The bright light burned Lily’s eyes as she finally woke up. It must’ve been a dream. Lily thought, sitting up. Shear pains stung her arms and legs. “Ow.”
She was laying on a bed. A bright white comforter covered her arms and legs. They were soft and cool. But… wait…. She doesn’t remember this being her room. Maybe this wasn’t a dream. She pulled her arms out of the covers. They were covered in bandages, confused, she pulled her legs out, bandages surrounded her legs too. What happened? She thought.
She remembered something burning but nothing else. When she looked up there were no posters on the walls, just painted white. She slid her legs off the bed, wondering if she was able to walk. Lightly she placed her toes on the ground. More shear pains covered her legs, and she whimpered a little. She placed her feet on the floor, it hurt more.
“Here,” Someone said.
Warm comforting arms covered her shoulder as he helped her off the bed. Jason. Lily thought.
She was able to stand with some support. Jason helped her to the kitchen. It was a small apartment, it looked as bare as the bedroom. The walls were painted white, and there were no paintings or posters. It looked as if the only bedroom was the one she was in. He set her down on a stool at the counter and went to the kitchen across from her. The scent of eggs and bacon filled the air.
“I’m cooking some breakfast.” Jason looked up and smiled. It was a charming smile that brought redness to Lily’s cheeks.
“Is this your apartment?” Lily asked. She took this moment to take in the sight of the place he lived in. It looked depressing. She guessed he wasn’t much of a gamer or an anime watcher. There were no posters, computers, TVs, or gaming devices anywhere. What did he do in his spare time? She looked over at Jason who had the most neutral expression anyone could ever have.
Jason walked back to the counter and placed a plate full of bacon and eggs in front of Lily. She didn’t even see him plate it.
He’s amazing. Lily stared at the plate of food. She didn’t want to eat it. She was afraid of taking too much.
Jason chuckled a little. Lily looked up at his bright happy gaze. “You know you don’t have to be afraid of my cooking. I’m not that bad.” His face turned serious within seconds. Jason walked over to Lily and gently grasped her hand. Her cheeks burned. What was he doing? “Can I check your burns?” He asked.
“Oh… Yes.” Lily let Jason hold her hand. He slowly unwrapped the bandages. Even though it hurt as he lightly gripped her arm, she felt like this was going to end soon, and she didn’t want that. Lily gasped, it looked so bad, her skin was black and red. Blisters surrounded her burns. “You know,” Lily realized, “It felt like it was me who started the fire.”
“That’s because it was you.” Jason responded. He turned her arm, trying to get a good look at her wounds.
Lily’s stomach dropped. “I started the fire? How is that even possible?”
Jason smiled as he wrapped her wounds back up. He smiled the ghost of a smile. His grin did not answer her question. After he walked over to the kitchen and grabbed his plate of eggs and bacon. He walked over to Lily and sat next to her. She could feel the warmth of his body next to her. She ignored it and stared at Jason, wanting answers.
“Are you saying… I’m a superhuman?” Lily wondered.
“Superhuman?” Jason sounded almost disgusted. “No, we call ourselves ‘the gifted ones’.”
“‘We’?” Lily questioned.
“Yeah. ‘We.’ I’m a gifted one too.”
“What’s your power?” She asked, interested.
“‘Ability’.” Jason stated. “Not ‘power.’” He chuckled. “Geez. You watch a lot of anime.” He looked over at Lily who stared at him, clearly wanting answers. Jason sighed. “Alright, fine.” He looked at her, “I have three powers.” He was afraid of her reaction. “I’m a mind reader, I can use telepathy, and I can use telekinesis. Which by the way,” he added, “I am still learning.”
“You can read people’s minds?” Lily’s eyes widened. Then he must know that I like him. She thought. She closed her eyes and sighed, Well… now he knows…
Jason chuckled. “You’re funny.”
Lily decided to change the subject. “Are there more of you?”
“Billions. All spread across the world.”
Lily's head shot straight up. “So… My power is fire?” She wondered.
“One of them.”
“How many do I have?” She asked, surprise filling her tone.
“Everyone’s different.”
Lily started getting frustrated with his short answers. “How come my powers didn’t appear until now?” Is what she decided to ask instead.
“Because powers are based on emotion, your emotions were heightened, so your fire burned.”
Yes. She finally got a real answer. But, she wanted more. “How did I burn myself?” She asked.
“Because good powers have consequences.”
“So… The consequence of fire is burning myself whenever I use it?” She quizzed.
He took another bite. “Yep. Now eat.”
She picked up her fork. It was cold to the touch. It was better than the feeling of ice burning your skin when all you can feel is fear. She lightly stabbed a piece of egg and took a bite. It was bland at first, then the flavor exploded. It was perfect, not too salty, not too savory. She took more bites. She didn’t realize she was this hungry.
“I’m glad you like it.” She looked at Jason who was grinning. He didn’t have to read her mind to tell that she liked his cooking.
Lily flushed, “Your… It’s really good… I think you're really good at cooking…”
“I appreciate it.”
“Do you know what time it is? I don’t know where my phone is.” She asked politely.
“Hmm…” Jason checked his wrist. “I think it’s about two,”
“Oh no!” she yelled.
“What’s up…? Jason asked.
“School’s almost over!” Lily started getting up, when her feet touched the ground, sharp pains burst all the way from her feet to her chest. Her legs collapsed and she fell to the ground hitting her burnt arms on the hardwood floor. She yelled out in pain, and couldn’t move. Note to self… She thought. Don’t walk with second-degree burns on your legs…
A hand reached out in front of her, “Do you need help?” Jason asked.
“I… I can’t move… It hurts too much…” She whimpered. “Maybe I’ll just lay here for a little while.”
Jason grabbed underneath her armpits, “No, I’m not leaving you here.” He lifted her up until she sat on the stool again. “Now, don’t walk,” He cupped the side of her cheek, “Please.” Did he know that this really comforted her? He was helping her in a way that no one ever did before. She was very grateful.
“I don’t know what else to do… All of my family is gone. My dad, my mom, my teacher, now my aunt!” She placed her face in her hands while Jason lightly stroked her hair. He never did that before. It was… soothing. “I hate being helpless.” She sobbed.
Jason lifted her chin up, “You’re not helpless, and you’re not alone.” He took his sleeve and wiped Lily’s eyes that burned with tears. She refused to let them fall. “I know you’re meant to do something wonderful.” She looked at him, her eyes shimmering in the dim light. “Don’t doubt yourself, just wait, it’s tough, but eventually we will catch whoever did this, or is doing this, and we are going to create justice. Justice that will make you feel like you're worth it. That you belong here. And I am going to help you. I will stay by your side. I will support your decisions.”
If this was a normal relationship… It would’ve been going by way too fast. But, Jason knows what Lily needs because he can read her mind. So, maybe she should trust him. At least a little…
“I…” Lily’s voice cracked. “I don’t know what to say…” She looked at Jason. He was so kind. So sweet. Did she deserve this? He wiped more of the tears that filled her eyes. Maybe she was worth something. “Thank you…”
“I will be here, always,” Jason said. His voice was so soft. Like the ocean, but calmer.
She smiled, a single tear of happiness escaped her eye for the first time in years, “I trust you. Thank you.”
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