Perception

Alex

I try to keep my arms and head down in the train as it shifts around. It's not that I'm afraid to touch or look at people, I just can't. When I do, something happens, it's kind of like the infamous line we all know in the movies. The way you see your life "Flash before your eyes" before you die, except its not my life; its their's. I get ready for work everyday with the same routine; I get up put on long sleeves, my pants, my hat , then my sunglasses. I go to school, and then go to work. Maybe not in that exact order, but you get what I mean. Every day for me is an ultimate surprise, never knowing where this journey is going to take me. The kids at school think I keep my head down and avoid eye contact because I'm shy.

I realized I had this ability when I was thirteen; I had bumped into a kid at my school, his name was Kyle. I had somehow seen that his father had beaten him after getting home from school. He had gotten into some trouble with the police (everyone at school knew that he was the 7th grade "bad boy". I had also seen that his mother had died of cancer, and his older brother had run away 3 years ago. It was like everything he saw and ever felt, ran through my mind and body like a lightning bolt. Ever since then I've tried to conceal my ability. I wish I didn't have this, this thing. It invades a person's private life without them know that I'm doing it. Every time it happens I feel like I should apologize to them. The only other people who know about my abilities are my two best friends, Jace and Kate. They had been the next victims of my power after Kyle.

Working at hot topic makes it hard to hide my gift, it helps that it's located at the mall. I know it seems like a bad place for someone like me to work at the mall, having to look at people all the time, but it was the only job I could find on short notice. I head into work and put my stuff in the back, I start restocking the the clothing racks.

"Hey can you help me find something?" A customer says as she touches my arm to get my attention. Luckily my boss let me keep on my sweat shirt so I didn't "see" anything. I help her find the Jack Skellington leggings she wanted, and she thanks me by hugging me. When I return to the rack with a feeling as though someone is watching me I turn to the window. There I find a boy in all black with long black hair that sweeps over his eyes, a tattoo, plugs and facial piercings watching me. I let my hair fall into my face and give a nod, he stares at me for a bit longer then walks away.

"Weird.." I mutter under my breath.

After my shift I lock up and head out. The boy from before is waiting for me. I keep walking but I don't get very far before I turn around to see him following me.

"Uhm hi, did you need something? I saw you earlier today I think?" I say he shakes his head, he continues to stare. "Okay then.." I turn to walk away when he calls out "Wait.."

Walking up to me he introduces himself, "I'm Jerick."

"I'm Alex." We walk out into the parking lot when I ask the obvious question, "So, why were you waiting for me outside the store?"

"I, um, wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" Well this was getting weird pretty quick.

"I don't know, I just saw you and I.." he stares at the ground.

"Oh okay then.. Well, I ride the bus home.. So I got to go." I say, sounding just a little awkward.

"Okauy, well.. Maybe I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, maybe. See ya." I half wave, and get on the bus, watching him until he fades away.

RIIINNNNGGGG!!!

"Ugh." I roll out of bed and get ready for school. I put on my B.V.B. shirt, black ripped extra skinny jeans, and my black Converse, by the time I'm ready I have to run out the door to the bus stop. I walk into first hour to my seat. A few minutes later someone sits next to me. No one sits there. Ever. So I turn to see who had sat down. My eyes grow with shock, It's Jerick. He's wearing a black t-shirt and black skinny jeanns, with black converse. He smiles.