Utopia

Chapter 14: Soulmates and Light Conversation

Eledina and I race down the castle corridors, our laughter echoing through the hall. I feel a sudden burst of energy and use it to propel myself forward and to victory. I go to turn the corner, ready to win, but instead I crash into someone and we both go tumbling to the ground with a large thud.

"I'm so sorry," I start sputtering, and push my curls away from my face in an attempt to see who it was that cushioned my fall: Jaron. He groans and lifts a hand to massage the back of his head, his eyes closed in pain. "Oh my god, Jaron, are you okay? What am I saying, you're obviously in pain - "

"He'll be fine!" Eledina yells as she runs past us, clearly not worried about her brother's condition. "Just don't take too long!" I look at her in confusion and she sends me a wink, a playful grin on her face. I shake my head and go to move off of Jaron in order to remove some weight off of him. But before I can, Jaron's arms wrap around me and he flips us around, pinning me underneath him.

"Next time you two are racing, warn me beforehand so I can keep an eye out for distracted Curly Fries," he jokes as my hands go to his head in an attempt to assess the damage I'd caused. "I'm okay, Curly Fry; I'll live."

I can't help but continue to worry. "Does it hurt?" He takes my hand in his and places a soft kiss on my palm before he shakes his head no. He lets go of my hand and sits up, straddling my torso. I hold myself up with my arms and I watch as he lets down his hair in order to relieve some of the tension on his head. I watch him closely and I can see his muscles flex from underneath his dress shirt. "You're sure?"

"If it makes you feel better," he says around the hair-tie in his mouth, "I'll have doctor Althia take a look." I look down, not wanting to meet his eyes. Jaron softly tips my chin upwards, making me look up at him. His ocean blue eyes are calm as they stare into mine, and I take a deep breath.

"I guess next time I should watch where I'm going," I say, letting out a forced laugh, and he smiles. "But I mean, it's not like I should really be worried. Everyone knows you have nothing in that big head of yours." This time a deep chuckle erupts from his chest and I can't help but join in.

"There's my Curly Fry," he says fondly, and I feel a slight blush creep into my cheeks. "Now, where were you going in such a rush?"

"Eledina and I were racing to see who could get to the garage the fastest," I confess. He raises an eyebrow and begins to stand as I continue with my explanation. "The other day, Doctor Althia recommended I check out some Ursan skin care to help with the sudden skin sensitivity I've been experiencing as a result of my mutation." As I finish speaking, Jaron grabs my arm and pulls me up to stand with him. His fingers trace the light pattern on my skin, leaving sparks up and down my arm. I'm not sure that has anything to do with my new skin sensitivity, though.

The lines have become more noticeable, but the patterns still remain a faded tree bark pattern on my skin. My hair has yet to turn green, but Doctor Althia isn't sure whether that will occur with my mutation. My mom's recently noticed, however, that in certain lighting, my eyes seem to have green specks.

"Anything I should know regarding your mutation?" Jaron asks me. I shake my head no.

"I don't know why you're asking me; a little birdie told me that you've been keeping up with my files," I tease. His eyes grow wide and he scratches the back of his head nervously; I can't help but laugh at his reaction. "Don't worry, I think it's cute how much you worry about me."

"Always." He brushes a stray curl away from my face and strokes my cheek.

"What are your plans for today?" I ask him, a plan brewing in my mind.

"I have a few more meetings scheduled today, and then I'm free for the night," he replies, looking at me questioningly.

"Not anymore," I inform him gleefully. "Meet me at the clearing tonight. Bring lanterns, a few blankets, and your favorite snacks."