Free Gravity by Amanda Miga Page A

similar instincts.
    It isn't long before I release. I suddenly
want nothing to do with her.
    She kisses me, but my lips don't respond back
as the whole act is still incomplete somehow. I pull out of her and
stand to adjust myself. She lies on the bed, enthralled in her own
thoughts, replaying what transpired.
    I kiss her once more to ensure her I'm not
completely heartless. I don't care what she thinks once I leave the
room. She’s history.

Chapter Ten
     
    Gabriel
     
    I'm still wondering what this is all about. I
haven't said a word to Violet, just followed her across town. 'We can help each other'. Her words feel like they have
weight to them. Maybe she can help. Maybe I'm being hopeful. I'll
stay with her because I have nowhere else to go and nothing better
to do.
    "Alexander Aisling is in there." She glances
at a piece of paper and folds it back in her pocket. I wonder if my
name was on it too. I wonder if Alexander has the same condition as
me. By looking at the loud house party, I figure this Alexander
must have a different problem. I can never be in a crowd without
everyone attacking me.
    Violet takes her sweat shirt off and her ball
cap, revealing her face. I recognize her from a memory that decides
to unveil from the depths of my mind. My heart skips as emotions
for this complete stranger build up in my chest. I don't know her,
yet these feelings are hard to ignore. Red must have done something
to me. Maybe the clash into her messed me up.
    "I can't go in looking like a bum." She drops
her sweater on the curb. "How old are you?" The question takes me
by surprise as I eye her figure.
    "Ah, s-sixteen." Without an oversized sweat
shirt hiding her body, I'm distracted by her curves. She's
definitely older.
    "So young," she says under her breathe.
    "What?"
    "I thought you'd be older." She adjusts the
hem of her top.
    "Why? Does it matter?" I try not to sound
desperate, but my hands fumble my backpack to the ground.
    “I’m not sure.” She combs her fingers through
her hair. "I'll be right back. Promise me you won't leave." She
fluffs her dark hair.
    "I promise." I try not to stare. She's really
pretty. I can't believe I could have done it with her if I hadn't
held back. I should scold myself for thinking it. I could've hurt
her.
    I want to go with her, but the party is
packed with people and I would be touching everyone. I wonders
what’s so special about Alexander Aisling and why does she need
him? Why am I 'so young' ? She doesn't look that old.
Watching her walk to the house, I already miss her. I take her
sweatshirt, bring to my nose for a whiff.
     
    ***
    Alex
     
    Jake nudges me. "Dude, look what just walked
through the door."
    I catch sight of her. No one can miss her.
She’s more beautiful than all the girls at the party—any party; all
the girls in my school; this town, this... world. A whole flood of
memory comes seeping back—my dream; the one with Red; the one with her . Holy shit!
    "There's your college girl," Pete raises his
beer.
    "No way. This is my house." Jake backs away,
flipping us off. I'm awestruck by my own walking, talking dream
girl as she gets corned by my best friend. Jake introduces himself
to her. I try to focus in on the girl, but my mind's ear is too
distracted by the God damn music. The one time I wish this place to
be empty—just me inside of her head.
    I saunter over, but Jake pulls her into the
corner—the bastard. He must be trying his best lines, but she
doesn't seem interested in him as her eyes wander the room.
    He offers a beer and she doesn't take it.
She’s asks him something, but he shrugs. She walks away
disappointingly. Jake stops in front of her for another try. I hope
his persistence doesn't pay off as it usually does with hot girls.
Thankfully she's not falling for his charm and walks away. Jake
rakes his hair in frustration. My eyes follow her while my
peripheral sees Jake tell Pete something to make his jaw drop. I
wish the music would stop to give me a leg up