The Gifted

Jordyn

Last night was the best New Years Eve a guy could ask for. I was among my friends and my new family. It's been a few years since Dad died on New Years Day and I'm glad my sister wasn't out drinking or sulking. For once, I appreciate Dom for making her forget.

Yet, we're back to normal as we wake up early to hear the news. Each new year, the President announces new resolutions and new laws that could change our city. Unfortunately, none have been true.

I sit at the table with Mia and Nikki by my side. The hologram appears of the President giving his speech and the large image appears on the television behind us. Even if we don't turn it on when he does a speech, it turns on by itself. It's inevitable to have a moment of silence without the goody President breathing down our necks. I wonder if Gabriel and Adeline feel the same.

We kiss my mom goodbye and make our way to my car once we finish our breakfast. I look back again and give her a smile. Just like Dad, New Years morning was the last time I saw his face. I can't risk that again.

We all seem to cringe with the loud and booming speakers giving out the President's voice.

"Jesus," Nikki says. Despite last night, she still didn't seem to have gotten a goodnight sleep as she runs a hand though her messy hair. "I feel like puking and the speakers are making my headache worse."

"What kind of drugs are you taking, Nikki?"

I smile along with Mia's teasing tone and Nikki throws a piece of paper to the back seat. "Shut up, Mia. You may be good at punching, but I've got the needles."

"And I've got the power to control needles and any metallic substance, so I wouldn't dare try threatening me."

Nikki opens her eyes in surprise and turns her head towards Mia. "You sound like Emms. You've been hanging out too much with that hot headed girl."

I chuckle and shake my head. "You guys make her that way. You have to understand what she's going through."

"You're right," Nikki says closing her eyes again and holding her head. "No one is as big of a hot head than Adeline. Sometimes I just wanna--"

"Nikki take this," I say taking out a small bottle of pills. "It'll help with the pain."

"Does it help with her attitude as well?" Mia and I share a laugh as Nikki threatens to throw the bottle at her. Despite her pain, she still puts a pill in her mouth with a smile. The pill slowly dissolves on her tongue and enters her pores to run through her system in less than a minute. She should be better by the time we get to school.

We park and the girls get off as I click a button on my keys that brings out a small triangle from the tires. This is just in case someone has the audacity of trying to steal my care, the triangles prevent them from moving and alerts me that someone's there.

Nikki and Mia walk together towards the front doors. Yet, I see Nikki catch a quick glance at Dom. He tends to hang out in the front lawn with his group of friends. He also gives her a look and a nod before going on with his conversation.

Nikki pretends to not care, but I know her well. I'm also not stupid. I know what happened between them last night. All those weird looks they would give each other. I'm not the only one who had a New Year kiss.

But I wait for the right moment to talk to my sister as we make our way to the back lawn of the school. Sam and Dan are there already having a conversation. Emms sees me coming and she gives me a wink when I enter their group. I return it with a smile; remembering the way she looked up at me on the last five seconds on the clock and whispered, "I love you." I never thought I'd melt for someone until that moment...