’s totally true!

My cell phone rang and I looked at it—it was Justin. Nicole, it’s him! I can’t believe he’s calling! I got up and walked around the interior of the garage. Nic got up and followed. Now I was angry. I pushed the answer button on my cell. "What could you possibly want, Justin?"

First there was silence, and then he said quietly, What are you doing?

I looked at Nicole and repeated his words for her benefit. What am I doing? She raised her arms dramatically, then let them fall to her side and rolled her eyes. "I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m wondering why you were at a party making out with a redhead last night and why you lied to me!"

Walker told you? He sounded tired.

It’s over, Justin! I don’t want to see you! Don’t call me! I hung up.

Nicole was wide-eyed and looking at me with anticipation. How did he sound?

Subdued. Maybe he’s hung over.

What’s wrong with him?

I don’t know. I slumped back onto the sofa.

Sorry, Jules. She sat down next to me.

Nicole took out her phone to read an incoming text. Oh, no! I told my mom I’d take her to the hairdresser—I’ve got to go, but I hate leaving you alone. She looked at her watch. The library’s open—want me to drop you off?

I grumbled, Sure, and grabbed my backpack. When are you leaving for Massachusetts—you’ll be away for two weeks, right?

Yeah. We leave Wednesday to see my grandfather. Too bad you can’t come with us.

Too bad you can’t stay.

We walked to Nicole’s car out front. The sky was clear and for the end of June the mid-afternoon sun didn’t seem too hot. We got into her car and headed for the library a few blocks away. After turning onto Verdugo, Nicole took a left on Brighton Street and dropped me off near the fountain entrance.

Don’t worry, Julie, it’ll be fine.

Thanks, Nic. You’re the best.

True. She smiled brightly and then gave me a hug. Call me later.

After watching her drive away, I walked up the path along the columns, past the fountain and through the sliding glass doors. Inside, I found the novels I wanted. I checked out the books and went back out, walking past the fountain. I sat down on a low wall under the shade of a tree.

I tried, but it was impossible to not think about Justin. I never had him pegged as a cheater and I wondered how I missed that. I used to think I was smart and even pretty. My dad often told me I was pretty; even his crew at the fire station thought so. But they were old and I doubted that it counted for anything. I was sinking into self-pity.

What was wrong with me? I wasn’t like the other high school students. I liked drawing portraits and reading books rather than going to tanning salons or hanging out at the mall. It was that moment I realized I had been leading a boring life. Well, that had to end. I made myself a firm promise that things would change—right here and right now.

I felt somewhat better. I lifted my head and looked around the park.

And that’s when I first caught sight of him leaning against one of the columns, maybe fifty feet from where I sat. His messy and nearly black hair was in contrast to his light skin tone. He wore black jeans, a black tee shirt and heavy shoes. He had a certain confidence like a rock star. He was probably twenty-something, and handsome in a way that should be illegal. I considered every aspect of his face the way I do when I make a study to draw someone’s portrait. Sometimes I just feel compelled to draw someone’s face. His was especially inspiring and I wanted to study him up close and from other angles.

I took out my sketchpad and a charcoal pencil, and did a quick sketch of the light and shadows. If I’d studied him well enough I could finish it later by memory. As I admired and memorized his features he suddenly looked directly at me, catching me in the act of staring at him. The unexpectedness of it took my breath away.

He smiled, and then something strange happened. It was only for a few seconds but the dark cloud and all of my sadness temporarily vanished and I was acutely aware of the simple fact that I’d discovered his existence. I had no expectations beyond that—just the knowledge that we both walked on the same Earth.

Then I heard a nagging noise in the distance that wouldn’t stop. It was mildly annoying at first as I felt something trying to tug me back to reality. It was my cell phone. I broke away from his gaze and dug through my backpack to find it.

My journey back to reality had taken too long and Nicole had already hung up. When I looked up again he was gone. It was too strange; never had I been so consumed in a moment. I figured there was something seriously wrong with me.

I was about to get up and walk home when I spotted a black dog running up the path directly toward me. As he got closer he slowed down, walked over, sat down in front of me and pressed his jaw onto my lap. I looked around for his owner, but the park was empty. The dog didn’t look like any breed I was familiar with, but he had a nice form and stance. It was his cute expression that prompted me to take his head in my hands. He didn’t protest when I did. He was special. Regal. A black lab maybe—the face, head shape and floppy ears—but smaller than a lab with a lean and muscular body.

As I admired him, my phone rang again. It was my mother this time. Julie, where are you? You left your keys and I have to pick up Marty soon at soccer practice.

Don’t wait for me, Mom. There’s a key under the door mat.

After we hung up I looked at the dog. Come on, I can’t leave you here alone. Follow me home and I’ll find your owner tomorrow. I stood up and threw my backpack around my shoulder. Are you coming? I got up and began to walk away, and he followed. I didn’t have a leash or rope for him, but when I stopped at the traffic light before crossing Verdugo, he stopped. When the light changed, I crossed and he walked with me. He stayed to my left down Verdugo, onto Keystone, past the high school and then we took the left onto my street. I’d visit the pound the following day and see if anyone had reported a lost dog. Of course, my mother wouldn’t be happy about me bringing a dog home.

We reached my house and walked up the path. My mother’s car was still in the driveway, which meant she hadn’t left yet to pick up Marty.

I looked down at the dog and he was looking at me expectantly, his tail wagging. Prepare to turn on the charm, little guy. His eyes were bright, his tongue was out slightly, and it looked like he was smiling. We walked in the front door, through the hall and into the kitchen.

My mother stood barefoot by the sink, her back to me. She was my height with a trim figure. She wore blue jeans and a light blue button-down blouse covered in a tiny white flower pattern. Her short blonde hair was cut in a cute pixie style. It framed her green eyes and petite features. She’s unquestionably beautiful in an unaffected sort of way.

Hi, Mom, I said. You’re probably not going to like this.

She turned around, looked at the dog and said, What is that?

Don’t worry, I assured her. He’s just a stray I found in the park. I couldn’t leave him there alone. I promise I’ll bring him to the animal shelter tomorrow.

He’s not getting into my car.

Nic will drive me.

Julie, there’s too much going on right now. Your father and I are trying to plan our trip to Europe, Marty’s been acting up again and now you want to keep a stray dog?

He’ll stay in the garage. You won’t even know he’s here. He’ll be gone tomorrow.

Fine. He stays in the garage tonight, then he goes.

I smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek. Thanks, Mom.

She slipped on her shoes and rushed out the front door to pick up my brother.

I searched the fridge, found some leftover hamburgers and fed one to the dog. After he ate, I gave him a raw carrot that he held in his mouth like a bone. Then he followed me outside and into the two-car garage where I found a big old floor pillow and a wool blanket. I dragged the pillow near the sofa and covered it with the thick blanket.

He stood there looking at it, until I realized he was waiting for me to invite him to sit. I pointed at his new mattress and he climbed up on it, got into a comfortable position and gnawed away at the carrot.

Later, I took him for a walk. Having a dog unleashed was probably a violation of some city ordinance, but this dog had been trained well. He was more likely to attract admiration than complaints. On the way back from our walk I stopped at the corner store. Before going in I told the dog to stay, and he stopped in his tracks and sat down. I went inside to pick up a few cans of dog food while my little mascot waited obediently for me outside the door. When I got to the register I peeked out the window and sure enough, he was still sitting there, facing the door. I stepped back outside and he stood up and wagged his tail.

We reached my house and walked through the side gate to the backyard and then into the garage. My dad and Walker had renovated our garage and it had become an additional family room with a wide-screen TV and a great sound system. In one section were large overstuffed chairs, a sofa and a coffee table. Another area had evolved into my art studio. It had everything I needed. Walker had even built a wooden easel and artist’s bench for me.

The dog slept on his pillow while I lounged on the sofa and admired what a great animal he was and how lucky I was that he found me at the park. He was like my own personal therapy. Hours had passed and I hadn’t suffered over Justin once. I grabbed my phone and called Nicole. Hey, Nic, I found the cutest dog! He’s sleeping in my garage right now!

Wow! Bet your mother’s overjoyed! she said sarcastically.

No kidding! I had to promise her I’d take him to the animal shelter tomorrow. Can you drive me?

Sure thing, Jules. How about ten o’clock?

Perfect! See you then!

For the rest of the day and evening, I worked in my studio with the dog at my feet. Just before bedtime I fed him again and told him to stay, then headed into the house. I forgot to eat dinner, which always happened when I worked, so I grabbed a quick snack and headed to my room. After going through my nightly ritual I turned