Why does she think I need a friend? I've done alright on my own so far. Just so we are clear on this my family have disowned me. My grandfather is dead, which means I now have no family. In the space of a year. As for friends, let's just say I once had a few friends we were close but now, we no longer talk to one another. Don't get me wrong it wasn't through lack of trying. But just like my family had done, they blamed me.
Anyway, that is no longer important, what is important right now is seeing if she truly was yanking my chain. My hand rests gently on the door, I take a moment to gather myself. I didn't even realise I was holding my breath until she turned around. A broad smile hit her lips as she motioned for me to join her. I couldn't help looking behind me, yes I have a lot of self-doubt. Seriously, do you blame me? No one of their own free will, wants to be my friend, let alone make a point of it.
"Are you going to join me?" I can hear the amusement in her voice as she speaks.
I nod slightly. "Okay." I give her a slight smile, as she moves her coat so I can sit down. Again I feel like a hormonal teenager, I swallow slightly.
"I won't bite," again she smiles at me. "Just so we are clear."
It amazes me, I can feel nothing when I look at her, no fear, no pain, nothing. Let's hope me allowing someone close, someone I may actually be able to call my friend. This could either end in tears or develop into something more.
"Good to know." This time I give her a slight smile before opening the book as we waited for class to start.
The class seemed to be over so fast, but there again my focus wasn't solely on what he was saying but the woman that was sat beside me, she was listening so intently to him. It gave me time to study her, she gives off this calming effect, there is just something about her that settles me. Extremely weird.
"So you fancy joining me for lunch?"
"Sure." I pause for a moment. "What class do you have next?" I ask as I open the door for her.
"I don't. I am only taking one class, if it wasn't for my job I wouldn't be here."
"What do you do?" I ask, I can feel the glares off people.
They seem just as confused as me. The hot chick with the school freak. They wonder if I am paying her to talk to me. That would be great, because I have no clue how to talk to her. Yes, my social skills are less than desirable, the daughter of an ambassador that has no social skills. That is surely one for the record books.
She gives me a slight smile as we walk into the cafeteria. "Maybe when you trust me, I'll tell you."
Well that could take a while. "Fair enough." I say giving her a slight nod.
Seems fair enough to me, she's right I don't trust her. Although so far she hasn't given me a reason to not trust her. I pass her a tray as we make our way down the line.
"What class do you have after this?"
"Criminology." You see I take a few classes here, I may not be sure what I want to do when I'm older, but I know I am taking the correct classes.
"Anything else?" she asks as she sits across from me.
"Linguistics and Youth Justice Studies." I sigh slightly.
"That's a big case load."
I chuckle slightly. "I guess, but I am able to manage it."
"You really struggle at this don't you?" she says.
I look at her for a moment unsure what she means.
"Talking to people." This time she is giving me a pointed look.
I can't help the sigh that leaves my lips. "Struggle is one way to put it." I close my eyes slightly.
"You're still waiting for me to hurt you?" I can hear the under tone in her voice.
"Sorry." I can't help looking away from her.
"Don't worry, I can understand."
Now I frown at her. "How can you understand?" I love asking dumb questions. No wonder she thinks me taking all these class is a big case load for me.
She shrugs slightly. "Looks don't get you anywhere in life Emily, they either get you in trouble because the wrong people want to be you friend, or you become a victim of torment. You see Emily we aren't that much different."
I look at her in awe, okay part of me is trying to work out if she is lying. "Not many people call me Emily." I say softly as I look at her. "Freak, loser." I close my eyes slightly. "And maybe just a few other names, which don't really matter."
Okay so maybe opening up to her like this could end with me being hurt again, but something about her makes me want to be honest with her. Well not completely honest with her.
"So, I'll see you next week?"
Okay now I'm confused. "Do you not have class on Friday?"
I watch as she smiles at me. "Just one day a week, it's all my boss can spare me for." She chuckles slightly. "I'll see you on Tuesday," she stops her hand rests on my shoulder. "I'll be here before class starts. I promise." I can only nod as she disappears out of the cafeteria.
The week seemed to drag, I was looking forward to Tuesday. I never thought in a million years I'd be looking forward to seeing someone. Again I am sat by the same fountain waiting to see if she truly dose turn up.
"This seat taken." For a second I didn't recognise the voice. I had to look up for a moment.
"What happened?" I couldn't help ask, totally ignoring the question.
She chuckled slightly as she took the seat next to me. "I got into a fight." She smirks. "He looks worse."
Okay now I'm slightly worried. "A man did this?" Okay I need to remember to keep my temper under control.
"I'm fine, the bruise will heal." She chuckles slightly. "If it makes you feel better I gave him a broken nose."
"A man shouldn't hit a woman." Yes, I said it in a firm tone.
"True, but like I said he came off worse."
"Have the police been informed?" I can see the trees starting to sway, the water starting to make a gurgling sound behind me. I must keep my temper under control, but I can't help it. Is this just friendship I am feeling?
She looks at me for a moment and I wonder if in that split second if she will tell me the truth.
"Sort of."
"What's that meant to mean?"
She chuckles. "He's out on bail. I'm fine Emily I promise."
"Okay." I close my eyes slightly as I suppress my anger.
Yes, maybe having these abilities isn't a good thing when you're angry. It is the one of the things my grandfather didn't show me how to control, it's something I need to learn on my own. That goes for a lot of things. My abilities seem to grow each year, and each year I have to find a way to control them. If anyone ever found out, they would hang me for sure.
"So you ready for class?" she asks me.
"Amy?" She's looking at me now waiting for me to speak. "Thank you."
Now she's frowning at me. "Why on earth are you thanking me?"
I smile slightly. "For keeping your word." I state.
"Told you Emily, I'm not out to hurt you. And I promise I'll never lie to you."
There it was the first promise. Maybe I take her at her word, but only time will tell.