AN: I had a really hard time writing this chapter. I don't like it, so I may go back and completely change it once I can think of a better way to write this scene. Any feedback will be great!

Hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: Still not mine. Damn.

Chapter 9

I let my confession hang in the air for the moment, trying to gauge his reaction. The last time I told someone this (which was to Noell about a year ago) all I noticed was his complete and utter confusion. Which I couldn't blame him—most people have never heard of an empath, so why should I expect him to be any different? Telepathy is the more common and much more famous sister power to empathy and probably much more useful too. I think it would be so much cooler to be able to read minds rather than read emotions. Then again, if telepathy works the same way as empathy does, I don't think I would trade my powers: it's probably a lot easier to hide that you know what someone is feeling rather than what someone is thinking.

After the explanation I gave to Noell, his emotions shifted to complete disbelief. Again, I can't blame him. After a few short demonstrations though, he was pretty convinced. I believe that this conversation is going to go about the same direction. Jeffrey just sits next to me with his arms resting on the table, ready to intervene and back me up if necessary. Always the protective friend, that is why I love him. I look back over at John. He's sitting much the same way as we are, arms resting on the table, slightly slouched. His head is cocked to the side in slight confusion and he just looks at me. He is a little confused, yes, but it's not because he has never heard the term before. It's more like he is confused as to how I am an Empath. He's not questioning my statement though and there is complete acceptance for what I am saying. I realize quickly that he isn't going to ask any questions, he is simply waiting for me to continue with my explanation. 'Hmmm, acceptance, patience, and mild confusion. That's a first.'

I take a deep breath and delve back into the lengthy explanation. Hopefully I can keep this somewhat short. "Well, I should probably explain what exactly I can do considering that causes the most confusion to people." At his nod, I keep going. "Basically, I can read and feel other people's emotions. For instance, Jeffrey over here is feeling anxious at the situation we are in, coupled with excitement and a little fear (though he will never admit it), and boredom right now considering he already knows all that I am telling you." At this point I glance over at Jeffrey, who happens to be rolling his eyes at me. He really does hate it when I read him so well. "And yes, you do have to stay here because there is a reason why I dragged you away from the office. So quit pouting." He gives me a really annoyed look while I glance back at John. "Usually from the intensity of the emotion or a certain combination of emotions I can figure out the cause is for them. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Jeffrey is currently annoyed at me especially considering I just caused it."

I get a grin from that and huff from next to me as I giggle. I really do like poking fun at him. "There is another side-effect to these powers though, which also help when I need to guess why someone is feeling a certain way and has also helped with understanding my kids. However, it's really hard to explain, so just bear with me." I look up at the ceiling for a moment trying to get my own thoughts in order. It is really hard to explain.

"Here, I'll take a stab at it," I hear from Jeffrey. I look over at him and wave my hand in a go-ahead way. "Basically if anyone is having a particularly strong emotion, or the same emotion over a long period of time, she can dream about it. Like, say I was feeling depressed and have been for two days or something. She'll go to sleep and dream of my fight that I had with my boyfriend, or dream that my parents died. Basically, she dreams the cause behind the emotion when she can't figure it out herself." He looks back over at me and gives me a lop-sided grin. "She's done that to me a few times and it's really creepy."

"Imagine being the one having the dream," I retort, crossing my arms. I have more nightmares because of this particular ability than I do pleasant dreams. And I have the uncanny ability to remember them all. It really does suck most days. "Does his explanation make sense?"

John nods, looking thoughtful. He's still a little confused, but more curious now. He is still accepting everything I am telling him and he has no doubt that I am telling the truth. 'He must believe I am one trustworthy person if he is not questioning my sanity by this point.'

"Is there anything I missed, Jeff?" Once he shakes his head, I look only at John. "If you have any questions, now is the time to ask before I shift gears."

"Well, I have a few questions if that's alright."

"Of course."

"How long have you known about these powers?"

I'm a little taken aback by that. That is not usually the first question someone asks. Usually it's what am I feeling right now? However, considering he is giving me the courtesy of believing me, I will give him the courtesy of being as honest as I can. "Since I was 7 when I started asking random strangers at my grandparents shop why they were mad or sad when they would come in. My grandparents were pretty understanding and helped me figure it all out, and to smooth some rumpled feathers when I wouldn't shut up some days as I got older." I chuckle this last part, thinking of the time when I was nine and I asked why a woman was upset that her husband was cheating on her. I was nine, I didn't know any better.

He shakes his head slightly, smirking at me. "You've had these abilities since you were seven and you haven't gone insane yet?" I smirk back. I'm tougher than I look. "So, if you are an Empath, doesn't that mean that you're feelings change to match those of the people around you?"

I cock my head to the side and think about that for a moment. "Well, not really. I mean, yes, my emotions can get affected by those around me. Really easily, in fact, if I'm not careful. But I've learned over the years to put up a barrier of sorts to prevent my own emotions to be infected. After all, if someone is in a murderous rage, I don't want to fly into a rage also." I look over at Jeffrey as I say this who is looking away from me. Another secret better left for another night.

John nods his head and leans forward towards me. He narrows his eyes at me and seems to concentrate for a bit. I lean away slightly and narrow my eyes. 'What is he doing?' "Brilliant," he whispers, almost to himself.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You're absolutely brilliant. You have such a massive power that would drive a normal person completely insane. And yet your mental capacities are keeping them completely in check. It's like you have a brick wall between you and the rest of the world so it doesn't control you. And to top it all off, instead of hiding from your powers and pretending they don't exist you are using them to help teenagers. Again, you are brilliant."

'How…?' I stare at him wide-eyed. Don't get me wrong, I'm blushing like mad. I mean, I've gotten praise and appreciation for what I'm doing to help the kids before now, but to be praised like that… Well, that's never happened to me before. And how did he know about my barrier? "Funny," I start, still staring at him, "how did you know that my mental barrier (at least the one I envision) is a brick wall? I've never told anyone that."

He just smiles at me and looks back towards the entrance of the cafeteria. "So, why did we need to get away from the nurses office?"

I glance behind me and shiver. The rage is still there, I can feel it. Just the fact that I can feel it from this far away seriously frightens me. I swallow loudly, turn back around and look both at Jeffrey and John in turn. "I think there is someone else here."

"Really? Where?" Jeffrey says in surprise. After all, it's almost one in the morning at this point. We should be the only people in the school for the next few hours.

"In the basement. Just a few minutes ago, before we came to get you, Jeffrey, the most powerful emotions I've ever felt in my entire life crashed over me. It was a mix of good and bad. But all of a sudden it turned to an all-consuming fear, then just as quickly, rage." I look up from the table, which I was staring at up until this point, and look directly at John. "Something is different about this though. It's like my wall doesn't exist with whoever this is. And for whatever reason, they are still there—they haven't moved from the basement. And I can still feel their rage, even though I'm all the way here." I shiver thinking about the pure anger coming from behind and below me.

"Sounds weird."

"Thanks for that astute observation, Jeffrey," I reply sarcastically. I roll my eyes and look back to John. "What are you doing here anyway, John?"

"Oh, the same reason you are, I imagine," is his cryptic reply.

I raise my eyebrow at him and he just winks in response. Yeah, he's not going to tell me anything. "So, what now? I'm not comfortable looking around anymore. Not with that person down there feeling that way anyway. It's way too creepy."

"Oh, well, that's where the fun begins."

"What do you mean by that?" Jeffrey asks, leaning forward. I can feel his excitement. I just feel slightly nauseous.

John smiles wide, stands up, straightens his coat, and holds out his hand to me to help me stand up. Jeffrey stands next to me and starts smiling. "It's time we visit our little friend who seems to be so angry."