• Chapter 5.
    As I entered home base, I saw Brandin waiting for me at his seat. The moment my eyes met his, all my self-confidence in what I was going to ask him was gone. I mean, sure I wanted to know more about him, but what if he got annoyed with me or thought I was weird, and stopped being my friend? Then there would be no chance of Brandin ever having feelings for me. While I sat in my seat waiting for my name to be called, I started trying to figure out how I was exactly supposed to bring up the subject. Do I bring it up casually? “So Brandin, did your parents die?” No. That wasn’t it. Anyway, I guess my expression was troubled, because Brandin laid his hand on me and asked concernly “Are you okay Emi? You look really worried. We have no tests today.” I was momentarily distracted from my train of thought by the fact that he was touching my hand, but I won’t get all airheadish, so I quickly recollected my thoughts and made a hasty excuse back. He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t look at me with concern or touch my hand again for that period.
    “Ring ring!” I let out a sigh, and picked up my things, heading straight for lunch. The day was half over and I hadn’t asked a single question to Brandin that was related to what I wanted to do. I knew that at lunch I would have to talk to him or else I would never be able to ask. I sat down in my group, consisting of Lydia, Destiny, and Angie. However there was also some other boys in our group, most are either dating or was dating either Lydia, Destiny, or Angie. They have come close to Brandin, so I guess he’s in our “clique” too now. I was about to start asking Brandin, seeing that everybody was too caught up in their own little dramas to pay attention to Brandin and I, when Narcissa Whit came up and sat down next to Brandin. My friends and I exchanged glances. Narcissa was known to be cocky, arrogant, player type, and a total flirt.
    “Hey Brandy, how’s it going?” she said, in her skin tight, black and white striped tube top with the matching leather ultra-miniskirt. I rolled my eyes.
    “Um… good?” he replied meekly. He glanced at my face, than at the ground, his expression almost was guilty! This made me completely confused.
    “Oh Brandy! You’re soooo funny! See yeah at the movies on Saturday!” she said, in her airhead tone, what she did next though, startled me even more. She got up, flipped her blonde, layered hair, and kissed him on the cheek. He turned around refusing to meet my eyes, and I stared at him.
    “Seriously Brandin? Wow.” I said, with I’m afraid, much attitude. I can’t believe he was into that type. Well, if he was, then he deserved at least some punishment from me. So, with that I walked away to take away my lunch tray, then I caught up with my friends who had already gotten up and were in a corner of the cafeteria, but I’m pretty sure they saw everything. My friends gave me careful expressions when I walked up to them, so I guess my expression was murderous.
    “What the heck was he thinking?!?! I can’t believe he’s into girls like her! You think you know a guy, and then they completely mess you up! Pssh, whatever,” and on and on I went, while my friends only nodded and kept silent. The rest of the day, I hardly looked at Brandin, let alone talk to him. By the end of the day, I was just getting into my car, when he came up to me.
    “Hey M,” he said shyly. I looked up at him, he looked nervous.
    “What?” I asked, rather coldly.
    “Whatsup with you? You haven’t even looked at me the whole day sense, well, lunch…” he stopped short, eyeing me with concern.
    “I’m looking at you now,” I said, “and I have every right to ignore you. You know, I thought you were my best friend, and then you don’t even tell me that you’re going out with Narcissa. Narcissa the girl we used to make fun of. You know what she does to boys, she plays them, and she’s well… a slut. If you get your heart broken, don’t go crying to me.” And with that, I got in my car and was just about to turn on the engine when he stopped me.
    “I didn’t know you could be so touchy,” he said. I looked up into his face, and almost wanted to smack him then and there. He’s face was written all over in amusement, and it seemed like he was trying not to smile! So he mocks me? Some guy he was. What he did next was even more shocking. He stood me up, and hugged me, not just a friendly hug, but a hug that could have choked me.
    “Have you gone insane?” I said, worried. He didn’t let go, but replied,
    “So you DO care for me, Angie was right,”
    “Angie, care, what is going on?” Now I was REALLY confused.
    “Well, if you let me drive you home, I’ll tell you,” he replied, smiling.
    “Um… okay?” I would usually say no, I’m territorial about my car, but I was so confused and needed answers.

    Chapt. 6

    “So, are you going to tell me what is going on?” I asked meekly, after 10 minutes of awkward silence, where I stared at Brandin, who was smiling the whole time. He’s smile broke and he responded seriously,
    “I will, but you’ve got to promise to not get mad and you can’t interrupt me, otherwise, no explanation.”
    “Fine, but I’m only agreeing because I am so confused right now,” I said pouting. He chuckled, than started.
    “First off, I’m not going out with Narcissa; I can’t believe that you believed that act,”
    “Act? What?”
    “Let me finish, you promised.” He replied, and I could do nothing but shut-up and pout.
    “I paid Narcissa to do that. She agreed quickly, I don’t think she wouldn’t even have minded if I told her to jump off a cliff, you know her; she would do ANYTHING for money. Anyway, she did exactly what I told her to do. Why did I ask her to act like she loved me? Simple. I wanted to try to figure out if a certain rumor I had heard from Angie was true. See, Angie’s in my chemistry class, and well, I overheard a conversation that she was talking about to your other friend Lydia. Something about um…” he paused briefly, examining my facial expression, when he saw that I had no clue what was coming next, he started again. “You having feelings for me.” I gasped, and then blushed a deep red.
    “Stupid Angie,” I murmured.
    “Don’t be mad at her, I was the one who eavesdropped, and well, the thing is…” he stopped, I realized we were in front of my driveway. I turned all the way around and looked into his eyes, he mimicked me.
    “The thing is what?” I asked, my heart fluttering.
    “I, have… feelings for you too. That’s why I wanted to test out if it was true or not. I wasn’t just going to blow our friendship off by asking you out because of some gossip I had heard, so I kinda tricked you.” He said, guiltily.
    I blushed and looked down at the ground, a shy smile creped onto my face.
    “Are you mad at me?” he asked, a hurt expression on his face as he tried to make me look up again. I did look up, and said,
    “No, I’m just kinda in shock. This day is by far, the most drama filled day ever, and you know me, I hate drama,” I paused, his face started turning to anguish, “but… maybe I can get used to it,” I finished, blushing. He smiled down on me, and grabbed my hand. I laughed uneasily, and inquired,
    “Does this mean that we’re going to be one of those googly-eyed, feed each other food, stupid nickname couples?”
    He laughed and answered “Nah, we can still make fun of them, but this does mean that we’re going out, right?” I smiled and nodded. Then, with promises of seeing each other tomorrow, I got out of the car, and waved good-bye to him. When my mom came home, she looked at me, and asked why I was so happy; I just turned my face away, smiled big, and replied “Tomorrow is a Friday.”

    Chapt. 7

    Ever since that day, there was a new closeness between Brandin and me. If anything dramatic was happening in our lives, we would tell each other before anybody else. However, we never even kissed. The only thing we did do was hold hands, Brandin seemed almost like he was on-guard, like he didn’t want to become too attached to me. I was happy though, so happy that I forgot to ask him about all the unexplained comments he has made. For 3 months, this went on until one day, I went over to his house for a project we were doing together.
    “Want some soda or water?” he asked casually, as he threw his backpack down on the leather couch in his family room.
    “I’m fine, thanks though,” I replied, also throwing my nap-sack onto the couch.
    “Well, this is my house. Um… so do you want to work on the project outside or in here?”
    “Outside, it’s so sunny today,” I answered smiling. He grinned back at probably my perkiness and led the way out to the patio of his back yard. He took a seat on one of his beach-looking outdoor benches, and motioned me to take a seat next to him. I obeyed and went straight to work on the project. After a while, I started getting hot underneath my long mane of hair, so I pulled it up into a ponytail, something that rarely occurs. I looked over my shoulder to see Brandin observing my actions; I smiled, but then stopped when I realized what he was looking at. He was looking at my birthmark, again.
    “Why do you think my birthmark is so interesting? It’s not that weird looking is it?” I inquired, self-consciously. He shook his head, and then blushed as he had realized he had gotten caught.
    “No, it just reminds me of something, that’s all.”
    “What does it remind you of?” I wondered.
    “Um, it nothing, never mind. Beautiful day isn’t it?” he responded, trying to change the subject. I sighed and then agreed.
    “Yes, I suppose it is. Listen Brandin, I’m not trying to be a nag, and I hope you don’t get angry with me, but you don’t really answer questions a lot. I just can’t help hoping that someday you might clue me into some stuff.”
    “What “stuff”?” he asked back, amused.
    “I don’t know, family, you, drama, you, that kind of stuff. I feel clueless and I just-” I stopped and looked at his face. He had a type of face on that meant, “stop while you’re ahead” so, I stopped. Now he probably does think I am a nosy girlfriend that talks way too much. He doesn’t want to share ANYTHING with me; I guess he doesn’t feel the same way I feel. I can’t help it that I’m curious, can I? I turned my head away as I tried to stop the silent tears from coming down my face. It didn’t work. After about 3 minutes of snuffling, I felt his hand on my shoulder.
    “Are you crying?” he asked, perplexed and confused.
    “No,” I returned pouting as I tried to wipe the tears away. He pulled me into a hug like hold, even though I tried to refuse. So, there I was, cradled in his arms, and the only thing I could do was pout and look straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes, even though he tried many times to meet mine.
    “M, please talk to me, M?” he begged. I looked up into his face, about to say that I shouldn’t have to talk to him if he wouldn’t talk to me, when he laid a hand on my face, bent down, and kissed me softly. I was surprised at first, but then responded. His kiss was so warm and gentle, that is was impossible to refuse. He then pulled my arms around his neck, all the while going deeper and deeper into the kiss. Finally, when we broke apart to get air, I looked at his face.
    “You know, I still want answers… even though kissing is good,” I said. He smiled, but then sighed and said
    “I thought so. Well, I won’t promise to answer ALL of them, but I’ll try.”
    I wasn’t completely satisfied by that statement, but it was better than nothing. So, I shifted into a more casual position, though Brandin wouldn’t let go of any more than my hand and waist, but that was okay.
    “First off, where did you live before you moved to Chicago?” I asked, starting out with the easiest questions. His answer was frank and simple.
    “Seattle.”
    “Seattle? As in coffee city, always rainy, Space Needle Seattle?” I asked, shocked, but, now that he had said it, it sort of fit him.
    “Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Why are you so shocked? It isn’t that surprising is it?” He asked laughing.
    “I guess not, it’s just that wasn’t even in my mind for a place that you’ve lived at. Okay, so I got your location down. How about your family. Remember when you came over to my house for that portrait art project thing? Well, when you were asked to stay for dinner, you said that your parents were expecting you, but then you changed it to “well, I guess they’re not technically my parents.” Are you adopted or what?” I asked, then quickly added “Not that it matters, but I’m curious.”
    “You’re always curious. Haven’t you heard the saying curiosity killed the cat?” when I made no reply except a grin, he continued. “I am adopted. My parents died when I was a baby.” He stopped and looked at me. I was shocked. Didn’t see that coming.
    “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
    “It’s fine. There not really the type of parents I would be proud of anyway.”
    “Argh! There you go again! Not explaining yourself! How do you know that you shouldn’t be proud of them?” I asked, frustrated. However, when I looked at his face, I shut-up fast.
    “Emi, I am trying very hard to do my best at explaining, now would you quit it! I really don’t see why you want to know so badly. You’re just going to think I’m a freak anyway.” He murmured.
    “I’m- sorry, I was just joking. Sorry. I’ll be quiet.” I murmured back, shocked at his reaction. This wasn’t usual Brandin behavior. I started nervously wringing my hands together, waiting for him to start again. He took my hands and sighed.
    “No, I’m sorry Emi, I just wish you hadn’t asked this. You won’t like me the more you know about me.” He explained a pained expression on his face. I wriggled out one hand from his grasp and laid it on his cheek.
    “Try me.” I whispered, looking right into his eyes. He seemed to take confidence from that because he started explaining again right away.
    “I live with my Uncle, my father’s brother. He told me about my parents. What I’m about to tell you probably sounds totally Sci-Fi, but I promise you, I’m not joking. My father had…special talents. He, well, um… could persuade people to do what he wanted, well not all people, but weak-minded people.”
    “Wait wait wait… like your father was a businessman or something?” I asked, cutting in. Brandin stared at me for a moment, not sure if I was making fun of him or not. Then, he started laughing, hard. I looked uneasy; trying to figure out what was so funny. When he looked at my face again, he stopped laughing, noticing that I was being serious.
    “Oh, you weren’t kidding. Oh, this is awkward. No Emi, he wasn’t a businessman. He could literally control people. Not all the time, but in some decisions, and like I said, only weak-minded people. Nobody knows why he has these abilities, but he does. Anyway, he was about our age when he discovered these um… talents. Usually you find out when you’re about to turn 18.” He glanced at me, judging my expression. I was shocked. This was crazy! How the heck did we get to this topic? Was he joking? I mean, I know that he said he wasn’t, but all the same, very unbelievable. Then, my senses kicked in. I loved Brandin, if he said he wasn’t joking, or lying, or going insane, than I should believe him… or at least try. I changed my expression from confusion to a pokerface, folded my hands, and waited for more. He hesitated, let out a big breath, and then stated,
    “It um… can be passed down in family blood. Emi, what if I told you that I was unusual too?” I blinked. Unusual? Oh dang, he can’t read my thoughts can he? Wait… if he could read my thoughts, he wouldn’t have had to test me to find out if I like him or not. Well, it’s already gotten this weird, and he doesn’t read minds, so I guess I can handle it.
    “That depends. What is your um, shall we say skill?” I asked cautiously.
    “M, do you know what elemenarikinesis means?” he asked. I shook my head.
    “I didn’t think so. It um… means I can set fire, wind, ice, earth to do stuff for me, using my mind.” He said, waiting for the reaction.
    “Show me,” was my only response. He got up, walked over to the little bird bath in his back yard and concentrated on it. Nothing happened for 5 minutes, and I was about to ask him if he was alright when the water started twirling, faster and faster, until it formed some type of whirlpool. I gasped. He turned around and smiled wryly.
    “That’s what I can do.” He murmured.
    “How-how does this happen? Why does this happen only to you?” I stuttered.
    “You mean how did this start? Well, like I said, I don’t really know, no one knows, but it happens. By the way, I’m not the only one who can do this. In fact,” he hesitated, making up his mind if he wanted to tell me more. He seemed to want to because soon he started again. “Someone I know very well, a girl that goes to our school, has it to, if my suspions are correct.”
    “Who?” I questioned, hoping she wasn’t hot; otherwise he would have every reason to ditch me and go with her.
    “You,” he replied simply. I was staggered. What is he talking about; I don’t have any special skills!
    “Say what!?!?” I exclaimed.
    “You know how you keep asking why I find your birthmark so interesting. Well, when my dad found out about his skills, he found a sort of group that was similar to him. They had a mark, a symbol that was known to them, and only them. The symbol was an eye, which looked every bit as much as your birthmark.” He said, looking at my ear now. I gasped and put my hand on my birthmark. He then rolled up his sleeve all the way to show the very top of his arm which exposed a faint, scar looking eye… just like mine.
    “I noticed it the first day I met you. Remember when you were in class, hating me, and then you tripped over your foot and spilled your books?” he sniggered a bit at the end.
    “Yes, and don’t bring that up again,” I replied protectively.
    “That’s when I started wondering. After you collected your books, you brushed back your hair, and I saw it. I was curious, so then I followed you, remember?”
    “Yes, I do recall that,” I said; only I remembered it as one of the happiest moments of my life. Now, he only wanted to talk to me so he could find out more about me. “I knew this was too good to be true.” I whispered to myself my face crumpling. I looked down at the ground, trying hard not to cry. He grabbed my face and tilted it up so I had to look at him.
    “Emi, why are you crying?” he inquired totally confused.
    “You-you don’t really want to know me then. So I mean nothing to you, if your theory is wrong. All of this, dating, friendship, was a joke to you.” I somberly said.
    “No! Listen to me Emi, I was a jerk, your right, and I did try to get to know you so I could get more information, I did plan that, but I didn’t plan for something else.” He stopped, staring into my eyes, his face totally in shock.
    “What’s that?” I asked softly.
    “Falling in love with you along the way,” he said gently, relaxing his grip on me, but still mesmerizing my eyes. Okay, now I know this seems like one of those Twilight moments, like he was reading what he was saying from Romeo and Juliet, but hey, I had no problem with it. I shifted my eyes away and tried to collect my thoughts as I said,
    “So, so, what do y-you think I can do then, assuming this “talent” exists in me?”
    “Gee, I don’t really know. It could be anything, crossie like you usually find them out around the time of adolescent.” He explained, as casual as if I had asked the time of day.
    “Wait, wait, wait, what in the world in a crossie?” I asked. He blushed and said,
    “Oh, sorry M. I forgot how little you know about this. Well, we call somebody who has a one special parent and one normal parent a crossie. It’s a little like our slang. Sorry, I can stop if you don’t like it.”
    “First off, I don’t really care. Second off, whose we? And third off, how do you know I’m a cross-blood? Maybe this is all a coincidence. My mom sure doesn’t have any mark or power and my da-“ I stopped short. My dad! He couldn’t have been a superhuman or whatever, could he? Brandin nodded, reading my thoughts, and replied,
    “Exactly, we don’t know for sure about your father. Oh, and the “we” thing are just some friends of mine, who um… can relate to use.”
    “How do you know them?” I asked.
    “Oh, I do research.” He said, doing a little smile at his own inside joke. I ignored him and continued with my questioning.
    “Brandin, how are we going to find out what powers I have? You say I can figure them out when I reach adolescent, I’m 17.5 now, so-so what are we going to do?”
    “Well, I, truthfully don’t really know, I guess we just have to try everything.”
    “Everything?!?!” I asked in exasperation.
    “Everything,” he replied to my dismay.
    “Well then, we might as well start I guess, though I’m still not completely sure if the whole entire thing is a prank or something and that Ashton Kutcher isn’t going to pop out at any moment.” I sighed, he laughed.
    “Well, how about we start with um… telekinesis.” He suggested. I looked at him.
    “Now I know I can’t do that! Listen, we should try stuff that are harder to come on there own, like, like maybe I have mind control powers but haven’t been able to use it?” I suggest meekly.