“Hey, look,” someone whispered when Eliza entered the classroom.

“No way. I can’t believe she’s back after all that.”

“She was in prison or something, right?”

“It was a rehab clinic.”

“Oh, yeah. There was a rumor she almost OD on New Year’s Eve.”

“It’s not a rumor. My dad works in the hospital, and he told me about a girl our age almost dying back then.”

“I heard she stole from her friends to get her drugs.”

“I heard she stole drugs from the hospital.”

“Doesn’t her mom work there?”

“Yeah, I heard her parents had to pay a lot of money so the hospital wouldn’t press charges.”

“Better watch your phone and your wallet whenever she’s around.” They sniggered.

I’m surprised they bother to whisper, Eliza thought as she walked to the last row of seats with her head down to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze. When she sat in the desk next to the window, she pulled her crappy earbuds that only one side worked, stuffed into her backpack, closed her eyes, and rested her head on her arms.

The first class hadn’t begun, and she was already wishing she could go home. All this attention is too tiresome. I knew my first day back in school would be like this. But it’s been two weeks since I was discharged from the rehab clinic. I thought you guys would’ve exhausted the topic by now. I’m not that interesting.

Half out of curiosity, half out of boredom, Eliza covered her face with her arm. Taking a deep breath, she relaxed and focused her eyes. After a few seconds, the skin shivered and became transparent. An instant later, the muscles, veins, blood, and bone were gone as well.

Looking through her arm, she confirmed students were looking at her.

Holding the urge to groan, she stopped using her strange powers. When her sight returned to normal, she closed her eyelids. As usual, her eyes itched slightly, and she was glad it was only that now.

Guys, I mean it. Apart from my eyes, I’m not interesting, Eliza thought, sighing and looking around without her powers. If you wanna gossip that much, why don’t you pick someone with an interesting life?

At that moment, one of her classmates entered the classroom and walked to her seat. She tied her long brown hair in a ponytail as she sat. An instant later, two of her friends came to her to talk.

Yeah, you should talk about her. Trust me, she has a much more interesting life than me. Eliza observed through the corner of her eye. They giggled, played with their hairs, and redid their makeups.

I know it looks like she can’t hold a conversation if it’s something other than makeup, but that’s on the surface. She’s studying her ass off to go to college abroad while taking care of the house since her mother left her family.

Another classmate entered. He’s interesting too. Did you guys know his dream is to be a painter, and he’s trying new experiences to deepen his work? He even kissed a guy after taking some drugs. I’m not sure how it worked out with the guy. She had closed her eyes and turned off her special sight after they started undressing each other. I’m not into that.

That girl’s interesting too. She goes to the cemetery and tries to communicate with the dead. Maybe she’s just crazy, but that’s way more interesting than the plain old me. Even—no, not her. I doubt she has an interesting life.

Eliza rolled her eyes when she saw Bianca. Yeah, I guess her life that looks like it came out of an American TV show isn’t interesting. I bet the only trouble going on in her life is what to wear the next day.

Bianca dos Santos Silva, whose porcelain skin and smooth long red hair made Eliza doubt if she was actually Brazilian, didn’t seem to have an interesting life that could get the school’s gossipers fired up. With her father being the chief of police—and Eliza’s dad’s boss; and her mother, a businesswoman owning one of the biggest fashion stores in the metropolitan region, she hardly seemed to have any worry.

“Did you see who’s back? You should ask your dad for some extra protection. She might steal again for, you know.” Whoever spoke made a sniffing noise and then laughed.

So now I’m a cocaine addict. Eliza sneered and rolled her eyes, not bothering to see who was talking about her. Trust me, if I had the money for it, I’d rather spend it on something else. For starters, earbuds good enough to shut out that cat-fighting-a-hobo voice of yours.

“Do you know if that’s true? Yeah, if you don’t have any proof, better not say anything.”

“Sorry, sorry. I forgot you wanna be a journalist like your mom. You only work with facts, right?”

“It’s got nothing to do with that. Don’t get angry at me because you caught your boyfriend cheating on you.”

“Why did you have to mention that idiot? We’re talking about little miss drug addict there, not my ex.”

“If the rumors are true, you shouldn’t talk about her like that. She’s been through a rough time,” a third person said. Despite being only classmates, Eliza recognized it was Bianca. “We don’t know her circumstances, and even if we did, we can’t go around judging her.”

You talk like you know anything, Eliza thought. Then she wondered if the redhead knew something. Dad works for her father, but I doubt he actually has enough contact with the chief to have time to talk about me. Maybe the word got around the police department…

Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since dad talked about his work. He used to tell a lot of funny stories during dinner… How long it’s been since I heard a story?

“Everyone’s saying!” Despite their friend insisting, Bianca and the other girl refused to talk about Eliza.

Is she a nice person or just pretending to be above gossips? She wondered as she glanced at them again. The girl whose name Eliza didn’t remember noticed and poked the journalist daughter, sniggering as she leaned closer to whisper something.

Oh, no, please don’t spread any more rumors. I don’t know what I’d do if my popularity sinks any further. Then again, rock bottom is… well, rock bottom, Eliza sniggered in her head.

Bianca didn’t seem interested, using a compact mirror to fix her hair as if that was more important. However, she glanced at Eliza when her friend whispered something, and their eyes met.

Wow… Red hair and green eyes? Are you for real? Aren’t you cheating in life a little too much? Bianca turned back her attention to her hair, but not before smiling. Why are you smiling? Am I funny and just never realized? Well, I bet you’re not perfect. Let’s see what’s underneath that perfection.

Eliza covered her face with her arm again and cleared her mind. Wait, better not. I just used my powers a moment ago. I shouldn’t use it too much. Otherwise, I might lose control and then…

The painful memories of the last few months came to her. Her breathing became shallow and irregular. Sweat ran down her brow, and her arms trembled.

It won’t be like before. I can control it, she told herself, clenching her fists and breathing slowly. I have no idea how I got it, but it’s my power now… I can control it. Yes. I can do this.

With both the urge to check Bianca with her unique sight and the desire to be in control over her powers, she stared in the direction the redhead was and relaxed her entire self.

At first, she saw only her arm with the faint light coming through the gaps. Then, just like before, the edges of her vision blurred, her limb shivered and it became transparent little by little. For a second, Eliza saw Bianca as the others saw her. Then her pants and shirt became transparent and then disappeared.

Holy shit! Eliza gasped, choked, and lost control over her powers. Her vision became blurred, and everything spun. She shut her eyes closed, waiting for her vision to get back to normal.

“What’s she doing?”

“Bet she was snorting.”

“Right here in class? That’s bold.”

Shut up. It’s her fault, she thought, massaging her eyes. She felt everyone’s stare on her. As she waited for her head to stop spinning and the urge to vomit vanished, everyone went back to whatever they were doing.

With her breathing slow and steady, Eliza turned her eyes back in the direction of Bianca. She concentrated again, and this time she could see underneath the girl’s clothes faster. Even if she had already seen, she still blushed. Who the hell wears black silk lingerie to school? Did you meet your boyfriend or something before coming, or are you meeting him later?

As the seconds passed, Eliza couldn’t take her eyes off the redhead. She’s so beautiful, the thought crossed her mind as she observed the smooth skin, legs, belly, and back. I bet you spend hours and hours, and a ton of money, taking care of that pretty skin of yours, am I right? But that just confirms you cheated in life.

As Bianca turned to talk to a boy, Eliza saw a glimpse of a strange mark on the redhead’s thigh. Wait, what was that? A birthmark? Hickey? Turn around and show me.

When the boy went away, Bianca turned back to her friends, but she still couldn’t see the mark. Just open your legs a little, Red. It’s not that hard. I bet you do it a lot for your boyfriend. Just do it for me this once. When Bianca placed a foot on the spindle of her desk, Eliza saw. Though it wasn’t big, it was swollen and a shade of purple, destroying the beauty that was Bianca’s skin.

That’s not a birthmark or a hickey… Why do you have a bruise there, Red? Are you into that kind of play with your boyfriend? I sincerely apologize for calling you boring, she thought, closing her eyelids and waiting for the itching on her eyes to cease. It recovers much faster now. I am in control.

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When it was gone, Eliza couldn’t stop smiling. Maybe I should reveal you’re into rough play to everyone. They’d leave me alone for a while. What kind of rumors would the idiots spread about the chief of police’s daughter?

She entertained herself imagining, holding the laugh as the rumors got more and more wild in her head.

***

When the last bell rang, and the teacher ended the class, Eliza stuffed her notebook into her bag. I’m starving, she thought, dashing to the door. She wasn’t fast enough to avoid her classmates’ whispers, though.

“Where’s she going in such a hurry?”

“I bet it’s the munchies,” someone answered, followed by sniggers.

Eliza sighed and rolled her eyes. They’re still talking about me. Guess that’s the only thing their tiny brains can do, she thought, rolling her eyes. She pulled her shabby earbuds from her bag and untangled it, but before she could shut herself away, she froze.

Even if she only saw the back of her head, she recognized that long and wavy brown hair at any time. Amanda, she thought, pressing her lips as she stared at her friend heading towards the stairs. After a moment of hesitating, Eliza broke into a short run, bumping into other students as the corridor got more and more crowded as everyone left their classrooms.

Amanda was already at the bottom of the stairs. If she ran, she could reach her best friend. But when Eliza saw her talking to her boyfriend, she stopped. I can’t just talk to her. Not after what I did to her…

I’m such a coward. I know it won’t make a difference… I know she’ll never forgive me, but I need to apologize. It’s the least I can do. Despite knowing that, Eliza only watched as the girl, she considered a sister got farther and farther away until she disappeared. Then she focused.

The students, the walls, and everything else vanished as her vision went on. It only stopped when she saw Amanda smiling after kissing her boyfriend.

Seeing that smile made Eliza happy, but at the same time, it brought back the things she did to her, reminding her of what she had lost. How long has it been since she talked to me with that carefree smile of hers?

Damn it… Damn it… All because of this stupid power, she thought, closing her eyes and heading home once the itching went away.

“Mom?” she asked the moment she opened the door. When there was no answer, she bit her nails.

Before she got her powers and the consequences that came with it, Eliza hated her mother’s constant watch. But now she realized how comforting it was having her home. Carla had been with her since the day she was released from the rehab clinic.

Mom didn’t say anything, but I know she was picking a lot of extra shifts at the hospital. My treatment was too expensive. Not to mention the stuff I stole…

Breathing slowly to keep her anxiety in check, she went to the kitchen and found a note on the microwave. Heat for a minute. Stay home. Your brother is studying with Danielle. Your father and I will be back by dinner. Love, mom.

So dad and Fabio aren’t coming home, Eliza thought as she heated her lunch, the butterflies in her stomach going wilder. She picked up a knife and fork, took her plate to the table, and sat, focusing on each action. According to the psychologist from the rehab clinic, she should focus on the present, not the past or the future.

As she stared at the food, however, Eliza realized she wasn’t hungry anymore. Even so, she forced herself to eat as much as she could. After she couldn’t eat another bite, she stored the leftovers and went to the living room.

After a minute still, she got the cleaning supplies. Ever since she had returned home, Eliza had been helping her mother with the housework. Though she complained, she did it as a way to keep herself busy for a while. Actually, more to avoid letting my mind empty, right, priest? What did he say? The empty mind is the devil’s workshop. She had overheard him tell her mother those words.

Eliza barely helped with the housework her entire life. In fact, every time her mother complained she had to do everything around the house by herself, she pretended she didn’t hear. Now cleaning the house and listening to her mother talking about work calmed her more than she wanted to admit.

But after she finished sweeping and washing the floor, cleaning the bedrooms, bathrooms, and doing the laundry, she found herself sitting on the couch with nothing to do. She thought about taking a nap, or watching a movie, or even studying, but those options didn’t seem good enough to spark her interest. What did I use to do before rehab?

She stared at her reflection on the black TV. I bet it’s just crap at this hour, she thought, turning it on. Instead of the regular programs, however, the national news was on. With some surprise, Eliza realized they were talking about the neighboring town.

“The authorities still have no information about what caused the explosion at the chemical plant. The flames still haven’t been controlled, and the fire department has requested help from the nearby cities,” the reporter said. It was showing the chemical plant Eliza had once visited as a school trip. There were already five fire trucks, but more were coming. “The number of victims is unknown, but they estimate over a thousand. They’re moving the patients to the closer towns—”

If they’re bringing the patients here, mom will be working overtime. And dad will probably help with the rescuing.

They won’t be home today, Eliza realized, turning off the TV and burying her face on the cushion, breathing slowly. Ever since she was discharged, her family has been having dinner together every night…

A loud ringing woke her. With her eyes closed, she reached out for the house phone. “Hello?”

“Eliza, thank God you’re home,” her mother said, relieved. “I was worried. I called a couple times, but there was no answer.”

“Sorry, mom. I was taking a nap.” She sat up and took her phone from her pocket. Wow… Nine calls isn’t a couple times, mom. “What’s up?”

“Me and your dad—”

“Won’t be coming home for dinner,” Eliza finished the sentence. Even if I’m not completely okay, you don’t need to treat me like a kid. “You guys are helping with the accident, right?”

“Yes. And your brother’s gonna spend the night studying,” she said and then kept quiet. Eliza could tell what she was thinking. “If you want, I can come ho—”

“Don’t worry about me, mom.” Eliza tried keeping casual to hide her anxiety. Technically, I’m an adult. I can’t have my mommy holding me by my hand forever.

“Okay…” Carla didn’t sound reassured. “What are you gonna do for dinner?”

She considered for a moment, but she wasn’t in the mood to cook. And I need to get out of this house a bit. “I might eat out.”

“Eliza…”

She imagined her mom’s face full of worry over the phone. “I promise I won’t do anything stupid.” I hope I can keep this promise.

Someone called her mother on the other side. “I need to go, but be careful. And please get home as fast as you can. Don’t go wandering off. It’s dangerous. I love you.” She ended the call before her daughter could say goodbye.

Mom’s really busy. I need to show her she doesn’t have to worry about me all the time. After a minute of taking deep breaths on the couch, she went to her bedroom, changed her clothes, and went to eat out for the first time in weeks.

It wasn’t so bad, Eliza thought after she left the fast-food restaurant. Though the employee was one of her classmates, he didn’t make any comments about her. He couldn’t; otherwise, I could make a scene and get his ass fired. The idea amused her for a bit, but then she shook her head. My life’s too short to waste time worrying about a guy like that.

Eliza wondered what to do next. I don’t wanna go home now. I can’t stay inside alone without going crazy. She pulled her phone to reread the text from her mother again, just to make sure she hadn’t misread.

I need to work overtime. I don’t think me or your dad will be home tonight. Please, be careful and go home soon.

If mom couldn’t call me, it means it must be crazy busy at the hospital, Eliza thought, putting the phone back in her jacket pocket. Without any idea what to do, she just walked at random through the streets.

Before her powers, she loved her privacy. When she was home, she was certainly in her room. I used to waste time on the net or talking with my friends… With Amanda…

She lives just one block from here, Eliza realized, turning her head towards her best friend’s house. I think it’s within my range…

She closed her eyes and breathed out slowly. When she was calmer, she opened her eyes and relaxed her body, concentrating on the trees before her. After a few seconds, the trunk and the leaves faded. A moment later, she could see through it, but her sight didn’t stop there.

The house behind came closer, and then its wall became transparent to her. The residents were in her sight, but only for a second. I don’t wanna spy on people I don’t know without a reason… I’m not a voyeur.

Eliza dismissed the idea as her sight moved past the house. My eyes are getting faster, she realized, relieved she wasn’t feeling any itching or pain yet. This was enough to hurt them at the beginning, especially when I had no control over it.

The memories of those days flashed in the back of her mind. No… Don’t think about it… Don’t think about it. I’m not gonna let it destroy my life again, she told herself, shutting her eyes for a second.

Just like when she had no control, her powers continued to work even with the closed eyelids this time. The sudden change made her sight go back to the previous house, so she cleared her mind and focused.

A couple of seconds later, she was seeing the two-store house she had spent so much there, it was almost like her second home. The beauty salon on the first floor was busy as usual. Though Amanda didn’t work there officially, she helped her folks with the manicure to earn some extra cash. At the moment, she was finishing with a client, but instead of attending to another woman, she went upstairs, washed her hands and face, and went to study in her bedroom.

If it wasn’t for this stupid power, I’d probably be studying with her. Or maybe with my ex-boyfriend. I’d be a normal girl…

Eliza watched for a few minutes before deactivating her powers. After a couple of seconds, her sight was back to normal, with only a weak itching. With a tiny smile, she raised her hands with the unkempt and bitten nails. Amanda always insisted on doing my nails. She never admitted, but she liked the purple nail polish. I wished we could go back to the way things were…

The urge to see her friend’s face came back. But she stopped before she used her powers again. I can’t abuse this power too much… I almost died because of the pain back then… Before she relived those days, Eliza walked away.

Without realizing, she was at the park two blocks from her home. Oh yeah, I used to come here all the time with Fabio when we were kids, she recalled, chuckling weakly. How many years it’s been since we played here?

She sat on the swings, thankful for the fact the park was empty. She didn’t want anyone seeing her. She held the chains and swung, going a bit higher each time. Wow! I never reached this height before, she thought, grinning and throwing her weight forward to go even higher. When she was little, she remembered crying whenever her father pushed her too high. Why was I so scared of this? It’s almost like I’m flying!

When Eliza was at the highest she had ever been, something over the park’s fence caught her attention. Digging her feet into the ground, she stopped swinging and focused. She knew she shouldn’t use her powers too much, but her curiosity was getting the best of her.

This time, the trees, plants, the playground, and the fence became transparent in a heartbeat. She was so excited it was hard to control her powers, and her sight went beyond what had caught her attention. Shit.

Eliza closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her sight stayed at the alley instead of going farther. Damn it! Why is it so dark?

She had learned her power could use almost every source of light to see brighter. But if the light was too weak, she couldn’t see properly. Couldn’t this power work like night vision goggles?

With difficulty, she could tell there were four people in the alley. The one with a black hoodie had their back to the fence, so she couldn’t see their face. The other three closed in on the one in the hoodie.

Hoodie was shorter than the rest, but that didn’t stop them from kicking the closest one right in the neck. Holy shit! That was a roundhouse kick, Eliza thought, so surprise she lost control of her powers.

Damn. She breathed out and focused. The alley was back, and Hoodie was fighting the other two now. More like beating the crap out of them. She was smiling without realizing it.

C’mon. Turn around, Eliza found herself wishing for Hoodie to turn around so she could see their face. I don’t wanna keep watching your back. At the end of the alley, another guy showed up. He stayed in the shadows, waiting. Eliza was so focused on Hoodie she only noticed his bat at the last second.

“He has a bat!” she screamed as loud as she could.

Hoodie dodged and kicked the newcomer in the groin, who fell to the floor with the rest. Then they turned in the direction of the park

In the dark, Eliza couldn’t make the face. But due to her enthusiasm, Hoodie’s clothes became transparent. Holy shit… I can’t believe it… Not only had she seen that bruise on the inner thigh earlier, but she also recognized the winner’s black silky lingerie.

Maybe it’s not Bianca. It can be a coincidence, Eliza told herself. She focused on the face, hoping the light would become stronger. That didn’t happen, but she saw a lock of red hair under the hood.

So that bruise wasn’t your boyfriend, huh? Eliza couldn’t stop smiling as she closed her eyes to stop the burning sensation creeping in around them. I’m sorry for calling you boring.