The Many Faces of Tully

I don’t want to watch the video of me going up against the twins. I can’t handle it. I don’t want to see myself become I dragon. I don’t want to see the fear on their faces when they look at me. This is the longest time I spend away from Jace. He studies it for two days straight. I only see him in the mornings and I am beginning to miss him by the time the second night is over.

He text me though, while he is studying the footage. He said stuff like:

I know you don’t like the fact you turned into a dragon, but it is pretty cool. You are amazing.

You are good, not matter what they say. Why else would you stop yourself from exploding?

I will help you control this.

I didn’t like the way you looked before anyways. You looked too serious. You look much better now.

You are everything and more than what I was expecting.

Thank you for being so awesome. Thank you for being you.

He begs me if he can send me a picture of the footage during the second day. He reassures me that it will make me feel better. I reluctantly tell him yes. It is a thermal image of me as a dragon. It’s very red, but he points out a small spot in the center of the dragon. It is cooler than the rest of the dragon which made no sense seeing as the center should be the hottest part. It is in the shape of a body, curled into the fetal position.

See. You are in there. We will find a way to make you defeat the beast.

I text him back. The beast might be too powerful.

I’ll be the damsel in distress if you think that would help? Is his reply.

He is making it so hard not to fall for him. Especially when he says stuff like this. He has me smiling both days, even though I feel horrible. He sees through my powers. He sees me. I wonder how or why he does that.

I practice my powers in these two days too, and they are coming along nicely. I can make things zoom all around my room at the same time. I pull a prank on Nash and make ice cold water fall on his head. It doesn’t work out too well though because he tackles me afterwards and soaks me too.

The twins stay away from me. They glare at me if they see me and if they are forced to pass by me in the hallway they give me the widest berth possible. It makes me feel even more horrible about myself, though Jace’s texts do make me feel slightly better.

I’m not sleeping easily though. I get horrible sleep these past two nights. I toss and turn all night. The time away from Jace isn’t good for me. I am becoming too dependent on him, and that isn’t good. The absence of him and the glares from the twins are not a good combo.

I wake up groggy. I check my watch. 5:58. I slept in. Well, I slept in for me. I get up and just put on slippers. I don’t want to get dressed yet. I shuffle to the kitchen for coffee. I’m definitely going to need it this morning. I’m right outside the kitchen door when I hear voices. I don’t know why but I stop and listen instead of walking in.

“She hasn’t progressed at all. She still can’t control her powers. It’s been four and half months almost,” I hear Rozen say.

“Just give her some time. We still have seven and a half months. We need her. I know we can’t do this without her. There would be no point for this if she’s not a part of this,” Kato says.

Rozen wants to kick me out?

“She’s dangerous. She’s going to end up killing us off one by one if we keep going up against her,” Rozen rebuts.

“We need to. We need to train with her. She will help us get stronger, and we will help her get stronger,” Kato tries to persuade him.

“Give the girl a chance,” I hear Calchas say quietly.

“She can’t control it! The only person who can go up against her is Avinash, and I’m afraid he’s not trying to help her control it at all. He enjoys it too much,” Rozen argues.

“But Jace is working with her. If anyone can help her, its Jace,” Kato tells him.

“How can that boy help her? He doesn’t understand it any better than she does.” Rozen’s voice is angry.

“Now don’t go knocking on Jace. He’s helped everyone else, including you. Don’t be bitter,” Calchas chastised him.

“I just don’t have a good feeling about her. If she doesn’t show progress soon then I’m not sure she can stay,” Rozen growls.

Anger flashes through me. I have made progress. I morphed on purpose and I’ve controlled my telekinesis. I’ll show him. I make my face tired again. I droop my eyes and sag my face. I shuffle into the kitchen.

“Good morning,” I say to them sleepily. Calchas has a small smile on his lips as he looks at me.

“Mornin’ Tully,” Kato replies, almost guiltily. Rozen just nods.

I shuffle towards the table and my chair scoots out by itself. I sit down in it and then I hear the cupboards open. My bowl lands in front of me and then my mug. The pantry swings open and the Captain Crunch zooms towards me. It pops itself open and pours itself into my bowl. I hear the refrigerator open and the milk starts pouring itself over my cereal. The coffee pot flies over then and it tips its contents into my mug until it’s completely full. Everything finds its way back where it belongs.

I realize I’m missing a spoon so I make the silverware drawer open up. I hold out my hand and a spoon lands in it neatly. I hear the drawer close itself softly. I start eating my cereal in complete silence. I look up at them then. Rozen and Kato are staring at me in surprise. Calchas is smiling a bit wider.

“What?” I ask in mock innocence.

“How did you do that?” Rozen interrogates me.

I shrug. “Jace helped me. He knew I had telekinetic powers so he helped me control it.” I shrug again. That will get him off mine and Jace’s backs.

Rozen clears his throat awkwardly. “Well, gain control of the rest of your powers,” he says brusquely, and then walks out.

Kato smiles at me. “Keep up the good work.” And he walks out after him. Calchas follows them but winks at me on his way out. I smile at him.