Electric Touch - Xavier Thorpe

Chapter Eight

My eyes fluttered open as I awoke from my slumber, something was different about today. There's a feeling of new found confidence and something else I can't quite place brewing inside. I feel powerful, I feel in control.

I know I'm getting quite ambitious of how much control i'm truly in after just one abilities session. However, it's made me feel more at ease with the humming electricity beneath my skin. 

Last night with Xavier was fun, I forgot the last time I actually hung out with someone and had a good time, even if Xavier and I were just studying. The thought of him brought a tinge of pink to my cheeks, I silently shook my head at the thought. I didn't have any classes today so I decided to lay in bed for a few minutes enjoying the sunlight peer through the window dancing along my skin. That was until my peaceful morning was interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. 

I groaned reaching over, grabbing it from my nightstand. I answered and put it to my ear.

"Hello?" I said groggily as I wiped the sleep from my eyes. Who could be calling me right now?  

"Mornin'! I hope I didn't wake you!" said a very joyful voice, it was Enid.

"No, not at all, what's up?" I said sitting up on my bed, still under the covers.

"Well I just got the best news ever!" she said excitedly, "I'm getting a roomie!" Enid practically squealed, causing me to pull the phone away from my ear.

I was happy for Enid, but deep down a little jealous. Nevermore basically put me in solitary with the choice of my room.

"That's great Enid, I'm happy for you!" I said mustering up a cheerful voice.

"I know, I'm so excited! However, I do have a favor to ask.." she said trailing off.

"What is it?" I said apprehensively.

"How about you just come over in about 20 min and I'll explain." she said.

"But, what is it abou-" I said before quickly being interrupted.

"Great! See you soon, thank you byee," Enid said quickly hanging up the phone. 

I scoffed and rolled my eyes throwing my phone down beside me on my bed as I fell back onto it's comforting embrace. I rolled over looking at the clock on my beside, I should probably get up. I painfully pried myself from my cozy bed, moving to my bathroom to get ready. 

However as I made my way in front of the mirror my exposed arms caught my attention. I stared at myself, peering at the scars left on my body from my power within, they pulled me in a trance, what kind i'm not sure. I've never known quite how to feel about my scars, I don't necessarily dislike them, however, I don't like the stares that typically come with them exposed. I brought my hand up the trace the scars, now extending to my elbow. However, I quickly shook myself out of my trance focusing on the moment at hand.

I quickly brushed my hair and teeth, and grabbed some clothes from my closet. I threw on a green sweatshirt and a pair of baggy jeans and doc martins. Looking at my watch I decided to head on over, gabbing my phone before I left. 

I walked down the seemingly endless steps of my dorm tower till I reached the hall then walked through the Maze that is Nevermore's hallways till I got to Ophelia Hall. I went up the stairs and knocked at her door, then opened it.

"Thank god you're here," she said frantically sorting through different pieces of colorful translucent vinyl spread through out the room. 

I furrowed my brow, confused by the scene in front of me.

"I need your help," she said standing, "Weems told me I'm having a new roommate come tomorrow and I wanna do something special." Enid said gesturing to the mess on the floor.

"So you're going to surprise her with rainbow throw-up all over the room?" I said crouching down holding up a piece of the vinyl. 

She rolled her eyes walking over to her desk to grab a piece of paper before coming back to stand beside me. "You see this giant gorgeous window," she said gesturing to the blatantly obvious window in front of us. 

"It is quite hard to miss," I said in a sarcastic tone pressing my lips in a tight line as I nodded my head.

Enid scoffed, ignoring my comment. "Well, I had the most fabulous idea to Enid-ify it," she spoke excitedly handing me a piece of paper. 

She had drawn the window, yet it appeared to look like stained glass with colorful panes of blue, pink and yellow, in all different kinds of shades. 

"That would definitely make the window more... you." I said apprehensively, if I had a window that looked like that I'd probably be sick. 

"I know right! It's perfect!" She said obliviously.

"Where do I come in to this," I said holding up the drawing. 

"Well, I need some help to bring my vision to life." 

I looked at her quizzically before she quickly started talking again. 

"I promise, no talking of your abilities or the past or anything like that," she said reaching out her hand. 

I took a deep breath wanting to take her hand and shake it. Slowly I outreached my hand and took hers in mine, the skin on skin contact was foreign and unfamiliar. I shook her hand once and released it from my grasp quickly. An invisible smile on my face from the small victory. 

"So where do we start?" I asked.

...

We had been placing the colorful vinyl for what felt like hours, even though it had probably only been one. 

"I'm starved," Enid said stepping down from the stool placed by the window to reach the top.

"Same, I haven't had a chance to eat yet," I said glancing at my watch seeing it was just around noon.

"Would you mind running down to the dining hall and bringing up some lunch? I'll stay up here and sort the vinyl into piles by color." 

"No, not at all," I said rising from the floor.

"Perfect I'll text you my order, thanks Dahlia," Enid said with a smile as I headed out the door. 

I walked out Ophelia Hall and began walking through the quad to get to the dining hall. I heard my phone ping and reached for it from my pocket. Seeing Enid had in fact texted me her extent order. As I was responding to Enid's text I ran square into something, or rather someone.