The Author | Amber X Reader | f(x) Fanfic |

Seventeen

The walk home was slow. I didn't want to face Amber after that burst of anger. My guilt was eating me up.

When I door opened, I stared at the ground and forced out the words, "I am sorry for what happened before."

"I am sorry too. I know I was overstepping." She stepped to the side to let me in. "I need to tell you something."

I looked up and nodded. She closed the door and we walked into the living room.

"You asked me something earlier." She smiled nervously as she swayed back and forward after sitting down on the couch.

I gave her a confused look while tightly hugging my bag.

"About how I knew certain things." She filled in the blanks.

"Right." I straighten my back and listened carefully.

She pressed her lips together and nodded. "I know this is going to sound like a joke, but it's really not."

I placed my bag down and leaned back onto the couch.

"I knew about the incident at the camp, your job and Luna because..." she paused.

My muscles tensed as I faced her.

"Because I can read minds." Her eyes met mine.

I couldn't hold back my rather condescending smile.

"I know it sounds like an impractical joke." She placed her hands on mine. "But it's true."

"Read minds? Do you mean that you're good at reading body language? Cause that counts but it's far fetched to say you can read minds. That sounds like you can read it directly." I got up and picked up my bag.

"No. I can read minds, directly." She followed me to the room.

"Come on! Stop pulling my leg." I started unpacking my bag. "I told you all those things, the camp, job, Luna."

"I was talking about how you have sex with her to play in the court." She said in a flat tone.

I froze. "How ..."

"Is that proof enough?" She closed in.

"I don't really believe in supernatural things." I turned to her. "How did you know about that?"

"I just told you. I can read minds!" My disbelief was crawling under her skin.

"Did you get bitten by a radioactive animal? Or was it lab test gone wrong?" My tone was pushing her patience.

"It's hereditary. My mom and most people in her family have the ability." She spat out.

"Sorry, I am just having a hard time believing you." I faced her. "Tell me something else then."

"You and Taemin." She said after a moment's silence. "I know you're only doing it with him to try and prove to yourself that you're not gay."

"Doing what?" I gridded my teeth and gulped.

"You two are friends with benefits, right? Started a day after I started living here." She looked away.

"He could have told you." I dismissed her again despite wanting to believe her.

"I know why you're so scared of being gay." She rubbed her temples and she walked away from me. "It's because of what happened to your ..."

The world halted when I heard those words. "SHUT UP!" I screamed.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to pry or upset you." She said when she turned back to see me gripping the table, my knuckles turning white with the force.

"I don't want to talk about it. But I believe you." I forced a smile.

She stepped forward and I put my hands around her. "I am sorry for shouting."

"I am sorry for intruding in your life." She said.

We sat down on the bed. "Do you just constantly see everything on everyone's mind?" I asked when I regained my posture.

She winced and said, "No. That used to happen but I learned to control my powers. Mom taught me how to."

"So you chose to read my mind?" I bit my lip.

"You don't look angry." She looked at me with a conflicted look.

"I am not." I replied.

"Why not?" She asked.

"I don't know." I said plainly. I felt empty in that moment. Unable to feel an emotion. "But you have a supernatural ability ... that's cool." I patted her shoulder.

"Thanks? I made it weird, didn't I?" She asked.

"Not really. Was I really interesting enough for you to be curious about my life and thoughts?" Started taking off my socks.

"Have you seen your life?" She spoke in a laid back tone.

"Agreed. It feels surreal though. Everything. I feel like I am watching it from a glass box. It's on autopilot and I am just sitting back and watching everything." My eyes drifted away.

"And you feel powerless over all this. Stories are your only way of living." She filled in.

"Are you in my head?" I brought myself back to reality.

"I mean, I just told you I am." She joked. "Sorry. I like reading your thoughts. It's addictive." She stood up. "I'll give you some time alone."

The door closed and I stared at it. So, my roommate can read minds. Now what? Should I tell her to stay out of my head?

I enjoyed the attention, didn't I? Why? Was it because it was her?

I walked out of the room and walked up the narrow stairs past my room, to the attic. Switching on the lamp there, I walked to the far end and picked up the dusty shoe box.

I blew some of the dust off the surface and opened it. It was packed with items tied strongly to the past.

A polaroid picture sat on top of the pile. An innocent child stared back at me with dreamy eyes.

"I miss you." I whispered as I pocketed the picture. Closing the box, I returned to my room and placed the picture inside the case of 'The Craft'.

Hugs and kisses from Cheonsa.