Chapter 1: ...Abilities
Nessa’s Point of View Why are you so angry? "You don’t know?” I asked with a roll of my eyes.
Jimmy had done it again. He'd wandered through the hallways of the high school…Alone, without me, and during class.
I get bored easily; you know that. Besides, your thoughts aren't all that interesting when you're sitting through AP History. "That doesn't mean you get to wander aimlessly through the hallways. In case you've forgotten, you're not registered at the school. What would've you done if you'd gotten caught?" I asked.
I would've made my way back into your head…Eventually. "That's your answer to everything." I muttered under my breath.
It was just another day according to Jimmy. But, unlike him, my anxiety was starting to get the better of me. Jimmy had to be more careful, because if he wasn't, our secret would be out and I couldn't imagine what that would be like.
You worry too much. "Please shut up Jimmy." That was
my answer to every stupid thing he had to say. I let my mind wander back to the first time I learned about Jimmy. I had heard about consciences and that's what I thought that little voice inside of my head was. That is, until I learned that the voice seemed to have a mind of its own. The voice called itself Jimmy, so instead of being just the "voice inside my head", I called it Jimmy. It was a couple years later that I learned that Jimmy could take on a physical form outside of my head. Jimmy was really one of a kind, even if he was the most annoying person on the planet.
Thinking about our history again? "Yes." I said.
Is it making you all warm and fuzzy inside? "Again, Jimmy, please shut up." I demanded.
I continued the long walk towards my home. This was what I hated about being two miles away from the high school. It was too close to be driven to and too far away to walk to…According to me. And yet, my parents made me walk. If they knew my mind was inhabited by a careless and annoying "voice" whose name started with the letter J they’d definitely give me a ride. But I knew I wasn't ready to let anyone know about Jimmy. I didn't know anyone who had the same…Abilities that Jimmy and I did, so I decided to keep quiet.
I sighed with relief as I saw my family's townhouse off in the distance. The red brick of the house gave it a cozy feeling, especially in the middle of winter. As I drew closer to the house I heard the mournful sound of a violin coming from one of the open windows.
I see your mother’s at it again. Ever since her ex husband, also known as my so-called father, was locked up in jail for an armed robbery, my mother has played the violin every now and then, even though she’s happily remarried to a man named Hank…A man I wish was my real father.
I don’t see why she’s still sad. That guy was a jerk. “Please, Jimmy,” I started, “Don’t make me feel any more ashamed of my father than I already am.”
Sorry Nessa. I unlocked the front door with my spare house key and walked into the front room. The violin playing stopped as my mom heard me enter. I heard her soft footsteps descend the stairs.
“Nessa, you’re home.” My mom’s hair was the same mousy red color that mine was and about the same length. She was a little heavier than me and had softer features, but all in all, you couldn’t tell the difference between us. At that moment, Hank walked into the room and I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. He had such a friendly aura about him that no one could resist smiling when Hank was around.
“How’s my little girl?” he asked with a small smile.
“Not bad.” I answered. I couldn’t help but wish that this man had been here my whole life, instead of just now. My mom gave me a quick kiss on my forehead.
“I’ll order dinner.” She said softly. I could tell that her mind was still on her violin playing…Among other things. I waved at Hank and headed upstairs towards my bedroom. It was on the far end of the house, which I liked. It gave me enough privacy when I wanted to talk with Jimmy without being thought crazy. The wood flooring of my room creaked when I walked in. It seemed to welcome me home. I took in the pealing peach paint of my room and the messiness of it all with great satisfaction.
That was interesting. “Stop being mean and get out of my head.” I said. I felt a slight dizziness as Jimmy began his transition out of my head. My thoughts became a jumbled mess and I leaned back against one of the walls to steady myself. After a couple of seconds, Jimmy materialized in front of me and my head felt strangely empty.
“Thank you.” I smiled at him.
“You’re welcome, “he smiled right back, “how’s your head?”
The emptiness seemed to be vanishing.
“It’s getting better.” I answered. Jimmy pushed a pile of junk on my bed out of the way and sat down, waiting for me to recover. I watched him while he did this. He hadn’t changed much over the past few years. He had the same shaggy chocolate brown hair and the same dusty green eyes. He was lean, but not overly skinny and just a little bit taller than me. He caught me staring and smiled.
“I know I’m gorgeous.” He snickered. I snorted.
“You might be gorgeous to a gorilla, but definitely not me.” I replied.
“Who says you’re not a gorilla?” he shot back. I lunged at him but he dodged me in just the knick of time. I fell flat on my face on the hard wood floor.
“Oof!” I landed with a loud thump. I could tell Jimmy was laughing at me.
“This isn’t over.” I told him.
“Great,” he said, “I was just getting started.”
~*~
Mornings in the townhouse were always freezing. Hank was supposed to get the heaters set up sometime soon. I woke up, shivering slightly, to a hint of sunlight coming through the spaces between my curtains. I yawned and stretched while I looked over the edge of my bed. Jimmy was sprawled out on the floor, apparently sleeping. I shook my head at how comfortable he looked. I never understood why he liked sleeping on the floor. I searched around me for something heavy to chuck at him and my hand made contact with one of the rice filled stuffed animals my mom had made for me. I threw it at his stomach…Hard.
“Ow!” The stuffed animal hit its target.
“Get up,” I told him, “we’re going to be late.”
“That’s because you never set your alarm clock.” Jimmy grumbled. I got up out of bed and grabbed the first thing I saw out of my closet.
“I’ll be in the bathroom. Don’t do anything stupid.” I said.
“I’m still waiting for the day you stop telling me that.” Jimmy called after me.
“Nessa?” I froze. I forgot that my mom was staying home from work today. “Nessa? Who is that?”
What would I say?
“Mom, I think you’re still half asleep; there’s no one here.” I said. I didn’t get a response. I heaved a sigh of relief and quietly made my way back to my bedroom. I saw Jimmy sitting on my bed.
“Keep it down, okay?” I whispered. Jimmy nodded and gave me a tiny smile, like he was trying not to laugh at my stupidity.
I went back to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I made a face at what I saw. My sharp, almost eagle like features were framed by mousy red, thin hair. I really needed my mom to get me some of that thickening shampoo. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and changed into some army green cargo pants and a fitted white T-shirt. I glanced in the mirror again. This would have to do. I rushed back to my room to find Jimmy right where I left him.
“Okay, are you going to school with me today or are you going to cause trouble here at home?” I asked him. He pondered over that for a second.
“I think I’ll cause trouble at school with you today.” He said with a smirk. I groaned at the evil expression on his face.
“Just get in my head so we can go.” I told him. Jimmy disappeared off my bedroom floor and my head suddenly felt like it was going to explode.
“Ow, watch it Jimmy.” I grimaced.
Sorry. Is this better? The pain started to subside.
“Yes, much better. Now let’s go.”
After checking on my mom, who was peacefully snoring in her room, I walked out the front door and into the chilly morning.
Big mistake, especially since I didn’t own a jacket as of yet.
“Shoot Jimmy, its cold.” I said while rubbing my hands together.
I wouldn’t know. “You know, this might be the only time in which I’m actually jealous of you.” I said. I suffered two miles of freezing cold weather until I finally arrived at the high school.
“Okay Jimmy, no distracting me, no rude comments, and absolutely no cracking of jokes when a teacher is lecturing.” I reminded him.
Yeah, yeah, whatever; now you know why I get so bored during the school day. I ignored him and walked up to the entrance of the school. It was time to act like any normal teenager. As soon as I walked into the school I was almost knocked down by the force of someone running into me.
“Nessa!” a high pitched voice squealed. I felt my head pound painfully. Both Jimmy and I hated high pitched sounds.
“Sydney.” I answered weakly. Another body bumped into me, this time, I had to grab onto Sydney for support.
“Nessa!” This voice wasn’t as high pitched, but it was still annoying.
“Hey Claire.” I said. I was greeted by the same two people everyday. It was nice to know that I was in some kind of routine. Flanked by Sydney and Claire, I started down the long hallway towards my locker.
“So, you won’t believe what we’re doing in theater. My friend’s boyfriend has some sort of relation with the teacher…Cousins I think. Anyways, we’re supposed to be doing this play-“Sydney rambled on and I tried my best to tune her out.
She never stops talking does she? I made an annoyed sound in the back of my throat and Sydney looked at me quizzically.
“What?” she asked.
“It’s nothing.” I said; so much for being like any normal teenager. I managed to get rid of Sydney and Claire at my locker with a quick excuse.
I leaned my forehead against the cool metal of my locker and tried to clear my head of their mindless chatter.
I don’t understand why you hang out with them. “It’s not like I have a choice is it?” I muttered to Jimmy.
You could let me register here and then I could hang out with you. “What would you do when they asked who your parents were?” I asked.
I’d figure something out. “Very convincing.” I said sarcastically. The bell rang at that moment, except something strange happened. Instead of being loud and defined, as it always was to me, the bell seemed to reach me through a fog. It was a distant sound, barely there. I shook my head sharply, but the sound was still dull. The students around me clamored on, but that sound was also hazy.
What’s going on? Jimmy’s voice was as clear as ever.
Nessa? ~*~
I never ditched class on my normal days. But, today wasn’t at all normal, so I let it slide. I had spent the last half hour curled over a sink in the bathroom, with Jimmy hovering over me anxiously.
“Jimmy, go away. I don’t need someone to walk in and see you here.” I said hoarsely.
“No. I want to know what’s wrong with you. I’m out of your head, but you’re still sick.” He said. Jimmy started squinting at my face like I was some lab rat that he was testing. I groaned as another sharp pain shot through my head. It had started in first period after the weird incident with my hearing. Everything had gone back to normal, but then my head started to kill me.
“Jimmy,” I had whispered in pain, “what are you doing?”
I’m not doing anything. But whatever’s happening, it hurts. I had rushed to the bathroom as soon as the bell rang; the pain was getting to be point of being unbearable.
“Maybe you should go home.” Jimmy suggested, snapping me out of my thoughts. I shook my head.
“Just give me a couple minutes and I’ll be fine.” I reassured him. Jimmy started fidgeting with the paper towel machine in agitation.
“It’s been thirty minutes since you first bent over that sink, Nessa. I think you should go home.”
I grimaced. I hated it when Jimmy used his “I’m in charge” voice. I pursed my lips as I thought it over. There was definitely no chance in me getting better throughout the rest of my classes. I glanced at Jimmy and stuck my tongue out at him.
“You win,” I told him, “will you let me go to the nurse? My mom won’t be happy if I just turn up on the doorstep.”
Jimmy gave me his best smirk and made his way back into my head, carefully, this time.
~*~
My bedroom ceiling swirled in and out of focus as I tried to lie still on my bed. The task was nearly impossible. Another wave of nausea washed over me and I curled into a ball.
Are you sure you don’t want me to get out? I could go somewhere else. I don’t have to hang out here all day. “Don’t worry about it Jimmy,” I gasped in pain as I felt Jimmy’s annoyance. It seemed that even the slightest bit of emotion from either one of us could affect the pain as much as a single movement could. But, I couldn’t let Jimmy out on his own. It was on the top of my “Don’t Do Even If You’re Dying” list. The danger of Jimmy getting into some kind of trouble was just too great. And some of it was just me not trusting him.
Somewhere in between my worries about Jimmy and the pain, I passed out. I didn’t even know that I had passed out until I woke up to a different kind of pain. Instead of being very painful, this whole experience had just turned into: the worst pain I had ever felt in my life.
I threw my head back and let out an agonized scream.
