Read Online Gravity by Amanda Miga - Free Book Online Page B

blue.
    We are similar in respect to telepathy, but
we're different, you and I. Where I've chosen control, you've
relinquished your will to do so.
    Are we talking about the same thing?
    Yes. Telepathy and your ability are the
same.
    There's too many other things—outside things
that interfere with my head, I can't control that.
    You will. Red reaches under the
counter and places a shiny gold box on the counter. I have
something for you . The box has an open top to reveal smooth
metal disks lined up like a cylinder. The inner workings look like
clockwork; with gears that would move, but the parts are still. The
outside has a lever in which to rotate the metal disks inside.
    A music box. I'm proud I identified
the object. Can I try?
    Red nods and I crank the lever. A long rod
with comb prongs wait to be set off, but there is no raised area on
the disk for the comb prongs to pluck.
    I look up at Red disappointed that it doesn’t
play. "Such a pretty thing and it doesn't even work."
    "You'll have to fix that, Alex."
    Hearing his real voice suddenly zaps my
nerves to life. The atmosphere of the dream seems real. Red seems
real.
    "But I don't know how?"
    "You write music. Write a song."
    A song. If I wrote a song the music
box would work again. The prongs would play a song. I wonder what
kind of a song I should write.
    Maybe something... Romantic? Red tilts
his head.
    Yeah, for someone special. I add. But for who? Cher isn’t special in that kind of way. I can't
think of anyone, all the girls I know are just… girls. Maybe that’s
the problem. I don’t have anyone to inspire such a song. It's sad.
There’s really no one I have in my life that I can call
special.
    I don’t think I can do it . I close the
lid.
    What about for her? Red's eyes turn in
colors again.
    A brief image of a young woman comes to mind.
It's someone I have never met before. She has a bright smile; the
kind that’s not afraid to laugh. Innocent brown eyes I could stare
into all day. Her wavy hair bounces and her eyes smile just like
her pretty lips. There’s gentleness to her face; kindness radiates
from her. I think she's beautiful. I could see myself with her. I'm
sad to see her happy face disappear from my mind. If I were to
write a romantic song, then it would be for that girl, but I don’t
know her.
    I look at Red who pushes the music box toward
me. "When you meet her, trust what she says. It's the truth."
    “You mean I'll meet her? She's real?”
    “Yes. Very real. Now wake up. You don't want
to miss Jake's party.”
     
    ***
    Alex
     
    I take great care in what I look like, making
sure I won't be missed. The gold strands in my hair, shine, make my
amber eyes stand out. No ugly sweater, only a crisp new shirt, new
dark blue jeans, new sneakers, even new underwear. My parents left
me a credit card which I use frequently. The spending can get out
of hand. But I'm used to getting my way. My parents can't say no to
a straight-A-student. 'A' for Aisling. My father says I'll pay it
all back when I enter a good school. My future will pay them back
all the money I've spent when I'm making the big bucks. I don't
care about that. All I care about is right now. I spritz on cologne
and I'm ready to kill. 'A' for awesome.
    I jump into my car and my cell rings.
Shit!
    "What do you want, Cher?"
    "Pick me up."
    "Where's Pete?"
    "What do you mean? We broke it off."
    "Find another way." I end the call. There's
no way I'm showing up with her—is she crazy? I smile in the
rearview. I feel more confident than usual. I have a feeling my
dream has something to do with it but I can't remember at the
moment.
    When I get to Jake's, I park in my reserved
space in the driveway. Herds of girls head to the front door. Most
of them won't be leaving with their friends. One of them will come
home with me later—if I'm lucky, two. I leave my car and retrieve
the extra beer out of my trunk. Hunter's Crew immediately greets
me. My stomach flips recalling a part of my dream I was