Manipulate

I wake up to someone shaking me awake. “Abhaya, can you come with me please?” A voice asks.

I wipe the sleep from my eyes. When I see who it is; Rae is waiting for me at the bottom of the bunk. I reach for my boots and tug them on.

Rae leads me outside the dorm and into a deserted hall. “Abhaya, come straight to my office after breakfast. Be the last one out of the cafeteria. Don’t let anyone see you or follow you. Max and Alia know that you’re coming to see me, so don’t worry,” Rae whispers.

I nod and I wait outside for everyone to head down to the cafeteria. I hear a thud and two people yell. I sigh and shake my head. This unit is a mess, I think as I open the door.

I look at everyone in the room. What I see is, everyone jumping from bunk to bunk. Theo, Peter, and Trey stand against the wall with their arms crossed across their chest. Trey whispers something to Theo when they see me.

Trey pushes Theo lightly on the shoulder. Theo rolls his eyes at Trey and then he says something to him. Before Theo can talk to me; the bell rings for breakfast. Everyone starts running and yelling to get out of the dorm.

Alia catches the boys who started the chaos. “Go back and walk down quietly,” Alia orders.

The boys sigh and walk back to the dorm. Alia catches me. “You know where you’re going after breakfast right?” She asks.

“Yes. I’m going to Rae’s office,” I state.

Alia nods and lets me go.

The cafeteria doors open and that’s when the morning chaos begins. The adults give the younger ones a disapproving look. I grab a tray from the stack and wait for the line to shift.

I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I turn around. Theo stands behind me.

“Hi, Abhaya. How did you sleep last night?” Theo asks as the line starts to shift.

“Fine,” I say as I scoop eggs onto my plate. “How did you sleep?”

Theo is silent for a moment. “Fine,” he says.

Before Theo can say something; two girls start fighting in line. One girl pushes the other girl over. Causing me to trip and lose my balance.

I manage to keep the food on the tray at least. Theo stumbles a little when I bump into him.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, embarrassed.

“It’s fine, Abhaya. Don’t worry,” Theo says casually.

I manage to get the rest of my breakfast just fine. My face is hot from the embarrassment from earlier. I sit down at a table next to Alia and Kayla. I start buttering my toast and taking a bite out of it. I bite it from the corner to the middle; like Aj did with me.

Theo sits down next to me, along with Peter and Trey. I take the pepper shaker and start slightly shaking the pepper onto my eggs. Alia turns her head toward me. She looks at my meal. She nods and goes back to talking to Max. I poke at the eggs with my fork. Then I take a bite. Trey nudges Theo in the arm. Theo shakes his head at what Trey just said.

The bell rings and I do what Rae told me to do. Be the last one out. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Get down to Rae’s office as fast as you can, I think as I drop my tray off at the cafeteria window.

I get lost in the crowd of people and head down the many long hallways toward Rae’s office. I knock on the door. Rae peeks her head out with a bright cheerful smile painted across her face.

“Did anyone follow you?” Rae asks as she rushes me inside her office.

“No,” I say, shaking my head.

Rae lets out a sigh of relief. “Good. Give me a moment, and I’ll tell you what we’re doing.”

There’s a knock at the door. Rae smiles and runs toward the door. Theo stands there with his hands tucked into his jean pockets.

“Theo! Come in, come in!” Rae exclaims.

Theo gives me a questioned look. I shrug and look at a highly positive and happy Rae. Rae takes a breath and shakes her head. Her black blazer, maroon turtleneck sweater and her khaki pants catch some loose hairs. Rae clasps her hands together.

“Theo, Abhaya, I hope you two understand that this is for your own safety and that I want to keep both of you safe,” Rae starts. “You two possess powers that are close to one another’s; and the powers you both have are highly rare and dangerous. So, I wanted to start training the both of you earlier than the others,” Rae states.

Rae pulls out two small boxes from a draw in her desk. Theo’s body freezes at the sight of the needles.

“What are the needles for?” Theo whispers.

“There is a serum that we use on everyone here. It has calming agents in it that helps you control your emotions and your power. So, while you’re here, this will help you stay calm during a stressful situation,” Rae says as she takes the syringe out of the box.

Rae injects the syringe into the side of Theo’s neck. “It works faster since there is a vein right there,” Rae says when she sees my confused face.

For the next hour I sit in a chair behind Rae’s desk as she works with Theo. “Stop. Close your eyes and breathe,” Rae says while trying to help Theo.

His face looks tense as he attempts to use his power. “Theo did you hear me?” Rae asks.

Theo nods and takes a breath in.

“Abhaya, you’re next,” Rae announces.

I stand up and push the chair into the desk. I take a deep breath. Rae pulls out the needle and injects it into my neck.

“Just relax and breathe,” Rae says as the calming agent kicks in.

The needle pinches my neck as the serum is injected. I feel the calming agent rush through my blood.

It takes me over an hour to control my breathing.

“Abhaya, you need to control your breathing,” Rae reminds me.

Rae reminds me constantly about controlling my breathing. Sometimes I see the worst memories from my childhood and those are the ones I try to block out every day.

An hour later, I have my breathing under control and my emotions. “Good job Theo and Abhaya. I did not expect the both of you to have done that well today. Come back tomorrow,” Rae says.

Rae kicks us out of her office and closes the door softly. “Do you know where we’re going after this?” I ask.

“I don’t know. We might be in the training room. But we should check the dorm quickly,” Theo states.

I run down the hallway toward the dorm. I see an adult and slow down. Theo trails behind me as I poke my head into the dorm. I shake my head. “No one’s in here. They’re probably down at the training room,” I say as I close the door.

Theo’s mouth opens to say something. But someone’s footsteps stops him.

“Theo, Abhaya! There you are. I was about to come get you guys. But I heard both of your voices,” Alia says.

Alia leads Theo and I to the training room. No one’s there. “Where is everybody?” Theo asks as he glances around the room.

“Max took them to the shooting range,” Alia starts. “They weren’t doing so well at shooting the paintballs.” Alia shudders as she says the words.

Alia orders Theo and I to grab the two remaining paintball guns off of the table. After we run out of paintballs, Alia opens her mouth to say something. “The two of you are better than everyone in the whole unit,” Alia starts. “Take my job for all I care about.”

“Was that a joke?” I ask.

“Yes, Abhaya,” Alia says with a smile.

“I don’t think that I would want your job,” Theo says.

“Why not?” Alia asks.

“I don’t think that I could handle that many people or that much chaos,” Theo states.

“You get used to it though,” Alia says.

Theo laughs at her comment. The door clicks open and Max comes in with the rest of the group. Max looks annoyed when he slams the door behind him.

“All of you need to work harder and pay attention. We have four days and we’re not even close to winning. I know that some of you have been paying attention and been doing fine; and I respect that. But I’m looking at people who aren’t. And you know who you are. You’re all dismissed,” Max announces in an annoyed tone.

Just as I am about to disappear into the crowd, Abi catches up to me. “Abhaya, why weren’t you here this morning?” Abi questions.

I scramble in my mind for a rational explanation. “I’d prefer not to talk about it,” I say.

“If it’s a secret you can trust me with it,” Abi says.

“I told you, I’d rather not talk about it,” I repeat, a hint of agitation seeping into my voice.

Abi opens her mouth, but closes it in seconds. I feel someone light, sharp tap my shoulder. I whip my head around.

“Ow. Hair hurts,” Someone says behind me.

It’s Theo. “Oh. I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I ask frantically.

“I’m fine. But damn, that’s like a weapon. Your hair should be illegal,” Theo jokes.

“Well, who knows, it could be useful in a life or death situation,” I say.

“Did you ever cut it?” Theo asks, checking his face to see if it is bleeding.

“I trimmed it here and there,” I say causally.

We look like robots. We turn corners, walk at the same pace. We act as if we aren’t even human; but puppets on strings. Everyone’s face is straight and serious. I can draw one conclusion.

That we are being manipulated.

#

The week drags by slowly. When Friday finally comes it’s a relief. Everyone in the dorm is literally bouncing off the walls. “Hey! Everyone keep it in control! Nick! Peter! Quit talking!” Alia shouts over the crowd.

Nick and Peter stop talking and turn around to face Alia. “Come on.” Alia sighs.

We make it down to breakfast without any trouble. But once everyone gets the daily special it’s a mess. French toast, eggs and bacon. Everyone goes berserk when they see the menu for the morning. Powdered sugar flies through the air as people attempt to get as much as possible. I grab two slices of French toast, coffee and maple syrup. I sit down at a table next to Theo.

“Hi,” I say.

Theo looks at me with a flushed face. “Good morning, Abhaya. How are you?”

“Morning,” I respond. “I’m great. How about you?”

“Good. Are you ready for the paintball game later tonight?” Theo asks.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say.

That makes Theo laugh. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re quite amusing Abhaya?”

I shrug my shoulders. “No. No one’s ever said that about me. But you’ve said it before.”

“Well, take it as a compliment then,” Theo says with a smile.

Alia comes behind me and Theo. “Don’t go to Rae’s today. She doesn’t need you today. But go tomorrow.”

I nod and Theo says, “Got it.”

I pick up my coffee and almost spit it out when someone taps me on the head. The hot liquid burns my throat.

“Sorry. Are you excited for tonight?” Abi asks.

“Yeah. I’m excited,” I say, trying to put as much enthusiasm in my voice as possible.

Abi shoots me a look. “Really I am,” I say, trying to hide the natural sarcasm in my voice.

Abi takes my answer and smiles. She walks off toward a different table and sits down. I sigh and run a hand through my hair. I manage to finish all of my breakfast.

The bell rings and everyone piles out of the cafeteria. We walk down the long hallways toward the dorm. I push myself up onto my bunk and sit there. Abi stands on Nick’s bunk below me.

“Hi, Abhaya, sorry if I startled you earlier,” Abi apologizes.

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” I say.

Abi smiles at me. Alia and Max enter the dorm with smiles on their faces. For once.

“Are you guys ready for tonight?” Alia asks.

A series of yells and cheers go through the air. For a split second; Max smiles at Alia.

I look at Theo. He has a smile painted across his face.

“Everyone needs to be in the training room. We’re practicing until lunch time,” Max announces.

Groans and cheers mix together as we exit the dorm.

Theo walks in front of me. I think that I might be seeing things but; I think he has a tattoo. I see dark ink curl around his right shoulder.

We enter the training room. And for some reason, everyone is quiet and doesn’t step out of line. Max and Alia seem pleased and move on to instructions. “Grab a paintball gun and stand in two lines when I say go,” Max starts “Go!”

We all scramble toward the table for a paintball gun. Alia rolls her eyes as Max shakes his head in a disapproving manner. They don’t say anything when we come back.

“Practice until there are no more paintballs left.” Alia says as she paces around us.

My hands tremble as I shoot the paint. This is just for a game. It isn’t an actual war, I think as I shoot again.

Alia paces around us. Observing for mistakes and to give out advice. My hands tremble as I shoot.

“Abhaya, why are you so nervous? It’s just a game,” Nick sneers.

“Back off,” I state as I shoot again.

The paintball hits the target right in the center.

I hear Alia snicker behind me. Theo stifles a laugh by turning it into a cough. I roll my eyes and continue shooting the paintballs with my anger and rage.

Four hours pass by and the targets are completely covered in paint and I’m covered in sweat. Alia and Max dismiss the group to go to lunch. When everyone is out of the training room the yelling and laughing begin.

I walk silently down the hallway and keep my head down. Someone taps me on the shoulder. I look up from the floor and see Theo. He has a smile on his face and behind him are Peter and Trey.

“Hi,” I say in a friendly tone.

Theo’s face turns pink. Peter and Trey laugh and Theo’s face turns even darker.

“Hi, Abhaya. Are you hungry?” Theo asks as he attempts to keep his cool.

I shoot him a small smile.

“Not really. But food always sounds good though,” I state.

Theo laughs at my comment. My eyes dart over to Peter and Trey. They’re back there whispering to each other and laughing. Theo’s face turns a darker shade of pink as Peter and Trey make jokes and talk.

The bell echoes through the hall. That’s when everyone starts running and yelling. I press myself against a wall to let the wild animals run down the hall. Once they pass, I walk slowly down the hall toward the cafeteria. I push my way through the crowd to get in line. I bump into someone. Theo. I always run into him somehow and some way.

“Sorry,” I apologize.

Theo turns around and gives me a small smile. “Hi, Abhaya. Do you want to come and with me and my friends?” He asks.

He doesn’t realize that I just ran into him.

“Um sure,” I say hesitantly.

Theo smiles and hands me a tray.

“Thank you,” I say.

The line moves quickly as everyone grabs for the special. When I get to the food, I see pasta steaming right there in front of me. I scoop a small scoop of the ziti onto my plate and grab a bread roll.

Lunch is anything but calm. Unlike breakfast everyone is awake and chattering. I sit down next to Theo. When I take a bite of the bread someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn my head around and see Abi with a tray.

“Can I sit here?” Abi asks.

“Sure,” I say and I scoot over to let Abi sit down on my right.

I poke and scoop the pasta into my mouth. I look at Abi. Abi’s hair is pulled back into a braid that stops at her shoulders. Her bangs are cut straight across her forehead. Abi pushes her glasses up to the bridge of her nose.

I turn my head and see Theo silently chewing his pasta. He gets up and goes toward the line to get more food. I shake my head. I have a dull ache in my head. Stupid headache. Stupid genetics, I think as I take a sip of water. I close my eyes and press the heel of my palm to my head.

“Here you should eat this,” a soft voice says.

I open my eyes and see Theo holding out a piece of raspberry cheesecake. His face is soft and concerned.

“Sugar doesn’t help headaches. It only makes them worse,” I say.

“Really? What helps?”

“Water and sleep.”

“Oh. Do you want the cake at all?”

“No thank you. You can have it.”

I sip my water and chew my pasta. My stomach takes the food just fine. But my head still aches after lunch. Max and Alia tell us to all go back to the dorms. Nick dashes through the crowd yelling and stomping. I groan as I walk down the hallway.

Mom always got headaches and guess who got those genetics. I did. We enter the dorm and I head straight to my bunk bed. I land on my back and close my eyes. Everyone else starts yelling and talking loudly.

The noise echoes in my ears. I shove the pillow on top of my face to drown out the noise. The noise gets louder and louder and louder. I close my eyes shut to relive the noise. Before I know it, I’m out and I’ve fallen asleep.

#

“Abhaya, can you please come here?” Mrs. Shallow asks.

I put away my disc and slowly. Step by step, I walk up to her desk. I’m only nine years old and yet, I’m scared of my sixth-grade teacher. The beady eyes of the classroom burn into my back as I slowly approach the teacher’s desk.

“Abhaya, can you please pass out these papers then come back here. I need to talk to you,” Mrs. Shallow states.

I nod nervously and pass out the papers. I go desk to desk handing out graded papers ignoring the death glares from the eleven-year olds. I finish handing out the tests and return to Mrs. Shallow’s desk.

Mrs. Shallow leads me outside of the classroom. My heart beats like a monster in my chest. A monster that wants to break free. Mrs. Shallow closes the door lightly and looks at me, eye level. I’m as tall as my sixth-grade teacher and I’m still frightened of what she has to say to me.

“Abhaya, you’re not in trouble. I promise,” Mrs. Shallow starts. “I just think that this class is too easy for you and that you need to skip this grade and move to another grade,” Mrs. Shallow says in a comforting tone.

“Should I take this as a good sign or a bad sign?” I ask.

“It’s fine, Abhaya. But it isn’t official yet and I need to talk to your mom.”

The final words she says sting. I don’t have a mom. I have a stepmother who hates me. My dad on the other hand would let me skip sixth grade and move to seventh grade.

“Can you talk to my dad, please? My mom’s out of town and she’s highly busy,” I lie.

Mrs. Shallow looks at me and nods. “Yes. If that’s what you want me to do, then I’ll do that.”

“Thank you,” I manage to whisper.

Mrs. Shallow opens the door and follows me back into the classroom. When I get back to my seat, I feel a wet ball bounce off of the back of my neck.

“Nerd!” Someone yells from the back of the classroom.

Heat rushes to my cheeks and I bury my head in my book. The bell rings and I stand up from my desk. Someone pushes me and I hit my head on the corner of the desk. All I hear is laughter and someone yelling, “good job!” At someone.

I manage to maneuver my way through the hallway to get to my locker. When I get to my locker a piece of paper is taped to it. It’s another threat note. If I don’t do their homework, they say that they’ll beat me up.

I’ve learned to ignore them and walk away. Even if it means that I’ll get beaten up. I don’t care.

I pull my disc out and swipe it over the combination lock. The lock pops as I open the locker. I grab my jacket and close my locker. The cafeteria is loud and noisy when I enter it. I find a spot in the never-ending line. When I get to the food, I see Linda and Lillie debating whether or not to get the chicken Caesar salad.

I manage to get access to a cheeseburger and water. I wait behind a highly impatient Linda.

“Come on. I want to eat,” she complains as she waits.

The cashier worker looks at Linda with a dark look.

“Stop complaining. Just wait your turn,” Ms. Stevens snaps.

Linda looks at Ms. Stevens as if she’s completely lost her mind.

“If you want to buy your lunch, then go to a different line,” I state.

Linda snaps and she whirls around with an angry look on her face.

“What did you just say?” Linda hisses.

“I said, ‘if you want to purchase your lunch so quickly, then you should go to a different line,’” I repeat.

Linda rolls her eyes and marches over to a different line. Her heels click in anger as she storms in frustration. Ms. Stevens looks at me with a smile on her face.

“Thank you Abhaya. No one’s ever done that for me. You know here at this school, many kids don’t respect us adults.” Ms. Stevens says as I hand my lunch card to her.

That is true. Here at North Kate Private School everyone thinks that they’re better than the teachers and staff. The register takes my card with a cheerful beep.

“Have a good day, Ms. Stevens,” I say as I accept my card and take my lunch.

“You too, Abhaya,” Ms. Stevens calls out as I walk away.

I find a spot along the wall to eat. Everyone here at North Kate isn’t always all that bright. It makes me different. But I feel brave when I come to school and I’m able to stand up in front of the class and do a presentation on the history of North America. Or on the history of St. Louis.

I don’t mind being different. Because when you’re different; you’re brave enough to be yourself and that’s what matters the most.

The clock on the wall reads: 12:50 p.m. I immediately remember that I have to go to the library. I dump my trash into the trash can and walk calmly up to the podium. I present my library I.D. to the lunch monitor and she lets me go.

I push open the door to the library and see Mrs. Ray standing behind the counter. Mrs. Ray is short with black curly hair and light brown skin.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Ray,” I say with a smile

Mrs. Ray looks up from her computer with a smile.

“Good afternoon, Abhaya. Do you need to go on another adventure today?” Mrs. Ray asks with a smile.

“No. Not today. Can I help you with anything?”

“Sadly no one really comes down here anymore. But you can help check in the digital books on this computer over here,” Mrs. Ray says, pointing to the computer next to her.

#

I wake up with my head still pounding. I remove the pillow from my face. The clock says that it’s one o’clock. I find a rose hanging out of my backpack. There’s no note but I have a theory about who gave it to me.

Theo.