scowled, disgusted at the thought. I couldn’t believe I thought talent was a benefit, for even a second. If I was talentless, I’d be free. Now, after advanced training, I’d be forced into the military that killed my parents and left me with my uncle. In the military, my anxiety would soar in the face of future dangers, stressful missions, and forced violence. I could only hope we’d have peace forever, because I wasn’t built for war.
After the TAT, I had stopped by Danessa’s house and then Ben’s. Danessa was amazed and couldn’t stop touching my leg and making eyes at me. Ben, only got more upset about the news. He wished he were the talented one and in many ways, so did I. He didn’t tell me how his dad took the news of him being talentless. I didn’t ask, but based on his puffy, downcast eyes and deep frown, it wasn’t well.
I still couldn’t believe that I wasn’t the only elite telekinetic. I pictured Sid, his beady little eyes, his thick-rimmed glasses, and his flabby frame. I never liked him and now he stole my thunder. What were the odds that there’d be another elite telekinetic? I huffed, annoyed at Sid and my lack of sleep. It’s not like I really wanted to be special. In fact, it was probably the last thing I wanted, but still... Sid, seriously? My goal of a stress-free life with a wonderful woman was slipping away. Everything was going wrong. I hoped tomorrow would be better.
☼☼☼
Ben's Journal:
Earlier today, I found out that I don’t have talent potential even though my dad is a bio. I always suspected I didn’t but held out hope. Now, that hope is dead, and with it, any chance of ever impressing my dad. He’s told me my whole life about his accomplishments and all the ones I’d have someday. Now I’m useless, and I’ll never live up to him. He made that clear when I told him the news. He wasn’t mean, but I could tell he was stunned, as if he thought it was inevitable that I’d be talented. After that, he was clearly disappointed to the point where he wouldn’t talk to me. I can’t take it. I’ve always improved my mood with women, but even that seems trivial now.
I also feel separated from my friends Jaden and Danessa now. Since they both have talent, we’ll be trained separately. I won’t see them as much. If they get shipped outside the Coalition afterward, I won’t see them at all. Our childhoods went by so quickly.
It seems like just yesterday when Jaden and I were playing tag in fields and teasing girls that we liked. He’s always been there for me. I guess I took our lives for granted. Now everything is changing, and I don’t even know what the point to life is. Maybe if I wasn’t around, my dad could get over this disaster easier.
☼☼☼
A few days later, the first day of advanced training was upon me. All the newly found talented, were to report at eight o’clock. It was going to be strange to have class without Ben. At least Danessa would be around.
After entering the building, I approached what appeared to be the front desk. The skylight lit, vast entryway was decorated with banners and paintings. Interspersed were portraits of men and women who I assumed were either former instructors or famous students. I wondered if I’d make the wall someday. At the front desk sat a scrawny, young man with big, protruding ears. He was drawing something when I approached, but he immediately looked up, covering the picture. The glimpse I caught of his illustration was of shapely long legs in knee high boots.
His face was flushed. “You’re late if you’re a new student. What's your name?”
Late. That was a bad first impression. “Jaden Stone.”
His eyebrows rose. “Oh, it's you. Your Psi wave count has the entire academy in an uproar. People are really excited about you.” He looked me up and down, squinting. “You don't look so special though.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. So where do I go?”
“Sign in here.”
He pointed at a page
After the TAT, I had stopped by Danessa’s house and then Ben’s. Danessa was amazed and couldn’t stop touching my leg and making eyes at me. Ben, only got more upset about the news. He wished he were the talented one and in many ways, so did I. He didn’t tell me how his dad took the news of him being talentless. I didn’t ask, but based on his puffy, downcast eyes and deep frown, it wasn’t well.
I still couldn’t believe that I wasn’t the only elite telekinetic. I pictured Sid, his beady little eyes, his thick-rimmed glasses, and his flabby frame. I never liked him and now he stole my thunder. What were the odds that there’d be another elite telekinetic? I huffed, annoyed at Sid and my lack of sleep. It’s not like I really wanted to be special. In fact, it was probably the last thing I wanted, but still... Sid, seriously? My goal of a stress-free life with a wonderful woman was slipping away. Everything was going wrong. I hoped tomorrow would be better.
☼☼☼
Ben's Journal:
Earlier today, I found out that I don’t have talent potential even though my dad is a bio. I always suspected I didn’t but held out hope. Now, that hope is dead, and with it, any chance of ever impressing my dad. He’s told me my whole life about his accomplishments and all the ones I’d have someday. Now I’m useless, and I’ll never live up to him. He made that clear when I told him the news. He wasn’t mean, but I could tell he was stunned, as if he thought it was inevitable that I’d be talented. After that, he was clearly disappointed to the point where he wouldn’t talk to me. I can’t take it. I’ve always improved my mood with women, but even that seems trivial now.
I also feel separated from my friends Jaden and Danessa now. Since they both have talent, we’ll be trained separately. I won’t see them as much. If they get shipped outside the Coalition afterward, I won’t see them at all. Our childhoods went by so quickly.
It seems like just yesterday when Jaden and I were playing tag in fields and teasing girls that we liked. He’s always been there for me. I guess I took our lives for granted. Now everything is changing, and I don’t even know what the point to life is. Maybe if I wasn’t around, my dad could get over this disaster easier.
☼☼☼
A few days later, the first day of advanced training was upon me. All the newly found talented, were to report at eight o’clock. It was going to be strange to have class without Ben. At least Danessa would be around.
After entering the building, I approached what appeared to be the front desk. The skylight lit, vast entryway was decorated with banners and paintings. Interspersed were portraits of men and women who I assumed were either former instructors or famous students. I wondered if I’d make the wall someday. At the front desk sat a scrawny, young man with big, protruding ears. He was drawing something when I approached, but he immediately looked up, covering the picture. The glimpse I caught of his illustration was of shapely long legs in knee high boots.
His face was flushed. “You’re late if you’re a new student. What's your name?”
Late. That was a bad first impression. “Jaden Stone.”
His eyebrows rose. “Oh, it's you. Your Psi wave count has the entire academy in an uproar. People are really excited about you.” He looked me up and down, squinting. “You don't look so special though.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. So where do I go?”
“Sign in here.”
He pointed at a page
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