by Taryn Eason
"I don't want anything." I said coldly.
"What was with you last night? Why did you lock me out?"
"I obviously didn't do it well enough because you're still here."
"I have a room key too." He responded, holding up a plastic card.
"Well you didn't remember that last night."
"Maybelle, what's your deal? I come back a little drunk and high and you burn me and lock me out of a room I paid for myself?"
I remembered how he acted and how much it mirrored my father enough to send me into a panic attack. "Look, I don't want anything to do with anyone like you. I've already dealt with that enough for one lifetime, okay?"
"Please. You've been pampered your entire life. You've probably never even seen the inside of a public school. You go to a real party for once and leave after ten minutes. Admit you just saw someone high for the first time and got scared."
My temper flared. "Take me home."
"What? But what about the meeting today?"
"I don't care. I want to go home."
"Maybelle, stop acting like a spoiled brat. We drove all this way. What am I going to tell the leaders?"
I had already begun putting clothes on. I zipped my bag shut and picked it up. "That's not my problem."
The drive home was done mostly in silence. I spent the majority of it thinking about where my decision left me. I had decided to cancel the meeting on impulse. I wasn't sure if that was the right decision at first, but the more I looked over at Lye, the more angry I became. Every single problem I've had lately has either been because of the Reeki or amplified by it. It's never helped me; It's only hurt me. Then Lye gets thrown into the mix and even he is ruined now. I glared at his bandaged hand resting on the gearshift. How dare he say I had been pampered my whole life.
Ever since that day when I was twelve, I had to deal with a father who openly hates me and loves my sister. I recalled all of the nights he would come into my bedroom to yell at me for things his mother did to him. He was so graphic that it terrified me. I remembered the first time I stood up to him. I was about fifteen.
"I'm not your fucking mother!" I shouted halfway through his rant.
"Don't you cuss at me, you ungrateful bitch! I have given you everything you have!" He shouted and slapped me.
I smiled at the pain in my cheek. For once, I had done something to deserve it. Every pent-up emotion came flowing outwards. I let out a sick laugh, making it a point to offend him more. "So you're going to hit your own daughter, you weak little bastard? Janet must be proud; Her son turned out just like her."
He instantly stepped back, gaining that lucidity I was always grateful to see after his episodes. He stared at the red mark on my cheek before he wordlessly walked away.
There, I found my weapon. If I fought back with my words, he would leave. I employed that method in everything. When words didn't do the trick, nothing could. It was the one thing I had that Delilah didn't. I mean, she was awful at art, but no matter how often I sat in my room alone and drew, it could never save me. I was so liberated, being free to do what I wanted. I lived for myself and myself only. I lost all of my friends, even Madison, but I was finally living my way. I didn't apologize to anyone and I didn't pretend to like anyone I didn't. I played by my own rules and if people crossed me, they would get burned.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized how well my power fit me. It was a perfect representation of me, but as perfect as it was, I still didn't want it. I was so proud when I first found out that I had the Reeki. I had always taken solace in that my mother's side of the family must be so much nicer than my father's. After all, my mother and Delilah had to have gotten their kind personalities from somewhere. When I was younger, I longed to meet other Lakinobes and see where I fit into the world. I was so excited to finally have a chance to get to know the family that had been kept from me. But now, looking over at Lye, so unapologetic and stern, I didn't want anything to do with my mother's side of the family either.
We entered the driveway and I left to put my bag into my car.
"So, when am I going to see you again?" Lye asked.
I shook my head. "Lye, I'm done. I'm done with the Reeki and with everyone."
He seemed confused. "You can't just give up the Reeki. You have it for life."
"Then I'll learn to better control it so I don't flare up again. I'm going to be normal, so I'm done with all of this."
"It doesn't work like that. Why would you even want that? Do you know how many people would kill to have your powers?" He said, raising his voice.
I was too tired to argue. I sighed. "Bye Lye." I said before driving off.
Chapter 12
I adjusted the square hat in front of the bathroom mirror, feeling utterly unsatisfied with how it sat upon my hair. I tilted it backwards and pinned it down, leaving before the rest of the girls who were still struggling with their makeup. I didn't care about mine. I was just ready to finally be finished with high school.
We were arranged in a line while the principal double checked our outfits. She noticed my hat wasn't on flat and squashed it down onto my head, sending my hair outwards in protest. I bit my tongue and re-pinned it while holding my temper. After tonight, I was done. I only had to get through the next two hours.
"Maybelle Anne Lewis," the speaker called after what seemed like forever.
I walked down the aisle, scanning my eyes through the crowd. My parents and Delilah were seated about halfway back. I received my diploma and smiled for the camera before scowling at another familiar face in the crowd. Lye’s tattoos made him stand out instantly.
I had gone nearly two weeks without using my powers. I was ready to move on and forget this entire thing. I hated that Lye couldn't understand what it felt like to be constantly aware of every single emotion. I was afraid to feel angry. I was afraid to feel scared. He wanted me to embrace my powers, but he had no idea the toll they were taking on me. Sure, when I used them, I felt invincible. But I would always have that moment where I calmed down and noticed the mess I had made.
"Belle, I'm so proud of you!" Delilah shouted, jumping up and hugging my neck.
I let out an embarrassed smile. "Thanks, Delly."
"I mean, I really didn't think you would do it for a while there! If you want, I could still pull some strings and get you admitted to Penn State." She suggested.
Even though Delilah's comments were usually well-intended, they always had a way of getting under my skin. "No thanks. I'm good." I needed to change the subject quickly before she began to ask me about my future. "Where are mom and dad?"
"Oh, they're off getting your present!"
Oh yeah. I had completely forgotten about my graduation present. It was a family tradition of ours to get a new car for graduation. Delilah had gotten a Lexus. I had no idea what I would be getting, but I sincerely hoped my mother had picked it out instead of my father.
"Congrats." A deep voice said nonchalantly from behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I glared, folding my arms, which only made me look more ridiculous in my long gown.
"Is there something wrong with coming out to support my friend?" Lye asked innocently, tucking his hands into his pockets.
"Belle, is this the Lakinobe you met?" Delilah asked me. Not waiting for a response, she extended her hand and smiled her trademark smile. "Hi, I'm Delilah."
Lye shook her hand. "Oh, you're Maybelle's sister. My name's Lysander. Nice to meet you."
I rolled my eyes.
"It's so cool to meet a Lakinobe around here! I've wanted to meet our tribe since I was a kid! What's the reservation like? Tell me all about it!"
"It's just like a normal place I guess." He shrugged.
"No way. You guys don't live in tepees or anything?"
Lye glanced at me and raised his eyebrow before turning back and answering. "You really don't know anything about us, do you?"
"No, but I would love to learn.” Delilah said eagerly, completel
y oblivious to how she had already offended him.
"Wow, I can't wait till our parents get back with my present." I interrupted, hoping to change the subject for Delilah's sake.
"What are you getting?" Lye asked.
Somehow, even his voice was enough to annoy me. "I'm getting a car." I responded emotionlessly.
"When she gets it, you should totally come riding with us." Delilah said excitedly.
I made eye contact with him. "Nah, he has work early in the morning. He shouldn't be out so late."
He held my eyes. "Yeah, I probably should be getting home soon. Congratulations on graduating high school. I guess it's proof you don't give up on everything."
I watched him leave, hatred steaming from me and almost setting my diploma ablaze, but my mood lifted when I saw bright headlights pull in front of me in the parking lot.
My eyebrows raised as my parents stepped out of a bright red Jaguar F-Type.
"Are you kidding me?" I said, my anger immediately vanishing. The car was absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't wait to drive it.
"Do you like it, honey? I just thought it fit you so well!" My mother gushed, pulling me into a hug.
My father stood off at a distance. "It was out of our price range but your mother bought it without consulting me." He scowled.
"Thanks, mom." I smiled. I knew she just wanted to be seen by the other graduates’ mothers giving the best present.
Delilah ran in and hugged both of us before shouting "I'm riding with Maybelle on the way back!"
I pressed a button on my keys, feeling chills bristle on my arms as the engine roared.
I sat in the driver's seat and scanned my way around the various buttons and dials. As soon as Delilah was inside, I pushed the brake in and slammed the gearshift down, making a point to leave tire tracks on the pavement.
Even after a month, my love for the car had not worn off. I was always taking it on drives. It was the perfect calming therapy for whenever I felt like I was going to detonate and destroy everyone near me. Which, you know, happened quite often for me. I constantly struggled not to over analyze why I loved the car for the same reason I hated my powers, but maybe it was a good thing that I had a distraction from them.
I had been job searching, but nowhere decent wanted to hire someone like me with no work experience. So I mostly just sat in my room, occasionally venturing out long enough to hear Delilah talk about how happy she was to be starting med school this fall. Having her around so much during the summers was nearly unbearable.
"You know, Maybelle, you could always join the military. They'll take you." Delilah randomly said during dinner.
My father scoffed. "You seriously think she has the discipline for the military?"
"Well, I'd suppose so, with how long I've had to deal with you." I said lazily, picking at a pea with my fork.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He raised his voice.
I was getting so bored. An argument with my father was exactly what I needed. "You know exactly what it means, Dad."
"Don't disrespect me in my own house, Maybelle. You're not a kid anymore and if you don't like my rules you can leave."
My mother was at the table. I needed to try harder to make him angry around her.
"That would be fair if I actually broke any of your rules. Even if I was as perfect as Delilah, you’d still yell at me like a drill sergeant.”
I could see his face flushing. He hated hearing the truth from me. “Maybelle, you are nothing like your sister! She actually has something going for her in her life and you still have nothing!”
I glanced over at my mother to see if she had heard, as I always did when my father showed his true colors around her. Just like all the other times, she stayed quiet. Good thing I could take care of myself. “I have nothing? You’re a man in his mid-forties who hates his life so much he mixes pills and alcohol just to get out of bed every morning. Believe me, I’m not the only one in this family who has nothing.”
“You’re such a terrible excuse for a daughter!” He grabbed his chest and winced. “I wish I-“
He moaned in agony and fell backwards in his chair.
The world began to move in slow motion as I began to comprehend what was happening. Delilah, of course, rushed to his side. “He’s having a heart attack! Maybelle, call 9-1-1!”
I stayed still and watched. I’d like to believe I did it because I was still in shock and not to spite him.
My mother stood up and started chanting “Oh my God” with her hand over her mouth.
Suddenly, I felt the Reeki flowing.
But it wasn’t coming from me.
The redness flushed from my father’s face and he sat there panting.
Delilah was looking at her hands in disbelief. “Did I do that?”
My mother rushed to make sure he was okay before hugging Delilah. “Baby, I think you healed him.” She said through tears. “It’s a miracle!”
“I can’t believe it!” Delilah said through tears of her own, “Maybelle, I can heal people.”
After gushing over my father’s miraculous second-chance at life, my mother pulled open a bandage on her hand. “I cut my hand installing a stairway railing yesterday. Can you see if you could heal it?” She asked curiously.
Delilah put her hand over it and I felt more Reeki flowing before seeing my mother withdraw her hand to examine it.
I wanted to cry. For once, I was the special one. I had powers. They weren’t good for anything, but I had them. I mused about what power she would have gotten so often. I made so many jokes to myself, hoping it would be a terrible one. Hoping that I would finally be better than her at something.
But her power was probably the purest power that anyone could have.
Mine could only hurt people. Hers could only help people. It wasn’t fair at all.
I felt myself heating up. I needed to leave before I caught fire, embarrassing myself and proving, once again, that I was the bad sister.
Delilah watched me leave, giving me sympathetic eyes, but not saying anything about it. I sat in my car and laid my head on the steering wheel and sobbed. After a while, I saw the front door open and Delilah began to walk towards me. I wiped my eyes,started the car, and drove away. I didn’t feel like talking to her. What could she possibly say to me that would be worth hearing? “Hey, I’m sorry my powers are better than yours”? I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of letting me know that all her dreams had come true, once again, while mine were still being left out in the rain.
I drove for an hour, circling nearly every street in town, but nothing was making me feel better. I needed to talk about what was wrong, not just bottle it up again. After being alone for so long, finally having someone to vent to had spoiled me. I looked in the mirror at my bloodshot eyes and wiped my nose on a napkin from my glove compartment. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so low.
I sighed, still shaking and exhausted from feeling too much, and knocked on the familiar door that I had longed for.
Lye answered, immediately looking at me and asking “Maybelle, what happened?”
I felt the wind hit me. It was around forty degrees outside but, due to my powers, I couldn’t feel the cold. I still shivered as I pushed around him to get inside. The smallness and quietness of his house was so much more comforting than the loneliness of the outside world. “Delilah has the Reeki too.”
“What?” He replied in disbelief. I could only imagine how many thoughts were going through his head. Probably half as many as mine, though.
“She has powers too.”
He led me to the couch. “Why are you so upset about it? What are they? Are they bad?”
I shook my head. “No, they’re not bad. I just wanted to believe that she wasn’t as perfect as everyone assumed she was. I also wanted to believe that I’m not as bad as people think I am. Now, thanks to the Reeki, I have to deal with the fact that not only is she arguably the most pure-hearted person to ever exist, but I’m…” My voice crack
ed, “I’m such a bad person, Lye, and I don’t know if I can fix it.”
He handed me a box of tissues and sat down. “You’re not a bad person, Maybelle. You’re a teenage girl. You haven’t even had the opportunity to be a bad person yet.”
“You don’t know me.” I sniffled, “And that’s the worst part. You’re my only friend. And you don’t even know me. You only care about me because I have some powers that you’re interested in.”
“That’s not true.”
“And why do you expect me to believe that?” I asked.
“Delilah has the Reeki too and I have no interest in being her friend.”
“Really? Why not?” It was so rare for anyone to not like Delilah, I had to know why.
“Remember when I met her at your graduation?”
I nodded.
“Is she like that all the time?”
I smiled. “Yeah.”
“She’s a bit too high-strung for me. Plus, she’s a little too close to my age. I don’t want her falling in love with me or anything.” He joked, running his hand through his hair dramatically.
I laughed. “You’re such a douchebag.”
“Yeah, I am. But I’m still the person whose house you came to crying, wanting me to cheer you up, so maybe I am good for something.”
I smiled. It was so easy to forget why I was mad at him. Even though I only had one friend, I was glad it was him.
Chapter 13
“Maybelle, hurry up, we have to get going!” Delilah shouted excitedly.
I sighed and followed her out the door, angry that I had gotten roped into going with her to her big debut.
She had been practicing her skills around the house. She jumped at the opportunity to heal every scrape and burn that afflicted our parents. However, when I sprained my ankle while jogging, I sucked it up and refused to tell her.
“Dad’s going to be so proud of me!” She had repeated at least three times this morning.
So now, as we walked into the children’s hospital, I was on my third ankle brace. Having to deal with Delilah on a daily basis, I had burned through the past two braces and by the end of the day, I would probably need a fourth one.