Gifted

Chapter Twelve

The following Friday was a low key, uneventful day; just the kind I liked. Iris sat cross-legged on my floor while I draped myself across the bed.

"What are your plans for the weekend?" she asked while painting her toes.

"Nothing."

"You're not going to give Nolan another chance?"

"I don't know. I have been thinking about it, but I wouldn't even know what to say to him. I'm pretty sure he would rather stay his distance."

"I wouldn't say that," Iris interjected.

"I don't see why. I blew him off; then turned him down. I'm kind of relieved he's speaking to me at all; I'd rather be just friends than not."

"You still like him?"

"Of course, what's not to like? He's great, funny, smart, good-looking, sweet..."

"I guess I'm missing the problem here." Iris shook her head.

How could this not be confusing to someone else? I botched a perfectly good relationship. I didn't feel the need to go crawling back, especially now that Nolan and I seemed to be carrying on with some semblance of a friendship. It seemed easier to cut my losses and learn from my mistake. It was hard to be just friends with Nolan. Anytime he flashed his smile my heart gave a little flutter, and my cheeks grew warm, but things were better this way. It would be best for everyone if we could stay on amicable terms. Still, I couldn't lie to myself, lately I found my mind wandering to those dates, wondering where we'd be if my seizure had never stolen our time away from us.

Iris capped the polish and straightened up. Her transformation over the last couple of weeks was really incredible. She started wearing brighter colors, pulling her hair back from her face; and even started applying some makeup. It wasn't just the physical transformation though; she was more confident and talkative.

"Let's get out of here!" She stood up.

"Where?"

She shrugged. "Get some food, and not from the cafeteria."

I laughed, that always sounded like a better option to me. "Let's go."

Climbing out of the cab after returning to MAC, I felt my skin crawl. I'd learned not to jump every time I felt the tingles; ever since I had started to control them, they weren't as scary. However, these were new; I paused on the sidewalk and scanned the campus. Iris was watching me. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "Not sure, I just-" How did I explain what caught my attention? I lied. "Thought I saw something."

Iris followed my stare.

"It's nothing I'm sure." My instinct, however, told me it was not. I started across campus and focused on tuning the nagging in my gut out. We had reached the courtyard when someone stepped in front of my path. Startled, I let out a gasp nearly jumping out of my skin.