Chapter One

"Abegail Parker?"

"Here."

Teacher's calling roll. I'm here today, but it's raining again. Someone else put me in a bad mood. He shoved me intentionally into the wall in the hallway, then screamed at me to get the hell out of his way. It's barely sprinkling, so it's not that bad. I'm not in too bad of a mood, because today is a special day. It's finally my birthday.

My mom fixed a birthday breakfast for me before school; my dad gave me a charm bracelet. The charms on the bracelet had all the elements (fire, water, earth, air, metal, and spirit) embedded with color-coded gems. "Be good, baby girl, and take care of yourself when I or your mama ain't around." My dad knows my secret, but it's only because he has a power, too; the power to read one's mind. Telepathy. He can also move things with his mind. Telekinesis. I wish we could switch powers. My power sucks.

The school bell is ringing, so it's time to leave class; it's the last bell of the day, meaning it's time to go home. My mom and dad wanted to come and pick me up, but they have to work and won't be home for another hour.

The sun is shining brightly today. I'm not usually in a good mood, since I have to keep most of my life a secret, but being 15-years-old feels pretty damn good. I can't wait for my parents to come home and celebrate this wonderful feeling with me.

Emilie Miranda