Sometimes I wish I could control people's thoughts. Hearing them is great, but controlling them would be the ultimate super power. I could be so much more progressive if that were true. I could have Principal Thatcher in the palm of my hands and the girls, who attempted to play hard to get with me, impotent to resisting me.

But no, I was stuck hearing everyone's thoughts and they always clouded over my own. I could never think for myself and it was annoying at first, but I guess I'm used to it. Who needs to think for themselves when they can have hundreds of people thinking for them?

Aaron Paul is not hot. Aaron Paul is not hot. The girl that stood beside me kept repeating to herself and I did all I could to hold back my laughter. She glanced at me as I smiled and she blushed.

Okay, maybe a little. I laughed turning my glance away from her and onto the history teacher in front of me. She was young, very pretty, and she seemed intrigued by my presence.

She looked at me as if I were just another student but I heard her think about the things she would do to my body. I looked down, urging my puke to stay put.

Did teachers usually think such vile things about students. Or just me? Was I some sort of special case. I had to tune into her thoughts to hear her. It felt like the teacher of Riverdale, waiting to strike. And her name was Ms. Geraldine.

"I'm going to call roll now." She said, "you can sit wherever." She told the class and everyone did as they were told.

"Alice Abraham." She began and a bunch of muffled 'here's' spouted around the classroom.

"Aaron Paul." She called, her eyes landed on mine and a faint smile twitched on her lips. I tried my best to block out her thoughts, but it wouldn't work. They were too strong, flying at me faster than the speed of light. I couldn't push them away or focus on anyone else because her thoughts were too prominent.

Mindreading is a blessing and a curse. I wouldn't dare repeat her thoughts here.

After a few more names, she had a particularly difficult time pronouncing the raven-haired girl's name. Violet Veowsalot. It wasn't hard to remember, very unique, and had an odd satisfaction in saying the name.

Meows-a-lot with a V was how I remember it. I wondered if Violet had a cat, but if she did I never heard her think of it. Her mind was always focused on school which made it hard for me to learn of her deepest darkest secrets. Unlike the rest of the horny high school population that focused their attention on the next party, Violet focused on school. Probably why she never got invited to those parties.

"Violet Ve- vow? I'm sorry could you help me out."

"Veowsalot." I finished for the teacher. She looked new, like she walked into her interview and stripped down for her interviewers and viola, hired. It was understandable that she might not have known how to pronounce it, but she could have at least tried. It really bothers me when people don't do something they're absolutely capable of and make someone else do it- like me, I'm a hypocrite.

Did Aaron just...

I didn't think he knew her...

That's...

Is something going on between them...

I've never seen them talk...

Eyes turned to look at me as the judgemental idiots of my high school history class voiced their opinions. They couldn't possibly assume that I knew Violet in any way, she wasn't the type of girl I talked to.

She wasn't easy and she didn't play hard to get. She was just focused on getting straight A's and the occasional thought of taking my spot as valedictorian usually crossed her mind. Those were the thoughts I adored because it allowed me to have space for myself and to think. She was ambitious and it inspired me a bit.

I shut my eyes, wishing so badly that these thoughts could disappear, I didn't want to hear them.

Violet's eyes looked at me and suddenly my mind went blank. Her eyes were as dark as her sleek dark brown hair that swayed ever so slightly with the air conditioning of the classroom.

As soon as her deep eyes looked at me, everyone's thoughts disappeared and the only thing I heard were my own telling me to keep looking. I wanted to stare at her all day if it meant hearing other people's judgemental opinions disappear. It was weird, but I loved it. Having my thoughts be heard in my mind other than a hundred or so other people's.

But as soon as she glanced away, they poured back in like a waterfall. I groaned, wishing I could be back home on a Thursday night with my parents away on date night and my mind completely free of people and their thoughts.

At first this talent was something I took great pride in. But now, I wanted nothing more than to be rid of it.

And glancing into Violet's eyes did that for me. I wanted more.

After class the teacher whose name I didn't bother remembering asked me to stay for a minute. I wasn't curious why she specifically asked me, she had been thinking about talking to me the entire class. She asked me what my favorite subject was and why I decided to take history as a junior. Of course whatever excuse she could make to hear my voice was welcomed, but I didn't approve or want a relationship with a teacher- that's just weird.

I replied blandly, my mind unable to break free from her dirty thoughts and I was getting sick of it.

"I have to go." I smiled impatiently and walked out. I followed suit behind the large crowds of students in the hallway and walked out the school door. The parking lot was in sight and it wouldn't take too long to reach my car.

In my peripheral vision, there was Violet focused on a conversation with her friend. I was too far to hear anything and I ignored it.

I continued to my Toyota and sat inside waiting for Amy. She knew if she made me wait too long I would leave, but today I considered staying a bit longer. Violet's car was parked across from mine a few lanes away and she stood talking to her friend. She had one friend and I didn't expect anything more from her.

I thought maybe if I focused on her mind I could hear what she way saying, but that didn't work. She spoke animatedly as her friend turned to look at me. As soon as we made eye contact her far away thoughts zoomed into my mind.

If Violet was smart she would so do him.

I looked away, so they had been talking about me. I started the engine, growing impatient as I backed out of the parking spot.

"Wait, where're you going?" Amy rushed in front of me and slammed the door of the passenger seat.

"You know how I get impatient... You really don't need to spend that long after school greeting your friends."

"But it's the first day of school and they didn't see me this morning. Of course I have to greet them." She smiled as an image got thrust into my brain.

She had been kissing some random guy, the image didn't last long enough for me to decipher who it was but I let it go. It wasn't like we were exclusively dating, she was just a hook up kind of gal to me.

"Are we going to your house?" She asked, licking her lips seductively.

"Nope, I'm dropping you off today. I have homework to do."

"Since when did you do your homework?" She scoffed rhetorically as I continued to drive before she added, "On the first day?!"

"Since now, Amy, we're here." I parked in front of her house and waited for her to go inside.

"Do you want to come in?" She asked, assuming I would say yes.

"Not really." I shrugged as she did her best to hide her disappointment as a million questions swarmed in her mind. I didn't care to answer any of them unless she actually asked. I didn't have to explain myself, we weren't exclusive.

"Okay. Pick me up tomorrow morning then?" She smiled, stepping out of the car and leaning on the open window.

"Nah, I'm busy." I replied coolly.

Did I do something wrong?

Does he know about Tyler?

Her thoughts flashed before me.

"Maybe you should have Tyler pick you up." I suggested. She looked shocked, as then her thoughts wondered how I found out so quickly. I smirked, there was no way to keep them from going viral.

"You know?" She whispered, backing away from my car. How the hell did he know, it literally happened 15 minutes ago?! She furrowed her brows.

"Of course I do. But don't worry Aimes, we were never exclusive, you can do what you want." I smiled, hoping to make the guilt she was shedding be taken away from me. I had to admit it stung a little.

"Are you sure you're okay with it? He asked me out and I said I would think about it but..."

"You don't have to explain yourself Amy." I held my hand up, "I really don't want to hear it." I really don't want your vivid images popping up in my mind.

"Okay, as long as you're okay with it. I guess we should end our... You know?" She bit her lip as I nodded.

"Yeah. If that's what you want." I smiled casually, hoping she got the message. "Date who you want. We aren't exclusive." I said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Thanks Aaron, you're the best." She grinned, any traces of guilt were gone.

"I know." I laughed as she waved at me driving away.

"See you tomorrow!" The smile wouldn't erase itself from her face and I grinned along.

"See you." I mumbled as I hopped onto the street and headed home.

Time for homework.

https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Read-Minds-ebook/dp/B08RYV11F2/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=veronica+Soliman&qid=1609863783&sr=8-3

(Link will be available in the coming weeks)

(Link will be available in the coming weeks)