Page 29 of Beneath the Indigo Sky

“With no medical explanation, they brought in a psychologist who did two full days of testing, thinking I might be schizophrenic or something, but eventually, Ken could see they were making it worse. He told them it was enough and took me home.”

I risk another brief glance up, and while he still doesn’t feel afraid of me, his brow is furrowed in concern.

“Those first couple of years, we did a lot of research, talked to a lot of experts. We flew to Portland once to talk to someone who said they specialize in things like this, but in the end, they hadn’t met anyone like me. We’ve never found any real answers. I don’t know if something is broken because I sustained a head injury that didn’t show up in the tests or if I was born this way…I don’t even know if I’m human, I guess. Sometimes I don’t feel like it.”

Jayce’s fingers reach for mine across the table, and I don’t pull away this time. He hasn’t run yet, and I want to feel his skin against mine in case it’s my last chance. I know he doesn’t feel the same way I do; I’d be able to tell if he did, but I can’t help wanting his touch anyway.

His thumb slides along my skin in the silence.

When he finally speaks, his voice is gentle and strong.

“I don’t know what I believe in, Namid. I don’t know if I believe in a god or aliens or faeries or science, but I know that I’m not so closed minded as to question what someone tells me is their truth. There are so many things in this universe that we don’t understand, and not understanding something doesn’t make it scary or wrong.”

My eyes burn as I force my gaze up to search his face, my arm twisting so that I can clutch at his hand with mine.

“I’m not going to stop being your friend because you’re unique.” His smile is gentle and accepting and it feels like the mid-summer sun shining against my skin.

“If you say this is how you are, then this is how you are.”

I can’t stop the shuddering sob that lodges in my throat, making my voice deep and harsh.

“Thank you.”

His hand squeezes mine, and his smile broadens.

“How close do you need to be to feel someone?”

I shrug. “It’s not exact. It depends on how strong their feelings are. Pretty close. A room or two away when I’m inside.”

“Could you wait in the hospital parking lot?”

Panic.

I shake my head and tighten my grip. “No. People heading in…visiting or to get care…I can feel them as they walk past. I know the hospital here is small, but it’s still just…it’s too much.”

He nods thoughtfully. “Okay. My house is a couple of miles away from the hospital. Why don’t I drive you there, and then I’ll head over and wait for Ken. I can call you as soon as I know anything.”

Warmth rushes through me. Comfort and desire and gratitude, and I’m overwhelmed by his kindness.

“You’d do that?”

“Of course.”

He stands and pulls me tightly into his arms before I can move away, and my body melts against his completely.

“Thank you. I can’t thank you enough.”

Jayce

I lock Namid’s fingers tightly between mine as I lead him to my truck and open the passenger door. I don’t know what to do with what he’s just told me. I’ve never heard anyone say anything even remotely like that, but he obviously believes it. Mr. Johnson clearly believes it too. He’s the one who told the medics that Namid wouldn’t be joining him on the way to the hospital.

Namid was so afraid to tell me. My god, he actually told me that if I just stood up and walked away, he wouldn’t follow or call or text ever again. After all the months we’ve spent together, after everything he’s done for me while I’ve been at my lowest. He’s the only one in the entire town who’s helped me since I lost Jordyn, and he thinks I’d simply walk away.

Has that happened to him before? Has he tried to open up and ask for acceptance and been left because he’s different? I meant what I told him. I accept him no matter who he is, even though I don’t really understand exactly what he means. It honestly sounded a little crazy, and I hope I have the chance to discuss it a bit more with him in the future, but right now, his best friend - his father - is hurt, and he can’t do anything other than sit in another building and wait.

He’s silent as we drive the few miles into the center of town. His forehead is resting on the glass, and he’s staring at nothing through the window. He startles as I place my hand on his knee. I’m not sure why I do it, other than he seems so sad and so alone, and I know all too well what that feels like. I don’t want that for him. I don’t want that for anyone, of course, but there is something about Namid that makes me want to protect him, care for him.

He's silent as I lead him up the front steps. He’s never been to my house before. I haven’t had anyone in my house for months, not since the night Jordyn stormed out and I lost him. He follows me inside but doesn’t move once he’s through the door.

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