Traditional Education

Park

Yeah, I'm comfy, you've asked everyone else that too, huh. And you don't actually want to make me- Okay, I'll stop. Yes yes, memory drug. I don't need it though.

Oh that does taste unpleasant, Darragh was right to complain. I presume he complained, right?

Start quick? Sure.

“Please.” Darragh was a collage, of desperation, layers of embarrassment- no, mortification, a slight disgust at himself. I sighed, twisted my mouth and raised an eyebrow. Darragh blushed heavily-deep affection, but not recognised yet. And envy, of course. For all his sarcasm, Darragh was an open book for me, his analytical mind meant he often accepted his emotions for further study, and you could sense it a mile off.

Well, I could, but that’s that.

“I know, I know! I should have asked Tina but...” I couldn’t help it, I’m a terrible romantic. Relief, joy, and still embarrassment, Darragh grinned sheepishly as I nodded, sealing my fate for more dealing with Kingston.

I nodded towards the towel in my hands and he apologised for disturbing me and begged that I see Kingston as soon as possible. Then he bounced off (well, really he just strolled) to find the others, who’d probably commandeered a common room using the power of Ter and Mikah, and the privilege being a Fifth gifted.

In the bathroom, I pulled off my clothes, leaving the pyjamas I’d brought on top of the sink. I scowled at reflection and traipsed into the shower. Deep, calming breadths. I did that often, trying to visualise something pure before it gets tainted.

I counted the seconds, but I didn't last more than half a minute today, before I heard that phrase.

If you must, it's "But you complete me." It makes sense in context.

I finished rinsing my hair and stomped out of the shower. Drying myself down, I pulled on pyjama bottoms and the huge turtle neck jumper. I accepted the inevitable, and decided that I might as well add bad to bad rather than pretending I wasn’t annoyed already at other things.

I set off to find Kingston, my first clue that I wasn’t alone in this being-an-empath thing.

I trailed up the two flights of stairs to the Sixer’s floor, then stopped, realising I didn’t know where Kingston’s room was, and it wasn’t like I could ask.

You know, I didn't talk at the time.

“Hey, are you Park?” I jumped at the intrigued voice from behind me. A melancholy guy tipped his head to the side as I nodded. “Kingston said you might drop by. He thought it would have been yesterday though.” I tried not to roll my eyes at Kingston’s cockiness. He and I both knew this was how it was going to end up, but that didn’t stop him rubbing it in my face while he was at it.

I followed him to the room, his emotions too focused on something he’d lost to really care much about me. He then wandered off, leaving me to knock on the door myself. “Yes?”

I attempted to subtly ease myself into the room and was hit with a big, smug wave of superiority. I rolled my eyes. “Hullo Park, you gave in pretty easy. It’s only Tuesday.” I scowled and crossed my arms, leaning against the door and thus closing it.

I slowed my breathing, focusing my emotions until it was a blank slate, except for the amusement I let slip at Kingston’s pure disgust. “Teach me how to do that.” He said, unfolding himself from the desk and sauntering towards the bed closest, which he fell back on. Arms crossed under his head and he watched me out of the corner of his eye. “I can wait. And I won’t tell Darragh the deal with Mouse and Ron if you don’t. Of course, you could explain it to him, but you. Can’t. Talk.”  He proudly displayed a mocking patience.