New York

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"Can you stop doing that?" Startled, my pen fell forward from my grip and down the ground loudly, breaking the silence on the classroom.

Every eye turned to face my sheepish and busted expression, only flinching when Mrs. Jane shut her binder close

"Ms. Sinclair" Her screechy voice made me wince, slowly looking up from the wood desk toward her stern half moon glasses. "Am I boring you with World War II?"

Yes, pretty much

"Not at all, Mrs Jane" I replied politely, keeping my eyes on her and not in the snickering behind me, knowing Carter was having her good morning laugh from me.

Her bluish eyes bored into me scrutinizing me intently "Good. Because we're on page 89 not 40" I winced looking down at my text book seeing the 40 number circled on the edge of my book "Pay attention or you'll get detention"

"Yes, ma'am" I bobbed my head up and down, avoiding her eyes as she returned to her speech about how slaving black people for the war was a good thing.

"Good job, embarrassing yourself in front of the class" Carter, Eleanor Carter my best friend snickered from behind me in a low whisper "Again"

"Your fault" I hushed back, keeping my eyes on our strict teacher.

"You were daydreaming again" Carter whispered furiously. Her blonde bangs fell to her eyes and she swiped them away before it poked her eyes. "Be lucky it was you interrupting the class and not her asking you a question" I grimaced realizing my best friend saved my ass again. Carter nodded as if reading my thoughts, "You're welcome"

I crouched down on my seat, wanting the earth to swallow me down.

~8~

"Home!" I called out, throwing my keys on the table and my backpack on the floor while closing the door and clicking the lock on. Mom was paranoid and with growing up, she passed onto me that insecure feeling, the obsession of making sure we were safe.

"Kitchen!" I heard her call back. I chuckled, following the sound of her voice toward said room finding the dark waves of my mom pulled up on a messy bun as she worked on the stove. The smell of whatever mom was cooking made my mouth waver and I plopped down on the island counter, picking up a cookie from the bowl and munching it over. The sound of the cookie being mauled made my mom turn around with an unamused look "Wait for dinner would you?"

I flashed her an innocent look as I chewed slowly on my cookie. All she did was roll her eyes before turning away from me. "What's in it for dinner?" I asked once I swallowed.

Mom tensed looking up and glancing behind her shoulder to me, "Beca, did you hear that?" She asked curiously.

I furrowed my eyebrows, straining my ears to hear whatever that seemed to alarm my mom only to shake my head. "Mom?"

The bell ringing so suddenly made jump with a gasp. My heart pounded loudly on my ears as I turned to my serious looking mom.

Her lips were pulled down on a grimace as her eyes met mine, "Sweetheart. I'd like you to go upstairs and do your homework" she stated calmly walking around the counter and past me.

I caught her arm, gripping it tightly as I jumped down from the counter "Mom, what is it?" I pressed suddenly freaking out

Mom pressed her lips together on a thin line, crouching lightly to stay on eye level with me "It's probably nothing, Rebecca" she soothed, passing a hand through my dark locks. "But I need you on your room right now"

I looked over her shoulder when the bell rang away and I found myself getting scared by my mother's expression but trusting her I nodded my head slowly and loosened my grip on her arm, dropping my arm and heading to my room down the hallway.

My mom straightened up, nodding at my room. I had never watched her be so serious before and that made me fear for our lives. I hid on my bedroom for a few seconds letting her think I was listening but didn't close my door.

Don't get me wrong. My mom seemed like someone was going to hurt us and that made me curious. She was always secretive. So mysterious. She never talked about her past. About who my dad was or where she lived before New York. I was curious and somehow I knew whoever was at the door had my answers

So once my mom opened the door, I used the moment to disfrace the sound of my door opening and I tiptoed toward the living room but never walking out of the hallway.

"Good evening" Mom's smooth voice filled my ears as I walked closer. "Can I help you, gentleman?"

"Good evening" A man replied politely. The accent of his voice gave me pause. I peered up from behind the wall to get a glimpse from him but my mom was covering his form and all I could see was a mop of dark brown hair. I rolled my eyes, "Are you Marie Sinclair?"

From here I could see mom's stance turning tense "Yes" she answered cautiously. Her grip on the door was turning her knuckles white for how harsh she gripped the door. It made more curious, specially since this man didn't seem to be alone. "What do you need?"

The man cleared his throat, "My name's Mohinder Suresh. This is Mr Taylor"

"You can call me Zane, Miss Sinclair" Another voice quipped politely. I bit my lips not taking my eyes from my mom's tense posture.

"I know who you are. Or at least the Suresh name" Mom said coldly. She shook her head

"...Chandra, was it?" Mohinder asked softly after an hesitation. Mom didn't answer, slowly moving to close the door.

"Miss Sinclair, listen..." Zane spoke gently, walking forward. I couldn't see him clearly either but I could see his head from over mom's shoulder. "I think I now why you don't want us here. But it's nothing bad"

Mom glanced behind her shoulder, prompting me to to withdraw my head back with a small startled gasp. I failed to miss Mr. Taylor's tilt of his head as if he was listening to something

"Oh, I'm not afraid" she said with an amused chuckle. "I'm just not interested in your help, Mr. Suresh. I am doing just fine on my own"

"Are you alone, Miss?" Zane suddenly asked.

Mom hesitated, "Yes. I don't know why you ask that like it's important"

"It's important because I know what's happening to you. How you got what you... And your daughter can do" Mohinder told mom softly

Zane seemed interested "Daughter?"

Mom sucked in a deep breath, "I think you're both mistaken..."

"Your daughter donated blood once" Mohinder outspoke her, wanting her to know how they seemingly found about me. It confused me. "That's why her genetic information is on here"

"I knew I shouldn't have left her..." Mom murmured under her breath

"Miss Sinclair. You and your daughter are not alone" Zane said reassuringly. "We can help you. I'm like you. Like your daughter. You don't need to fear. Whatever you are going through, I did too"

Mom turned around, giving her back to them. I poked my head back to the wall, heart pounding loudly on my chest as I licked my lips. I didn't want to be caught eavesdropping.

"My father had already come to you, didn't he?" Mohinder said softly.

"Come in" Mom said lowly, closing the door. It was then when I heard footsteps going to the living room. "He uh, he did. He also found me by uh, a blood donation. He came and we discussed this. Can you please be quiet. My daughter does not know about this and I wouldn't like for her to know"

My mouth fell open in disbelief, staring at the wall. I wasn't the only one to feel disbelief "Miss Sinclair, I don't want to be rude... but your daughter is special. She must know about this"

"No" Mom told Zane sharply. "I don't care. She hasn't showed up any signs of being different. She may have the gene but that doesn't mean she is"

Mohinder cleared his throat uncomfortably. I could feel Zan staring at my mother intently not pleased by her reasoning. I somehow agreed "Can you tell us what is it what you can do?"

I slowly shifted my position so I could see the living room but careful of not letting my presence known. Mom was facing me on the individual coach but not looking up to my direction and both Mohinder and Zane were on her sides on different coaches, facing each other.

There was a mug of coffee in front of her and she lifted her hand slowly. She flexed her fingers letting her palm straight facing down the mug and slowly moved her hand upwards. What happened next made me gasp in awe but covering my mouth to muffle the sound.

The coffee slowly started to raise in some sort of whip following my mom's hand. Both men leaned forward in amazement and curiosity.

"Interesting" The man on the left said. His voice made me recognize him as Zane. He was staring at my mom with awe and something else I couldn't pinpoint but made a shiver past down my back. His head tilted, flickering his eyes toward my direction making me duck knowing he wouldn't see me. My hands did a slight thud while coming into contact with the floor. I raised my head crawling forward seeing him smile to himself before turning to the others

"Hidrokinesis" The Indian man, Mohinder said in awe. "My father wasn't wrong in your files"

My mom dropped her hand slowly, letting the coffee go down back to its place softly "Your father was a kind man. He seemed to be studying people like me. Us" she corrected glancing at Zane, a brief smile on his direction making him smile back "But what I told you I told him. I don't like being tested on. And I hope you respect my wishes on staying away from my daughter"

Mohinder dipped his head down slightly, "Of course, Miss Sinclair"

Zane was the only one who seemed upset about my mother's choice of keeping me out of the whole power thing "What if indeed your daughter... What's her name again?"

Mom seemed to hesitate, looking at Zane in slight suspicion "Rebecca" she said after a few seconds

Zane mouthed my name to himself making a shiver go down my back. There was something I didn't like about him "What if Rebecca turns out later to be special?"

"I'll handle it" Mom said simply. There was an awkward silence before my mom stood up abruptly, "I think it's time for you to leave, gentleman. It was lovely to meet you"

I slowly stood up, pressing my body back to the wall as the three of them walked past me "It was lovely to meet you as well, Miss Sinclair. My father did write some good things about you"

"Good to know" Mom chuckled softly, relaxing with the man's presence.

Zane was the only one who stopped walking near my hiding place. His head tilted forward glancing toward where I was hiding. I held my breath not wanting to be caught by him. My rapid heartbeat was the only thing I could focus on as I tried to breath normally, covering my mouth with both of my hands

"Zane?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm coming" I immediately closed my eyes in relief hearing his footsteps retreating. I dipped my head backward, lightly hitting the wall as I sighed in relief. "Think about what I said, Marie. If your daughter is special as you and I, remind her she's not alone. She may want the help we're offering. We only want to help"

"And I appreciate it." Mom said before sighing softly, "But you don't get it. Having these special powers... Will make our lives impossible. I mean... I have to deal with the fact her parental family would only want to meet her if she is special. What kind of screwed up family does that?"

My eyes filled with tears. What?!

"I'm sorry"

"Me too. And have a good day, gentleman"

That was it. I didn't want to hear more. I tiptoed back to my room, closing my door quietly and sprinting to my bed pressing my face to my pillow, letting out a chocked sob.

What kind of family is that one?! That I would only meet them if I turn out to be like my mom... Special.

What a twisted word. Special. If it means I get to see a twisted family I do not want to have powers