What Is Normal?

Power, Passion, and New Friends

Come Christmas season, Sky was slowly figuring out what she could do. She discovered a minor side ability. During a nonverbal episode, she realized she had two-way telepathic communication. That was much more handy than sign language.

Isn't this cool? She thought to Denise.

It's way cool, Denise replied. But how did you figure it out?

I don't know, Sky thought. It just happened when I was nonverbal once. At least I'm on my way to figuring out what I can really do.

Yeah, Denise thought. They continued this back and forth until the first bell of the day rang. All through the day, she was anxious to show Mr. Sanders what she figured out. Finally, she got her chance. As it was the last day before Christmas break, Mr. Sanders was eager to see who had figured out anything. Sky was practically bouncing in her seat.

"Who would like to share what they found out?" Mr. Sanders asked.

"I do!" Sky all but shouted. Mr. Sanders indicated for her to continue. "I have two-way telepathic communication," Sky said. "It's more effective than sign language and I can share it with anyone if I need to or want to."

"That's a cool ability, Sky," Mr. Sanders said, "and a handy one at that. I bet it developed out of necessity, correct?" Sky nodded. "Fascinating," Mr. Sanders said. "Who would like to try to top such a winning ability?" Hands shot up. Sky listened. She found out one of her classmates was a vampire, like their teacher. Another classmate could shoot lightning out of their hands. She noticed that the girl next to her wasn't speaking.

"Did you not figure it out yet?" Sky asked.

"I know my abilities," the girl said in a soft, child-like voice. "I just don't believe outing myself is necessary at the moment."

"What can you do?" Sky asked.

"I'm a fairy child," the girl said. "I have many abilities inherent to my species."

"A real fairy," Sky said. "If only medieval people knew fairies really existed."

"I'm sure they did," the girl said. "See, fairies are timid by nature. Reserved, but friendly once we get to know someone. We are also quite intelligent and have been known to devote tons of energy to gaining knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps that is why autistic children were thought of as fairies."

"Actually," Sky said, "it was because autistic kids don't talk much, whether by choice or the natural course of things. And because of our meltdowns. To someone back then, it just didn't seem possible for a highly intelligent but mute kid who sometimes rages over random things to be human."

"Those are some blatant misconceptions," the girl said. "I understand the reasoning, but fairies are quite gentle and only react to threats, and we speak quite clearly. My name is Mira, by the way. You are Sky?"

"Yes," Sky said. "Nice to meet you, Mira."

"You're easy to talk to," Mira said. "Perhaps it's the similarities in our behavior that draw us together. I studied you. You are similar to me. Highly knowledgeable, but reserved in nature until you grow accustomed to the presence of the people surrounding you. You don't speak much unless you have a question, something to share, or are spoken to."

"That pretty much describes me," Sky said, smirking. "Wanna sit with me and my friends at lunch when we get back from winter break?" Mira nodded.

That evening, Sky babbled excitedly to her parents about Mira. She talked all through dinner, almost letting her food get cold. At the end of the day, Sky retreated to her room for the night. She was exhausted.