Subs: Elleck

Chapter 6

LAYDEN

There's something about me that feels... different than normal. Something new. On my way to meet my friends, I noticed my truck driving faster than normal. Well, at least it felt that way because it didn't take very long to get there when it normally took an hour. Things seem to go in slow motion until I made it to the bar and time seemed to speed back into motion. I took a deep breath and watched my friends play pool amongst themselves as I leaned against the table with a drink in hand.

"Layden..." I kept hearing a voice in my head. Such a sexy yet powerful voice whispering into my ear. A pair of soft lips moving as my name escaped them. I wonder how they taste...

"Layden!" I looked up to Justin's fingers snapping in my face. "Dude, quit spacing."

"Ya you called next game, right?" Gordan added as he held a pool cue up to me. I put my beer down and took it.

"Sorry. Got a lot on my mind." I said while repositioning myself so the guys wouldn't see me pitching a tent. "Who won?"

"We did!" Carter said as he gave a high five to Beau.

"Bunch of cheaters." Gordan said under his breath.

"Don't be a poor sport!" Carter protested as he slapped him square in the back, knocking some wind out of him and making him cough.

"Well, Justin, let's kick their ass." I announced with a smile.

"Hell ya!" He said excitingly and broke the balls to start the game.

"So, what's on your mind, bud?" Beau asked me as he took aim.

"Not much just work." I answered, watching him sink in a ball.

"Work makes you space out that deeply, huh?" 

"Eh, work sucks."

"I know!" We unisoned a small part of a Blink-182 song and laughed. I couldn't tell these guys I've been thinking about a girl. I wouldn't hear the end of it. They'd also try to get me to look for her and there's a very slim chance that I'll see her again. Kent is a distance from here and I doubt she would take the time to come to a bar 45 miles away.

"He's lying though." Gordan said once he got back from refilling his drink. That dude could always see through me.

"It's a girl, isn't it?" Justin asked as he aimed his shot.

"Geez you make me sound pregnant." I joked, trying to change the subject.

"Was it the one you were staring at the other night in the club?" Justin added.

"No." I denied innocently.

"That means yes!" Beau chimed in, grinning ear to ear.

"She's just some woman I saw."

"Who hasn't left you mind."

"And your pants!" Carter added cheerfully. What is it with him and my s****l activity?

"Seriously?"

"What did I tell you, dude!" Carter said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Soul mate!" I gave a look and pushed him off.

"Whatever, dude. I need another beer." I said and left my pool stick at the table to go to the bar.

ELLECK

(An hour earlier)

"No." I said.

"Please?" Embr begged while holding up an outfit.

"No! I told you, I picked an outfit already!" I motioned to what I was wearing. Leather leggings with a leather vest over a dark gray short sleeved shirt.

"And I said it makes you look too unavailable!"

"Woah! Are you trying to set me up?" Embr quickly shut her mouth. "Dude..."

"I'm sorry! You've just been so isolated and distant since we brought you back!"

"I just..." I took a deep breath. "I've just had a lot on my mind. Okay? Work keeps me occupied."

"That's not a good thing."

"Its good enough for me!" She sighed deeply in defeat.

"Fine!" She went to her room and brought out a black choker. "Then at least flaunt the style with a smile." She hooked the necklace around my neck. I gave her a genuine smile. She really is a good partner and friend. Always looking out for me and being sure I'm happy no matter what. So awesome.

"Thanks, dude." I looked myself in the mirror.

'At least it matches... looks good too... I guess.'  We looked ourselves over one last time before we evaporated and reappeared behind the bar she was speaking of. At least it wasn't as crowded like the last place she took me to. Maybe this will be a little fun.

We walked into the building and I immediately felt a change in the atmosphere. My inner senses were peaked and it made me really nervous for some reason. I grabbed Embr by the wrist before we walked fully into the building.

"What is it?" She asked in concern.

'What is this...' I tried to answer but nothing came out. I didn't know exactly what I was feeling. I'm probably just nervous about what happened the last time I tried to "let loose". I shrugged the feeling off and let go.

"Nothing just the... jitters." I believe that's one of the terms Earthlings use. We walked into the bar and I immediately saw him.

'What the f**k!' 

LAYDEN

I waited patiently for the bartender to give me a refill when I felt a change in the air. I looked towards the door and my eyes widened.

'It's her!' I felt myself start to walk towards her but I stopped myself. I don't want to scare her. She doesn't even know me.

"Hey dude!" Carter shouted as he walked over to me. "Are you almost..." he noticed me staring at the woman in the doorway. "Is that her?" She glanced at me and I knew it was her. Those eyes have been haunting me for a while it seems and here they are in person. They were so mesmerizing that I didn't know I was walking to her until I felt Carter pull me back. "What about your drink?" I turned to him for a brief second but when I turned back to the doorway, she was gone.

'Not again!'

ELLECK

I started panicking and ran to the bathroom with Embr hot on my tail.

'I can't do this!'

"Wait, dude! Whats wrong?" Embr stops me before I walked in. I started speaking gibberish to find the words but it came out all at once and Embr couldn't understand a word. I mentally slapped myself. Quit being a babe! After everything you've gone through, you're going to let another guy get in your head? You're here for a good time! I took a deep breath and straightened myself. I got this.

"I'm OK. Let's have a drink." I said and made my way to the bar table with my partner close behind. Why am I turning this into a big deal when its not? He's just some guy I happened to see again. So what. Just need to relax. We sat on a couple bar stools and ordered some mixers we thought sounded good. As I was about to pay, a small plastic card was placed over mine. We don't have actual money but Earth currency is so easy to manipulate. The scent of pine filled my nose.

"Let me get that for you." Someone said. I looked over my shoulder to the guy from earlier and my heart started racing. I had a better look at him now that he was up close. Tight jaw, 5 o'clock shadow, tan, tall... although I'm a short sub human so everyone is tall to me. Muscular... ooh those tight muscles wanted to rip out of his shirt. I bit my lip and crossed my legs once I felt this new feeling.

"N-no it's ok." I looked the other way as I drew a breath.

'Calm...' I glanced at my partner only to see her wiggling her eyebrows and looking the other way to give us a little privacy.

"Oh but I insist." He said and the bartender took his card. "You look familiar."

"Ya I get that a lot." I said while looking at the screen above me. The bartender hands us our drinks and him his card. I muttered a thanks as I grabbed Embr by the arm and started walking away from him. My face was on fire.

"Wait!" I felt my wrist pull back and I froze. "I do remember you."

'Contact! Contact! Contact!' I silently gulped.

"There's a club in Kent. The only one in town. I thought I saw you there not long ago." I swallowed my pride and finally looked into his eyes. Wow... I've never seen a color like that before. I had to pinch myself to stop from getting lost in them. "You left so quickly I didn't have a chance to say anything to you." Oh his voice is so... stop it! He held out his hand to me. "I'm Layden." I stared at his hand for a bit.

'Dear Creation... what do I do??'  I've gotta do something! I coughed a little.

"And I need a refill!" My partner butted in finally. I rolled my eyes. What a way to barg into a conversation. Its not like I needed her a few minutes ago. "Who's this?" She asked me as if not listening to anything we were just saying.

"This is Layden." I introduced.

"Hello, sir! I need to borrow her for one second!" Embr said before taking my arm and dragging me into the bathroom without a response of protest. "Did you introduce yourself?" We try not to get too comfortable on other planets. Our bodies last longer than theirs.

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"That's not part of the mission." I said in a hush and checked the area.

"Why not? He's so hot!" She whispered.

"Seriously?" I matched her tone.

"Come on, E!

"You're f*****g insane!"

"You're so weird! It's obvious he was hitting on you! What's stopping you from getting to know him?"

"He's a Earth human!" I noticed my voice slightly raised and quieted back down. "I'll out live him in 10 years! Besides, the mission comes first!"

"Think of it this way, having sub humans on different planets is adding to the mission! More help for bigger threats!"

"They're barely a threat to anything! They have no special abilities and evolved from small brained apes! These are the weakest sub human species I've ever heard of! No wonder Virus chose this planet! Its so easy to manipulate these creatures!" Embr put her hands on her hips.

"Weak, huh? So you wouldn't mind if I take him?" My chest caught fire suddenly at the thought of him with someone else. My eyes glowed pink and I tried to hide it from my partner but she let out a gasp. "He IS your fated!"

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