With my attention split between getting over my best friends by hanging out with Jacob and getting ready to visit my mom, my social life at school hadn't seemed very important. I had made sure to engage with my circle of friends, but I didn't really spend time with them outside of school anymore. I'm sure they noticed even though they hadn't said anything. But this left me unprepared for what was about to go down.

It's not that I hadn't noticed the tension slowly rising between my friends; I had. My powers would flicker in and out frequently so, it was impossible for me to miss how uncomfortable they were. I could feel the animosity Kevin felt for me, though, I still didn't know why. I could feel how Kate flirted with me made Eric feel. I could feel Teddy's concern for me, and though I tried to reassure him, his concern persisted.

No, it wasn't that I hadn't noticed my friends' mild misery; it's just that I had become accustomed to the abundance of mixed negative emotions at school. Everyone was uncomfortable about something in high school. After being bombarded by so many people's issues, I just didn't have the energy to address my friends' problems.

It also hadn't eluded me that our circle of friends had shrunk. A lot of the people who used to sit with us before had moved to different groups of friends. Now it was just me, Teddy, Kate, Kevin and Eric.

Near the end of January, Kate began to snuggle up to me. She didn't have a crush on me, but she sure acted like she did. This annoyed me because she was very touchy-feely with me, and I could feel a sort of anticipation from her, but I couldn't figure out what it meant. I tried to remain friendly with her; after all, I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Kevin, on the other hand, always seemed angered by Kate's actions. I didn't remember much from last year, but I did remember that I didn't like Kevin. We didn't talk to each other, and he rarely even mentioned me. It was like he was trying his hardest to pretend I didn't exist.

"Why do you do that?" Kevin asked one day. I rolled my eyes.

"Do what?" Kate asked.

"You know," Keven gestured to me.

"What is your problem with me?" I asked. Kevin looked taken aback. Everyone at out tabled looked away awkwardly.

"You're always so angry at me," I continued, "What did I do to you?"

"Not this again," Teddy groaned, "Let's not get into another fight."

I glanced at Teddy. "Did we get into a fight before?"

Everyone felt surprised and a little awkward.

"You don't remember?" Kevin asked. I rolled my eyes again.

"I got wrecked last year; I barely remember anything from before April," I stated. Everyone looked away, they felt guilty. Except for Kevin, who was annoyed. I looked around at them.

"You don't remember Kevin hitting you?" Eric asked, incredulously.

I frowned and turned to Kevin. "You hit me?"

"Only after you hit me!" Kevin rebutted.

I sat back and crossed my arms. "Must have been saying something stupid."

"F*** you, Jack," Kevin spat.

"He was," Teddy muttered. He felt annoyed at Kevin.

"Whatever. We only hang out with you because of what happened last year," Kevin spat. A pang shot through my friends. I looked around at them.

"What does that mean?"

Everyone's eyes darted around. They had trouble meeting my eyes. Eric and Kate felt guilty. They felt obligated to be here.

I looked down. I felt my face go hot. Well, this sucked. I began to realize that no one at the table here wanted to be with me. I was the problem. Again.

"You're an asshole, Kevin," Teddy commented. Kevin slammed his fists onto the table.

"It's not my fault Jack is always hanging out with us," he growled.

"No one is forcing you to be here, man!" Teddy exclaimed, "You can just f*** off any time you f***ing want!"

"I shouldn't have to leave because of her," Kevin pointed at Kate. Huh? Oh, wait, no. He meant me, he was purposely misgendering me. I had forgotten that the events of last year had outed me. I could feel my muscles tensing. Beside me, Kate was feeling pity for me. This enraged me because I didn't want to be pitied. I snapped to her.

"Excuse me? Do you feel sorry for me?" I asked accusingly. She was surprised.

"I – uh – no! I mean, you're always so gloomy!"

I scowled.

"Of course he's in a funk," Teddy said, "He lost his girlfriend and his best friend in the same week!"

"Oh, come on!" Kevin thundered, "That was like forever ago."

"Wait," I said slowly to Kate, "Is that why you've been acting so weird around me?"

She blinked like she had been caught committing a crime. "What? I haven't been acting… uh, you know… I like you." She was caught in a lie.

"Really?" I shifted away from her, "You're acting like this to… what? Make me feel better?"

"The Valentine's day dance is coming up. I thought you'd want to … you know…" she looked away, awkwardly, "go with someone."

"Were you trying to get me to ask you out?" I asked, very befuddled.

Kate broke. "Screw you, Jack! I'm giving up the chance to go with a real guy for you."

My mind bubble retracted violently, and it was just me against the world. The fact was that no one here even saw me as "real." They thought I was just putting on a show or something.

I could feel the aggression in the glare I gave Kate. She shrank away from me.

"Jesus Christ, Kate." Teddy sighed.

I slammed my hands onto the table as I stood up. Everyone looked at me.

"I'm going to get out of your hair," I said, "See you around."

Then I left. There was a torrent of noise, but I couldn't read anyone. I wouldn't have the energy to deal with that if I could anyways.

It seemed no matter where I went, I wore out the people around me. I was emotionally draining.