A Soul's Caress: Breathe

The Call

"Hey, dumbass!"

Ally's voice startled Zayne more than it should have as he was slapped out of his reverie. He had not slept well last night but this time it was not because of nightmares.

Thoughts of a sexy detective had filled his dreams like rolling waves that ebbed and flowed for hours. The touch of warm skin, the feathery tickle of quick breaths, and the sound of deep moans had sent him spiraling to the edge like a horny teenage boy. Zayne had woken up feeling exhausted, frustrated, and lonely. A long, icy cold shower and his right hand had taken the edge off his need but they failed to fully extinguish his desire for the detective.

The coffee mug he held in his hands was no longer hot and the crowd inside the cafe had already changed twice. His bloodshot eyes drifted up to look at his two friends sitting across from him at the small round table. Well, one best friend, one annoying best friend's older sister.

Devon Winters and Zayne had been friends since kindergarten. They had instantly bonded after the first week. Devon had been a very shy boy with a slight stutter whenever he got nervous. Zayne never liked how the other kids made fun of his friend so he bravely stood up to the other children, pointing out their own flaws until no one bothered the shortest kid in the class.

Devon had been amazed at how well Zayne could draw even at the young age of six. He especially loved it when Zayne asked him what he should draw and then gave him his personal artwork. Devon had taken each piece home and hung them in his room with care. While other students struggled with stick figures, Zayne sketched with a natural raw talent his teacher recognized immediately.

When Zayne's family was offered a chance to send their son to a prestigious art school, they had turned it down. At first. But once Zayne's other talents began surfacing, they gave him the choice of staying in public school or attending a school where he could draw, write music, play instruments, and discover what other gifts he had been blessed with.

Initially, Zayne outright refused because he didn't want to leave his best friend. But Devon encouraged him to go, saying he would be alright. However, Zayne still hesitated. Eventually, his parents and teachers came up with a plan where he could attend certain classes at the gifted school yet continue with his major studies at the public school where his friends were. It was a compromise everyone was happy with.

"Ally, be nice. He obviously has something on his mind," Devon said quietly, sipping his lemonade.

"That's fine, but I didn't come here to sit with someone who just stares at their coffee instead of drinking it."

Ally was Devon's older sister by only a year. The two had always been extremely close and still were. She was the overprotective sibling who never hesitated to beat up anyone who tried to hurt her baby brother. Which was the reason why Zayne had a small faint scar on his left knee to this day. Ally's trust was difficult to earn, especially when it came to her brother.

However, the first year she had to attend class in a different building, she was forced to accept Zayne's offer to keep an eye on Devon. During school hours, Zayne took over the role as Devon's guardian. He was so good at it that Ally eventually began to regard Zayne as her other "little brother".

"What's up with you? You ask us out, which usually means you want to talk about something, and then you just sit here staring into space. I'd say it's not like you but you've been like this a lot lately. Just never this bad," she said with care in her voice.

"Sorry. The past few days have been a little...rough."

"B-But you're on summer break. You should be chillin' and having fun," Devon pointed out.