I Know What You're Thinking

Chapter 8

I rush to fit all of my stuff in my bag. My teacher stares at me in confusion at my sudden rushed behaviour. I fumble with my books and they drop on the floor.

"Let me help." A male voice announces. I still cannot believe that i've found the other mindreader, at least, i'm pretty sure it is him.

Cordelia Pike.
What?

That's your name isn't it?
Yes Luke Miller.

Well done Cordelia.
Thank you Luke.

I've figured out his name now, and he knows mine. I zip up my school bag and speed out of the classroom, with Luke behind me.

"Hey wait. There's too many people outside. Follow me." He turns and walks through the now quiet hallways. They twist and turn and eventually reach a building on the very far side of the school. It's deserted.

"What is this?" I ask.

"The library. People rarely come here. Ever since they created that new technology building, people prefer to read online books over real ones." He sounds sad as he explains. I think he likes the library. And books. He pushes opens the doors and leads me through the building. It's silent, but it's warm and feels comforting.

"So." I say as I sit down on the couch in the very back corner of the library. 

"So." He repeats. 

I'm suddenly filled with nerves. 

What if he isn't a mindreader?

What if I give myself away to the wrong person?

"So, Luke." I start. He looks confused.

"Who's Luke?" He asks. Dread fills my body, and I go pale.

"Oh I must have the wrong person. Sorry." My face burns and I feel scared. I get up to walk out, angry at myself because I almost told him that i'm a mindreader, thinking that he was one too. I have the wrong person.

"Cordelia?"

"What?" I spin around, suddenly defensive.

"I was joking. I am Luke."

"Oh." Is all I can say, now I don't know if I can trust him. What if he's lying because he wants to know what I was going to say?

"Cordelia i'm not lying." He says.

Did he just read my mind? Is the a mindreader? Have I got the right person after all?

"Yes I did just read your mind. Yes I am a mindreader." The way Luke announces it to the silence makes me want to yell at him to be quiet before someone hears him, but there is no-one around to hear him. I suppose thats why he chose the library. "That is exactly why I chose the library Cordelia Pike." He says, a smug look on his face.

"Very funny. I can do that too. Hmm you're 18, have been going to this school since year seven, lived in this town since you were born and you oh. Thats kind of sad you have no friends." I repeat all of the things his thoughts tell me.

"You don't look so popular either."

"Hey at least I have Evelyn. Oh crap Evelyn. She'll be looking for me." I can't believe I forgot about the one person who has been kind to me. I'll find her at lunch and apologise. 

"Evelyn will understand. She's Evelyn."

"I hope so."

"She will."

"Ok." I reply, trying to clear my head because it's already too full of other people's thoughts.

"Now. You've read my thoughts. My turn. You just moved here, your parents keep fighting..... oh dear...... i'm sorry Cordelia." Pity flashes across his face.