My Teacher and I were standing a foot apart from each other, our faces showing no sign of our intentions. My swollen cheek took away from my demeanor if even only a little. I activated my ability on my teacher.


    {I have lied countless times}


    {I have used people like tools}


    {I have framed others}


    My mind was filled with his evil, it seems like he has the determination to do anything to get what he wants. In this way we are quite similar. I could not plan a conversation on this little information, so I just have to learn more.


    “What do you want?” I asked emotionlessly. A good prompt to start even if little is given.


    “I just wish to check your cheek, looks like you got punched pretty hard.”  He replied, obviously lying.


    “Oh I’m fine, I don’t think a person like that could hurt me.” I answered, we were still staring each other down.


    “I see, that is rather unfortunate, Alexander was rather strong after all.” The teacher said, showing the difference in our approach.


    “No, he wasn’t very strong, just big. Some people are just big, and because they are big they think they are strong. I think those people are fools, big muscles, big mouths, big ‘egos’.” I slided in a snide comment. The first person to lose in a battle of wits is the one who loses their cool.


    “So, that''s how you see it, though, I don’t think you should take insulting my students lightly.” The teacher was able to keep his cool. It seems most words would not be able to make him emotional.


    “Who said I was talking about students?” I said trying yet again to attack his mentality. It will not likely work, but it can help probe a little deeper.


    “You know the people who underestimate others are mostly overestimating themselves.” The teacher said, both of us still staring each other down, neither wanting to be the first to break. Our faces are emotionless, neither allowing the other to break in with their words. I hear footsteps, someone coming, possibly the school nurse.


    I put on a normal smile and say, “Are teachers ''really’ that good at teaching?” Emphasizing the really is an insult, but would the attack work? The footsteps came to the door and opened it slowly.


    “It''s our job as teachers to teach young students like you, no need to be courteous.” The teacher said, the smile returning to his face.


    The school nurse, a young woman likely in her mid twenties, walked in. She had long brown hair, a good face, and figure. Likely an Idol to most students, it was a wonder why her office was empty.


    “What are you doing- oh my what happened to your face.” She jittered in surprise when she saw my face. She immediately ran to my side and started to inspect the side of my face.


    “Somebody lost control during P.E, and ended up hitting him with a ball.” My teacher said, quite a good cover-up considering that the class before the break, was in fact P.E.


    “I see, well sit down.” The nurse ordered. I sat down and my teacher asked if it was fine for him to leave. After an affirmative answer my teacher left, leaving only me and the nurse alone in the room. The nurse slowly but skillfully treated my wound.


    “Thank you,” I said, truly appreciative.


    “No need, this is my job.” The nurse replied lazily.


    “I would still like to thank you, I know it''s not easy to do this.” I replied.


    “You know you have guts right? Most of the boys in this school don’t have the gall to talk to me.” While a compliment to most, it only sounded like her wanting me to stop talking to me. I sat still while she treated my cheek, silence filled the room. After my wound was treated the nurse gave me my next orders.


    “You should lay down for a while, maybe you should just go home, want me to call your parents?” She said very quickly, yet I would not allow her to call my father.


    “No, I''m fine, my parents'' work is very important so I shouldn’t bother them.” I lied quickly.


    “I see, then just rest for now.” She ordered me while pointing at a bed. I laid down and started to rest when the nurse asked a question.


    “I almost forgot, what''s your name?” She asked curiously.


    “Azure Barrett.” As soon as the words left my mouth, she twitched. Most likely scared from the rumors. She walked tensely back to her desk. She was too scared to talk for the rest of the school day.


    As soon as the final bell for the day rang, I started to pack up, and when I tried to leave, the door slammed open. In front of my face was Kaede, sweaty and panting, obviously from having run here.


    “You must have some business with the nurse, well goodbye.” I said, trying to slip between her and the door frame.


    Kaede’s hand caught me, she then said, “No, I’m here for you.” No sooner had she finished her short bit did I unconsciously let out a “Tcht.”  An annoyed look on my face.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    “What did you need?” I droned on.


    “Have you forgotten we''re going out tomorrow?” She asked with curious face.


    “That''s tomorrow, why did you have to chase me down today?” I asked.


    “Are you stupid?” Kaede said, trying to imitate me.


    “We didn’t agree on a place to meet up last time.” She continued explaining herself.


    “How about the coffee shop?” I suggested trying to end the conversation quickly.


    “Good, and time?” She relentlessly nagged.


    “How about 9?” I answered immediately.


    “Good, it''s a date.” Kaede teased.


    The very next day, I waited at the coffee shop for Kaede to arrive. While waiting I was getting lectured by Mr. Drake. Mr. Drake disagreed with what I was doing in my class, I sat silent without  response. Once Mr. Drake knew I would not change my mind, he gave up. Conveniently Kaede showed up right after. Kaede greeted the old couple and then we left. We started walking when I realized I did not know where we were going.


    “Where are we going?” I asked simply.


    “The zoo.” Kaede replied happily. I was shocked yet again, regardless of her intentions unless related somehow, who would go to the zoo with somebody you barely know.


    We got onto a bus that would drop us off at the zoo. We sat in silence, but my mind was at work. Why would she go to the zoo with me? Isn’t she scared of me? Will they have pandas?


    When we arrived, we got off the bus and used the tickets Kaede had to enter through the main entrance. I do not like owing people, but it would also be rude to pay for something she already bought. Guess I will have to pay it off another time.


    We had a rather good time at the park. Eventually we got to a special exhibit.


    “Pandas.” I muttered silently. However Kaede somehow heard me.


    “Do you like Pandas?” Kaede asked.


    “Yes.” I answered embarrassed. In fact I like most animals. They do not work the same way as humans. Even if I activate my powers nothing shows up. They are somehow innocent. Of course I also appreciate their fur or eyes. Panda’s are quite rare, you are barely able to find them anywhere.


    Kaede and I saw the pandas, they were very cute with their stubby bodies and black and white fur.


    “Soooo Kuuute.” Kaede cheered extremely happily. I smiled a bit too. We continued our exploration of the zoo’s animals. This time with a little less stress and formality. It had been a while since I had this much fun.


    I bought us ice cream, I had vanilla, Kaede had chocolate. I was reminded again of how separate we are. As we were walking I noticed something funny about Kaedes light blonde hair. I laughed a bit and Kaede looked at me curiously. She got close to me then probably noticed it herself.


    “Is vanilla your favorite flavor?” She asked innocently.


    “Yes.” I replied, looking away. This time Kaed had the devilish grin, it did not look horrid like mine, but cute.


    “I like normal chocolate, however I ‘love’ dark chocolate.” Kaede teased, as she got closer. I backed away out of instinct, and bumped into a wall. I dropped my ice cream. Kaede, shocked, immediately started apologizing.


    “It''s fine.” I said. I cleaned my ice cream from the ground and threw it away. Approached while not paying attention I was surprised by Kaede again.


    “Do you wanna share?” Kaede asked with a smile.


    “No need.” I answered immediately. That was the first time I thought of Kaede as dangerous.


    We made our way through the zoo having lots of fun. Unexpectedly the zoo had a ferris wheel. Which is weird since I don’t remember there being a ferris wheel here. I asked an employee and it turns out it had been built recently. I thought about what it would take to do that. It seems like the ferris wheel is here for unworldly reasons.


    For some reason I suggested going on the ferris wheel to Kaede. As we were slowly spinning around Kaede and I talked. When we reached the top and saw the view of the park Kaede spoke.


    “I have something to tell you.” I was surprised, a confession, but what kind.


    “What?” I asked in response. Her next words would change my life forever. At those moments I realized the Ferris wheel was made for this moment.


    Kaede looked at me right in the eyes fearless. She slowly began to talk, her supple lips moved in slow motion trying to mouth words that had impact. The rest of the world shut out as she began to speak.


    “I have an ability, I can see the good in people.” Kaede had said such simple words. The words would often be used in normal life. However Kaede’s aura was pure and the words she said were anything but normal.


    Silence followed her statement. My brain overheated. Others have powers? She can see the good? Why would she tell me this? And most important of the questions; If she can see the good in people, why is she here with me?


    My heart rushed, I would consider my heart normally gray. However after that statement light blue mixed making me feel free. My heart ran wild, so did my head. I was no longer in control of my actions.


    “Actually, I have an ability too.” I spoke. Kaede was shocked. Why did I say that? I can’t trust her. Can’t trust? I thought. Was that really true? I felt the familiar black wave building like a tsunami, ready to overcome and obliterate any feeling I had. My thoughts were broken when Kaede spoke.


    “What''s your ability?” She quickly put her face inches from mine, “I''m curious.” My heart rushed again with more blue.


    “I can see the evil in people.” I spoke again unintentionally. Why am I bleeding my secrets to her?


    “Evil, like what?” Kaede asked. My brain raced to think about what to show her. What I told her now would greatly affect her image of me and my powers. Then my sky blue heart gave me a thought; That is wrong. The thought was so convincing.


    “I can see what evil people have committed in the past, for example if somebody steals I would know.” I explained while avoiding direct eye contact.


    “Then what do you see from me?” Kaede kept pestering me with questions.


    “I can see that you lied to me when you said you were not scared.” I stated.


    Kaede looked down.


    “You knew from the beginning?” She asked silently


    “Yes.” I answered quietly.


    “I have a question for you.” I spoke precisely. Kaede raised her head to look at me once again. This time her face was not inches from mine, she was sitting normally in her seat.


    “Why do you keep approaching me when you are scared of me?” I asked seriously. Kaede smiled for some reason, happy again. Were her emotions this unstable, or was she faking. My blue heart told me the answer yet again. This is real.


    “I will not run away from you.” Kaede said.


    “Why.” I asked while grabbing her shoulders.


    “Because of the good in you.” She said still smiling, while ignoring my contact.


    “What good?” I asked, shaking her.


    “I''m not telling.” Kaede refused my question outright.


    I knew when to give up, now was the time. Not to my surprise the black tsunami crushed my heart again, along with my heart my hopes were crushed. However there was still a trace of the sky blue left behind.