Abstract

Chapter 9

"They're called gauges." Zylen said. I still couldn't grasp how his voice was so husky.

"What?" I mumbled, idiotically. I remembered him telling me it was nice to meet me. And there I stood, a mute fool.

"The things in my ears," He pointed a long finger to one of his ears. Embedded in his ear flesh was a small, black button-like thing. "The things you're staring at." Great, I was staring too. But any person with eyeballs would stare, too. He had short blonde hair, a little wavy at the top, eyes of an unheard shade of blue, straight nose and dusky rose lips. He was beautiful, in an uncanny way. And I've always lived by the principle to acknowledge beautiful things.

"I'm not staring." I mutter stupidly. "I'm acknowledging." Really, Aura?

His smiled, showing his pearly white teeth. A smile that seemed like it was reserved just for me. Don't lie to yourself, I thought. He's smiling at your embarrassment. 

"Don't be embarrassed," He said, smoothly. "I can't seem to stop staring at you, either."

My heart stopped bearing for a second. What was wrong with me? I just met this guy 20 minutes ago, and already he's reduced me to a speechless mess.

"So..." Adam announced loudly. I forgot that he was even there. "Why do both of you look like you're ready to hump each other?"

"Jesus, Adam. Why do you say shit like that?" Zylen laughed. A deep, carefree sound. A sound I wouldn't mind hearing again.

"Hey," Adam put his hand up in mock surrender. "I say what I see."

"So Adam tells me that both of you have been watching me." I said, surprised by the clearness in my voice. "I want to know why."

Adam seemed taken aback by my abrupt tone, but Zylen didn't hesitate. "Because you are Abstract. And I just wanted to make sure before I explained what that meant."

He spoke with the wisdom of someone much older than he looked. "How old are you?" I asked before I could stop myself.

His gaze didn't falter. "I'm turning twenty next month," He stated. Two years older than me. It made sense. That strong jawline of his could only have become that structured with age.

"So explain it to me." I remarked. "What does it mean to be Abstract?"

He was quiet for a moment, mentally picking his words. "Adam, do you mind giving me and Aura a minute, please? You can chill in my room. The others are already in there."

Adam jumped up. "Sure," He exclaimed. "I'm gonna go play on your xbox while you two have a chat." He practically flew out of the room.

Zylen sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if he only hangs out with me because of that damn xbox."

"Probably not. He thinks very highly of you." I said. From the way Adam spoke about him, I coild tell that Zylen was an important part of his life.

His face went soft. "He's one of my best friends. But don't tell him I said that."

I pretend to lock my lips and throw away the key. "My lips are sealed."

He laughs, and something shifts inside me because I was responsible for that small burst of happiness. We grew quiet, and he shifted from his position on the opposite couch and sauntered over to me. His close proximity made my breath hitch. He really affected me. It wasn't just his looks. I couldn't describe it, really. All I knew was that if I wasn't careful, I would become infatuated with a man I barely knew.

"What do you want to know?" He whispered.

"What does being Abstract mean?" I asked.

"Well," He began. "Being Abstract basically is being able to control people's emotions. It boils down to an experience that had made you feel something so deeply that you are able to harvest it to other people. For example, Adam has had something happen to him that had made him very scared. Which is why he is able to make people see some of the things they fear most."