Page 25

I wake with a start and rub my pounding head. The alarm clock hates me. It really does. I glare at the hideous red numbers and briefly consider declaring my first sick day. I am sick, right? Sick of Thursdays, anyway.

The shower is more supportive of my mood.

Thursdays mean French toast for breakfast. That’s a plus.

There’s also a truncated group session which is a reason in itself for getting out of bed.

If only they didn’t come with a longer morning activity.

Maybe we’ll go out on the East Lawn today.

Then again, we’ll probably have to play some stupid preschool game like kickball.

Hopefully Sara, Matthew, and Connor are up to the challenge. They make anything bearable.

After getting ready for the day, I meet Laura and Ben in the common area.

“I love your shoes,” Laura says. “Are they Candice Tano?”

“Yes, but last year’s line. You can get them at half price or less if you wait until the newest one comes out.”

Ben grunts. “Do you ladies ever talk about anything besides clothes and boys?”

“What else is there?” Laura teases.

“Whatever. So Rebecca, what’s the deal with you and Connor Fortuna? We’ve noticed you spending a lot of time with him lately.”

I shrug, following them from our suite. “Nothing.”

“Really...”

“We like to hang out, that’s all. With Sara and Matthew together, it’s kind of inevitable.”

“He’s cute,” Laura says as we walk down the hall. “I don’t think either of us would object.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks, mom and dad.”

In the dining hall, Ben and Laura bristle as we approach our table for breakfast.

“Great. Just when we thought you finally left,” Ben mutters.

I follow his gaze to a guy slouched in the typically empty chair.

He must be the invisible fourth roommate everyone complains about.

I’d begun to expect a ghost and take the seat beside him, careful not to make contact.

He doesn’t acknowledge me openly, though I sense a few glances in my direction.

Not surprising. He probably has questions about me as well.

Okay, so he’s definitely not a ghost. I try to ignore his presence, but it’s hard with the odd butterflies in my stomach.

He’s better looking than I imagined, alluring even, with his dark mystery and careless danger.

Usually not my type for sure. I like nice boys.

The more conscientious and respectful the better.

I like stability. Cuddling. This boy never cuddled a day in his life, but I can still look.

He shifts in his chair, and I steal another look, this time catching his eyes. Beautiful. Breathtaking, really. Shit. My heart hammers in my chest, and I quickly glance back at my plate. It’s official. I’ve lost my mind.

“So, where you been, buddy?” Ben asks. “We haven’t even seen you since that dramatic gymnasium display. You’re looking better.”

“And you look like the same idiot as always,” the stranger mutters.

“And you’re as hilarious as always.”

“You know I live to amuse you.”

The animosity between the two men surprises me. It seems so personal.

His leg brushes mine, and he flinches. I stiffen at his insulting reaction. I get that I’m no supermodel like Laura, but an outright flinch? I hardly think incidental contact warrants disinfectant. Jerk.

My blood heats further when he shoves his chair back and leaves without a word.

“Freak,” Ben mumbles.

“Wow. Was that for me?” I ask, and Laura shakes her head.

“Don’t worry. It’s not you. He does stuff like that all the time. It’s the drugs.”

I stare after him. “Don’t they try to help him?”

“He’s been here forever,” Christopher says. “Longer than all of us. I’m sure if they could’ve done something, they would have by now.”

“Maybe we could talk about something else for once?” Ben says. “Who wants to play pool tonight? I got one of the tables.”

The day never improves from that odd breakfast encounter, and by the end of dinner, I seriously consider joining my friends just to distract myself.

But I suck at pool, and my head still pounds as it has since my alarm first screamed at me.

I make my way back to the suite and bask in the relief of solitude.

That is, until the confusing, disturbing compulsion to stop before my phantom roommate’s door sweeps through me.

I must be a masochist or something. He’s repulsed by my very existence, and I reciprocate by obsessing like a ten-year-old.

I grunt and force myself toward my own room.

I just need sleep and a strong pain reliever.

His door creaks open behind me, and I spin back like an idiot. He freezes when he sees me, probably annoyed by my presence. Awesome, Rebecca.

“You’re here,” I blurt out, proving I’m even more of an idiot than I thought.

“Yeah, so are you. Shouldn’t you be out with the others?”

“I wasn’t feeling well. Hey, I’m sorry about breakfast. You really don’t like me, do you.”

Once again he looks uncomfortable. Once again I wonder what could possibly be wrong with me. Well, besides the fact that I’m clearly nuts.

“Not you. Look, I have to go. I didn’t think anyone was here.”

“Hey, wait!” I call after him, sorry to see the meeting end so soon.

No, not sorry. Why would I be sorry? He hates me.

Curious maybe. That’s normal at least. “We haven’t formally met.

I’m Rebecca.” I hold out my hand, but he doesn’t take it.

In fact, his obvious recoil upsets me yet again. “It is me.”

“It’s not personal. I just don’t get close to people.” He moves for the exit, and I can’t shake the feeling that I shouldn’t let him leave. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Your light is on,” I lie.

He glances at his dark room, staring for a moment before shaking his head. “I have to go.”

“Wait! You’re Daniel, right? I’ve heard them talking about you.”

“Yeah, they love to talk about me.”

“Is what they say true?”

He swallows, and I notice the way he tugs on the sleeves of his jacket. It’s a strange reaction for a heartless demon. “Mostly.”

“What happened to your face?”

“Do you always ask so many questions?”

Heat spreads up my neck and into my cheeks. “No, I’m sorry. I’m not usually like this. I can’t seem to stop them.”

“You should work on that,” he says, and disappears before I can embarrass myself more. I would have too because clearly I’ve lost my mind.

Private counseling sessions can’t come soon enough, and I’m relieved to see Anna in her chair. I close the door and move to my seat with a strange urgency. “I want to learn to control my visions. I’m tired of being a victim of myself. I want to control my thoughts and emotions too.”

She studies me with a faint smile. “All valid goals. We can certainly work on them. Let’s start with the visions. What are you thinking when you have one?”

“I’m usually not thinking. It just happens.”

“Okay, so let’s begin there. The next time you touch someone, concentrate on what you want to see.”

“Good idea. I have some friends who’d probably let me practice on them.”

“Perfect. Just be careful and patient. Prepare yourself and your friends for the possibility of missing your target. Are you referring to your suitemates Ben and Laura?”

“Hmm… no. I’m closer to Sara, Matthew, and Connor. I’ll ask them.”

“Sara Price? She’s a nice girl.”

“Yes, she is.”

“What about Daniel Mueller? Do you have any opinions of him yet?”

Random. “Um, well, we just met, but I guess I don’t understand what I’ve seen so far. I tried to be nice and he pretty much blew me off.”

Anna nods, but I can’t read her expression. “He does better on his own, and he knows it. Don’t take it personally.”

“He said the same thing. I don’t get people like that.

Why would you want to be alone? Especially when we’re so different from everyone else.

I came here hoping for friends and finding people to identify with.

Maybe people would be nicer to him if he didn’t act like he was better than the rest of us. ”

“Is that how you perceive him?”

I shrug. “He definitely had a chip on his shoulder. You should have seen the way he jumped away when we accidentally touched at breakfast.”

“You touched? Did you get a vision?” She seems strangely interested. Maybe even concerned? Weird.

“No. It wasn’t that kind of touch. Why?”

“Oh. No reason. You seemed upset by his reaction, that’s all.”

“Of course, I was. You would be too, if your very presence disgusted someone for no reason. I didn’t do anything to him. We hardly even know each other.”

Anna sits back in her chair. “Well, my advice? Just let him be. Our other students generally stay out of his way, and it works well for all parties. Like I said, it’s not a problem with you. He doesn’t get along with anyone.”

Yeah, makes sense. Perfectly logical considering my indignation at the multiple rebuffs. If only logic hadn’t deserted me lately. Because I loathe him, I do. I loathe him almost as much as he fascinates me.

Connor grins when he sees me approach in the hallway.

“You look like you have news,” I say, and he nods.

“It’s official.”

“They’re a couple?”

“Yup. Lucky us.”

“At least the suspense is over.”

“You’re very optimistic. I like that.”

I laugh and cast him a discreet glance. He looks good today, really good, and I wonder if he’ll let me practice my visions on him. I can’t bring myself to ask just yet, and playfully loop my arm through his. He seems surprised, but okay with it.

“I guess the announcement made you happier than I thought,” he says with a smile.

“No, just relieved. So, where is the happy couple, anyway? I thought we were supposed to hang out.”

“We were. Matt told me to meet him here but I guess they got distracted.”

I grunt and pull him down beside me on a bench. “Great. We’re already getting couple-ditched. So, we never talked about your gift. Why are you here, Connor Fortuna?”

He smirks and leans back. “I’m sure it’s a new one for you. I see the world as numbers.”

“What?”

“I know it sounds weird. I didn’t even realize what I saw was different than everyone else until I was seven. My teachers thought I was just stupid and color blind.”

I shake my head. “So you see millions of numbers everywhere?”

“Basically. You’re made up of eights and threes.”

“But how? I mean, what do you do with those numbers?”

Connor shrugs. “That’s what we’re working on. Is it true you see things about people?”

“Yes, past and future.” I turn to face him on the bench. “Actually, can I try something on you?”

He hesitates for a second, but finally straightens closer to me. “Sure.”

“Give me your hand so I can try to see something.”

He holds his palm up between us, and I focus on a period in his life as I reach for his fingers.

I miss. Badly.

“What’s wrong? What did you see?”

“It’s nothing. I mean, it’s not you. I saw you playing baseball when you were a kid. I’m just trying to learn to control my ability and was hoping for something later.”

“You can try again if you want to.” His eyes hold a glint that matches the hint of flirtation in his offer.

“Maybe I will. Come on, I know where we can go.”

“Wow. I’m intrigued.”

I lead him through the main corridor, deflecting his questions as we move at a brisk pace. He clearly doesn’t know where we’re headed which disappoints me a little. Has he really never explored my favorite place?

“The library?” he asks when we push through the large glass doors.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

He shrugs. “I guess. I mean, it’s just a bunch of books.”

“Yeah, but look at it.”

“Lots of numbers. Lots and lots and lots of numbers.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. Well, to those of us who don’t see numbers, it’s incredible. Anyway, this isn’t it.”

I take his sleeve and pull him in the direction of the reference books. We weave through the aisles of massive texts until we reach an undersized door.

I yank it open and flinch at the figure occupying my secret room. No way.

“What are you doing here?” I hiss.

Daniel glances up, his dark gaze scanning Connor and me slowly. “Reading. What are you doing here?”

“Apparently nothing. C’mon, let’s go,” I say to Connor, but Daniel’s already risen.

“Forget it. I was just leaving anyway. Enjoy your make-out session,” he mutters, and a blast of heat spikes through me.

“Why don’t you mind your own business?” I snap at him.

“I would if I could, believe me.” He ducks through the door. “Be sure to use protection.”

“He’s such an ass,” Connor says as Daniel retreats out of sight.

“He’s impossible. I’m sorry about that. Guess I’ll have to find a new secret place. Anyway, it’s fine for now. Come in.” I pull him inside and close the door.

“He lives with you, doesn’t he?”

“His room is next to mine, but I almost never see him.” I wave away the unfortunate encounter and reach for his sleeve.

“Okay, give me your hand.” Closing my eyes, I try to concentrate on the vision, but miss my target even more than the first time.

I grunt in frustration and let him go. I must still be too ruffled from seeing Daniel.

Even when he’s not here he has the power to thwart me. “I’m sorry. I can’t focus right now.”

“It’s okay. So how did you find this place?”

“I don’t know. I just discovered it one day. I love it because it’s so quiet and secluded.”

“It’s eerie.”

“Really? I find it relaxing. It’s a place to escape.”

“Escape from what?”

I open my mouth to answer his question and realize I don’t have one. Very weird. What do I come here to escape? “Um, just the stress, I guess. It’s nice to be alone sometimes.”

“Maybe…”

I read his discomfort and sigh. “Okay, we can go.”

“No, it’s fine. I like being here with you.”

I smile. “And I like being here with you. Plus, we don’t have to throw-up watching Matthew and Sara for once.”

“That’s always cause for celebration. So, now what?”

“Um, I’m feeling better. Let’s try to see your past again.”

He agrees, and I take his hands. This time I shoot much closer to my target. “You took a pretty redhead to the prom.”

“Julie.”

“She’s beautiful. Were you two dating?”

“For over a year. She dumped me when I came here and she went off to conquer the world one pedicure at a time.”

“Cosmetology School?”

“Yup, and apparently that meant she couldn’t have a boyfriend. I’m still trying to figure that one out.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shrugs. “It wouldn’t have worked out anyway. As you know, they don’t exactly encourage outside relationships while we’re here. Hell, we’re not even allowed to have a phone.”

“They really like to isolate us.”

“They’re big on understanding ourselves and identifying with each other. They don’t want us distracted by the rest of the world.”

“But they don’t have a problem with interschool dating.”

He meets my gaze. “No, they basically encourage it.”

“That’s convenient.”

“Very.”

I clear my throat and look away. I’m not ready for this conversation yet. “We should probably get back. I didn’t realize how long it would take to get here.”