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The first few weeks had flown by without any difficulties. I was enjoying my classes and having fun at work. Leah and I shared one class. She sat next to me, but she was always anxious. Her thoughts were guarded. I didn't understand why, but it really wasn't my problem. Of all the thoughts, I was ecstatic when they were guarded instead of the illicit or corrupt. She didn't say much to me, and didn't spend a lot of time in the room when I was there. She kept a pleasant attitude toward me, but I knew I was the reason for her distance. After the way her friends acted toward me, it wasn't a big leap.

On top of trying to block most thoughts, I found I was having vision problems. People were surrounded by clouded colors, almost like a faint veil surrounded them. Leah was the deepest of green and most students were surrounded by varying degrees of white. I couldn't figure why my vision was changing. It didn't affect how good my vision was, just an added annoyance. I couldn't see a doctor, I would sound like a crazy person, and I didn't need anyone thinking that. It was hard enough making excuses when I answered unasked questions. Most people believed I had great intuition. Then again, people believed what was easiest for their minds to grasp, right or wrong…

Bianca walked over to me as I rushed from the library. She was the only friend I had made in the first weeks; she was in at least one class per day with me. Her family was in Arizona. She clung to me the first day we met. We both needed someone, and finding a kindred spirit was not easy on a college campus. She usually said what she thought, which I admired. Occasionally, her mind would wander about this boy or that professor, but her mind was timid compared to the sex crazed students around me.

She was five-ten, olive skinned dark brown hair and blue eyes. Her round face and doe eyes made her appear still childlike. She was surrounded by white. There were a few exceptions to the white or off-white haziness. I accepted the craziness that was me, and kept it to myself. I didn't worry Matt or Rachel with my new issues, and I wouldn't tell Bianca anything too personal, no matter how much I valued her friendship.

It was finally Friday and the campus was buzzing with excitement of having parties. Bianca was no exception. She bounced as I met her on the steps from the Library.

"So, we made it through the first month, are you doing anything tonight?" Bianca threaded her arm in mine I kept my hands in my pockets, my arms protected by my long sleeved sweatshirt.

"Working, you?"

"Maybe I will stop by and see you. I don't really want to go out alone," she sighed keeping step with me.

"Why don't you ask Lillian, she may want to go with you," I pressed.

Lillian was a friend of Bianca's. I was slightly uncomfortable around her, but Bianca really like her. She was only in two of my classes, the three of us sharing History.

Lillian was beautiful, it was hard to be around her and not feel inadequate. Her raven black hair fell to her thighs, her dark brown eyes were narrow against her oval face, and her skin looked pale against her dark attributes. I worried since the veil of color around her was a deep red. I hoped red wasn't a negative. Her brother, Greyson the assistant from the bar, was deep red, like blood, too. They both were pleasant, and nice to me, but you never know what someone hides inside. Greyson and Lillian didn't look alike at all, but I couldn't talk, Matt and I looked nothing alike and we were twins.

"I guess I could or maybe we both could come see you," she decided.

"Just have some fun," I sighed in resignation.

"Ladies," Greyson greeted as we walked into Chemistry.

"Greyson, do you think Lillian would like to hang out tonight with me at the bar?" Bianca asked.

"I am sure she would love that." Greyson smiled as Bianca and I walked to our table.

The professor called the class to attention, handing out lists and directions for us to complete an experiment. Bianca and I worked diligently, finishing just before the class ended. I was positive it was done correctly, and if Bianca was as accurate as I was, it would not have taken the whole hour. Most people were not as accurate, but it still bothered me to endure their flaws. I knew it was my lack of social skills that irritated me, but I had to learn. So, I smiled and kept calm as mistakes were made.

The walk back to my room cleared my mind. I made strides in my social awkwardness, but it was still a chore to deal with so many people every day. Even when I worked, it was mostly the same people every night, with the occasional stranger. It didn't get under my skin as much, but it was an effort. To most I was just overly anal, and I didn't really like that stereotype, but it was better than the truth.

Bianca met me in my room. I was already changed into my black jeans and red t-shirt as she waited on my bed flipping through my photo album. Matt had sent it to me a week ago, and Bianca seemed to gravitate toward it. I thought she would bore, but I always found her interested. She studied each of the pictures. I had another photo album hidden in my drawer. I wrestled with the idea of letting her thumb through it, but always decided I didn't fully trust anyone.

Plugging in my laptop before I reached for my phone.

Laptop died, will email tomorrow-K, I texted Matt quickly. He had become needy, wanting emails almost every day.

"Ready," I called pulling the door, surprised as Leah walked in as if she were waiting for me to open the door.

"Thanks." She smiled throwing her stuff on her bed.

"Leah, you remember Bianca?" I asked.

Leah and I spent very little time in the room, much less in the room together. She had met Bianca once or twice, but I still felt the need to introduce them.

"Of course, how are you?" Leah asked.

"Good. We were heading to the bar; do you want to join us?" Bianca asked.

I saw the confusion in Leah's face. "She and Lillian are going to hang out while I am at work."

"Oh, not tonight, but I will definitely take you up on that." Leah seemed happy.

I followed Bianca out of the door. We walked silently to the bar and found Lillian waiting for us at the door. She hugged both of us before we walked in together. The two of them found a table away from the jukebox and pool table. I waved good-bye as I headed to the back.

The night was uneventful, no fights or even arguments. I was pleased as I made my way back to my room at the end of the night. It always seemed like there was some kind of ruckus at the bar on Friday night. I started walking down the hall to my room; I heard Leah's voice talking. There was a male voice in the room with her. Too tired to care about manners, I pushed the door open, letting it slam behind me as I threw my bag on the floor.

Leah had my album in her hand and was showing it to another tall, muscular tanned man with dark black hair and eyes. He grinned at me, which made me uneasy.

"What's up?" I asked pointing to my album in her hands.

Leah and the boy both looked like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

"Seriously, I don't care that you were looking at my things, it's only a little creepy," I commented sitting down on my bed.

Leah took a deep breath, "Katie, this is Jake. I asked him to look at your pictures. You just look so familiar; I thought we might find a clue."

"She really does, except her hair is red and she is tiny," Jake commented.

"You've seen my pictures." I grabbed two frames, "my grandparents and my siblings."

I handed the pictures to Jake. He didn't really look at them.

"Your mom or dad, maybe we know them," Jake pressed.

He must have seen the resentment or sadness in my face because he was immediately sitting next to me apologizing.

"It's fine. I only know these people." I pointed to the pictures. "I have no other family. I was told she died during child birth and he has never been a part of my life."

"I'm sorry." Jake rubbed my back. I could feel the sorrow and annoyance.

I pulled away from his warm touch. I didn't need to feel any added emotions.

"I'm sorry if I offended you," Jake said looking at Leah for an explanation.

"It's not you." I moved near the desk keeping distance.

"She doesn't really let people touch her," Leah said. She grinned as my eyebrows rose. "I pay attention. I think Bianca is the only one you let close enough and she just holds your covered arm or back."

"I didn't know anyone was paying that close attention to me," I whispered.

"I'm not trying to worry you," Leah rushed.

"I know. I just try not to let it bother me, but I have to try harder," I said to myself.

She's so nervous. Why is she so afraid? Leah thought.

Germs or OCD? Jake thought.

Please just drop it, please, I thought willing them to leave it.

Leah smiled, you are a strange girl.

My hands twisted with my uneasiness, like I haven't heard that before.

"I just don't like people touching me. It's not anything, but me." I said.

"I heard you," Leah said.

"Yeah." My only retort.

"You said, like I haven't heard that before." Leah said.

I shook my head. "So you can read my mind?"

"I don't think this is my ability." Leah laughed. "I'm pretty sure it's yours."

Lying came so easily for me. "No. I think you have to explain yourself."

"How new is this for you?"

"What are you talking about?" I yelled.

"Do you have other abilities?" Jake asked.

"I think you both should leave." I pressed my palms together, something that always calmed me.

"You do," he said triumphantly.

Leah stepped toward me. "We won't hurt you."

"I think we should drop this." I said grabbing my pajamas. I headed to the shared bathroom across the hall to change. I hid, waiting until I was under control. Leah seemed open, but people weren't always what they seemed. I longed for trusting someone besides Matt, but knew that it would put him in danger, put us in danger. We were warned that there were people that would hurt us or experiment on us if they ever knew what we could do, and we didn't know who those people could be. My struggle to belong and be safe waged in my head. Safety and family would always win, resolved I left the bathroom, secure in my decision. I left the seclusion of the bathroom, walking the few steps across the hall to my door. Leah's voice echoed through the solid wood.

"You can at least ask her."

"No. I won't bring her into this." Jake said. "And no, we can't give her anything about us. We don't know if there is anything special about her."

"There's something, Jake. What harm could it cause? One meeting."

Jake sighed. "I'll ask, but it's not just her decision. You think I'm protective, there's no way Rose let's her go."

"I deal with her."

I heard their feet shuffle, so I pushed open the door. Surprised they both stood right in front of me.

Leah smiled. "I'm gonna walk Jake to his car. I'll see you soon."

"Alright. Nice to meet you."

I closed the door resting my head on the cool wood. I had to pull myself together, keep my guard better. Leah suspected something, but I couldn't let her prove it. I couldn't risk Matt or Rachel. I took a deep breath, a little less worried as I crawled into bed. I would make sure things didn't crumble around me.