Ingenious

Chapter Thirteen

1 year, 3 months and 4 days. As the number increases it feels less important, yet I keep counting. Things are the exact same as they've always been except Maia has been incorporated into everything. She joins Kacey and I's girls night once a week. I've helped with training her some days and we have our game nights as a group together. She has a temperature controlling power so she alters the heat of things. She's a fast learner like me which makes us competitive. So far she can change the heat of water pretty well and some objects, but she struggles with changing air temperature or body temperature. Although it's only been 3 months. I get out of bed stretching as I head over to the training room. I slept in today because Ryan and I were up late last night for our date night. When I get there, everyone is doing their own practice while Ryan and Shawn workout. I'm half asleep but I wake myself up by shocking my own body. It feels weird, but I've gotten used to doing it. It's just like a big shiver. Once I feel awake I start with shooting lightning at the wall a bunch and then playing with some lightbulbs. Everything involving my power feels so easy. After shooting it at the wall I turn to Maia shocking her slightly to get her attention. She almost jumps out of her skin, turning away from the glass of water and towards me.

"God, you know that's scary!" she exclaims. She's become a lot more vocal as time goes on. I shrug,

"I needed to get your attention," I say defensively. "Anyways, wanna trade practice. You change my body temperature, I'll shock you in different ways." She rolls her eyes. I can make it so the shocks don't hurt but people feel shaken up after. To be fair it's the same with using your ability on anyone. You just feel shaken up because something unnatural happened I guess.

"I start," she tells me as we head to my corner to practice. "Relax, it's easier when you're not so tense." I sigh and try to close my eyes and breath in and out. I feel a chill run through me, but soon enough I'm returned to normal.

"Oh come on Maia," I tell her laughing, "you can do better than that and you know it. That was a total of 2 seconds." She shrugs. I know it's hard sometimes, but she always acts like it's easy. "You okay?" I ask her concerned. Yeah Maia's quiet, but today she's been even quieter.

"Yeah," she says blankly, "it's just my Dad's birthday. Miss him a little more than usual." I nod and give her a warm smile.

"I'm sure he misses you too," I tell her quietly. We continue training for the rest of the day until we all get tired and go in early.

"Board games tonight right?" Shawn asks, walking in right after his shower. It's almost dinner time and we usually start right after.

"Yeah," Kacey says, "and we are playing Monopoly today." I've learned not to ask where random things are from because the government was kind of generous with what they gave us. To start a whole slew of board games we use. It isn't as bad as you would think living in isolation. Especially when you have your best friends around you. As Kacey grabs our dinner, slices of pizza and carrots, I help Ryan set up Monopoly.

"I'm going to beat you tonight," Ryan whispers a smile playing at his lips. While obviously we are all very competitive, Ryan and I have our own playful count for board game nights just between us. The only goal of it is to beat the other person, no need to come first or even second.

"As if," I whisper before pulling away to help Kacey carry the plates. As we all sit down and start the game, it gets pretty intense with all the deal making and trades going on.

"No fair!" I exclaim halfway through. "You can't just give him the last railroad! That makes him so overpowered!"

"Why wouldn't I give it to him," Maia exclaims, "I get Park Place in return and can build on the dark blues. Besides, you're just sad that'll put him in the lead for your little competition." I give Maia the death stare as we continue. In the end Maia wins, but sadly Ryan comes in second. I'm in fourth, but I don't even care about that, it's just Ryan gets another win putting him only 2 points behind me. After some silent conversations between Ryan and I we all move on to getting ready for bed.