Amir had a date tonight. He hadn’t met the guy, but he knew of Blaise Sparks. Then again, who didn’t know of Blaise? The son of the Dufour family, who ran away from home along with his newly adopted brother. A mutual friend, Max Elior, had set them up on a blind date, but of course Max let slip who Amir’s date was going to be.
Blaise had a date tonight, and while he knew next to nothing about his date, Max had apparently told the guy who he was, so if this guy— Amir… Atieno, was it?— was still interested, it was probably a good sign. Blaise was running a few minutes late, and since he didn’t have Amir’s number, he just tried to hurry.
Amir saw Blaise arrive at the park and waved him over to the bench he was at. He could sense the relief in Blaise’s thoughts so clearly that he actually felt the same relief Blaise seemed to be experiencing. He sensed the apology before Blaise opened his mouth.
“Sorry I’m late. My little bro was, uh—”
“It’s okay,” Amir interjected. “I’ve only been waiting a few minutes.”
“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you,” Blaise said once he was sitting beside Amir. “We, uh, already know each other’s names, but… I’m Blaise Sparks.”
“I’m Amir Atieno,” his date said. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Now I know I have, um, a reputation, but—”
“I don’t put much stock in rumors. You don’t have to talk about it on the first date.”
Blaise already liked this guy. Most people he’d gone on dates with asked prying questions or were clearly uncomfortable with it, but Amir suavely surpassed Blaise’s expectations.
Amir tried not to react to Blaise’s thoughts. He’d rather no one learn about his telepathic powers.
“So, Blaise… Max told me you do art?” he said.
Blaise cringed. “I’m pretty mediocre.”
Amir laughed. “Yeah, same. It’s not something I show people much, although Max is pretty insistent.”
Blaise grinned, and Amir could sense some underlying emotions buried in his mind. A crush, regardless of whether it was past or present. It was irrelevant, really, but Amir found it kind of cute.
“I think I have some of my art nearby, if you’re interested,” Blaise said nervously.
“Sorry, could you speak up a bit?” Amir said, tapping something in his ear. Blaise realized it was one of those hearing aid implants. He just couldn’t remember what they were called exactly.
“Oh, sorry. I-it was nothing, I just… I used to do graffiti. I definitely vandalized a wall nearby, if you’re interested.”
Amir shrugged. “Maybe another time. It’s getting dark, which isn’t exactly ideal for looking at art.”
Blaise hoped he didn’t make Amir uncomfortable by mentioning his delinquent past.
“Man, graffiti though. Pretty hot.”
Blaise blushed. “You really think so?”
“Property damage in the name of art? It’s a crime of beauty,” Amir mused. “Well, unless you just spray painted dicks, of course.”
Blaise laughed. “No, no. Not here at least.”
“Good to know.”
Amir had already seen the graffiti Blaise mentioned before. Blaise’s mind was so precise that Amir recognized the wall Blaise had in mind right away. Amir had passed it on his way to the park, in fact, and he stared for a few minutes. Blaise was talented in a way Amir envied a little.
They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the night air and watching the sunset.
“Man, you’re really handsome, Amir,” Blaise said suddenly.
He’d been staring at Amir for a while, and the words just came out before he realized what he was thinking.
Amir almost jumped. “How did— uh, how can you see well enough to know? It’s so dark out.”
“I’m looking at your silhouette, man,” Blaise clarified. It was too dark to see much detail, especially on someone with skin as dark as Amir’s. “Do you work out or something?”
“Uh, yeah, I play college football.”
“Damn, a jock, huh?”
“Uh, yeah. I, uh, I’d say I’m pretty good at it. Not professional exactly, but… you know.”
“Ever do anything with swords?”
“Max tried to get me into it, but I don’t think he really… knows how to spar safely.”
Blaise laughed. “Yeah, sounds about right.”
Amir could sense a lot of things in Blaise’s mind, but at the forefront was the fact that Blaise was still staring at him.
“How do you feel about fire?” Blaise asked. “I, uh, I’ve been trying to actually ask people before showing off lately.”
“I’m only afraid of it if it’s, you know, burning out of control.”
His eyes glowed amber suddenly, flickering as if illuminated by a candle, and a few sparks ignited from one hand. He closed his eyes, and Amir could still see them glowing faintly behind his eyelids as the sparks faded.
“Hm, guess I’m out of practice,” Blaise said, chuckling awkwardly as the glow faded.
Amir could tell that he genuinely could have done something more extravagant.
“How about you show me on our next date?” he suggested. “It’s getting pretty late, after all.”
“Need a ride home?”
“No thank you. I live nearby.”
“A-and you’re serious about wanting another date?”
“I think you’re pretty alright, Blaise. Cute, even.”
Blaise’s eyes glowed again, a little more brightly this time, and Amir wasn’t sure he was actually aware of it. It didn’t matter. They’d see each other again.