2 Chapter Two: -Noah O'Hara-

She was faster than she looked. Too bad for her, I already knew her secret. Her fear rippled off her in harsh, unforgiving waves. My psychic brain couldn't help but pick up her frequency.

Her brain was … different than most I had the misfortune of reading. She didn't hold anomidity for everyone around her. She wasn't judgemental. She only made observations, some of which most people miss. I would say she wasn't rude, but she referred to everyone as a bitch ass motherfucker in her head, so I'd be wrong. Her language was foul but her thoughts were soothing. I couldn't make sense of it.

It felt wrong to pry into her head without her knowledge, but I didn't exactly have control over this. Most thoughts invade my mind and it nearly drove me mad to listen to them day in and day out. There were only a few people whose thoughts interest me, and she's now on that list. Elena won't like that. Her brain is one of the fastest and most fascinating places to be. And she knew it.

My phone buzzed. Get your ass over here before I drag you over by your ear.

I snorted a laugh. Amber wasn't exactly subtle.

Heading over now.

I jogged back up the alley and hopped on my bike. I turned the key in the ignition. The engine revved up in response. I lowered my helmet onto my head, the dark glass tinting my vision. Gripping the handles, I popped the kickstand back with my heel and took off down the dirt path.

Amber's house wasn't far. Her neighborhood was right off the small strip of a town we had in Ridgewood. For the families that could afford it. I drove past her house and stopped at the end of the dead end street by the entrance to the woods. Twisting the key, I cut the engine. I pulled the kickstand down and hopped off my bike, placing my helmet on my seat.

I walked the short distance to Amber's house and up their vacant driveway.

"Look who finally decided to show up!"

I looked up, and Amber and Elena were leaning out Amber's second story bedroom window.

I shrugged at them. "I got held up."

"Get in the fucking house already," Elena added.

I obliged. Her parents weren't home yet. I passed through the lower levels and kicked Amber's door open. Elena waved at me while Amber flipped me the finger.

I rolled my eyes at them and dropped into a chair. "What did I miss?"

"Not much," Amber sighed, leaning over the side of her bed, long curly hair falling over the side of the bed, nearly skimming the floor. "Just trying not to think about school tomorrow."

Elena threw a pillow at her. "Don't speak of it."

Amber laughed, rolling onto her stomach.

"It's only been a week and I already feel and look like death," Elena deadpanned.

"I miss hanging out with you two," Amber sighed.

"Don't worry. Junior year will be okay," Elena stated.

"You hope," I added.

She shook her head. "Okay, fine; it's gonna be literal hell."

"I'm taking two study halls this year and no one's stopping me," Amber declared, throwing her arms out dramatically.

"Lucky," Elena and I grumbled.

Amber giggled.

Elena looked over at me. "Where's your brain at tonight?"

Elena's one of the most observant people I've ever met. Of course she picked up on my distracted mind. I shrugged. "Just thinking."

"Well think out loud, Noah," Amber replied bluntly. "We wanna hear what's on your mind."

I couldn't tell them the real reason. It was pointless. Besides, my moral compass wouldn't let me tell the new girl's secret to my friends. I didn't even wanna hear it myself. A deflection, then. One that's partially true.

"School. Without talking to you two all day's been hard. I'm trying not to think about it but …" I shrugged. "I can't."

Being the infamous son of a murderer in a small town in a small school meant everyone knew who I was. I didn't want them to catch my problems for others knowing I was friends with them.

"We can handle it," Elena answered for what must've been the millionth time.

"I know, I just don't want you to."

"You're so annoying." Amber groaned dramatically. "But I love you."

"You too, you dramatic bitch," I replied affectionately.

I punched Elena's arm. "And you, you stubborn bitch."

She laughed, punching me back.

Hours ticked by. We ended up watching a movie on Amber's laptop. A horror flick I'd seen before, but Amber clung onto my arm half the time. Elena tuned out most of the movie, her ever-moving brain spinning at light speed. She only laughed whenever someone died.

Checking my phone, it was a few minutes until 1 am. Hopefully my poor-excuse-for-a-mother would be asleep by now. Or at least so deep in her drug haze that she won't notice me coming home. I waved them goodbye and slipped out to my bike. Kicking back the stand, I sped down the neighborhood. I traveled through the wooded roads near the edge of town. I looped through the winded road of my neighborhood and pulled into my uneven driveway. Cutting the power, I hooked my helmet on the handlebars.

I eased the door open, hoping the creaky hinges wouldn't give me away. The roaring wind outside wasn't helping either. Or the creaky floorboards. Scanning the lower level, I saw my mother passed out in front of the T.V., blaring loud music and all the lights on. I sighed, clicking the T.V. off, my combat boots sinking into the old carpet. I shut the lights off and draped a blanket over my mother as she shifted in her sleep.

I scaled the old staircase and slipped into my room as noiselessly as possible. Falling onto my bed, I felt exhaustion taking over. I tugged my black boots off and flung them across my room. I did the same with my black motorcycle jacket. My skin felt like it was on fire. I scratched at my bare arm. My mind was stretched beyond hope from every dank brain I've been forced to be surrounded by. Being around people I care about gave me a short reprieve. To fill my thoughts with what I love to hear and make me laugh.

I don't read people's minds. Not exactly. I can sense their strong emotions and deepest fears. I discovered a few months ago that I can manifest a person's deepest fear right before their very eyes.

With a sigh I stood up and pulled my jeans and T-shirt off and threw on a pair of black sweatpants before collapsing onto my bed. I pulled the covers up and looped my arms under my pillow.

I wanted sleep. I needed sleep. But it wouldn't come. All my thoughts were of the new girl. She was talking to a ghost. Hugging one, actually. Her biggest fear was others finding out her strange ability: talking to ghosts. And since I saw her talking to nothing in an alley, I assumed that's what it was. I didn't even know that was possible. Not that it was the weirdest thing I'd encountered in this town. But it was up there. She spoke with it the same way you would a friend. But how was that possible? Did it follow her here?

What should I do about it?

I know everyone's secrets due to my unfortunate abilities. But hers was something I'd never seen before. She doesn't know that I know. Most people didn't know the knowledge —or the dirt, more likely— that I had on them. Was it right to let her think I didn't know? My damn heart wouldn't let me be free of guilt for reading others' thoughts. Both Amber and Elena knew of my strange abilities because of this. It was a relief, if I was being honest.

Go to bed you fucking idiot!

It was around 1:30 am, and I had to wake up for school at seven.

Fucking kill me.