Emotions

Fire

"So..." Jack started.
"We know we said you could take your time but we really want to know," Amelia blurted.
"Why do- I mean, why did you cut?" Ella finished.

I sighed. Before I could say anything though the server came to take our order. "What would you like today?"

"Oh, can I have a cookies 'n cream ice cream?" Lief asked.

"Of course. And what can I get for you sweetheart," the server asked Sofia writing down the orders.

"I just want vanilla with hot fudge," Sofia said with sparkling eyes.

"No problem. What about you?"

"I want chocolate with crushed oreos," Jack replied.

"And you?"

"Mint please," Matthew replied politely.

"I want cherry ice cream," Ella said.

"I want vanilla with hot fudge," Amelia said next.

"And what about you?" The server asked turning to me.

"Strawberry, please."

"No problem. I'll make your orders now," the server said leaving the table.

"So..." Matthew started.

I sighed again. "Guys. I don't want you guys to feel upset about this. I have a secret that I'm just not ready to tell and if I tell you why I used to... it's just... you'll end up having more questions that I can't answer."

"You can trust us," Sophia said reaching to hold my hand. My friends looked at me expectantly.

"I- kinda feel... this is harder than I thought it would be..."

"It's okay. We're here for you. We won't judge," Ella said firmly but still gently.

I've never seen Ella so calm and gentle. "I kinda feel... numb. Sometimes. I just wanna feel. It's like... getting so sucked up by negativity that you don't feel it anymore. Or anything... I just wanted to feel. Not a specific emotion. Just... anything. So... that's why," I concluded with tears building behind my eyes.

My friends looked at me and then burst into tears. I was surprised to say the least. I mean, some of them crying might have been expected but all of them were crying. Even Lief was although he was still quieter than the others.

What was also weird is that I wasn't soaking up negativity from them.

"I'm sorry you felt that way," Jack said through little cries.

Ahh. Compassion. I guess compassion doesn't count as negativity? Who knows what counts as negativity to my powers.

"Why did you feel so much negativity though?" Amelia asked.

I sighed. "That's what I'm not ready to tell you yet."

"That's fine," Matthew started, "as long as it's not because someone's hurting you."

"It's okay. No one's hurting me... there are just... things."

"Ok," Jack said, "just... tell us when you're ready."

"Ok," I said and just as I did the server came with our orders. Perfect timing. We ate our icecreams and everyone was acting how they normally did, although I could tell they were still thinking about our conversation.

I smiled slightly. I probably have the most greatest friends ever.

...

My friends and I were walking back home talking about summer break.
"I can't wait!" Sofia squealed.

"I know! The pools are finally gonna open up!" Ella said excitedly.

"And we can play mermaids!" Sofia replied excitedly.

"And I can dunk the boys!" Amelia yelled.

"Oh, no," Matthew said.

"You ok Matt? You look a bit pale," Ella teased.

"Oh come on guys stop messing with him-" Jack stopped what he was saying.

"Fire," Lief mumbled with wide eyes.

Our eyes all reflected the blazing red.

My friends ran over to see what was on fire. I was just a little behind and as we got closer we saw that it was an apartment building. The people living in the apartment were wrapped in blankets and the firefighters were putting the fire out. Some residents were crying, others were yelling that they're pet or loved one was still inside.

Lief, Jack, Matthew, Amelia, Ella, and Sophia stood there wide eyed.

I also stood wide eyed a little behind them but not because of the fire.

Too much. So much pain. I can't. I backed up with tears welling my eyes. My breathing got heavier and my friends noticed.

"Aiko, are you okay?" Ella asked worridly.

I dropped to the ground, my breathing heavy.

I can't- too much-

"Aiko! Hey, breathe," Lief said.

Oh, no. My friends are worried now. This isn't helping. This is too much.

"W- we," I said between gasps, "go."

"Okay, okay. Let's go. Come on guys," Matthew said helping to pick me up.

My friends took me to an empty park. I cried as we sat on the bench. My friends looked at me with worry.

"Stop!" I shouted. My friends looked startled. "Please stop feeling for a second!" I knew it was stupid. People can't just stop feeling, I just couldn't help it. It was too much.

"What?" Jack asked.

"I'll tell you what's wrong," I sobbed, "please just stop being worried. I can't handle it."

Oh my goodness I'm crying now. Poor Aiko. Maybe it's 'cause he's my charcter but I'm crying now. Hope you guys liked this chapter, bye!