I woke up the next morning 3 minutes before my alarm. I sprang out of bed and hopped in the shower. I took extra time to eat breakfast, I didn't want time to tick by today. I was groggy from the wicked dreams I'd had all night and I didn't want to go back and see Alcander. Or worse, what if he didn't show and I'd hear his words ring in my head once again.. So would it be my fault he wasn't there?
Why should you even care, Kai? Snap out of it! I scolded myself
I got dressed, grabbed my car keys, and headed in the direction of work..
I'll tell my boss I need to leave early, I'm feeling like a sick day..I reasoned with myself as I reached the parking lot.
I zoned in on work for a few hours before pinching my cheeks, lowering my eyes, mussing my hair and getting ready to play hooky..
I walked to the water jug by our director's office, drinking slowly from my cup. I felt her eyes on me, and turned so I could see her..
"Kai, honey you look awful. Are you feeling alright?" She called as she stood from her desk and came near me, placing her hand on my forehead like a mom would.
"You're only a little warm, maybe you should go home and get some rest... I want you back in here tomorrow on your A game." She shook her head disapprovingly. For once I was very thankful for our director being a mother of 5..
I grabbed my bag and headed straight for the parking garage. I peeled out slowly, turning into the early afternoon sun. I didnt know where I was going until I reached Tymanni's house.
Tymanni and I had been friends since childhood. His powers began to transpire the same time as mine, and we often stuck together when around the clergy. He was and always have been comfort in my most confusing times.
As I walked up the path, he opened the door before I even raised a fist to knock on it.
"I had a vision you'd knock on my door this morning. Safe to say I woke up with a smile after that." He smirked
"Did you also have a vision I'd tell you that you look like an absolute nerd grinning from ear to ear like that." I chuckled as he pouted and moved aside to let me in
"So what's up, Kai? I haven't seen you in months! You leave the clergy leadership program and all of a sudden forget about your man or what?"he chuckles, jabbing an elbow at me.
"I didn't forget you, I'm here aren't I? I just haven't heard from you since you started dating what's - her - name.." I trailed, buffing his comment about being my man.
"Her name is Mindy, and you'd love her if you took the time to stop by and meet her. What about you negative nancy? Meet any kai-worthy normies in your big bad desk job?"
"Big bad desk job? Oh please, the biggest and baddest thing is the raunchy smell that comes from the boys bathroom.."
"Well, don't get too wrapped up paper pushing to come by and let me know how you're doing. Visions are like pictures, they don't tell the whole story, you know."
I smile and nod as a response.
"So why don't you tell meabout Mindy.."I change the subject and he grins
We talk lightly chuckle as he flips on his living room tv and sits down next to me. We zone out on some mindless criminal investigation show, in the comfort of each other's silence. That's what I love about Tymanni, our whole friendship was giggles and comfortable silences. We didn't have to talk feelings, cause Tymanni could sense them, and probably already envisioned what happened to make you feel that way in the first place.
I rest my head on the arm of the couch, and let out a long sigh.
"Feels good to see you too girl." He patted my leg lightly.
Before I knew it, I was waking up head pressed against Tymanni's. We had both dozed off on the couch, and when I check my watch I really it had only been for an hour. I sneak away as lightly as possible so I don't wake him, and head quietly into the backyard.
There's an arrangement of herbs his mother had planted that are known to strengthen our connection to Mother Earth, and helps us focus well on our powers. I sat down in the green grass, surrounded by the herbs.
I listened for thoughts, letting them all blend together. I pushed as far as I could, not caring about the headache I'd probably have to endure later. I let the sound of thoughts deafen me. Letting their joys drown out my joys, and having their fears make mine feel small and irrelevant. There was something so intimate about thoughts. It must be the rawness of knowing what someone truly feels. And believe it or not, you feel so connected to them. They will never know you, but you shared a small fragment of their feelings, and of their mind.
I liked the intimacy of it all. Maybe because it was an intimacy I'd never known before my powers transpired. My parents just told me I was different, and shielded me from other kids. I didn't understand at first it was because I had powers. I thought different was a bad thing, until I began to hear thoughts. I was close with everyone. I could hear what they really felt and act accordingly. But as intimate as it was it was also frightening to be able to play people like pawns. Dating was tragic when you knew exactly what someone really wanted. I learned to tread carefully quickly..
I slowly let my mind retract, the deafening inner voices beginning to quiet. I sat in the grass, my intuitions running high. I feel good, strong, and safe behind my powers. All the weakness, intimidation, and anxiety of the past few days melts away and I am one with Mother Earth. I am strong... I feel reborn.
