Hallie Green's Story

7:15

Hallie brushed her white hair from her eyes, chin down as she gazed about the cafeteria. Worry struck her from the group crowded around an unconscious boy, timid fright sprang from the girl seated alone, a boy with bronze hair at the other side of the room was spilling with amusement while the one seated with him shouted focus. She sighed, sensing it all and feeling her spine jerk this way and that. Absorbing so many emotions caused a headache quick.

Hurrying to the food, she pulled a blue pill from her pocket, downing some lemonade with it. She wasn't really hungry though, despite how nice it all smelled. Headaches usually made her nauseous, especially these migraines right behind her eyes.

So pulling out her cell phone, she leaned against the buffet so not to sit too close to anyone and tried to focus on a sudoku puzzle, numbers blaring, hurting her head even more. Sighing, she closed her eyes, hoping roommates were assigned soon and wanting a bed. Maybe she'd get lucky and room alone, though she doubted it.

Hallie

Slouching into a seat, she watched everyone go, emotions thankfully flitting out after them. She particularly wanted that girl with the fox ears to vacate, her newly arrived desperation for attention deafening. Hallie suffered from trying push their emotions out, different emotions, strong ones, sometimes causing her actions to mirror them. If she absorbed too much of one emotion, she would feel it, experience it, and worst of all show it.

The PA hadn't announced her name and she wondered where she could find a bed. Her pills would take a bit longer to kick in and sadly she noticed another body was still seated not too far away. His eyes caught hers and he waved, standing and stepping over. She turned her head away, white hair hiding her winces.

James

"No room for you either?" he laughed, dropping down beside her. She gave a glance then took out her phone. James didn't mind though. "Maybe we'll be roomies. But don't ask me to be your study buddy. That's definitely out of the question...now if you wanted to invite some girls over for a pillow fight, sure. That'd be fine with me. As long as I can participate. Well, more watch than participate."

The girl sent a glare over, one eyebrow cocked.

James felt the blue crystal on a chain under his shirt warm a little. He could sense anger, a resentment for him, not personally though. She hardly knew him, how could she jump to such an outrageous conclusion? No, she had a hard time with people, needed time to get to know you. Plus, her ability seemed painful. Suddenly, James' smile slipped, pulling out of his crystal's findings. He didn't want to be too intrusive.

Hallie

Being an Empath could suck royally most times, but Hallie was surprised to sense this boy's sudden hesitation. He had been brimming with arrogance and excitement a moment before. Something flipped. Narrowing her eyes, she quietly asked, "What's your ability exactly?"

He shrugged. "Nothing too impressive. Though useful."

"You didn't answer my question," she said at once, annoyance flaring. People always diverted their answers. Why?

James nodded. "All right, I Scry." He tugged at a chain around his neck. "I can gather information about people through my crystal." A blue two inch crystal lay presented in his palm, his smile proud and eyes bright. "It's not too specific like your favorite number or anything, just vibes."

Hallie then understood, nodding to the crystal and looking down at the black screen of her phone. "You figured out my ability then."

"Uh...yeah. That kinda sucks."

Hallie shrugged. "No big deal. You're forced to wear jewelry. I lucked out."

This made him chuckle a bit, a low pleasant sound. Hallie eyed him oddly.

James

The pair were told they would be rooming together in Dorm 6, apologies for the mistake in the announcement given all the way to the dorm hallway. The white haired girl beside him, the man had called her Hallie Green, wore an odd expression, concentrating hard. He figured she was still tuning into everyone's emotions as they passed each dorm room, sounds floating out to the hallway amusing to James.

He wondered what it would be like, feeling others' emotions and sometimes simply stealing the emotion altogether. How did the other person react? What if someone was extremely happy and an Empath stole it? Would they suddenly be depressed?

James shrugged a shoulder and smiled a little. It would be interesting, no doubt.

Hallie started picking up speed to reach Dorm 6 at the end of the hall, gripping the key given to her tight. He watched her, enjoying her tight dark green jeans and the revealed skin just above her curved hips up to her waist. He found it strange that they would put a guy and girl together in the rooms. Was the school trying to encourage premarital sex?


Hallie

Headache pulsing, guards waning, she had to be alone. James would be there, but he seemed to understand what being an Empath meant. Perhaps he would control any strong emotions while around her. Right now he was simply excited, but calm. Calmness helped keep him at bay.

Of course, their dorm was at the end of the hall, past everyone else's and past all their collective emotions: embarrassment, anticipation, annoyance, apologetic, amused...aroused?

Hallie stumbled, hit straight on with two threads of emotions stemming from two horribly horny teenagers beyond the Dorm 5 door. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead from the effort of denying them, but then James too sent some her way, now behind her. Great, he was staring at her ass.

Knees trembling, she couldn't resist the arousal, too many combined attractions hitting her at once. Her gaze glazed over, a smile curving her lips up. Her skin tingled and she whipped about, facing James under lidded eyes. Her hands gripped her waist, only half realizing what she was doing. Sex helped though, it always had. If she could escape her mind even for a moment, perhaps she could gain control again.

James' expression didn't surprise her, but she knew he was thinking it. Knew he wanted it. Slinking forward, she gripped the hem of his shirt and smiled up to him. "Ready to be roomies?"

James

Her lips were soft and gentle, something he didn't expect from such an anger filled girl. Her hands were a different story. She was trying to undress him right there in the hall! He gripped her wrists tightly and held her an arm's length away.

"What are you doing?"

Hallie giggled. The friendly sound didn't feel right. "If you don't know, then you're in for a treat Mr. James."

Swallowing hard, James shook himself free of the thoughts he wanted to have. He forced his eyes to watch only her face, not to roam down, her shirt pulled down a bit revealing the edge of her purple bra, her hips slightly swaying back and forth. No. No. No. The blue crystal on his chest was heating quickly, reading Hallie.

She was trapped. She needed to release the emotions. She couldn't control them. Her sexual advances were for survival's sake, not because she wanted anything from him. Snatching his key from his pocket, he opened their dorm room and shoved her inside.

"Ooh, rough. I like," she laughed, falling back onto the closest bed. "Come on, Black."

James slammed the door shut and held himself firmly against it. It would be easy, she was blatantly offering, but he shook his head. "I don't take advantage of girls," he stated hard. "Snap out of it."

"Out of what? I can get undressed if that's what you mean..."

"No! God..." He focused his panic and annoyance on her, forcing his emotions down her throat so the others would be flushed away. Clearly they weren't far enough away from the others. She was still grinning sensually at him, playing with the edge of her jeans, threatening to take them off.

Gripping her arm, he dragged her to the bathroom, slamming this door as well as another barrier. He turned on the shower and pushed her under the water.

"Snap out of it!"

Hallie slipped and collapsed on her backside on the tiled floor, white hair stuck to her face from the water and eyes wide. She was coming down from whatever emotional high she had been riding. Realization took a moment to sink in, but when it did, she snapped up to her feet, staring in horror at James.

"I...I didn't...oh my god!"

James nodded. "You're telling me."

Hallie

Slumping into the nearest bed, Hallie scrunched her wet white strands in he3r fists and closed her eyes. It had happened before, plenty, so the embarrassment wasnt the issue. The issue was she had sworn she had her emotions in check. How had she succumbed so easily here? And of all people her roommate. The act seemed fine enough (especially since he was decent enough to not let anything actually occur) but now he was going to act awkward, sending her all his awkward feelings so it would turn into an awkward fest. She greatly despised people and their fickleness. They kissed. So what? Like it ?eant anything...

James lounged against the dorm door, watching her. "You okay now or do I have to call someone?"

"Perfectly sane," she muttered, not revealing how much pressure from the other dorms she was receiving. For the first time, she missed her old house, the giant mansion built for 12 but housing 3. Plenty of room for emotions to run free without interferring with her own. "I'm goin' to sleep."

After a moment, James nodded. "I get it. Gotta build up stamina for next time."

Hallie then proceeded to pelt him with pillow missiles until he surrendered and dove onto his own bed for sleep.

James

Waking before Hallie, James dressed with several yawns and ruffles of his bronze hair. He glanced into a mirror a moment, pulled on a white tee and adjusting his blue crystal under the fabric. The previous night still amused him, which made his morning a bit brighter, as he crossed back to his side of the room searching cupboards in the small kitchen. Nothing. His stomach rumbled, but then he remembered the cafeteria area. Perhaps they had breakfast there.

He approached the door finding a note slipped underneath. Unfolding it, he quickly scanned the contents. It was an announcement to meet in a particular classroom for schedules and a proper orientation. It began soon. He glanced to Hallie, considering waking her up.

Tiptoeing over, he poked her shoulder. "Hal...we got orientation."

She turned over, white hair wild and one eye squinting. "Wha...?"

"Orientation." He pointed to the white sheet of paper.

A strange smile crossed her thin lips, arms stretching above her head. "Sure," she sighed, eyes fluttering closed again.

James straightened and shrugged. Okay. He tried. He slipped on some shoes and started out, wondering which direction to take.

James

James smiled in response, teeth showing a bit. He crossed his arms and allowed himself to scale her up and down as she walked away. This could be fun, she was obviously into him, even if just as a plaything. That never bothered him.

He sighed though, beginning to follow. Orientation sounded less than fun. But could prove interesting. Gripping the front of his shirt so the crystal was stuck in his fist, he wondered who else he would meet. The group from last night seemed likeable, even the guy who passed out, or the guy talking to himself. It would prove a fun time...plus, the girls here were quite attractive. He lucked out with his transfer here.

He followed the girl with the tattoo as they tried to find the orientation room, locating it eventually. He was surprised to see Hallie there, not very awake looking with her white locks sticking up in places, but she was present. She sat alone, phone in hand and headphones plugged into her ears. A pang vibrated in his chest. She was trying to ignore everyone's anxious excitement, secluding herself to the corner. Sighing, he figured he had to be a good roommate.

"Hey," he said, turning to the girl with the tattoo. "Wanna sit with me and my roommate?"

James

Chuckling and peering around to her with his blue green eyes after her light touches, he wondered what she was thinking. Glancing down her front again, his mind wandered itself, almost forgetting where he was heading until bumping into a seat. He whipped about, seeing Hallie eyeing him unhappily.

"See you woke up," he teased and took a seat, motioning for the tattoo girl to sit beside him. "I'm James by the way," he introduced with a smile. "And what might your lovely name be?"


Hallie

Of course he had to bring his flirt fest near her, did he learn nothing last night? She could feel their attraction to one another increasing with every second and he was oblivious. Hallie blew her white bangs from her eyes and stood up, shaking her head. James shot her a confused look but she ignored him, picking a spot in the back to stand at.

Another boy was close by, but he was calm enough. No real issue to her sanity. She focused on the music softly playing in her ears, headache increasing and eyes unable to take the light from her cell phone screen any longer. She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to find calm herself. Part of her wanted to pull some from the boy, but she fought the urge. Taking others' emotions was wrong and she had to practice controlling her ability.

Hallie

She couldn't help it, all the voices, all the emotions, stupid James...

The boy next to her with the blonde hair would notice, how could he not? Hallie focused on the wavelength of his emotion, utter calm, a bit bored, but otherwise comfortable. That's what she needed right now, comfort, calm, a clear head. Why was it so hard to concentrate here? At school she had put up with stupid teenage emotions everyday! Was it because they were all psychically enabled? She didn't know, she didn't care.

Slowly, she allowed a small bit of the boy's calmness to wash over her. Peeking over, he seemed not to notice. Without thinking, she drew in more and found a steady breath. Hopefully he wouldn't notice. Hallie wasn't sure what happened when someone's calm was sucked out of them.

6:30
Adrien

As Adrien walked in he didn't expect Anna to still be undressed. Her pale slender legs drew his attraction. Until of course he looked up more seeing Anna's chest. He couldn't help but look at it ideas full of lust roaming his mind that he never thought before. It seemed he wasn't the only one fighting arousal though. He stopped thinking of those thoughts and put his attention back to the matter at hand. They were going to be late unless they fixed this situation.

"Are you always this clumsy with your powers, or is it simply a side affect of infatuation?"

Adrien spun around beet red, his hands covering his visible erection. "Uh...um, it's just that they almost always backfire on me" Adrien said lying, I mean his powers did backfire occasionally but not as much as they have been recently when he thought about more embarrassing subjects. "Could you please help me rip my towel off now?" Adrien asked shamefully.

Zoe

Zoe looked around at the other students piling into the classroom. She saw two students flirting with each other. "Ughh" Zoe moaned. Zoe had to stop distracting herself with stupid people watching. People watching only led to her getting angry anyways.

Zoe saw two people who seemed normal enough. One with white hair, one with blonde. "Maybe I should try talking to someone" Zoe thought. "No!" Her conscious countered. She had to focus on fixing her powers before she could make petty friends. Plus, who says their to be trusted anyways their probably both going to have sex with each other by the end of the night.

Hallie

Aw, better, much better. Hallie sighed in relief, her headache easing and eyes focused around the room. She had to admit, stealing calmness was nice. She felt more alert than she had in days.

One glance to the boy standing in the back with her jolted her out of her comfort. He was swaying, fighting sleep, circle forming visibly under his eyes. She was draining him? But how? Concentrating on him, she forced the calm away, sending it back, blocking his wavelengths from her completely. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed him to regain his strength. It would be just her luck to make a frickin' kid pass out from her stupid selfishness.

The pulsing behind her eyes was returning, skin gathering goose bumps, shoulders tensing. Well, it had been nice for the whole minute it had lasted. Hallie peeked out from under one eye, hoping he was okay. Then the onslaught of emotions from the other kids racked her brain also. She had to fight it, somehow.

Her stomach lurched. Quickly, she left the room, one hand to her abdomen and the other clapped to her mouth. She was going to be sick if she stayed there any longer.

Mikhail had been in that strange haze where your eyes are open but you're not really aware of your surroundings. It was comforting to listen to something in Russian, and he had zoned out entirely, and, for all intents and purposes, asleep.

This changed abruptly when he felt a slight breeze. He blinked in time to see a girl rush past him, a hand pressed to her mouth and another around her stomach, looking sick. He pulled his earphones out just as she ran out. She almost looked...panicked. Was it nerves? Or something else?

He looked around. No one seemed to notice. Without much of a second thought, he ditched the orientation (he hadn't been paying much attention anyways) and followed the girl. He saw her stumbling down the hallway, probably towards a bathroom. He chased after her.

When he was right behind her, he grabbed her shoulders lightly to stop her. "Hey," he asked, "Are you okay?"

Hallie

Hands stopped her up short, the same calm thread of emotions she felt from earlier wrapping around her. Gulping down a breath, she whipped about. The air in the hall was better, only this kid's emotions around. She swallowed down what she thought was stomach acid and leaned against the nearest wall, both hands curled into fists in her hair.

"I'm fine," she assured, eyes on the ground. "Really."

What had happened to her control? This was as bad as the first night her abilities were shown to her. It was horrible, drunken slurred words, loud laughter, video game screens flashing here and there. She had made out with the guy playing pool then proceeded to strip down on top of the green felt table. If her friends hadn't had been there, it would have been the worst night of her life.

"I just need to sit down," she assured, sliding down and closing her eyes.

Mikhail helped her sit down, and squatted in front of her. "Are you sure you're okay? You looked really sick." Her eyes were closed, head kneeling. Mikhail remembered her from yesterday. She had sat by herself, playing on a phone.

"You still look kinda sick..." Mikhail added after studying her face. "Here..." he put his hand on her forehead. A forward motion, perhaps, for an American, but not for him. He just hoped she wasn't one of those psycho girls who'd punch him afterwards.

Her skin felt sweaty, but not feverish, and he took his hand away. "I guess it isn't anything physical," he said. "Perhaps, you are nervous?" He had moved around a lot, but he knew of people who had never lived in more than one house. Changing schools could be a big and terrifying change.

Hallie

"Nervous...right..." Hallie sighed. Out here things were calmer, and this guy had steady emotions, very controlled. It helped. "Not nervous...my ability...I can't be around too many people. I...ugh..."

Mind swirling, she peered up around her white strands to the boy. "Thanks. I'm okay really." He had blonde hair, nice eyes, admittedly he was attractive and his calm expression helped her focus on her current surroundings than her pain. A blast of air conditioning swirled around the pair and Hallie breathed it in through her nose. She did wonder why this guy was worried about her at all, but didn't mind, for the time being. She just needed to sit.

"Your ability?" Mikhail repeated, his eyebrows furrowed in a mix of both curiosity and worry. "Why....well...how would you say...ahem," Mikhail cleared his throat, fixing the English words in his mind. "What is your ability?" he finally asked. "If you don't mind me asking, that is. If you do, then that's fine, too. I'm just curious. And, admittedly, slightly concerned."

He really was genuinely concerned, both for the well-being of others and for the well-being of this girl. He had often been a team leader in his previous missions when he was older, and as such was constantly looking out for those under his wing. Evidently, old habits were hard to break. His left hand tingled in its glove, almost as if a reminder. Or rather, a warning. He squeezed it as he waited her answer.

Hallie

Swallowing down another breath, she listened to him struggle with his words. She used to be friends with a guy from Spain who had the same issue. It would have annoyed her unless she was used to it, she knew. He was being nice though, almost regrettably. Speaking to nice people always felt awkward, Hallie wondering why anyone would be nice to someone like her. It wasn't that she thought she was a bad person, but she knew her glares and overall expression and stature didn't scream "Let's be friends." How anyone chose to approach her was odd, but amusing at times.

"I'm an Empath...I can sense emotions and basically suck them into myself. Not quite sure how that's helpful, but you never know..." She paused, headache panging a bit on the back of her head. "Sorry about earlier...you were all calm and such and I kinda...sampled your vibes."

Ah, an Empath. Interesting. That would have been useful in the spy field....you'd be able to tell if the guy you were after was nervous or anything, and then use it to your advantage! They always taught that knowing your enemy's emotion was important, and Mikhail had always need to gamble. This girl just knew right away!

"It depends on the field you're in, I guess, but I think it could be very helpful," Mikhail said, nodding. He smiled when she apologized. "Don't worry about it. In my...um...previous line of work, we couldn't afford to have our emotions running rampant. Doing so would jeopardize the entire....uh...um...." this time Mikhail was thankful for his previous slip-up. Now it seemed that he was just struggling to find a word, but in reality he almost revealed himself. Even though he wasn't working anymore, he still didn't want it to go around that he had been a spy. And a Russian one at that. He scratched his hair with his gloved hand, "Well, you know what I mean," Mikhail quickly diverted the subject, "By the way, since we'll probably be classmates, may I ask for your name?"

Hallie

Some sort of worry sprang up inside him, but vanished almost at once. Then he asked her name. Hallie squinted a little and sat up straighter, pushing her hair behind her eyes. "Hallie, yours?"

He was right, since they would be classmates and all, names would prove useful perhaps. Just so Hallie knew who to avoid, though avoiding everyone wasn't out of the question. The air, though aiding in her calming down process, was getting cold. Like someone just turned the temp down to 60. Shivering a bit, she waited for him to answer.