Nightmare - Secret Identities Book 1

Chapter 31

Virgil's POV

I looked down the hallway in both directions before grabbing Roman and pulling him into a kiss.  He chuckled, pushing against me.

"Your class is waiting, and I have a lesson in ten minutes," he whispered once he'd stepped back.

"Sounds like we have ten more minutes."

"Virgil... go..."

I growled, pecking his lips one last time, then slipped into my classroom.

Everyone stared at me.

Taking a long, steadying breath, I stepped into the center of the room.  "Um, good morning."  Dammit, I hate talking.  I put on my usual blank face—or tried to—doing my best to seem unaffected by it all.  "So, we have a lot to talk about."

A few students rolled their eyes at the obvious statement.

"I've been in the news apparently.  Being in the hospital, I didn't...  I didn't really keep up with it."  This won't work.  "I am going to ramble for 45 minutes if that's alright.  I... am going to be very awkward; I promise."  I laughed to try easing the tension and the pounding in my chest.  "I am a Paragon; I-I-I have powers.  I lied... a lot, and I can't say for sure why.  Lying can be easier sometimes."

I looked around, feeling too uncomfortable just standing there.  I grabbed an empty desk from the front row, opting to sit on top of it.  "I read minds.  It-It's one of those things that-that's hard to explain."

A kid—Matt—spoke up, sounding more offended than anything else.  "Did you ever read our minds?"

I tucked my right knee against my chest.  "In a way, yes, but never precisely and-and never intentionally.  Mind reading is-is different for everyone.  Reading minds—sensing emotions—is a choice for the most part.  I feel strong emotions as though they were my own.  There were times, yes, that your emotions got the better of me."

"That's fucked up," a girl said.

I gave her a look.  "Watch your language, please."  I took a deep breath, sighing exhaustedly.  "You're right, though, Sarah.  I..."  I laughed.  "I can't even begin to explain how complex all of this is."

Roman's POV

"How did it go?" I asked Virgil during our lunch break.  "What'd your kids think?"

He snuggled into our hug, letting out a sigh.  "First period was a bit awkward, but the next few were fine—better."  He pulled back and grinned.  "I have a free period after this."

I smiled warily.  "Me, too.  What did you have in mind?"

"Taking a long lunch to get something to eat."

I hummed and kissed him.  "Yes, please," I answered, then pulled him along.