Barbara convinces Zack to ease the situation with his powers.

“Oh god!”

If she was red before, Anne’s whole body had now turned the shade of a ripe tomato. Seizing the covers back from Barbara, she yanked down, hard, and tugged them over not just the entirety of her body but her head as well, vanishing into the darkness of her bed whilst muttering and whimpering to herself. Barbara and Zack could do little more than stare for the first moment of it, completely lost as to how to proceed. They’d all seen each other naked before, but certainly not in a situation like…that.

Finally, Barb managed: “Look…um…Anne…”

“Just go away!” Anne cut her off, her voice rising to perilous heights. Her friend pulled back her hands, defeated and unsure of how to proceed.

It was rather obvious their very embarrassed friend had no desire for further contact with either of them, at the moment. Beaten, the redhead turned back to Zack, though when their eyes met it was readily apparent that she wasn’t exactly sad. In fact, one might say she did quite appear to be pressing to suppress laughter, of all things. He was confused as to the reaction, but she stepped toward him, intending to clarify.

Sliding up against him, Barbara leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his ear, whispering so that Anne wouldn’t hear. “Zack, calm her down, okay? She’s not going to come out unless you do.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious! She’s mortified…but you can help so…please? I mean, it’s better for all of us.”

“JUST GET OUT!” The girl yelled at them from beneath her covers.

Both glanced at her, but quickly turned their attentions back on each other. Barb stared at him, her eyes silently pleading. He sighed, but relented, nodding in acceptance of her wish. A broad smile quickly spread across her face, and she darted forward promptly, planting a small peck on his cheek. Then, she took a step back, hands folding behind her back as she waited anxiously.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Zack closed his eyes and focused for a moment. What am I doing? Well, she’s right, I guess. Not like I haven’t done it before. They both know…it’s for her good, anyways. Concentrating, he opened his mind, taking in the arid air of the dorm, the sweet scent wafting on the breeze…blotting out the sounds roaring outside and focusing on the girl before him. He felt it there, an ocean of thoughts—her thoughts—and he reached out to it, grasping it firmly with his mind…running into it like a river.

As he connected, he could feel her loosen, feel her open up to him, and then he was there. He didn’t need to establish verbal commands or anything for this particular action. It was just a subtle manipulation of emotion. He seethed calm into her, sewing it into her being, until he could feel her relax, wholly and truly. Then his eyes opened to the world.

Anne was lowering the covers, glancing shyly between the both of her friends, but significantly less reddened. Swallowing deeply, she sighed, and looked to the ceiling.

“Sorry about that…I know I overreacted it’s just…you know…personal, and all. Most people aren’t exactly supposed to see that. Um…so…how’s your day going?” She gradually lowered the covers, still holding them over her, but only up to the tops of her breasts.