“What did you just say?” I yell across the table at my brother. “I literally didn’t say anything.” He says innocently. “You’re hearing things. Also that was rude. Baba was praying.” He states. “No no no no no. You said you would rather be at Jason’s house than here celebrating Baba’s birthday.” I say probably a little bit too loud. “No…but…I sorta did say that.” He says quietly. “In my head…” Then a swarm of talking starts. But no one is talking to anyone. And their lips are moving. “You can read minds!! Cool! Here! What am I thinking?” My brother shouts. He puts his middle and index fingers on his forehead. _I really wish we were having pizza instead of having eggs and sausage. _ “Me too.” I say out loud. My brothers face turns upside down. From his bored frown to a huge smile. My mother seems self conscious about this, but my dad has the same face as my brother. Everyone else is like mom. But then I hear a voice. _Best birthday ever. Finally a kid who can communicate telepathically. Hey! I can read your mind too! _And that voice belongs to… “Baba.”

One day I woke up and I and could read minds. I had be trying for three weeks but any way, I read my mom’s mind and she knew. She ignored me and gave me my breakfast. I left for school and met up with Haley (my friend). I read her mind! She knew. She tells me “hay why would you do that we are definitely not friends” I am so confused so I say “come on Hal you just said yesterday we’re best friends for ever” She responded “oh sure real friends read each other’s minds and secrets, bye Libby.” I just lost my friend and ruined my day. Well at least the teacher likes me. “hay miss b” she looks over at me “ oh hi Lillian. Need anything?” “No just-” “Lillian did you just do that! you are expelled!” “Well, sorry. I didn’t mean to, sorry”. “Apology not expected go to the principle.” On my way I could not Believe this. THE END

THE LESSON: Not all shiny and new things aren’t always so amazing. So, just a example, your dad gave you a gold bar. Then you start bragging to your friends. Then they won’t want to be around you any more. AGAIN JUST A EXAMPLE!

“I thought you were better than this,” Victor had mumbled with tomato skin. “I thought I could trust you,” weeped Urvi. “I thought I loved you, you sick bastard,” Vanessa boomed quicker than a clap of lightning. I cannot forgive myself. Ever since I learned can read the minds of others, I could not help but overhear all their thoughts. So intriguing yet terrifying. I hypothesized that if I could understand what they were truly thinking, I would be able to help them out as much as possible. Instead, I failed the three closest people I have ever met in my life. “You’re lucky that your entire family is dead. Now, I don’t have to do the dirty work of sucking the blood-“ “Victor DeAntoine Karine! You have no right to say such words!” scolded Vanessa, who had swiftly stood up. “YOU have no right to tell me what to say!” Victor lashed back to her. It was as if they were playing catch with each other, but instead of it being a sibling bond, it became more of a death match. “Stop fighting, you two! Enough is enough,” Urvi firmly planted her pearly heels deep into the fuzzy rug beneath her. As innocent as she typically is, right now, she could easily rip anyone to pieces if she wanted to. Her pastel pink skin quickly became the violet of her eyes. Oh, I wish I could go back to earth, escape this dilemma I never volunteered to participate in, and just get away. It is not hard to do such a thing, is it? “All your bickering is unbearable! Anymore of it and I’ll-“ “You’ll what, Timothy? Kill us all? Have heads so you can frame them over your fireplace back in your actual home?” Victor babyishly with sly sneer. “VICTOR!” Vanessa shrieked louder than a dying baboon. She clenched onto my line pillow and whacked him off the top bunk.

KABANG!

“VICTOR!” Urvi gasped. She was about to release a waterfall. She scrambled off my bed and dove towards unconscious Victor. This is all my fault. Finding out my new ability leads to them almost killing each other. I wish I did not have hold of such powers. I wish I was not here. Vanessa flew off my bed and landed on me, thrusting me to the cold wooden floor. Her toothpick legs wrapped tightly around my abdomen, squeezing every bit of air out of my lungs. She sat directly on my diaphragm, causing me to spare every breath I had last. “We didn’t forget about you, sir,” she hissed into my face. “Please, I didn’t mean to,” I pleaded, hoping she would give me some mercy. “Victor! You’re awake!” Urvi squealed. Thankfully he is ok, I hope. I do not care at all of Vanessa killed me here right now. I deserve it. For crying out loud, I was the reason her brother almost fell into a long sleep. “You. Will. Pay.” “I most certainly will.”

“Hey, Carl? Fuck you, Carl. Yeah, I know you can hear me. Don’t think you’re special, you little shit, it only lasts for the day of your 19th birthday. Happened to all of us on this side of the family. I guess your dad’s the real father after all. Ha!”

Right after saying that, my grandma (who hasn’t spoken a word out loud in about four years) lights up another cigarette.

“Goddammit, Carol! I never should’ve let Mark name Carl after you. You’re a terrible role model... Hey... would anyone notice if I smothered you in your sleep? Poor Carol, old and frail. Passed peacefully in her dreams...”

My mom smiles at me sweetly as she puts my cake in the oven. Does she know? I don’t know which is worse.

“Oh shit, is it Carl’s birthday today? Uh, oh, fuck. I’m just messing with you, son. Ha ha! You totally thought I forgot your birthday! Should’ve seen your face! Ha ha! Oh who am I kidding?”

I love my dad but he’s an awful liar. And he forgets birthdays. And anniversaries. And everything else. He’s gonna be late to his own funeral one day.

“How’re you liking The Gift? Freaky, right? Don’t tell mom, she doesn’t know. It’s not a blessing. Or a curse. Just a... an ability. I had it too. God that was a wonderful day. Write stuff down and use it later.”

Susie doesn’t look up from her phone when she thinks this, but the screen illuminates a sly smile on her face.

Today is gonna be hella strange.

Birthdays are some of the worst social gatherings that people who are part of the family are forced to go to. The only good thing there would be the cake and if you’re lucky, the alcohol. However, the alcohol at this children’s party is being stowed away for the Smiths to enjoy a night with after their children go to sleep, before they go into the basement and get busy. I’ll spare you the details. Oh how I just wish I can do that to myself.

As a mind reader and being very well known for it among the family, it’s easier to have people leave you alone. Cause when you’re heartless and sadistic enough, you get to watch the family break apart from all the secrets unburied. A bad reputation on my part, but who is willing to try and lecture a girl who can ruin your marriage with Uncle Bert in just under a minute. They can try and fight me, it’s not like I can read your mind and tell you’re about to throw a chair at my face.

So another birthday party, some second cousin that was just popped out the womb 12 months ago. Congrats, your parents didn’t let you die. It is always a wonder as to why I get invited to the parties. Not like I can avoid the answers, which most of the time, is for tattling on someone. It’s a sort of business I’ve adapted to once everyone knew I could started magically mind read one day. Almost all of the woman at the parties would pay me depending on what they want to know, which would then end up as fight by the end of the day.

Love love My question here is what is love? I googled search and it gave me tons of meaning about “Love” But I wasn’t really convinced with all the meanings Why?then I asked my HEART I searched deep into my heart And I found the “ANSWER” LoVe Love I found out words cannot describe what love really is Words can’t explain the feelings I went deeper into my heart trying to find a convincing answer GUESS WHAT!!!! I found YOU You’re the definition of Love You define it I felt exhilarated when I found YOU in my Heart LoVe LoVe Ever since you came into my life You brought back the most euphoric moments of my life I thought I’d never try again But LOVE is sometimes unpredictable I never knew when it took a turn But I’m glad it came to you LoVe LoVe I wish to make a History with you I wish for us to be eternal And no Matter what may Come IN and OUT between us “Lets live happily ever After” Let’s make the years we finna spend together “Worth it” I don’t want to Have a “Bonnie and Clyde”, Romeo and juliet” or “Layla and Majnun ” stories...... I want us to have “(Name)and (Name)” lets make our own story(A legendary one)

Yes let’s have as many fights,arguments we want but “Let’s kiss and make up”

Last Last Your my king (Name) & I am your Queen (Name)

What if walking down the street we could see each other’s pain? We could read each other’s thoughts? Of The ones we know and the ones we don’t. Imagine if empathy would ensue, or anger? If we could read each other’s thoughts would there be more peace, or less? For those we know we want transparency, but rarely do we get it. In intimate relationships I think reading minds could cause more fights, less peace, more drama, more anger, but we would know all of them, and who they truly were. Is it worth it? To not have to question motives, because we know. But to also know that they hate it when we leave our laundry out on the floor or when we call them a certain name, or to know how they think we truly look, or act? For those we don’t, I would like to think it would cause more empathy, more kindness, and more peace as we know what everyone is going through, because we don’t expect transparency from those with whom we aren’t intimate. There is no way intimacy can ensure if it is forced. If you were given the opportunity to be a super hero and this was your power would you choose to turn it on? Or would you scream to turn it off?

So much is always going on People all around talking Some talking loud other really low Some are very obnoxious If only I could hear there thoughts

People have to many thoughts And they think to much One day you can hear people’s thoughts. They know that you can hear them They know that you are listening As If they don’t want you around Why are they not saying?

I can tell by there tone of voice The expression that they make as if I cant notice. I can only imagine What they are talking as they speak Sometimes family are the worlds worst They will run you in the ground They want you out but will not say

They know you work hard Pay your way Ask them for nothing But yet they want you out They are to coward, they will not say I can only imagine, what is going thru there minds. Finally I saved enough and moved out on my own. One day, I will let them know I could read there mind and thoughts I’m glad that I am out and living on my own,

                  Written By:
                  Freddie Lopez 
                   03-13-2020