SPASE

SPASE: CHAPTER NINETEEN

As soon as the soul grabs Maddie's hand, they know them. Maddie doesn't know his story or why he is stuck in Spase or what his deal is, but Maddie somehow knows him. Maddie feels his emotions, strengths, weaknesses, power, loss... everything. Maddie is actually scared this time around.

Maleki is sixteen, just a year younger than Maddie. Maddie hasn't been to the big city, seen the lights or the Christmas tree at Times Square, but he has. He is from the Bronx...New York City. Being from the tiny town of Cascade, it's hard for Maddie to fathom living in a place with that many people swarming around them like bees in a beehive, all working for the same thing: success. Something tells Maddie in his hand that success is the last thing on Maleki's mind... it's survival.

Maddie opens their eyes to the sound of his voice. Smooth as an R & B artist mixed with honey. In a deep voice, he speaks, "So you're the honey, we'd be waitin' for all 'dis time."

At that moment, Maddie is speechless. Maddie can only stare into his blue eyes. Maleki's eyes are two oceans that seem to carry them away far from whatever the hell they are thinking about. Maddie loves Melissa, they do. But people often get Maddie twisted because they think that a person only can love one or two genders. But Maddie, they are drawn to the person inside, (well, and outside because anyone that says that lust isn't a thing of this world is a liar). The point being; it doesn't matter what people identify with. If a person has a beautiful soul, Maddie can be attracted to them.

Point of the story: Maddie can't open their mouth to speak because Maddie is a little busy gawking and being their normal shy and stupid-as-hell self.

He coughs. "So... I'm Malek..."

"I know who you are," Maddie interrupts. Maddie feels silly for interrupting an introduction. They have no idea why they even did it.

"Oh, ok... so... welcome to my crib/hood, I guess," Maleki says as he raises his hands and looks around. Maleki, Reynolds, and Maddie are in an alley downtown. Downtown. It's busy, with people buzzing and swarming like bees in a beehive: everyone having somewhere to be and something to do. Maddie wonders if Nick is around, but then their mind quickly focuses on Maleki's luscious locks. He looks as though he has permed his chin-length hair and highlighted it, so it has a tinge of golden brown. At first, it kind of reminds Maddie of Justin Guarini from the first season of American Idol. Maddie was super little at the time it premiered, but they'd never forgotten that freaking hair. Maleki is tall, probably around 6'1". Nicely built too. He looks like he can win a few fights in his day if he wanted to.

Maddie can't speak their mind. They stare, like an idiot who is completely smitten.

He checks out Maddie, scoping out their body. His eyes finally fix on Maddie's shoes. "Nice kicks," he says.

"Thanks," Maddie replies. At least they are able to get out pleasantries.

"Yo! Reynolds, my dawg, how's it been hangin', man?" Maleki says as he bends down to scratch Reynolds behind the right ear. He seems to know his sweet spot too.

"You know him?" Maddie questions, coming out almost in the form of a squeal. Maddie feels more comfortable in the fact that they know each other.

"Hell yeah, I know him. He comes around the block all the time. We share Euro Gyro pizza at least once a week; extra sausage and no mushrooms on his side, right Reyn?" Maleki says in a sing-song voice and looking at Reynolds' smile. Reynolds' tail wags and he seems to wink.

Reynolds tilts his head back at me and relays, You're welcome. I can see that you were having a hard time getting going... you can stop gushing now. Reynolds almost smiles.