Page 112 of Serpent In White

“Where are you from?” Abdiel asks, changing the subject, which takes a weight off my shoulders.

“Portland,” I tell him. “But I’ve been living in Seattle for almost a year, going to University of Washington.”

“That’s a school?” He asks, and I have to grin. It’s interesting speaking to someone who doesn’t really know anything about anything relating to life outside of the woods.I wonder if they even have the internet or TV.

“Yea, it’s a college. I’d wanted to go to Business School, but now I’m not so sure.”

His forehead lines. “It doesn’t make you happy?”

Not allowing my mind to go into the specifics, I mumble, “No. Not really. I mean, I would like to have a business someday, but I don’t know why I have to go to this stupid school for that. It seems like a trap from corporate America. And my asshole stepdad.”

“You don’t like him?”

“No. I hate him.”

“Why?”

“Alright, that’s enough of the third degree,” I mutter, and he gives me that confused puppy look again. “I mean stop asking so many questions.”

“Oh.” He grins. “Well, you came over here with me to talk, right?”

“Yea, but that doesn’t mean you need to know everything about me.”

“Fine, then ask more about me.” He settles, sitting cross-legged, like he’s preparing for a fireside chat. “But no more about my relationship with Darian, please.”

“But it’s so juicy!” I squeal, and he makes a face. I have to giggle. “Okay, okay, fine. No more relationship talk. So you like to cook… what else do you do for fun?”

“I’m a singer.” He releases another dynamite smile, the perfect lines of his face illuminated by the glow of the fire.

“Really?”

“Yea. My best friend, Jordan, and I perform once a week at reflection.”

“Reflection?”Another word to add to the dictionary, I’m guessing.

“It’s a fire we have every night, where we all get together and catch up. Either reflect on our day, or decompress, or just talk and hang with the family.”

Warmth pools in my gut. “That actually sounds really nice.”

“It is. And once in a while, Jordan plays the guitar and I sing.”

I can’t help the longing on my face as I listen to him talk about this. I’ve literally never done anything like that with my family or my friends. We’ve always been wealthy, and my family’s ideas of fun include vacationing in London or New York, sipping expensive wine and bragging to friends about achievements. What few friends I have are the exact same way.

I started meeting some different people in Seattle, but then it got all fucked up, just like it always does.

Blinking it away, I ask, “You have a good voice?”

“Hence the name Harmony.” He smirks.

My brow lifts. “Wait, soHarmonyisn’t your real name?”

“It is.” He looks confused.The feeling is mutual.

“Was it your parents’ last name?”

His head shakes subtly. “No. We get surnames based on our attributes. Elders call me Abdiel Harmony.”

“That’s fucking crazy,” I laugh, and he looks offended until I correct myself. “I mean, in a good way. This community sounds amazing. Everything you’re describing makes it sound like paradise.”