I start my weekend later than usual, waking up at noon. I walk around the house aimlessly, my movements delayed as if I'm an alien visiting a new planet. I see Brandon waving at me excitedly. I can see his mouth moving but no words and no sound are leaving his lips. It's just a blur of emptiness. How does he expect me to engage in a meaningful dialogue when he gives me...nothing? Sorry brother bear, not happening today. I step back into my room ignoring him.

I sleep another three hours before dragging myself out of bed and taking a much-needed shower. I am reading a book by one of my favorite authors, C.S Lewis when my phone rings.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Stace greets.

"Hello, gorgeous," I reply.

"Do you want to hang out?" she asks.

"Where?" I ask.

"Why are you answering a question with another question, Coco?" she agitatedly asks. I am rolling my eyes. "And don't you dare roll your eyes at me, missy, just come around to my place in an hour, ok? Okay," she says and cuts the call.

I have no choice, clearly, at least she gave me fifty-five minutes reprieve, that counts for something.

My phone rings again a few seconds later.

"Hi, blue eyes, did you get enough rest?" he asks.

Aaah, the sound of his voice makes my heart go boom boom.

"Hello, mind reader, let's just say I feel more human," I say.

"Nathan invited me to Stacy's house later. I was wondering if you'll be there?" he asks.

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"Yes, Stace called me earlier. I had no choice in the matter," I answer.

"That's great! Now I don't need to formulate a reason not to go," he replies. We both are silent, a calming interlude of sorts. "In all honesty, I would rather be spending time with you...alone," he shyly says.

"Me too," I softly say. The next move is yours.

"I'll see you later then?" he asks.

Well, that was quite an anti-climax. "Hmm," I answer and end the call.

I feel a bit reckless today, so I choose not to tie my hair back in a ponytail. I look at my reflection in the mirror and forget how great I look with my hair loose. My thick chestnut hair all tousled and wild gives off a warm glow in the late-afternoon sun. My slim and firm body enhances my overall physical appearance. I step closer to apply my glitter lipgloss and notice my eyes flickering a very light shade of blue, barely visible. I have no clue why that is happening, most things happening in my life right now are unexplainable, so let's just park it somewhere among the chaos.

When I get to Stace's home, everyone is already seated in the entertainment area. Li bows and says, "Athlete, we thank you for your contribution in making Bethany High School number one," I bow, slightly lower, in acknowledgment.

Nate asks surprisingly, "What's up with you?" He's obviously referring to my hair. I shrug as if it's a non-event when it's the first time they see my hair hanging all the way down to my waist.

Stace says, "You look stunning, Coco, just ignore Nate," She pulls me aside and whispers, "I'm loving the Eben effect. I never knew my bestie had an untamed side," I giggle in response.

I turn around and Eben's penetrating stare pulls me towards him like a magnetic force.

"Hi again," I say, smiling brightly at him.

"You remind me of a fierce warrior, fearless, courageous, gaining victory in every battle," he says. My cheeks are heating up. He continues, "Your hair glows like dark honey, so beautiful. You keep on surprising me, blue eyes," He brushes a few strands of hair out of my face, his touch as light as a feather. Whoaa...this right here, is the real McCoy.

In the middle of our discussion about music trends around the world, I suddenly see a gateway, situated on the same isolated spot where Eben and I sat on the day my enhanced ability surfaced.

And a voice like thunder saying, "It. Is. Time,"

I look at Eben across the room and know that he saw and heard the same thing.

Our friends seem unfazed as we bolt like lightning out of the room.  

Our first mission is about to start.