her⁕mileven

20

Chapter 20: Shocked and confused

Max

After what felt like forever, we pulled away from our group hug. I looked over in Mike's direction and I noticed he had some tears forming in his eyes.

I was happy for him, his life was finally falling back into place. He had his best friends and El back, and I can't even imagine how happy he must be feeling. He must feel like he's on top of the world. I continued just watching him smiling down at the boys as they high five each other, chucking every now and then, not trying to stop the tears. He was really, truly happy.

I hadn't realised I had gone into my own little world, thinking about how everything would be okay from now on. I was snapped out of my thoughts and back into reality when I hear Dustin's loud voice whining that he was hungry. I looked back up at Mike and we made eye contact and he gave me a real, genuine smile. It wasn't long before a small laugh escaped our lips. He looked to the floor with the smile still on his face, still chucking a bit and shaking his head. He wiped his eyes, looked back up and we began to follow the boys up the stairs.

In that moment, everything was perfect. I felt like nothing could ruin this or bring me down now. It was all going to be okay. We would all be best friends, with an unbreakable bond. We would take whatever it would to protect her, and I could teach her everything she needs to know.

But things don't always go the way we want them to.

These moments won't last forever.

For what I learnt next, was a true shock to me, and my life was about to get a whole lot more difficult.

As I was following the boys up the stairs, I was stopped by a firm grip on my wrist. I turned my head to see a familiar head of short hair, wide eyes and a bleeding nose. It was El. Only she looked scared, yet still confused.

I turned right round so I was facing her and looked her in the eye, she quickly whipped around and slowly made her way over to the sofa, sitting herself down in the middle. Her foot started tapping faster and faster, indicating to me that something was wrong and was making her nervous.

Cautiously I made my way over to the sofa and lowered myself down so I could sit next to her. Gently, I placed my hand on her back and she looked up at me, not breaking eye contact for the first time. She whispered two words, so quietly I almost couldn't make them out.

'I'm sorry.'

'Sorry? What are you sorry for?'

She just repeated her previous words.

'I'm sorry.'

'El, you don't have to be sorry. Are you okay? Do you want me to go and get one of the-'

She cut my off by grabbing my hands and looking up at me, she took a deep breath before she spoke up again.

'Just, listen. Tell me if you hear anything.'

'I don'y under-'

She looked at my straight in the eye, she didn't blink. I didn't understand what was happening.

That's when I heard it.

It was her voice, but she wasn't moving her lips. I had to double check she wasn't talking. Her voice was in my head.

This cant be real.

I was scared, but I ignored my fear and tried to focus on what she was saying.

Max, listen to me. Look at me in the eye and focus really hard on the voice in your head. Say something simple over and over in your head , and don't break eye contact. Focus.

My breathing began to deepen, but I continued to ignore it. I did what El told me to, and suddenly I felt something running, I let go of her hand and felt around my nose.

Blood.

Panicked, I looked up at El, then back down, then up again. I was so confused.

'I knew it, I could sense it as soon as you walked in here'.

I looked down at my shaking hands and I felt the tears forming in my eyes.

'What's wrong with me?' I asked her, I grabbed her hands and desperately looked at her.

'Max, nothing's wrong with you. You're special. You're like me, but I'm not sure if you have telekinesis yet, but you have telepathy. I can help you through this, teach you how to use and control it. We can tell the boys later on, if you want, okay?'

I didn't know what to say, I just pulled her in for a big hug.

We stayed like that until we heard four lots of heavy footsteps charging down the stairs, we broke apart and gave them wide smiles.

As though nothing had ever happened.

'You girls are getting along?' Mike asked, looking happy.

We both just nodded.