Problems of the Gifted

The navy-blue journal

(Layla Hart pov.)

[October, hallways of the main building:]

What is the worst feeling? I'd say to learn for a test you know you were going to flunk anyway.

Our group walks out of Ms. Fellis' class.

Valerie groans:
"Ability theory tests are the worst! What did you even write?"

"I wrote that abilities can be discovered in stressful or emotional situations and that they have their boundaries." Amaya tells her.

"I also wrote about the possible effects of an ability like sense improvement, change of personality and illness." Ben adds and Amaya nods as she recalls her own answers.

"Did you mention Nonvident abilities?" Jian wants to know.

(*Note: Nonvident abilities are abilities that require the Gifted to see their target in order to use them.*)

"Agh, I completely forgot about that!" Amaya slaps her face in disappointment with herself.

"It wasn't as important. I think I forgot to write my name on the paper. Again."

Aiden and I walk behind the 4 of them.
He has already accepted his fate:

"Well, at least it's over."

"I'm sure I got it wrong as well. I couldn't concentrate at all!"

I was really hoping to pass this one.

"Why? You weren't even staring at me this time."

"Wha- I don't STARE at you. What made you think that?!"

He chuckles:
"Don't worry, it can be our secret, I do notice when you're lost in thoughts thinking about me. I must be more fascinating than I realized."

I'm pretty sure I'm blushing right now, looking like a tomato.
He always says stupid things like that and I'm not sure if it makes me feel uncomfortable or something else.
What's worse is that he noticed me staring- this is way too awkward! I'm in need of a good escape plan now.

But then I recover and ask:
"Are you always waiting for me to look at you?"

This makes him blush in return, he promptly stops walking:
"I-uh-"

Ha! Got him.

I laugh and Aiden looses his stiff posture, laughing as well.

[At lunch, cafeteria:]

The food the cafeteria serves is always so tasty, like nothing I've ever tried before, though the others aren't as fascinated by it as I am.

Amaya asks with a raised eyebrow while stabbing the tomato of her salad with a fork:
"Alright, what's up with you three?"

I got forced to wear black sunglasses by Valerie. So she, Ben and I are wearing them while we sit at the table, opposite to Jian, Amaya and Aiden.

"Huh?" Valerie asks as she and Ben pose as models.

Meanwhile I just eye them with confusion.
They both look my way, expecting me to act along.

"Eh... ah! Whatever do you mean?" I muse in the most-

What did Val call it? Ah, material girl voice.

"We're just trying to stay cool, especially because its only 3 months until New Years! Also, thanks for the glasses, Aiden." Ben turns to him.

"No problemo." Aiden laughs as he gives Ben a high five, accidentally knocking over a glass of water.

Jian chuckles to himself and Amaya rolls her eyes:
"What a great performance you guys."

That's when she sees a chocolate muffin, standing lonely on the abandoned tray of dessert.
She targets it and Aiden does as well. Jian notices it:
"Oh no."

Both twins practically fight their way towards the muffin and Jian tries to seperate them from fighting:

"Hey, stop that!"

"It's mine!"

"You already had one!"

"No I didn't-"

"¡No te atrevas a tocarlo! Yo personalmente-"
(*Don't you dare touch it! I will personally-*)

"You guys need to learn sharing." Jian sighs as he holds them apart.

He then looks at the clock on the wall and says:
"I have to go now, please don't cause chaos while I'm gone."

"Can't promise that." Valerie shrugs, I put my glasses down.

When he turns to leave he takes his navy-blue notebook with him.
I try to take a look at it, but he already walks away.

"What's up with his notebook? He has it with him anywhere he goes." I wonder.

Aiden and Amaya get seated again and look at me. Aiden breaks the silence:
"Shoot, we didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Ben explains:
"Jian has amnesia."

"What?! You mean like- as a joke or..."

"No, for real. It's because of his ability." Ben clarifies and Amaya continues:

"As you already know, his ability is mindreading. However, it has a flaw: Amnesia. Which is why he gets extra ability control lessons with Mr. Olser.
The thing is he is smart, but tends to forget the most basic things."

"Like one time, he forgot that Ms. Fellis is our teacher, he didnt even know who a teacher is." Aiden adds.

"And his notebook? He writes down things he doesn't want to... forget?" I assume.

"Yeah. That is why we need to make sure he doesn't loose it." Ben nods.

"About losing- where is the muffin?" Aiden turns his head towards the now empty trey.

"Whawt?" Valerie asks, her mouth full with the precious muffin.

It must be awful to forget things... I wonder if there are any other effects of Jian's ability...

(Jian Chen pov.)

I hate my ability.
As much as I wish to deny it, I hate it.
Not just because I keep writing the wrong date on assignments and tests, but because of the amount of responsibility.

I eye the poster: With great ability comes great responsibility!, then keep going.

Still, even if I had the chance to give someone else the ability, I wouldn't do it.
No one should be able to interrupt other people's minds, it's not right.
Secrets and trust seem to simply vanish; for me, it's my memories that fade.
And then there are people like the five of them, people who, even though they're aware what I can do, still trust me.
It doesn't make any sense to me, honestly.

I walk through the halls, extra slow.

I don't like these sessions, but I have to attend. My parents made it clear and I don't blame them.
But I'd like to avoid using these hallways. Most students avoid me, either by looking the other way when I meet their gaze or scrambling for something in their backpacks, lockers or pockets.
They think I don't notice, though you notice way more when less people want to talk to you.
I enjoy being alone, not lonely.
There are times when I just want to turn around and tell them I neither want or need their secrets. Even when they start rumors about me, I just don't care.
So I keep it to myself, because I know my ability is not their fault.
And it sure isn't mine either.

When I arrive, I open the door to the ability control classroom.