Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 6.3 - What's Real?

Nine blinked against the morning light filtering through his curtains, the warmth seeping into his bones like a soft blanket. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and stretched languidly like a lazy cat.

A satisfied smile bloomed on his lips as he grabbed his phone to disable his alarm.

He opened his gallery to look at the photos he'd already looked at so many times since he'd taken them at the exhibit.

His lips curled upwards at he looked at the stunning photos of the pieces on display. As Nine flicked the photos, he stopped one on photo in particular as something caught his eye.

He could see Jorah in the background and he was clearly looking in his direction.

Nine bit his bottom lip, now that he thought about it, Jorah had looked so handsome yesterday in his navy suit. During their time at the dumpling shop he'd taken off his jacket and had rolled his crisp white shirt up to the elbow, showing the muscles in his arms.

No sooner had Nine found himself thinking dreamy thoughts of Jorah than he stopped himself, casting his phone on the bed as thought it had spurned him.

 What am I thinking? He quickly shook his head, scolding himself. Get a grip, Kailen! He mentally chastised, reminding himself that there was no way he could do this for so many reasons. He and Jorah meant nothing to each other now, Jorah was engaged, and that fact felt like a heavy stone lodged in his throat.

Yet, a memory flickered back: Jorah's words from last night, "I just wanted to spend some more time with you."

He had tp be crazy to feel any kind of joy from that.

Nine groaned, kicking his feet against the bed in frustration. This is crazy! He's just messing with you.

With a huff, he sat up in bed. He needed to put this out of his mind. None of this meant anything and it would be wrong to assume there was any meaning to Jorah's words beyond the surface, no matter how much he'd longed to hear them.

"This is pointless." Nine told himself as he swung out of bed. "I just won't see him again. He's said sorry for what he did. We have nothing more to do with each other."

Pushing Jorah out of his mind for the time being, he grabbed his planner by his bedside to review his schedule and his to do list.

That's right. He was too busy to be concerned with anything else, least of all Jorah.

After taking a quick shower, he pulled on a fitted black T-shirt that clung to his frame and slipped into a pair of distressed jeans that hugged his legs just right. Completing the look, he laced up a pair of combat boots, and grabbed his glasses before heading to the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen he made a beeline for the bright fruits in the bowl. "Smoothie time." he said to himself as he reached for some bananas and pears.

From the fridge, he grabbed some yogurt ,spinach and some almond milk . As he tossed the ingredients into the blender, the whirring noise drowned out the world around him.

When his smoothie was done, Nine took a long drink, as he looked at the glass appreciating the taste, a flash of a memory seized him.

The dim light from the television flickered across the room, casting soft shadows as the credits of the movie rolled. Jorah lay sprawled comfortably on the couch, his head nestled in Nine's lap, eyes half-closed but still focused on the screen. Nine absently brushed his fingers through Jorah's hair, lost in the warmth of the moment.

Suddenly, Jorah shot up, his brow furrowed, a serious look replacing his previous relaxation. "Kai," he said, his voice steady yet laced with an unusual tension. "I have a confession to make."