I thunk my head down on my desk and sigh dramatically. No one turns to look. They're all used to my unusual behaviour. I sigh again and sit back up, flipping my hood up over my head. Just as I'm about to put my headphones in Jarrod walks in the room. I watch him as he saunters across the room, finally making his way to his seat, beside me.
"Gemma, my girl. What's up?"
"Nothing interesting." He flips my hood back and I give him a look. I don't like it when people touch me or my belongings.
"There that's better. So what are you doing this weekend?"
"Same thing I've been doing for the past 3 weekends. Nadda. I'm still under parental supervision."
"Come on, seriously? When are they going to free you?" I shrug and rest my chin on my hand.
"No idea. I hope it's soon though. My sister is grating on my last nerve."
"Ich. No kidding."
"I'd sneak out but, you know." Jarrod nods, a serious look on his face.
"Okay people, quiet down. Today we're heading down to the computer lab to work on our independent projects. You're all to go directly there, Cameron and Joseph, and you're all to bring the necessary work, Cameron and Joseph." I hear snickers from my classmates. "Gemma you're wanted in the main office. Everyone, head on down." Jarrod gives me a questioning look as we're leaving the classroom and I just shrug.
"I'll see you later." He nods and we part ways. As I walk into the office the secretary and the janitor are talking in hushed voices, which they stop as soon as I open the door. My curiosity peaked, I walk in. The secretary points in the direction of the principals office, Mr Gardener. I stop at the door and tap lightly on the wall. Mr Gardener isn't alone. There's a woman sitting in one of the two chairs in front of the desk. I've never seen her before.
"Ah, Gemma, come in and sit down." I walk in but I don't sit. "Or, not. Okay, Gemma, this is Dr Liz Wood. She works at a Research Centre in North Carolina." I raise my eyebrows.
"North Carolina? That's not exactly down the street." Liz smiles at me.
"No, it's not, is it? That must mean you're pretty important if I flew all the way to Nevada just to talk to you."
"And why exactly am I so important?"
"Do you know what parapsychology is?" I'm slightly alarmed but keep a bored expression on my face.
"No. What's that?"
"It's the study of psychic abilities in people."
"What, like moving things with your mind?"
"Among other things."
"You think I have some psychic ability?" Liz's smile grows a little.
"Oh, I know you do. In fact, I know exactly what you can do."
"Hit me."
"You're a Telepath. You can communicate with people through their minds." Huh. Liz extends her hand. There's a brochure type thing in it. "We're conducting studies on people with talents such as yours and we'd love to have you join us." I take the brochure but don't look at it.
"And if I say no?"
"Then you say no. It's completely voluntary. No one is going to make you do anything." I get the impression that she's not telling me the 100% truth.
"And if I say yes, what exactly does that mean? Do I get out of school?" Mr Gardener makes a strange sound in his throat.
"It's all there in the information I gave you. If you have any questions, please call me on my cell." Liz gets up and leaves the office and I'm left with Mr Gardener.
"Well, off you go back to class, Gemma." I exit the office and walk down the halls. I'd sign myself out but that would just prolong my grounding, so I stick the paper in my bag and join my class in the computer lab. I sink into a seat beside Jarrod and nudge him with my foot. I tap my temple, telling him I'm going to talk to him with my mind. He closes his eyes for a few seconds before nodding. I think of the "magic word" and I'm in his head.
I'm in.
What happened?
This woman from some research lab in North Carolina came to talk to me about my telepathic ability.
What?
Yep. I guess they're doing studies on people like me. People with psychic abilities.
What did she say?
I accidentally shrug.
Nothing really. She gave me some info and told me to call her.
Are you gonna go?
I don't know. I guess I'll have to read the stuff she gave me.
Well I think you should go.
Why?
You'd be around people like you. You wouldn't have to hide what you are anymore.
I guess so. I don't know. I'll think about it.
"Gemma, Jarrod, are you two working or do I have to separate you?"
"We're working." I open up notepad and an internet explorer window to make it look like I'm doing something.
Oh I forgot to tell you some good news. I'm allowed people at the house after school, but only for a couple hours.
Great. I'll swing by after school then.
"Gemma," I jump when Mrs Laken speaks directly behind me. "Let's see what you've got so far." I nudge Jarrod with my foot again, telling him that I'm breaking contact. I withdraw myself from him and give my full attention to my teacher for the rest of the class.
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