This Time.

"Congrats, Emma," I heard Eric, the telepathic guy in some of my classes, say quietly.

"What?"

"You just proved that you are, in fact, the most Emmazing person at this school." He smiled sincerely, something I didn't think he'd done before, and sat down next to me. "She hasn't used her power since she was eight. She's been thinking about letting you see her power for a long time. I've never heard her even consider letting someone else see her power. . . . Sleepwalker used to go to your room every night before you came here. He had dreams about someone who would change our whole world. For the better. Alice can see that in you. I don't know what you'll do, but I think Alice has been right about you all along. Do you know what she could do with her power?"

"Er, no?"

"She gives dead things new life. If she gathered enough strength, she could pretty much make an army of living corpses." He smirked. "Zombie apocalypse."

"Alice wouldn't do that."

"Duh." He was then silent, possibly thinking or finding out what I was thinking. "I know how those people think. You're powerful, Emma. They already know that. But if you let more show, they'll take you and squeeze you dry." He stopped again, this time, clearly thinking. "I'm sorry if you don't want my advice, but it's safer if you don't show your full potential. Alice-" He seemed to be struggling to say what he meant. "She believes in the good of everyone. It's sweet, but not everyone is as nice or good-hearted as you hope or she believes. I guess I'm just saying be careful. Don't trust everyone here."

"Eric?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, for one, thank you for not just reading my thoughts to find out what I was going to say."

"I thought you'd like the privacy."

"Thanks. Not to sound rude or anything, but what's in it for you? Warning me?" He didn't respond at first. He looked at the ground. Finally, he stood up.

"I'm trying to do the right thing this time," he said quietly, as he walked away. This time. I wondered what he did last time.