“You touched? Did you get a vision?” She seems strangely interested. Maybe even concerned? Weird.
“No. It wasn’t that kind of touch. Why?”
“Oh. No reason. You seemed upset by his reaction, that’s all.”
“Of course, I was. You would be too, if your very presence disgusted someone for no reason. I didn’t do anything to him. We hardly even know each other.”
Anna sits back in her chair. “Well, my advice? Just let him be. Our other students generally stay out of his way, and it works well for all parties. Like I said, it’s not a problem with you. He doesn’t get along with anyone.”
Yeah, makes sense. Perfectly logical considering my indignation at the multiple rebuffs. If only logic hadn’t deserted me lately. Because I loathe him, I do. I loathe him almost as much as he fascinates me.
Connor grins when he sees me approach in the hallway.
“You look like you have news,” I say, and he nods.
“It’s official.”
“They’re a couple?”
“Yup. Lucky us.”
“At least the suspense is over.”
“You’re very optimistic. I like that.”
I laugh and cast him a discreet glance. He looks good today, really good, and I wonder if he’ll let me practice my visions on him. I can’t bring myself to ask just yet, and playfully loop my arm through his. He seems surprised, but okay with it.
“I guess the announcement made you happier than I thought,” he says with a smile.
“No, just relieved. So, where is the happy couple, anyway? I thought we were supposed to hang out.”
“We were. Matt told me to meet him here but I guess they got distracted.”
I grunt and pull him down beside me on a bench. “Great. We’re already getting couple-ditched. So, we never talked about your gift. Why are you here, Connor Fortuna?”
He smirks and leans back. “I’m sure it’s a new one for you. I see the world as numbers.”
“What?”
“I know it sounds weird. I didn’t even realize what I saw was different than everyone else until I was seven. My teachers thought I was just stupid and color blind.”
I shake my head. “So you see millions of numbers everywhere?”
“Basically. You’re made up of eights and threes.”
“But how? I mean, what do you do with those numbers?”
Connor shrugs. “That’s what we’re working on. Is it true you see things about people?”
“Yes, past and future.” I turn to face him on the bench. “Actually, can I try something on you?”
He hesitates for a second, but finally straightens closer to me. “Sure.”
“Give me your hand so I can try to see something.”
He holds his palm up between us, and I focus on a period in his life as I reach for his fingers.
I miss. Badly.
