All I've Ever Known

Why We Build The Wall

I knew I couldn't work on this new technique with Professor Park - too dangerous. So after class, I headed to the gym, to one of the private sparring rooms, and began setting up. The idea was,  instead of pulling off a piece of energy to throw, like I usually do, I'm using my own physical form as the guideline. The issue is I have very little room to launch the energy itself, so it might need to "charge". Or whatever. I'm sure there's a fancy word for it that Professor Park would tell me.
God, I hate all this power mumbo-jumbo. It makes sense to me when I use them, but trying to explain them or expand upon them feels like stabbing in the dark. Working with Professor Park helps some, but it still feels futile.

I begin with normal energy blasts, warming up as I close my eyes. The goal was to really focus on the energy already around me and use it to my advantage. Then I grabbed a practice dummy and situated it almost on top of me. I took a deep breath and focused on the energy closest to my skin. And then, as I exhaled, I pushed it off of me like throwing off a blanket. The first 2 tries didn't do anything, leaving me feeling a bit silly, as I crouched underneath the dummy.

"Third time's the charm." I muttered to myself. I tried again, exhaling. A wave of light blue energy rippled outward, zapping the practice dummy and sending it flying. A wide grin stretched across my face. "A-ha!" I cheered to myself, immensely pleased. I heard a slow clap and spun around to see Jordan lurking in the corner.
"Whatcha doin there, little mouse?" They had taken to calling me a "mouse" in an attempt to get under my skin and it fucking worked, unfortunately. I've never been able to figure out why they hate me so much, but ever since that first day they seem to just... have it out for me.
*** Flashback ***
I walked hesitantly into my first T.A. meeting promptly at 5pm on the second Thursday of classes, looking around before taking a seat near two girls I'd never met before, smiling slightly. They gave me a onceover before turning back to their conversation. Jordan and Brink came in together, and I watched them scan the room before their eyes met mine. Their gaze was stony as they took their seat towards the front. The meeting itself was uneventful, but once it ended, they cornered me in the hallway, staring me down, arms crossed over their breasts in a way that had my mind wandering in spite of the pure vitriol in their gaze.
"What do you want?" I snapped, forcing myself to focus on matters at hand.

"What are you hiding?" They hissed.

"I can't tell you. No one can. Just drop it." I hissed back, glaring. But before they could finish interrogating me, a random dude left the bathroom, distracting Jordan long enough for me to slip away.

They hadn't tried to interrogate me again, but I could tell they hadn't dropped it. And I sort of understood - from their perspective, I'm this know-it-all with no credentials who seems to be slated to take their position out from under them. But what didn't they understand about can't? If they took a fraction of a second to actually talk to me without being an asshat, they might at least realize that my head isn't entirely up my own ass. I have my own side of this deal to hold up - and part of that is hiding. From everyone.

"Practicing. Clearly." I said coolly. "What are you doing?"

"That's a neat trick. Park teach that to you? Or do you have some fancy trainer?" They said, ignoring my question.

"Park gave me the fundamentals to understand my powers. But this was my own idea. It's a bit too... intense to work on with her."

"I'd say I understand, but Brink has no such qualms." They said, and then they looked at me intently. "Well, I thought you were practicing? Don't let me distract you." They raised an eyebrow, leaning against a pillar as they watched. I glared at them before awkwardly going to retrieve the dummy and replacing it. Taking a deep breath, I repeated the motion, sending the dummy flying once more. Jordan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as I repeated the move a few more times. It was getting easier - using my powers.