My senses slowly seeped in. I could smell cold frosted air roll into my window in waves. The cold air soothed me as I snuggled my face deeper in my warm pillow. Peace and tranquility.

However, that peace was soon disrupted when I hoard of geese flew overhead my apartment; squawking and being a nuisance. I sighed and slowly opened my eyes extending my arm and searching around for my cell phone. With much irritation it took me awhile to find it. I found it hiding underneath the many pillows that lay scattered on my bed. I looked at the time and inwardly growled.

6:50 am

Unfortunately living in my bed for the day would not happen. It was a Monday and work must be attended. I had a new boy to talk to today and I didn't want to seem like I didn't care by being late for our appointment. I was a school councillor at a local high school. Fact is, I'm great at giving advice, not to brag or anything. But, I hate teenagers. I hate children. Why work with them? Because I'm good at my job, despite not really caring about their problems. I disguise myself as someone who truly cares I suppose.

Rising out of bed I padded into the bathroom and clipped my hair back. I started applying cover up, light eyeliner and mascara. A shower would have to wait till I return home I was going to be late if I took one. I through my hair into a high pony tail and changed into a pair of black dress pants, a white blouse, and a black suit jacket followed by struggling to get my black leather stilettos on. The only reason why I wore the damn things was to add some height to my 4"11 stature. However, I have terrible balance so I find myself stumbling about in them. I slipped on my McGinn Boucle swing coat and headed out the door, hastily locking it before pivoting to the right and strutting down the hallway to the elevators. Impatiently I waited for the elevator in short time I got on.

By the time I got to St Johns Secondary it was already 50 minutes into first period. That gave me time to book to the cafeteria and get a coffee as well as sort some papers in my office. Not before long a small knock sounded at my open door. "Come in," I requested while finishing up a couple reports and filing them. I looked up and analyzed the hesitant form entering my room. "Hi there," I gave a welcoming smile, "Go ahead and sit on one of the comfy couches," I gestured towards a pair of leather lazy boy recliners. The boy walked over to the left couch and shrugged off his bag slowly and hesitantly sitting in the chair. "You must be Charlie, I'm Olivia," I stood up and offered him a handshake. Charlie was a tall boy. Long gangly limbs and a mop of shaggy brown hair that escaped from a black tuque with a Metallica symbol on the front. Charlie looked at my hand for a few seconds and slowly brought his hand up to meet mine. I stared at his face, the handshake only lasted a couple seconds but it felt like minutes. I noticed the small wince that graced his face when I shook his hand. It was only slight, barely notable to a regular person; a regular person who didn't major in profiling and the human mind. "Now, where should we begin?" I clucked opening up a brand new folder and writing his name and information down, he stayed silent. "Yes, before we begin I would like to let you know that anything you tell me is strictly confidential and is between you and me only," I paused for only a short time, "However, should it come to my attention that you may harm yourself or any other individual you must understand that for your safety and others I must report it. Is that okay?" I bore my eyes into his. Charlie slowly nodded. "Let's look at your attendance Charlie," I suggested. I angled my body towards my computer and entered his name into the school database. "Your marks are sliding due to poor attendance. This is the first time you've been here since a week and a half ago." I stated. "Yeah," he replied glumly. Looking at me with green expressionless eyes. "Is there a reason why you aren't going to class?" I asked keeping a curious mask on my face, in reality I was bored stiff. "You promise," he paused and took a very long breath, "Not to tell anyone?" he finished. "I promise, Charlie. As long as no ones in serious danger." I replied as sincere as I could. He took a long pause, I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes as he swallowed his fear, "I'm a mutant."

Didn't see that one coming. Before speaking I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts and string my words together. "You're not attending school because you're a mutant?" I replied blandly. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it and if I did that would make me hypocritical. Not that I was going to tell a student that I was a mutant to. He didn't reply, he just cast his green orbs downward and studied the threads of the cream carpet. "Sorry," I apologized, "So you're a mutant. You don't look like one. You look particularly normal to me. Are there any other reasons why you're not attending- ," Charlie cut me off, "You don't understand my problem. You never will. That's why I didn't want to come today." He muttered the last part more to himself then towards me. "Try and help me understand. I may not get it exactly. But, it'll feel good to get it off your chest." I felt a pang of sympathy for him. Unlike anyone else he could talk to, I would probably be the only one that understands. He took a deep breath in, I noticed the whites of his eyes reddening and start to gloss over, "Charlie, what can you do?" I asked. "I can feel you," he whispered. I send him a questioning gaze before he continued, "It's hard to describe. It's like, I can feel your emotions. When I walked through that door you were irritated. You felt like you were going to do your job half assed today, you just didn't want to be here." he paused and before he could continue I spoke, "And now? What do I feel?" I hid my amazement. "When I told you I was a mutant you were surprised but took it well. You became more interested in your job for today then." He replied shrugging back into the chair. I smiled, "That's an interesting gift Charlie," I felt slight envy of the kid. He had this amazing ability, couldn't hurt a fly, yet I was stuck with the burden of destruction. "It's not a gift," he spat, "you don't understand what I go through." I felt the urge to roll my eyes but I resisted, "Then explain for me Charlie. In anyway you can, try and help me understand a little." I replied. He took a moment to gather his words and finally spoke only a few moments later, "It's overwhelming. I walk into a room and I have dozens of emotions barrel through me at once," his breathing hitched, "I can't block them. So I sit there all day and get fed other peoples unwanted emotions," he rubbed his eyes to prevent his unshed tears from falling. "That sounds like quite the burden." I kept my voice soft. "Listen, I can't keep the emotions at bay. Unfortunately I don't have that power. But I will try and help you Charlie. I promise you that." I leaned forward to catch his gaze. I tried to send him soothing emotions. I didn't know if it worked or not but it made me feel slightly better. As bad as it sounds, finding another person who felt just the way I felt somewhat made me happy. It made me feel like I wasn't alone. That promise, I truly meant it though. I wanted to help Charlie.