Never Like

Chapter 10

"Dude, why would you drop that so casually after all the shit you've been saying?"

Callisto slaps Aden's shoulder as he continues gurgling while the man tries to contain his own mirth. That jerks my body forward making me almost trip. Luckily Aden catches me in time, now scowling.

"Really mate?"

Callisto catches my inquisitive expression.

"Don't worry about it, alright? It's nothing."

He starts skipping ahead to catch up with Danatha and the others.

"I wouldn't say that." mutters the man.

"And you are?" I ask, figuring that Aden's forgotten that I don't know who the man is.

"Yves-Sterling, at your service."

"Quicksilver," adds Aden.

"Nice moniker. And nice to meet you."

"Don't let it fool you; I'm nothing like it suggests. It's really for the 'Sterling' part of things."

"Oh, I thought it was the chains." I tease, making him smile.

"Nice to meet you too. So, should I buy you double tickets?"

"It's cool; we're still deciding." says Aden.

The man moves on as Aden slows his pace, tightening his grip.

"He's kind of... Yeah, I don't really know how to describe Yves. He's not exactly my friend; I guess I could say he's like a mentor, a-"

"He's important to you?"

"You know what? He's like a best friend, but the mature version. Spot the immature one."

I laugh as his eyes signal to Callisto who's standing in line, gesticulating so much that it looks like he's describing an action film scene, even if I see Callisto's mohawk as tame next to Yves's extravagant punk rock haircut.

"I wanted to ask what you want to do, but first I should mention that while we came here, it doesn't mean that we have to play games."

"What would we do instead?"

"Talk, amongst other pleasurable activities."

My breath hitches in my throat as his eyes gleam. How does he do that? Is there a switch to turn him from cute to irresistible? Can I get that superpower for myself, please? My lips dry up fast as his eyes don't let go of mine.

"You could eat, right?"