SPASE

SPASE: CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Tyrell stands in the doorway, feet spread wide apart as if he is ready to tackle an oncoming lineman. He's frozen solid like a child that got caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar. His rather large lips outline his gaping mouth. Black dreadlocks fell upon his shoulders, as his deep brown eyes stare at Maddie. It's as if Reynolds isn't even there. Reynolds's bottom is on the floor, but his tail lumps rhythmically against the hard concrete.

Finally, Tyrell moves, scratching his cheek where his chocolate brown skin turned into a flushed, deep red. He places his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Hey... So, are you them?"

Maddie leers at Reynolds and then back and Tyrell. Tyrell's eyes lock on Maddie. The "them" he's referring to is Maddie. Maddie thinks Tyrell must mean both Maddie and Reynolds, but the quirky smirk on his face gives away that he knows a lot more about Maddie than they might know about themselves.

Maddie opens their mouth slightly, like they're about to say something, and reaches out their hand in the process. Mid-movement, they decide to place their hand back against their thigh, making a soft patting noise. They close their lips. Tyrell shifts his weight from his left foot to his right and placed his hands in the pocket of his ripped jeans. The jeans aren't ripped in a "dude-dress-better, what-are-you-homeless" kind of way, but ripped in all of the right places; at the knees and once on his upper right thigh. His jeans meet his football jersey at his waist. Maroon and gold: the school's colors.

Maddie's school colors.

Maddie doesn't recognize him. Maddie searches his face for a clue. Reynolds suddenly brushes Maddie's bare thigh with his cool, moist nose.

It's impolite to stare, Reyn relays.

Maddie steps forward and walks toward Tyrell with their head low. They stare at their feet, noticing the mud still splattered from running along the train tracks after Parker. Maddie takes a deep breath in, feeling their own chest rise and they look to meet Tyrell's eyes. They stand, firm and solid, almost confident in themselves in front of Tyrell.

"I'm Ty," he pronounces as his striking white teeth present themselves in a smile that seems to be elongated from ear to ear. He looks up and down Maddie's body, almost as if he is checking them out. Maddie feels the tension and strikes it, snapping back and crossing their arms in front of their body.

"I'm Maddie," they say and turns their head to glance at Reyn. "This is Reynolds."

Reynolds prances over to Tyrell, tail wagging and head held high. If Maddie didn't know any better, they would think they already know each other.

"Hey, big guy," Ty proclaims, as he scratches behind his ears. Reynolds back left leg kicks in ecstasy and he lets out a low groan.

We already know each other. Very well actually. He knows all of the sweet spots, Reynolds relays to Maddie.

Maddie tilts their head and walks closer to Tyrell. They stick out their hand as if to shake his formally. Tyrell lets out a bellowing laugh.

"Haha! You've gotta be kiddin' me, love, get on in here!"

Tyrell grabs Maddie's hand and pulls them into a group hug that includes Reynolds as well. Reynolds closes his eyes, relaxed, loving the warmth of Maddie and Ty's bodies. Maddie didn't say anything, but hugs stiffly, in shock. As warmth from Tyrell's body touches their skin, Maddie begins to relax. They pat his left shoulder with their hand to break up the awkwardness that they felt. Maddie begins to pull away, but instead, Tyrell holds on tight as they all fade into a mist that transports them elsewhere.