Please don't eat me

Please Send The Card

  “What about that guy?” Henry asked, pointing to an overweight man who hurriedly stepped out of his car to help his son take his cricket bag out of the boot.

  “He seems irritated,” I said, focusing on his dark blue soul. “And impatient.”

  “Now, he’s yelling at his poor son,” Monica said. “He is mean.”

  “He’s probably late for work,” Angelica said, leaning forward on the bench we were all sitting at as if to analyse him. “That kid probably needed help getting his cricket stuff together and carrying them around. It’s probably the first time he’s playing cricket.”

  “How can you tell?” I asked her.

  She pointed to his bag. “For starters, the bag’s new. It’s a little hard to tell from here but I’m pretty sure. Plus, the bat is way too big for this tiny guy. He probably insisted on getting it because it ‘looks cool’.”

  This was a game we had started playing, after discovering I was an Empath a few weeks ago. Henry had said it was a way for me to develop my powers but I’m pretty sure he just wanted to pry into other people’s feelings.

  “Spoiled brat.” Henry grumbled. “Wish I had money to get a bat.”

  “That’s impressive,” I said, looking at Angelica. “You managed to figure all that out by looking at him?”

  She shrugged and smiled. “It’s a hobby of mine. I like trying to read people.”

  “It’s because she wants to be a cop one day.” Monica piped up.

  “You do?” I asked, confused for a moment before thinking about it. “Oh, you mean, like, a Shaman cop?”

  “Yeah,” she nodded. “I’ve always wanted to, since I was young. My father is, so I want to be like him.”

  “And he’s pretty important,” Henry said, deciding to brag for her. “A top brass member of Soul Guard.”

  “That’s pretty cool,” I said. “My dad’s also a cop. Not really top brass though.” “That’s still cool. Being a cop is a noble job.” And she gave me a smile that melted my heart.

  “So, do you also want to be a cop?” Monica asked.

  I smiled bashfully. “Uh, nah, it’s a bit too dangerous for me. It’s probably even more dangerous if you’re hunting Shaman criminals, though.”

  Angelica laughed. I made Angelica laugh. “Yeah, it is.”

  I looked at the time and shot to my feet. “Shit. We need to get going.”

  Henry checked his phone and frowned. “We still have ten minutes and classes are a minute walk.”

  “I know,” I said. “There’s just something I need to do before the bell rings.”

  “What is it?” Monica asked as a sly grin suddenly came onto Henry’s face.

  “Ooh, isn’t Mrs Venter’s class open in the morning? I think somebody wants to write a Valentine’s card.”

  “Really?” Monica asked, looking way too excited as her yellow soul suddenly perked up. “You have a girl you like?”

  “Wh – what? No, that’s – that’s not it.” They probably didn’t need to be Empaths to tell I was lying, as my brown cheeks darkened, and I looked away from them with wide eyes. “I – I just need the toilet.”

  “Yeah, we should get back.” Angelica curtly said and stood up as well, a serious vibe coming from her soul. “We wouldn’t want to risk being late.”