Mindpsych

Chapter 1

"Finn Howe, Adria Hansen, Carson Kamberly, and Lily Shetman, please come to the front of the room," Mrs. Spielborough said, a smile in her voice.

All four of us had wide grins on our faces as we stood and walked up to stand in front of the seventh-grade class. Adria smiled nervously, and she kept accidentally phasing through Mrs. Spielborough's desk. Carson played with a small hovering glob of water, looking completely at ease. Lily and I stood stock-still and poker-straight, just as our parents--or in my case, Mom-- had taught us.

"These four students have recently turned 13 and will be leaving our class next Tuesday," our teacher said.

Timmy raised a hand. "Why them?" He asked, pointing to me and Lily. "I can understand Carson and Adria, but these two are normal."

"If I may, Ma'am," Lily spoke up. Mrs. Spielborough nodded, and Lily closed her cobalt-colored eyes.

Even I heard what came next, and it wasn't often that a Powered could affect another Powered.

Lily's clear, sweet voice rang in everyone's heads: I'm a Telepath. That drew gasps.

Timmy flicked his gaze to me. My turn.

I smiled mischievously. "Carson, throw that glob of water at me."

Carson blinked. "Wait, what?"

"Just do it!"

The Hydrokinetic shrugged and hucked the bubble of water at me.

The class held their breath, wondering what I was about to try. Calmly, I raised a hand with my palm facing out.

Suddenly, the water stopped in midair, then reversed direction. Before Carson knew what had hit him, he got splashed square in the face.

He spluttered, his long dark hair dripping wet. "Hey!" He said indignantly.

The class erupted into laughter, cheers, and applause. Even Mrs. Spielborough was laughing, even as she tried to quiet everyone.

The bell rang, and kids started leaving. I went to my desk and grabbed my things, ready to enjoy my last weekend in Arizona, when a sweet laugh sounded behind me.

I turned. Lily stood with her bookbag on her slender shoulder, her red hair shining in the afternoon sun. She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Finn, that was brilliant!" She said. "How did you do that so. . . so controlled? So precise?"

I laughed darkly, my mood changing suddenly. "Let's just say I've had plenty of practice."

Her smile disappeared as she caught on. She knew, of course. Her mom and my mom were friends.

"I'm sorry, Finn."

"For what? It's not your fault he's. . . he's a monster."

"I know that, but. . . it just seems unfair."

"Unfair? You bet. But life's unfair. Dad sure thinks so."

"You're saying you think he's jealous? Finn, he's one of them. He calls our kind sub-human, like we'll never be as good as Regs."

I sighed, pulling my bookbag onto my shoulder. "You know, Lily, I need some time. If you want to chat later, that's fine-- just use your phone this time, 'kay?"

Her fingers tightened on the strap of her bag, but she nodded. As I left, she caught my arm.

"If you ever need anything, let me know," she whispered, looking deep into my chocolate-colored eyes.

I hated when she did that. It was like she was searching my thoughts and feelings for something (a.k.a. Acting super creepy.)

I broke eye contact and shook my arm free of her hand. "Thanks," I said, and hurried outside before she could catch me again.