He lowers the receiver. “What did she look like?”
“She…” My mind races, searching for details. “It’s blurry—it was brief. She was beautiful. Dark hair, same striking eyes. She looked a lot like him.”
“Who do you think she was?”
“I don’t know. I only see images. I don’t get any special clues for interpretation. His mother maybe? Does she ever visit him?”
He ignores my question. “And that’s all you saw?”
I nod and hold my breath, forcing my gaze to his. After an agonizing moment, he smiles. “I’m sorry for this episode,Rebecca. I know it must have been difficult for you. I hope you can understand the risk we take in managing a building full of special students like you. If we don’t monitor everything, people get hurt.”
“I understand.” That he’s full of bullshit.
“Good. Again, I’m sorry for the hard tactics. I hope you don’t see me as a bully, but if you do, know that I’m the only one. The rest of the staff is here to love you, and they do.” He claps his hands together. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for coming to see me.”
I avoid his eyes as I mumble a goodbye and push up from my chair. I slip from the room, half-expecting a violent call back or security guards to descend on me SWAT-team-style. I have no idea what to make of him and our strange encounter, but I know I messed up by revealing my interest in Daniel’s fate. I’ve given them incredible power over me and my future at this school, and until I can let go of the visions, I’ve made myself a prisoner. I need answers, anything, to help me move on and put things back to the way they’re supposed to be.
“Rebecca! Where’ve you been?” Ben’s voice echoes from down the hall, and I groan to myself. His drama and constant parade of companions is the last thing I need right now. “Have you met Jake and Clara yet?” he asks, approaching.
I force a tight smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“So, where were you?” Ben continues, falling into step with me.
“Clausen wanted to make sure I was adjusting okay.”
“And are you? You’ve been quiet, kind of sticking to yourself. We’re worried.”
“I’m fine, just overwhelmed.”
He seems to accept my answer. Good, but even better, his presence hasn’t sparked a single emotion other than irritation. I barely feel anything around him anymore. Hopefully it’s mywill, not Daniel’s pull, that fuels the easy resistance. My body’s reaction to the thought of Daniel doesn’t make a strong case for that.
“Where’s Laura? I think this is the first time I’ve seen you without her.”
“She’s still in her private session. She has last hour. Who’d you get?”
“Anna.”
We duck around a column and our hands touch in the subsequent collision. I don’t think it was an accident.
Ben’s sly smile confirms it when he looks down at me. “What did you see? Anything good?”
“You sure have a thing for blonde girls.”
“I like brunettes too, no worries.” He adds a wink, and I swallow my disgust. “Did you know Rebecca can see your past and future?” he says to the others.
“Really? Wow,” Clara says. “Can you see mine? How does it work?”
I manage only a slight twist of the lips. “It’s not all the time. Just when I touch someone.”
“Ooh, do me,” Jake says, extending his hand.
I stare at it blankly.“Excuse me?”
“It’s fine! I want to know my future.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t work like that. That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not? It would be fun,” Ben says. “There’s got to be some fun drinking game we could play.”
