Silent thoughts

Episode 13

"Dinner's ready" My mom announced advancing towards my door then she opened up and peeped in.

"Yes Mom" I replied before I could hear thoughts, she was curious about what was going on, briefly scanning us she asked internally, what was going on with her face narrowed in question, I just smiled assuring her everything was fine. Then she left, and after that, I stood, watching Adrian.

"It's impossible isn't it?" Adrian asked with a snicker.

"Um...I-" I tried to talk but the words were caught in my throat.

"It's impossible, though it felt kinda strange, let's go, you won't want your mom coming back again, and...I'm sorry, for...I mean Sandra" Adrian apologized moving closer, hands on my waist and gaze fixed on me with a smile plastered on his face.

"Um...yeah, it's okay" I stuttered timidly, I felt all the courage to tell him about my ability fly out of the window, I didn't know how to tell him, how will he take it? Would he accept me after that? Or will he leave me? The thought of him leaving me sent cold chills down my spine, he can't leave me when I just met him I hoped petrified all of a sudden.

"Okay let's go," he said leading me outside and I followed, throughout his stay with us my mind was disoriented, heart filled with guilt for not telling him, I was scared, scared he'll hate me for it, but it's making me crazy and I had no idea what to do.

*****

"Hey," my mom called waking me up the second day.

"Your brother wants to talk to you" she said handing me the phone then left just after that, I sat up leaning against the headboard.

"Hey, bro...what's up?" I said obviously with my hoarse bedroom voice.

"What's up with your voice?" Nathan asked sounding surprised through the receiver.

"Just woke up," I said slipping out my covers to stand from my bed before making my way to my bathroom and getting into my blue fluffy flip-flops that match the colour of my pajamas.

"Oh, I see...guess what?" he asked after expressing surprise.

"What?" I asked suddenly curious as I rub my sleepy eyes facing my bathroom mirror.

" I mean guess!" He emphasized

"Oh come on...you know I hate guessing," I said taking my brush from my cup after cleaning the mist that had covered the mirror due to the cold.

"I'm on my way to California," he said sounding excited.

"What!?" I half screamed immediately after I had put my brush in my mouth.

"I'll arrive in Los Angeles tomorrow" He added the excitement still evident in his tone.

"But I thought you weren't coming till next month," I said disappointed and worried, yeah. I don't want him to come yet, he's very troublesome and annoying.

"Come on girl...aren't you happy your big brother's coming tomorrow," He said sounding disappointed, like duh, who cares...he's going to make my life a living hell!

"Yeah...I'm happy I'm gonna have someone on my neck again" I said sarcastically and indistinctly since I had started brushing.

"You said what?" He asked making it obvious he didn't hear me well.

"Nothing," I said after spitting out the paste foam into the bathroom sink.

"Okay girl...expect big bro tomorrow yo," he said and the line went dead.

Oh damn, I said dropping the phone on the protruding part of the mirror frame,

I wasn't really happy about my brother coming home, unlike many younger sisters who wish their elder brothers were home to have someone to pamper them, in Nathan's case it's the exact opposite, the fact he knows about my ability is troubling, when we were younger, he'll drag me to his school to start reading his crush mind to know what she thinks of him or to know what's running through his friend's mind, Nathan can be very tiring.

"Nathan just ruined my day," I said turning on the heater before the shower. There is no way I'm having a cold bath this cold day.

***

I sighed on closing my books, I had just finished working on my home works I checked the time to see 4:38, I should start getting ready for Tyler's birthday I said standing, the house was empty, even my dad wasn't home despite he works free on Saturdays, I sighed and started to dress up.

"I'm gonna tell Adrian after the party," I muttered as I check myself out in my large dressing mirror embedded to the back of my closet door, I was looking so...different, I wonder how the clothes fit perfectly, well not so perfect, the dress was a little bit tight, I thought then my phone rang.

"Hey," I called Into the phone after picking.

"I'm at the door," Adrian said and I quickly grab my clutch purse I was about to move out when I remembered I was carrying a naked face, I hastened back to the mirror apply some quick makeup before finally going out, I bumped into Adrian on opening the door, he caught me, stopping me from falling by supporting my frame with his strong arms holding my waist almost immediately, but instead of saying sorry or any other thing, he stood gawking at me in utter dismay.

"Um sorry" I muttered standing upright to face him, I cleared my throat and asked

"How do I look?" But he only kept ogling at me.

"Adrian!" I called snapping him out of his reverie.

"oh...yeah...you look...Um like a model" he remarked stressing the word model.

"Thanks" I said trying not to blush which I failed but fortunately it wouldn't be obvious due to my colour and makeup.

"Um... I'll take you" he offered.

"Okay," but I didn't know what he meant by that.

"Come on let's go" he said then I caught a glimpse of something, right in front of our yard was a blue glistening sedan. appearance obvious even with the wooden bars that had blocked half of his height.

"What!?" I practically squeaked.

"Actually...my dad let me take his second car since I've got my license " He explained slowly and I jumped on him in an excited hug.

I knew he had been patching things up with his dad for the past two weeks, and I was glad.

I was so happy feeling the fresh air hit my face as he drove, I heaved out a heavy sigh, happy about how things were, I looked over to his side and caught him stealing glances at me, he smiled and took my nearest hand planting a soft kiss before locking fingers, I smiled in reaction and he returned it warmly.

He immediately got down to open the door for me on getting to the party which was held at Tyler's place after 20mins drive, I heard some boys whistling as I walk hand in hand with Adrian over the steps leading to Tyler's house front yard, then I pick on their thoughts, maybe I shouldn't have done that cause I was feeling too uncomfortable, afterwards, I am a girl termed sexy, I mean I've got large boobs, tiny waist and fall out hips complimenting it, and seeing them talking about how sexy I looked in the dress makes me slightly uncomfortable, I smiled on getting to Tyler.

"Happy birthday Tyler" I greeted giving him a quick hug.

"Thanks, Nat... I'm very glad you made it " he said flashing me a grateful smile which I gladly return.

Tyler is a tall, dark guy, with broad chest, he was a handsome ebony, one of the leading stars in the basketball team at school.

"It's a pleasure" I replied still smiling, then I saw Sandra across the yard just in front of the porch practically glaring at me, like I care.

I was starting to get disturbed by so many thoughts all around, I was drowning in them, gaining scorn from me tainting my expression.

"Hey...you okay?" Adrian asked watching me closely,

"I'm good " I lied hoping he'll buy it despite how pale I was getting.

"You look pale" he pointed out worriedly, and I smiled trying to mask how I was really feeling.

"I'll be fine" I assured staring straight into his eyes, his face all scrunched up in concern.

"Okay then...hang around, I'm just gonna go meet Brian, I'll be back shortly" He assured pecking me before taking Tyler's hand leading him towards Brian's crew, I sighed quickly digging into my purse to get my earpiece and block the thoughts crowding into my head. I was relieved when I felt my head free again, just few minutes after that, I felt someone's hand tapping me.

"Hey...hi" I said on removing the earpiece to face Kate and Hanna, they look so adorable, Hanna was in a shining silver gown with large parting exposing her thigh, while Kate was in a yellow top with white fitted skirt and yellow heels.

"You guys look great" I complimented still grinning.

"You're not looking bad yourself....I would die to get those shoes" Sandra said pointing to my heels.

"Thanks" I said with a smile, I could hear her thoughts, she really does love shoes.

"Hey buddies" Brian said through the microphone calling attention to himself.

"Hope you are enjoying your time, we'll start with the dance soon so I want you guys to help that bad buddy over there in cutting the cake please now we'll start with T.... Now loud" He declated then we all start with the pronunciation of Tyler and soon the cake was cut and the loud music roar to life, and the dance started.

"Ohhh...come on Nat" Hanna said loudly to make herself audible.

"I don't dance" I tried to shrug her off as she tried to pull me up my seat,

"Oh, c'mon" Kate urged already moving to the dance floor, then Tyler came.

"Hey" he said and issue his hand, because of the loud music his thoughts were faint until he touched my hand, Tyler had a crush on me, my mind screamed as I accepted his hand pulling me up while his thoughts slowly intrude my brain.

"You look gorgeous tonight" He flirted dancing as he talked.

"Thanks" I replied flushed with embarrassment, then Hannah's thought was registered, the girl was drooling for Tyler, I was already developing headache with the oozing thoughts of all the people around me.

"Hey...you okay?" Tyler asked and I managed a smile.

"Yeah ...Um where's Adrian?" I asked already getting dizzy.

"He's with Brian and the others, probably chatting" He replied casually.

"Come on Nat...let's dance" He requested taking my hands in his.

"I... I don't dance" I stuttered trying to stop him from dragging me to the dance floor but he wouldn't listen, I couldn't help laughing as Tyler started dancing silly, then the song changed, it's was slow, time for waltz I guessed, then Tyler moved forward taking my hand and the other on my waist, I was uncomfortable, first he was lusting for me, second I don't want Adrian misunderstanding the situation.

"You really look beautiful" Tyler complimented again looking straight into my eyes, will he stop hitting on me for goodness sake!

"Um...thanks, Tyler...I...have-" I was trying to say when he move close my ears pulling me closer, I shivered as his cheeks touched mine , I was now very irritated, I'm certain Adrian was going misunderstand the situation...speaking of the devil.

"Natalie!" I heard Adrian called loudly anger evident in his voice and the fact he called my name in full makes my heart skip a beat... I immediately stepped away from Tyler.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked facing Tyler which surprised me.

"Um...we were just talking and...dancing" I stuttered my explanation as my heart raced loudly in my chest, I didn't sound very convincing though.

"I saw you Tyler...you can't deny it can you?" He accused but I didn't know what he meant,

"What!?" I asked confused then I heard Tyler's thoughts 'shit.... Brian should have hold him up a little longer' now I get it, he was trying to make a move on me, I turned to Adrian who was burning in rage and tried to calm him down.

"It was nothing Adrian." I half pleaded facing him totally,

"We were only talking" I added smiling but his cold gaze was fixated on Tyler.

"Was this while you asked me to arrange the drinks with Brian?" He asked still glaring at Tyler.

"I'm sorry man...but I wasn't doing anything wrong" Tyler said indifferently and this must have angered Adrian, what happened next was a punch in Tyler's face which make the music stop and all face directed to us.

"Son of a b***h, do you think I wouldn't know you want her" He spat but that wasn't my problem but the splitting headache I was developing at that moment the music that was killed make the thoughts more audible, the next thing I could make out was Adrian and Tyler exchanging fist, I called him severally as I was becoming gradually unconscious then I heard my thud as I fell, Adrian's image was blur when he suddenly bend over to me calling my name.

The street was so quiet and dark as I walk from one turn to another, and when I got to one stop I saw Adrian, I smiled and I sighed.

"I've been looking for you" I said walking towards him, he smiled back but when I almost got close to where he stood, I couldn't find him again.

"Adrian!" I called out loud but he wasn't there

"Adrian" I called again then I started to shout his name, then I heard my name I turned back to see Adrian but my eyes were now opened to see him holding me by the arms, worry and concern plastered all over his face.

"Natalie! Can you see me? I'm right here" he called out worriedly.

"Adrian" I called slowly and tried to stand trying to figure out where I was.

"Easy there" he said helping me sit up.

"Where am I?" I asked adjusting myself on the sofa as I lean on my back.

"Tyler's room...you passed out" He stated the obvious, looking kinda guilty and suddenly I was angry, I stood abruptly putting my legs into my shoes which most have been removed from me in the first place.

"Hey, wait...where are you going?" He asked still worried as he followed me while I find my way to the door, then right past the sitting room where some teenagers like us were giggling and chuckling.

"I wanna go home" I declared aloud as I got to the front door.

"Let me take you home" He offered.

"No Adrian! No!" I said grabbing my purse and walking straight outside, the party was still on and I was looked at as I walked through the party and straight into the street Adrian was after me trying to apologise at the same time offer me a ride home and on getting to the end of the street, Tyler joined him but that doesn't matter I immediately stopped a moving taxi and hop in.

"Natalie! Adrian called " go! I commanded the taxi driver and he started moving after telling him the direction to my house.

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