The Vision - Chapter 6

My hands fly to my mouth.
"Oh crap, sorry!" I moan, though truly I was sure I hadn’t done anything. Luken was already out of his chair and was kneeling by Damien’s side in a second, ignoring me completely. I felt like an idiot standing there so I kneel down too. The class had erupted with noise and whispers and shouts, but I heard none of it.
"I need to take him to sick bay, class dismissed!" Then he grabs my arms and I got a dizzy sensation. I gulp and close my eyes.

I wait a few seconds before I open them and we were in sick bay, Luken was helping Damien onto a bed but he was already starting to wake up.
"Nurse!" Luken calls. I stand up and then awkwardly wonder if I should go to the bed or just stay out of the way. Nurse Peat comes and once again I feel out of place as I stand in the middle of the room on the clean white floor.
"Luken, you do like to visit me often, don’t you?" Lukens grunts in way of reply.
"What happened to you?" The nurse asks Damien as he struggle into a sitting position.
"I was trying to control the girl and…I woke up here." All their eyes focus on me.
"Yeah, sorry about that." I say nervously, Luken keep staring at me while the Nurse looks over Damien.
"How do you feel now?"
"Actually…fine. Exactly the same."
"Hmmm. Well I should keep you for observation at least-"
"No need. I am quite looking forward to an interesting conversation with this girl, and I would like to have it soon." I felt scared, hoping he naturally looked that serious. Why did I get the specific feeling I was in trouble.
"Now Damien, we talked about this."
"I’m fine." He objects, swinging himself off the bed.
"Why do I bother?" The nurse mutters, leaving the room.
"What’s your name girl?" He asks in a deep voice, approaching me.
"Bree." I say in a small voice, feeling scared.
"Why can’t I enter your mind?"
"Maybe my heads to thick." He doesn’t smile, I sigh, rubbing my head.
"Bree is knew here, Damien." Damiens eyes widen in sudden recognition.
"This is your charge?" Luken nods.
"I’m sorry." I say again. "It didn’t actually feel like I was doing anything, though I tried, I was about to do what you told me. I could feel you, in my mind." I shiver at the last part but I don’t think he notices because suddenly his eyes seem very far away.
"Damien?" Luken asks, laying his hands on Damien’s shoulder. Damien’s eyes refocus.
"I don’t think it was her."
"Who else could it have been?"
"I don’t know, it felt…odd. I haven’t passed out before, especially since my powers are at this level. It couldn’t have been her." Ouch. See, I never get the interesting powers. Just stupid, pointless sight.
"Let’s take this somewhere else." Luken says, guiding us out the door.
"My room." Says Damien, and ten silent minutes later he opens a door to let us inside.

His room was clean, for the most part, and had a lot of books around, and had a dark yellow, like parchment complexion, and expensive furniture. It was nice, odd and homely all at the same time.

"Take a seat, Bree." Offers Damien, slightly more relaxed, though a frown was still etched on his face. I gingerly sit on the edge of the arm chair he had motioned to.
"Are you ok?" Luken asks Damien in one of those undertones that you automatically turned away from, sensing it was private.
"Yeah, fine." He mumbles. Luken nods once.
"What happened?"
"I don’t know, I tried to go into her mind, there was a little defence, nothing much, and then I thought I was in. I was planting the idea and everything before suddenly I got jolted out and I passed out." Damien explains, frowning the whole time.
"Do you think it was her?" Damien studies me closely before shaking his head.
"No, but whatever it was, it was definitely protecting her."
"Me? Who would want to protect me?" It made me a little sad that I couldn’t come up with a single answer to my own question.
"I don’t know, but maybe you should go back to class, Bree. Leave this to us to sort out." I nod, and leave the room silently before scurrying back t class.

All through the day I received weird glances from my fellow students, and they were obviously avoiding me. I sat alone for the rest of the day. It was quickly becoming clear that I wasn’t going to make many friends here. Ashley and her friends didn’t talk to me again, but at least they didn’t give me any funny glances. I grind my teeth almost the whole day, just paying attention to my work. Which turned out to be good because I actually got a lot done.

At dinner I sat alone at an empty table. The table was near the line for food, and also near the teachers table, so most of the time it stayed empty. I was lost in playing with my food when a girl approached me, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder and talking loud enough for nearby people to hear, which was obviously her goal.
"Hey, you’re that girl that everyone is talking about, the one who is meant to be really powerful. Come on, freak, control my mind."
If I could control her mind I would have made her slap herself silly and be nice to all the nerds. This girl was a totally stereotype.
"I can’t control peoples minds." I say, blushing.
"Well you kicked a Mr. Nasser out of your head, who, for your information, has like the strongest power in this school. And if you can do that, surely you can control little old my mind." She smirks triumphantly. I turn away, faking ignorance.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about, maybe he just fainted." She sniffs.
"Yeah, right." And then stalks away, holding her head high and wiggling her bum. Obviously she didn’t believe me.

Back in my room that night I relaxed, even if just a little. This situation was weird. It had been a while since I had been to school. I had been living by myself and working, so coming back to school felt…odd. So coming back to a space I could call mine felt good. I showered which made me feel even better. I rummage through the draws to see what pyjamas they had given me, reminding myself to go into town soon. Tomorrow was Friday.

I settle on a pair of bright blue pants and white t-shirt. Boy were they bright. But the night was warm and I always preferred sleeping in less and adding on another blanket. I don’t know why. I pull the pyjamas on, wash my face, and brush my teeth. As I scrub the remnant of my dinner away I glance at the clock. It was just past 9, late enough to go to bed. I brush my hair out and was just about to tie it up when there was a knock on the door.

I frown, glancing down at myself. I decide I look presentable enough and then think who cares anyway and open the door. Luken stood there.
"Evening, sorry to call so late." He says.
"Oh, it’s you. Hi."
"Were you expecting someone else?"
"No, but I though boys weren’t aloud in the girls’ dorms."
"I am a teacher!" He says defensively.
"Yeah, right. Well, come in." I open the door for him and step aside. After I close the door behind him I turn to see him looking me up and down in a very serious way. I put my hands on my hips.
"See anything you like?" I ask in a harsh tone. He only raises his eye brows, saying nothing. Well, he never was one to like my humour, or what there was of it.
"You can’t make some comment on my fashion sense, because this isn’t mine." I say.
"Yes, that’s what I came to talk to you about."
"You came to talk to me about my pyjamas?"
"No, of course not. Your clothes, and things. I was wondering if you would like to come into town with me tomorrow, pick up your thing and what not."
"Oh, err, ok." He doesn’t say anything, just stands there, looking odd in my room. Not that was especially feminine or anything, I don’t know.
"So what time are we leaving, where from?" I ask.
"I will meet you in the main hall at nine o’clock…if that’s ok."
"Yeah, sure." I say, crossing my arms over my well developed chest self consciously. Not that he was looking, of course.
"How is class going?"
"Fine." I say curtly, looking away. He pauses.
"That’s good."
"Did you figure out what was wrong with Damien?" He eyes me with a funny expression.
"We have not figured out why he collapsed yet, no."
"It wasn’t me."
"We know that."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was just wondering who might be protecting you who is so powerful. People that powerful are rare."
"No one. Maybe he just fainted." Luken doesn’t reply, with good reason. It was a stupid comment, but how should I know why Damien passed out?
"So, I will see you tomorrow?" He nods curtly.
"Yes." He throws one quick glance at my room, taking it in, then strolls out. I gently close the door behind him and turn back to my room, hoping it wasn’t too messy.

The bed was hastily made, a little untidy. There was a towel over the end, books strewn over my desk. But that was about it. The rest was clean. I felt relieve, then hoped my apartment was clean, as he would probably see it tomorrow. I couldn’t remember how I had left it the night of that party, it seemed so long ago. It wasn’t really, only a week.

The next morning I pull on a pair of jeans that were too big and a polo shirt. I tell myself I had to go shopping tomorrow! But then calm down a little since I would have some of my own clothes back today. I meet Luken in the front hall of the school, which acted like a reception.
"All set?" He asks as I approach him. The halls were mostly deserted because everyone was in class.
"Um, do I need anything?" He laughs.
"Good point. All right, we’re off." I stare after his back for a few moments before shaking myself. What put him in such a good mood? Odd.

I follow him out the big double doors and pause when I was out in the sunlight. Had I actually been outside this school since I got here? I didn’t think so. It was beautiful. The grounds, though deserted, were full of lush green grass, a water fountain, woods at the edge, gravel and benches. It really was beautiful, like something out of a movie. Then I spot a lake. They actually had their own lake! What a strange place this was.
"Bree?" Luken calls, I turn back to the front. He was waiting in a silver car.
"Oh, sorry." I make a promise to myself to explore the school this weekend and slide into the passenger seat.
"It got beautiful grounds, this school." I say as we start to roll away from the massive building. He looks at me in surprise, then out the windows.
"You’re right. Its been a long time since I paid any attention." He sounded nostalgic, so I left him to his own thoughts. I was lost in thought, day dreaming about how good it would be to be able to wear my own clothes again I suppose. After about an hour we were back in the city
"Is this your car?" I ask after a while, he turns to me in surprise again, as if he had almost forgotten I was there.
"Huh? Oh, no, school car. Not meant to take students in our own cars."
"Oh, ok."
"Where do you live, exactly?"
"Pittlesberg. 24th on Mary’s street." He nods.
"I think I know there, but tell me if I am going the wrong way."
"Can do. Left of this highway."

I spend the next half hour giving him directions. We finally pull up in front of the familiar apartment building, actually finding a park!
"This is it. Come on." I open the door and jump out, Luken moving a little slower. I walk into the reception with him on my tail.
"Why, Bree! Where have you been?" Calls Mrs. Downy, the nice lady who ran the desk during daylight hours here.
"Mrs. Downy! I had to go out of town suddenly, sorry I didn’t tell you."
"That’s ok, dear. Who’s your friend?" She eyed Luken with sparkling eyes, as if she were forty years younger than she were.
"Just a friend." I say dismissively.
"Oh, and I forgot my key! Can I borrow a spare?"
"Sure, dear." She hands me the key without barely looking at me and I whisk Luken into the shaky elevator.

I look across at him, seeing him from a stranger point of view. He was wearing black dress pants and a white shirt which was partially unbuttoned. It was warmer here than the school, a shock for the usually freezing city. He was clean shaven and neat. His longish brown hair was combed back for once. He looked cute, business like. But I liked his messy hair better. And his black clothes. I remember almost drooling over him in the forest that day, well I would have, if I hadn’t been so preoccupied.

The elevator reached my floor. Luken looked as if he wanted to say something so I waited. He stayed silent so I continue down to the third door on the left. Luken was looking around him with a blank expression. I feel myself blush. It wasn’t the best of buildings. The paint was peeling and there were leaks in some places. There was carpet on the floor but it was worn and dirty. I open the door to my number 16 apartment and step inside, quickly scanning.

Ok, it wasn’t that messy, thank god. I always felt bad if someone was in my room and it was messy. The dishes were washed but hadn’t been put away, there was a couple of clothes on the couch but not too many. It would have to do. I step aside and let Luken in.
"Welcome to my humble abode." I say as I pull the key out of the lock and close the door behind him. I watch him scan the room, feeling nervous. I walk over and pick up a couch cushion that had somehow ended up on the floor.
"Where are your parents?" I drop the pillow and stare at him. I wait for him to realise his mistake but he just looks at me, eye brows raised. I frown. I could have sworn I told him I was an orphan, hmm…maybe not. Anyway, if he didn’t remember I wasn’t going to say it again. I suppose he had a lot on his mind that night, and I don’t want the sympathy vote.

I bend and pick up the pillow, realising that I had been staring at him entirely too long to be polite. The green wall paper was starting to peel in one corner, the flower pattern fading away where the sun hit it from my living room window.
"I don’t live with my parents." I throw the pillow on the couch and quickly grab the clothes that were there."
"You live alone?"
"Yes." He pauses. He had barely moved into the room.
"How old are you."
"Too young for you." I joke playfully, poking out my tongue to avoid the question.
"Wait here, I’m gonna go pack some stuff." I walk down the hallway into my small bedroom and grab the only bag I had, a big duffle bag. I shove my best clothes into it, my phone, my purse, everything like that.

I scan the room and felt an easy smile slide onto my face when I spot my most treasured item. My sketch book. I was about to flick through it and have a nostalgic moment when I remember Luken was waiting, and pack it carefully into my bag with my pencils and stuff. Twenty minutes later I had packed my whole life into one bag and was feeling pretty damn proud about it…and a little ashamed that I could do it so easily. Even after living alone for more than six months, I still had few possessions.

Luken had barely moved.
"I think I have everything." I say, scanning the room. It was dusty, I hadn’t cleaned in a couple of weeks. It looked like no one had been here for a week, it had that empty feel about it. Luken takes my bag from me without a word, though I protested, he simply unwound my fingers and threw it over his shoulder. I watch him do it, rather angry, then he walks out of my small apartment. I lock the door and give the key back to Mrs. Downy, quickly I might add. I had my own key in my purse, and would keep it until I was sure I had a proper place at this school. They were just so…generous? Trusting? I don’t know, but I was still waiting for someone to yell ‘gotcha!’

Out on the street it became apparent that Luken, for some reason, wasn’t talking to me. Good mood evaporated. I take him across the road to my work, tell them I quit in as few words as possible and then leave very quickly, blushing and feeling guilty. As I emerge from the shop.
"Back." I say, working hard to flash a grin at Luken. His eyes slide from my face as he starts to walk down the street. I step in front of him.
"Hey! What’s your problem?" I ask him. He raises his eye brows.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Stop ignoring me! You think I want to live alone or something?"
"I didn’t say anything of a sort-"
"Oh quit the bullshit Luken, show me your real face." His face remains perfectly blank, I shake my head in disbelief.
"You know not everyone can act as perfectly as you do." I turn on my heel and start down the street, no longer caring if he was behind me or not. Grinding my teeth together. I was twenty metres away before I hear him.
"Bree, wait!" I don’t turn, or break my stride. I hear his footsteps getting closer.
Then someone grabs me, from my left.
"Hey!" I turn in surprise, fighting off the strong arm that held mine just above the elbow. I look up into a familiar, angry face.
Adrian.

************************************
I know, I know
Its been ages
Sorry for the delays
School, ya know?
COMMENT
I really like suggestions for plots and characters.