Simple Manipulation

Chapter 23

"Okay Luke. Here's where things get a bit tricky." I stood up from the couch and walked to an open area on the porch. "Well come here. Stand right in front of me." I motioned for him to get up and positioned him to he was about three feet from me.

"Now now, Peyton. This is no time for viewing! This is a time for teaching!" He said pinching my cheek jokingly. My eyes rolled in response and blew off his comment.

"Alright. Now I want you to look at me-"

"That's no issue"

"Luke..."

"Fine! Continue!" He laughed.

"I want you to notice something. Look at my eyes, my eyebrows, my posture, and listen to my voice." I raised my eyebrows slightly to make myself a façade of want. My voice raised, but not so much it was noticed. My shoulders lifted and my body swayed. "What can you tell about me, Luke?" I asked. "What does it remind you of? Think back."

He studied me closely. His brows twitched with complete focus and his breaths were steady. "This is what you did that day in detention." He finally concluded.

"And...."

"You did that when you wanted something from me!"

"Exactly! Granted I added a bit of method three into it that time, but my point is that these are the types of mannerisms you need to watch out for. Not only will this help you get what you want, but many people do this subconsciously. So, if you can pick up on it, you can protect yourself from being walked right over." I explained.

"What do you mean, subconsciously? And how on earth do I use someone that wants something to get something I want? Isn't it the other way around?" His tone of confusion made me realize that this will be even harder than the puppy dog eyes.

I let out a sigh and began explaining. "Majority of people, unlike ourselves that is, do not fully realize what they can do by simply changing their voice or swaying their body. I'm pretty sure I've told you about that already. But think of it like this," I sat him back down on the couch with me leaving my phone out of voice reach. Something tells me this should be private. "If you can pick out those signs in someone, what do you know about them?"

"They want something." He said with interest.

"And, that they are in a vulnerable state. Their minds are focusing on one thing, and one thing only. To get what they want. People don't realize it right away or maybe not at all, but it is almost impossible to focus on something else, say what others are doing around you, when you are experiencing short term or long term desire. It's a play on hormones. So, if you can pick out the different mannerisms, master them, and turn them around on someone or make them experience your desire, you can become an iron wall of indestructibility." I finished.

"So this method is basically a superpower?" He laughed.

"Call it what you will, but it is definitely the most useful out of all." I stood back up.

"Just one question," He stood following stepping close to me.

"You trust me enough to teach me this?"

I thought for a second. If this was two days earlier, I would have sad yes. But now, I am not so sure. He is hiding something and I know it. It is so blatantly obvious I am surprised he doesn't suspect me more than he does already. But if I tell him no, there is no possible chance in all of living existence extending into the future when they discover time travel, that he will tell me what Marren and I are yearning to know.

"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I, Luke?" I smiled and picked my phone back up.

"No reason. Don't worry about it."

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"Now give in slightly or make a promise with a loop hole."

"Pey I don't want to put that much thought into this." He grumbles after our thirty minute mark of practicing.

"Then you won't succeed." My bitterness getting the better of me. "And I won't put you up against Amber until I know you are ready."

He groaned and flailed his arms around through the air. "But I am ready!"

"No you are a five year old." I rolled my eyes while hiding my laughter under layers of frustration. Finally he stopped but stared at me. His eyebrow raised and the corner of his lips curled into a smug smirk. "What is it?" My question carrying a heavier tone of nervousness than I wanted.

"I have some plans in an hour or so. And I know how much you want to continue this but," He twirled a bit of my hair through his fingers and his smirked dragged further into a smile. "We might need to reschedule."

"But I still want to know-" I muttered.

"So do I. I'll catch you later Pey." He tapped my nose and turned around walking back inside, only to later run back out. He grabbed my phone from my hands still smiling. "See you later, Marren."

How did he know...

"Peyton this is Marren speaking- WHAT JUST HAPPENED?? I WANT A FULL THREE PAGE ESSAY REPORTING THE EVENTS ON MY DESK TOMORROW MORNING!" She yelled through the phone.

I laughed at her. "You don't have a desk Marren."

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(Luke....)

"You are late, Luke."

"I know I got caught up at Peyton's place. It was last minute. But this couldn't exactly be my excuse." I frowned.

"So are we good man? Back to the same old plan?" He asked.

"No. There are some adjustments this time, Derek. Because now I actually care."

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I FEEL LIKE I AM STARTING ALL THESE NOTES OFF WITH SORRY!!

But I really am sorry! And I am sure all of you have the same school conflicts as I do, which is my real reason for all these delays. This chapter was a bit shorter than normal, I know. And sorry for any errors. I wanted to get this put out to you all before I had too many angry people on my tail.

But another thing- I will (after this is posted) be on an exam hiatus. It will probably last three maybe four weeks, not really sure at the moment. But all of my focus needs to be on school right now. But of course I will still reply to comments and messages if I have time!

Thanks for understanding AND ALL THE CRAZY SUPPORT! ALMOST 30K?? WOW!

Love you all! ~El