Wanted

It All Goes Boom

~ Chapter 13 ~

Mallie

"Mallie-cat, I swear you overthink this power thing more than anyone else I've ever met."

I tentatively opened my eyes to see Fox leaning over his living room coffee table with a hand towel. He was sopping up yet another puddle of water caused by what had to be my fifteenth spill of the night.

I sighed. "I just don't get it. I did so well putting the table back together earlier."

Fox put down the towel and turned to face me. "Because you weren't thinking about it. You just went for it - no hesitation. I think you control your power better when most of your focus is on something else."

I thought back to the night Matt tried to kill me, a night that already seemed like it had taken place in another life. All I felt was a little paranoia and I was able to stop that bullet before I even knew it was headed toward me. What Fox was saying made perfect sense.

"You're probably right, as always," I shook my head, "How long did it take you to master your power? Three hours?"

Fox laughed. "Master is a strong word. I don't think I'm there yet, even ten years later. But my power and your power aren't the same thing. I found out about mine later than most people, and in the beginning it would just kinda happen. One second I'd be... normal, and the next," he snapped his fingers and completely disappeared, "I'd be like this. My parents freaked."

"It couldn't happen in school," he continued, fully visible again, "so Mom and Dad packed up everything, made it sound like we were going on some secret adventure we couldn't tell the rest of the family, and moved here so thirteen-year-old me didn't have to hide who I am." He paused. "You already have me beat just with the simple fact that you don't spontaneously throw things around with your mind. Plus, you've been hiding your power from everyone you know since you were what, ten? That kind of puts a damper on your progress."

I smirked. "I was eight."

"Right. Eight years old. That's pretty damn impressive if you ask me. You said your parents still don't know about your power?"

The smile subconsciously melted off my face. "My parents aren't always the most understanding people. I guess even back then I knew it wasn't worth the inevitable overreaction. I'm not exactly sure what they would have done - what they would do - if they found out."

Fox frowned thoughtfully, "Well, they are your parents. I'm sure they'd come to terms with it eventually."

"Once again, you're probably right," I said with a dismissive shrug. I stole a glance at my companion and felt my smile creep back, "You know, I think I want to give it one more try."

Fox broke out in a grin as well. "Water or no water?"

"Water. I'm feeling confident this time."

"That's what I like to hear," he rose from the couch, grabbed the empty plastic cup from the coffee table, and walked to the sink. I could hear him turn on the tap in the kitchen behind me.

In a matter of seconds, Fox had assumed his usual position on the couch. "Just as you're about to lift this up," he said, placing the newly refilled cup back on its coaster in front of us, "think about something that makes you happy. Anything that can serve as a little bit of a distraction."

"Ok," I nodded, soaking in his final piece of advice, "Here I go." Closing my eyes as always, I imagined in as much detail as possible the cup and how I wanted it to move. Right before I willed myself to force it upward, I followed Fox's instructions and thought about the only thing that never failed to put me in a good mood.