Emojis ORGINAL

Keys

*Lo*

"Sit." I commanded, even though though it was his house and room.

It was surprisingly clean, everything arranged nice and neatly. The room was devoid of personality, only a small frame containing a picture of a small dark haired boy holding hands with a radiating mother. The boy's front teeth were missing and he appeared to be experiencing great joy.

Then, looking closer around the room, I saw a pale box made of wood siting on the drawers, almost blending in.

My eyes flew back to the frame, drinking in all the details.

Chasten saw me look at the frame and with short, gruff sigh, he ginnerly, but quickly placed it on its face, exposing a date in the back: 2006.

Doing some quick math in my head, he would've been 5. Before he knew. His gaze burned into my forehead, and I shifted uncomfortably. My eyes flitted between him and the picture.

He rolled his eyes.

"Do I need to hide it or can you bear to drag your eyes from it."  He asked, his tone amused, but gaze sharp.

I coughed slightly, and my eyes shifted again to the picture frame.

He sighed and tucked it in a drawer.

Chasten shifted uncomfortably in his chair. I let my eyes roam around the room, but my search revealed no new details except a pile of boxes started neatly in the corner.

I jerked my chin towards the boxes, trying to distract from the growing awkwardness in the air.

"What are those?"

Chasten licked his lips nervously.

"They are uh, my stuff. That I have."

I tilted my head. "Why haven't you unpacked them yet?" I asked.

"No point. I'm moving in a year anyway. Saves from the trouble of having to pack them again."

"Oh."

Minutes passed, and the air was still heavy with awkwardness.

Mustering up my courage, I spoke up.

"What's in the box?"

Chasten looked startled, but unsurprised at the same time. He must've felt my feelings, but didn't know what I was going to say.

So he reads emotions, not what I think. I can deal with that.

"Nothing." He answered, his eyes darted from the box to me.

I cracked a smile.

Then, imitating  his voice, I said: "Do I need to put that away or can you bear to drag your eyes from it?"

Chasten chuckled nervously.

I put my hands on my hips and parented to be a bossy secretary or Mom. Either works.

"Now, tell me what's in the box!" I said in a fake commanding voice.

Chasten sighed in defeat and  put his hands up, obviously deciding that he would have to answer me.

"Keys and license plates. From each state that we've been too. Keys from each house."

"Oh." Shock must've shown clearly on my face and he patted my knee awkwardly.

"Why did you stand up for me? With Charlotte," Chasten asked suddenly.

I shrugged. Honestly, I didn't know. Maybe it was the apparent discomfort showing on his face when  Charlotte was rapid firing questions at him.

Chasten answered for me.

"You felt sorry for me."

"Now I do. I didn't then."

He huffed, and rolled his eyes.

I still had one more question for him.

"How do you feel the emotions? Do you just guess or do you actually feel them?"

Chasten shrugged.

"Emotions are the strongest thing that humans are able to feel. I unfortunately get to feel all of them."

"But what if it was just you thinking you felt it..?"

Chasten leaned forward and looked me straight in the eye.

"Lo. Every day I feel everyone's emotions. Eyes open, eyes closed, it doesn't matter. I could walk into a supermarket and not know anyone and know that the cashier is attracted to the lady checking out. I know emotions. Me and them are old friends. As much as I wish it was my wishful thinking, it's reality. And reality never goes away."

Chasten stood up.

"I think it's time for you to leave Lo. See you tomorrow."

Well then, that was interesting wasn't it? I hope that answered some of your questions about his ability...

Thank you to trippy-triplets for commenting on everything and giving me feedback! *Virtual hug*

I'll try and post the next chapter soon!