It is my firm personal belief that every person in this world wears a mask. That mask hides the darkness in their hearts. No one could possibly want others to know the darkness inside them. The darkness is a weakness that, once created, will never go away. That is why it's just so annoying to talk to people. The interactions between people are never true, just a show between the masks they are wearing. It’s disgusting to see it happen in person, with people introducing themselves, talking about their likes and dislikes, and hiding the truth. 

A room that looked thoroughly used and had a freshly imported smell had several tens of people sitting in disorderly rows. A young boy, with short blonde hair and a slightly muscular build, walked to the front of the class.

“Hello, my name is Student A, " the boy said, smiling. I like sports and history, and I would like to hang out with all of you at some point.” However, I see his real personality. Covered by a bright smile and cherry-picked words. 

{When I was 13, I stole from a store} 

{I used my parent's money on alcohol}

{I bullied kids for money in middle school}

Hundreds of his bad deeds encroached on my mind. It hurt my head a little, but I am already used to it. After all, I have had this power since that day, years ago. Some might call it a curse, however, it has helped me more times than I could count. Some may call it evil, however, I see the true evil. I can not give up this gift now. After all, what I see is only the truth.

 The boy sat down in his chair. The next classmate stood and took the boy's place. This time a girl with short brown hair. 

She introduced herself warmly, “Nice to meet you, I am Student B.” Another smile. “I like sweets, music, and dancing.” However, the truth is always different.

{I take my brother's money to buy bags online}

{In middle school, I spread rumors, and a girl dropped out}

It becomes hard not to hate people when I know every evil thing they have done. But I don’t need them. I would rather be alone than be friends with bad people. One by one students in the classroom introduced themselves. Every one of them has their darkness. I am disgusted by them, but this is no different from anywhere else. 

“Hello, my name is Student H. I love helping others, if you need help with anything, just ask.”

The truth:

{I play pranks on the elderly}

“Greetings, I am Student K. I like to read books about trains.”

It’s all lies:

{I hate my parents for not buying me anything}

“Hi, my name is Student L. I am kinda shy, but I like animals.”

Survey says:

{I killed my dog}

Even trying to remember these people's names would make me feel disgusted. Suddenly, it became silent, the chatter already having died away. People around the class are now looking at me with fake smiles on their faces. Is it my turn? I thought. I stood slowly trying to keep my balance, I made an effort to put one foot in front of the other. Eventually, I got to the front of the class, and I saw my “classmates”. Once again, hundreds of thoughts enter my head. A gallery in my mind, a show that I hate to see. However, this time feels different. I start to gag from overexposure, but I hold myself back.

“My name is Azure Barrett, and you all disgust me,” I said simply, still covering my mouth with my left hand. Silence encapsulated the classroom. A weird joke perhaps? He will surely take it back, right? You could tell their thoughts just by looking at their expressions. As I started to slowly walk back to my seat, my “classmates” got mad. Their faces turned sour, and they gave me a look that should not belong in a high school. I suddenly froze.

Staring right at me was a girl. However, contrary to everybody around her, she was smiling. Her eyes showed no malice. With a closer inspection, the girl would be considered objectively beautiful. She had light blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes. Her eyes trapped me; they looked at me with an emotion I did not understand. I snapped back to my devices, sure, she was smiling, but what of her true self?

{I secretly bought myself a snack one time}

{I made a mistake and got mad at my father}

{I forgot to do my homework one time}

This must be wrong, I thought to myself. My power must not be working, but it has never failed before. But that would mean, she was a saint. Is this an opportunity? No, why would such a good person want to be friends with someone like me? Suddenly, my heart gave a tug, and regret welcomed itself to my body. It felt like my heart was being squeezed by a toxic green hand. Then, a wave of dark emotions fell over me. I still can not trust her. My tense muscles relaxed quickly, and I diminished myself back into my seat.

 I ignored all the eyes showering me with violence. While I sat in silence, the class regained its composure, and the introductions continued. I drowned out the voices of poor deception until suddenly.

“Nice to meet you all,” a soothing voice rang out, “My name is Kaede Crimson.” I lifted my head and was caught off guard by the girl with light blonde hair. She was staring right at me again, beaming with a smile. A smile that I could not call false. What could she possibly want from me, I questioned. A dozen thoughts spread through my head, but none of them felt right. Her next statement stunned me.

“I want to be friends with everyone here, I hope we have a good time together,” Kaede said. It felt like she was my direct opposite. Accepting everyone instead of rejection. It is impossible to be friends with everyone. However, as an introductory statement, it could not be beat. After all, no one would refuse a cute girl as a friend. My power only knows what evil they have done in their past. I would not be able to tell if she is currently planning something horrible now. The few remaining students introduced themselves, but I was not paying attention in the slightest.

After school, I tried to leave quickly but I was stopped at the door.

“Kaede?” I asked, surprised.

“What?” she replied with a blank expression.

“That's my question, what do you want?” I retorted calmly. 

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“I want to talk to you.” She said warmly with a mischievous smile.

“We shouldn’t talk here,” I whispered looking around, seeing many attentive eyes.

“Why not?” she asked grumpily a frown on her face.,

“Are you really stupid?” I said meanly.

“What? Why are you calling me stupid?” She was surprised.

“Do you want our conversation heard by others?” I inquired firmly.

“I don’t mind at all.” She smiled again. 

“Well, I do mind,” I said slightly mad, and started to walk away. Kaede followed me, I continued to walk without hesitation. 

When we left the school gates, I took a quick glance back and she was still following, looking back at me brightly. I let out a deep sigh and continued walking for ten minutes to a small coffee shop I knew. Not many people my age go to this shop so it should be a good place to talk. 

I opened the ornate wood door, opening to a room that could only be called old. Wooden chairs and tables, not a trace of the newer style seen everywhere these days. An old man behind a counter and an old woman lounging in a comfortable-looking armchair were the only people in the store. I walked over to the counter near the back of the room and ordered a coffee. Getting a familiar nod from the old man behind the counter. I looked back and saw a stupid little girl staring at everything around her with stars in her eyes.

I mocked, “You look like a girl from the countryside seeing the big city for the first time.”

Surprised Kaede muttered, “Why do you always tease me, do you enjoy it?” 

The familiar old man behind the counter said, “Azure has always been more of an S than an M.” Kaede looked confused and pointed at the old man and me.

I stammered, “Mr. Drake, why would you talk now of all times.”

“Well, it is the first time our Azure brought a girl over, of course, I have to, who knows when this will happen again?” The old man said, obviously having fun.

“Stop acting like that,” I ordered.

“Like what?” The old man acted clueless.

“Like we are that close.”  my voice was like cold water.

The old man, taken aback, said slowly, “Azure, I know you have gone through your fair share of problems as well. However, do not try to act like we have no relationship.”

“Or were you just embarrassed in front of my future daughter-in-law?” The old man’s face changed in a split second to a grin.

“It’s not like that,” I said angrily.

Kaede, still clueless, followed up, “Nice to meet you, I am Kaede Crimson, I just met Azure today. We are classmates, are you Azure’s father, I-”

“He is not.” I half yelled, triggered.

“Is that any way to treat a person who loves you so much?” Kaede stated angrily. Both the old man and I fell silent, our faces shocked by the unusual statement. 

The short silence was then broken by an old voice, “You will have to forgive Azure, young girl, like my husband said he has had his fair share of problems, especially with his father.” The old lady sitting in an armchair had spoken. She started to get up but was struggling. I rushed over and helped, after she had risen to her feet she thanked me and started to walk over to Kaede.

“I'm sorry,” Kaede said, ashamed.

The old lady patted her on the head, “I do not blame you, after all, you are young, Azure and my husband are the weird ones here.” Kaede looked as if she enjoyed the head pat, and her face jumped back to happiness. I don't know if her expression was fake but if it was, she would be a minx that could fool anyone. 

The old lady shared a glance with the old man. After some sense of understanding the old man then nodded, silently he grabbed another cup from the shelf behind him. The old lady began to take Kaede back to a group of comfortable armchairs. After the two sat down, the old lady looked at me with a glare that was not mean. I understood her message, walked to the chair next to her and sat down.

“Mrs. Drake, this is Kaede Crimson, a classmate in my class.” I introduced the lady, politely. “Kaede, this is Mrs. Drake, the wife of the man who runs this shop.” After this introduction, Mrs. Drake stared at Kaede waiting. Kaede looked at me confused, I did not try to help.

Suddenly realizing Kaede spoke politely, “Hello it is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Drake.”

“Likewise, Ms. Kaede.” The old lady said happily. I breathed a sigh of relief, Mrs. Drake likes to be unusually formal in the weirdest moments. 

“Azure, why did you bring this fine young lady to our shop?” The lady asked politely.

“She said-” I started.

“A date perhaps.” An annoying voice from behind me revealed itself. 

The old man was standing behind me with a smug expression, but he had two cups of coffee so it was acceptable. I looked back at Mrs. Drake and saw her cheerful smile and knew I had been set up.

“I already said it wasn’t like that, she just wants to talk,” I stated calmly.

“I see, well you two should talk then.” The old man said while placing a cup of coffee in front of the two of us.

“Not with you two here.” I was exasperated by their relentlessness.

“This is no fun.” Mrs. Drake was sad as her husband helped her to stand. They walked away and sat at the counter.

“I apologize for them, they can be quite annoying at some points,” I told Kaede.

“I think they are a sweet couple,” Kaede told me with a warm smile.

“Moving on, what do you want to talk about?” I asked.

“What did I want to ask you?” she asked herself.

“You don’t remember?” I said slightly mad. Kaede dropped her head so I could not see her eyes. Did I make her upset? I thought to myself. 

“I’m-” I started to say when I was interrupted.

“W-w-would you go o-out with m-me next w-weekend?” Kaede said nervously, lifting her face to point at mine. Her face was red with embarrassment, but her eyes were scared. Why would she possibly want to go out someplace with me? I considered a couple of possibilities. I concluded that I could learn more about her this way, I must try to find the truth.

I spoke simply, “Sure.” Kaede smiled and drank some coffee. Finding the flavor good, she shifted back and forth in her seat satisfied.

After I finished my coffee, I walked to the counter and paid. 

When a voice I expected came, “I didn’t expect you to accept, maybe you do want a date.” The old man's smile disturbed me, yet his eyes were different this time.

“Do you have the ears of a bat?” I asked rhetorically, “There are multiple reasons I accepted, but that is not one of them,” I continued simply.

“Well, have fun.” Mrs. Drake said with a smile.

“Is he there today?” Mr. Drake followed.

“No,” I answered.

I went home feeling more tired than usual. When I opened the door to my father's house, there was nothing. I walked into the empty room, it was cold, with barely any signs of inhabitation. I put my school bag away and quickly took a shower. I went to the kitchen and illuminated the dark room. The heat from the shower fought the cold air in the room. I cooked myself food, which was good I may add. I thought about how I would make an excellent stay-at-home husband. I can cook, clean, cut hair, sew, and other household skills. All skills I was forced to learn from my environment, however they all come quite useful living by yourself. 

After cleaning the dishes from dinner, I wandered around the house. I do not wander often, but today left something extra to be desired. As I wandered through the big house I remembered my childhood. Earlier it was good, however later on it became bad. Something I do not want to remember. I then, still feeling unfulfilled, walked to the place that linked the end of the good and the start of the bad.

 A standing mirror sat in the corner of this room. I once again thought about this mirror. Maybe this mirror is here just for this day. Perhaps it was created just for this moment. I looked at myself in the mirror. Staring back at me were dead red eyes. Those eyes belong to a face slightly above average in terms of looks. Black hair that almost covered the eyes shortly cut. A stature that was average in height, but skinny. 

This was me for sure, was I ready to try again? Why not, I thought to myself. I activated my ability, however, just like all the other times I could not see my evil. I sighed again, and all of a sudden a wave of black engulfed my body. My heart usually felt gray, now, felt black. I felt desperate however my face did not change expression. I was running out of time however my feet did not move. I cannot live my life like this, I told myself. My heart started to hurt, I could not tell why. The fact I did not know hurt my soul, and my soul hurt my mind. I tried to find the answer to my painful heart, but I was overcome, before I knew it all was black.