The Nerd's Secret |Ongoing|

☫ Chapter 32 ☫

☫ Chapter 32 ☫

I didn't want to point out the elephant in the room.

     It took up most of the space in the laboratory. It made me feel confined in a way that left me gasping for air. Expect this is all metaphorical and I somehow had the capability to compose myself. 

     "You have a lot of faith in me," I bashfully said and lightheartedly--which was more awkward than anything--laughed. The pen froze in my hand. "But I'm pretty much scared of everything. There's no way I...there's no way I could be a hero."

     From the exterior observation, I appeared relaxed. Mentally, that was not the situation. My thoughts were running a mile in a minute. My palms were sweaty. My heart thundered so loud that I could barely make out Dr. Robertson's next words.

     "You think so?" The smile never left his face.

     He knows. He has to know.  Why else would he say that? Who would even say that? I think it's a weird thing to say. I certainly wouldn't say that. That's such a bold statement and considering the context, it's more intense. Assuming I didn't have powers and wasn't a superhero, how would I react? Flattered? Nervous? I know I wouldn't feel like I was going to die so there's that.

     Let's take a moment to reevaluate the information we have so I don't undergo anymore unnecessary panic. Predicament: It's strongly suggested that Dr. Robertson knows I have superpowers. Reason: The way he just said I would be a hero if I took the super drugs. Theory: He put the pieces together and knows I'm Blue Gravity. Logic: I don't know much so this is based on instinct. Conclusion: Calm down and act like a normal person.

     My face went red as he continued to fix his eyes on mine. "Y-Yeah."

     Good. That was normal. I'm normal. Normal. Oh my goodness, I can't handle this. When have I ever been normal? Even pre-superpowers, I've never been whatever normal is. Philosophically speaking, is there even premise of normal left to discuss? Normal doesn't exist. Case closed. I can't go off a tangent right now. There are more pressing matters to attend to.

     "I can understand you," Dr. Robertson replied. I found those words hard to believe. "I can't say I'd be a hero in that position either. The same goes for taking a bullet for someone close to you. We say we'd do it, but you'll never know until it happens."

     Paranoid Jeremiah is resurfacing the scene with blunt force. I believe I have the right to be a little on edge here so please forgive me as I ask this. Can I make the claim that he used that example as a mere coincidence? Is that a safe assumption? The bullet example I mean. I know that's a common phrase. People have it tattooed and everything. Still, I just so happened to experience that around twenty-four hours ago. Am I supposed to read between the lines? What would that mean then?

     Great, now I think he's stalking me. Get over yourself, Jeremiah.

     Dr. Robterson continued, "Most of us don't have the chance to prove ourselves."

     I frowned. "We shouldn't have to," I said quietly. "Be in situations like that and prove ourselves."

     No one should experience terror like that. Being the only person between a bullet and your friend. That's horrifying. I recalled yesterday with a new perspective. If I didn't have powers. I wouldn't have been able to make it in time. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I felt like throwing up. No wonder Jude was freaking out. I need to talk to him properly. Give him a peace of mind. Some sort of closure at least. 

     "I agree with you."

     I looked at him with eyes wide and mouth apart. He agrees with me? Maybe there's hope.