𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐒

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

Nylah
——————

I opened the telephone booth door and looked up at Ali.

"Sorry, am I not supposed to be crying here or something?" I questioned sarcastically. "I can leave."

"You're fine. Just wanted to check on you."

"I'm straight. Gucci even. All is well." I fake smiled and wiped my tears with my hand.

"How's your head?"

My head? "It feels fine. Was killing me earlier. A few times actually."

"Same thing happens to me sometimes. I also get really bad, watery eyes."

"That sucks. Why are you here? You really wanted to check on me? We just met today."

"Oddly enough, I see myself in you."

"I don't really see how we're similar."

"I also failed the test when I was 19. Now I'm working jobs like this. It never really gets any better."

"Wow. Thanks for the encouragement." I started to push myself past him and back outside.

"But you can be the change. Show them how we really are and that we're not monsters. They may try to silence you, but don't let them. They think we're too powerful."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Whose they?"

"I-I've said too much." Andrew responded and stepped out of the way. "At least take this." He handed me a slip of paper.

I put it in my pocket and quickly booked it back to my house.

"Don't forget this conversation!" Ali yelled from behind me. I watched the new line of test takers watch us in confusion.

How come I always run into the weirdos?

I continued to run all the way home, even though I desperately wanted to take the subway.

My adrenaline was what kept me going and I couldn't stop.

I finally made it home and pulled out my keys and opened the door.

"Hey pops." I said and closed the door behind me.

"Hey my little Ny. How was it?" He asked while sitting on the couch watching tv.

"It was good. I got Reader. Ya know, empath things." I lied.

My dad laughed. "Wow, who knew?! Just like your pops. I'm so proud of you."

"You think Mom would've been proud?"

"I'd like to think so." He turned around and smiled at me. "Come sit and watch tv with your old man."

I walked over to the couch and saw that The Fresh Prince of Bel Air re-runs were playing. Such an old school show.

"Hey dad?"

"What's up?"

"So what's next? Now that I've found out what I am."

"Well, whatever you want to happen next. There's no pamphlet or guide for how to be any of the 3 groups. Just be a good person. That's all I ask at least."

I nodded. "For sure."

It fell silent.

"Well, I'm kind of tired, I think I'm gonna go take a nap."

"You're not hungry?"

"I'm good."

"You never turn down some food. Everything ok?"