School time

Thomas felt on top of the world on his cycle to school. The streets were clear, the sun was out, and he finally had a power. Sure, it wasn't exactly flight, or super-strength, but it was something that he could already imagine the benefits of. No longer would he be uncomfortable in social situations, or tormented by bullies: mind-readers were bullies' kryptonite, so he figured being an empath would at least help. He could see himself graduating and become a therapist making a six-figure salary - with empathic abilities, it couldn't be that hard a job... right?

Having locked up the bike, Thomas walked through the school gate and collapsed to his knees within seconds, clutching his head. There was so much emotion! Excitement, boredom, disgust, anger, sympathy... it was like trying to look into a supernova, and it was giving him one hell of a migraine. Scrunching up his eyes, the young man got back to his feet, clenching his fists as he used all of his willpower to try and blot out the raw emotions now naked to his mind's eye. Feeling his defences shaking, Thomas broke into a run. He made it halfway across the playground before a blast of an incredibly strong emotion sent him toppling to the floor.

Hatred. the sheer heat of its pure fire had broken into his mind, causing him to lose control with the shock of its intensity.

"Tommy boy? Are you okay?"

Thomas cracked his eyes open, to be met with a familiar freckled face.

"Kind of," he groaned, taking the offered hand. "Turns out I'm an empath now."

Gregg hesitated for a moment. "Oh, cool!"

The blinding hatred seemed to have dimmed somewhat, enough at least for Thomas to make out that his friend was not as excited as he was trying to sound - not that he really needed emotion-reading for that. No, Gregg was slightly curious, but mostly... disappointed. It was a bit of a gut punch to Thomas, having his best friend see his abilities this way.

He didn't have time to properly think about it, however, because another explosion of hatred split his head once again. Looking around, Thomas found the surprising source: the lovely Laura, in a seemingly ordinary conversation with Hannah Colton.

"Eh, not so cool at the moment," he muttered, clutching his temples. "Could you... give me a hand?"

"Of course, mate," nodded Gregg, with a swell of concern. "To the medical room?"

"Yeah. No, wait - Miss Wright's office. I think a mind-reader might be able to help me."

Understanding, Gregg leant him a shoulder, and the two of them made the way towards the school. As they passed Laura and Hannah, Thomas caught a snippet of their conversation:

"Oh, and I love your blouse. I think I had one like that when I was a kid."

"Thanks," replied Laura shortly. "It's actually really comfortable, and I think it looks good on me."

"Well, it certainly suits you."

Thomas shook his head in amazement. He would never have imagined a conversation like that would have such intense malice, on both sides. Girls were confusing.