Power

Chapter 6

When the bell rings, I nervously make my way to the lunchroom. I want to know what Eli said to Collin, but at the same time I haven't nearly finished making sense of all the new information. I am one of the first to arrive, taking my seat from yesterday. Everyone else arrives soon after, aside from the two I actually want to talk to.

"You look like a mess," Misty says as she sits down, the same sour look on her face as the first time I met her.

"Thanks," I reply, not sure how else to respond.

"Have you seen them?" Jarred asks, referring to the other two leaders. I am about to answer when the pair walks in, laughing at some joke with their arms slung around each other. I'm relieved that they seem to be fine, especially after how Eli was acting earlier. Collin takes his seat across from me and flashes a smile. I return it, a warm feeling spreading through me.

"Is that Collin's shirt?" Eli asks as he takes his seat next to me, pulling out his lunch.

"Yah, my other one got ruined," I say, suddenly a bit self conscious about it. What if Charger recognizes it? My eyes darts to his table. Thankfully, Charger is absent as usual. His group seems to have even lost interest at me, talking amongst themselves with smiles and laughter.

"You're going to run out of wearable shirts, what with staining that other one last week when we first bumped into each other," Eli grins before beginning to shovel his lunch into his mouth. Boys have the best table manners. "Maybe you and Mist could go on girls weekend. Shopping, mani-pedis, the works," Eli winks at Misty, who in turn flips him off. He just laughs, probably expecting that response. It's not that she isn't pretty, she just doesn't seem to care too much what other people think of her. My mind wanders to what her Power might be. Maybe making babies cry?

"Well, after school today, I was thinking we could all hit up Bernie's. How's that sound?" Eli announces. I stay silent as everyone shouts in agreement, all exited to visit the town's only cafe. My stomach fills with dread, knowing exactly what is coming.

"You going Talli?" Jarred asks, probably noticing my less than enthusiastic reaction.

"Uh, I can't, sorry. I need to get home." I keep my eyes trained on my plate as I repeat the same words I has used at least a million times over the past two years. My dad had seemed to be in an exceptionally poor state that morning, throwing up twice before I left. I'd promised to be home as soon as possible.

"You should come, it'll be fun!" One of the people farther down the table says, and Eli nudges me.

"Yah, I'll even buy you a hot chocolate and scone to make up for last time."

"I really can't, I'm sorry," I say, standing up. "I'm going to, uh, go use the restroom." I don't give anyone a chance to protest before I hurry out of the cafeteria.

"Hey, wait up!" Collin calls as I push through the two large double doors. Everyone eating their lunches in the hallway immediately goes quiet, once again acting as if our presences are ones to be feared.

"I'm fine," I sigh, paying no mind to those around us. Collin grabs my wrist, not harshly but firmly, spinning me around to face him.

"What's wrong?" He asks, eyes probing mine.

"Nothing," I huff, looking at my shoes. I'm still exhausted from the night before, and combined with the head injury I sustained, the attention is just making me even more irritated.

"Why did you get all touchy about going out after school with us?"

"Is it so bad that I don't want to go?"

"Why don't you want to go?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Because I want you to go." I don't look up, afraid of what I'd see on his face.