Ethan Carter sat at the back of the classroom, his gaze drifting between the teacher's monotonous lecture on the Civil War and the clock ticking down to freedom. The afternoon sun streamed through the dusty windows of Maplewood High, casting warm patches of light across the worn wooden desks. While his classmates scribbled nites, Ethan felt the familiar weight of boredom settle over him.
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His mind wandered to the upcoming basketball game— his chance to impress the girl who sat two rows ahead, Sarah Hawthorne. She had a way of laughing that made everything around her seem brighter, but Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong to her world. He was just the quiet guy who blended into the background, content to watch rather than participate.
A sudden loud bang jolted him back to reality. He glanced up just in time to see Dante Morgan, the school's star athlete and its unofficial king, sauntering into the room. He wore an easy smile that made girls swoon and his presence seemed to command attention. It was no secret that Dante was also a powerful illusionist, a fact whispered about in the hallways but never acknowledged openly.
"Carter!" Dante's voice rang out a moxking lilt to his tone. "You're going to try out for the team, right? Or are you too busy practising your telekinesis?"
Laughter erupted around the room, and Ethan's cheeks flushed. He forced a smile, trying to play it off, but the room felt smaller, closing in around him. He hated that everyone knew he was different, even if they didn't know the extent of his abilities.
Before he knew it, je was rushing forward, adrenaline surging through him. Without thinking he reached out with his mind, focusing on the heavy back pack of the bully. In an instant, it flew off the ground, slamming into the student's side. The crowd gasped as the bully stumbled, confusion etched on his face.
"What the—?" the bully shouted, looking around for the source sudden attack.
Ethan froze his heart pounding in his chest. Had he just done that?
"Run!" Jake shouted, grabbing Ethan's arm. They farted away from the scene pushing ethe crowd, adrenaline coursing through their veins. They ducked into an empty classroom, panting. "What was that Ethan?" Jake asked, wide-eyed. "You really threw that kid's bag!"
*I... I don't know ", Ethan stammered, his mind racing. "I didn't mean to. It just happened ".
Jake's expression shifted from shock to concern. "You've been acting strange lately. Are you sure you're okay?"
Before Ethan could respond, the classroom door swing open. Lily Jensen, a girl known for her quiet demeanor, stepped inside. "What just happened out there? I felt something. Like a surge of energy "
Ethan looked at her, uncertainty flooding his thoughts. "I think I did something...with my mind. I don't know how".
Lily's eyes widened. "You've always been... different. But this is serious, Ethan. We need to talk".
Just then, the unmistakable sound of laughter and footsteps echoed in the hall, and Ethan's heart sank. Dante was coming. The bully, still rattled and furious, would definitely seek revenge, especially now that Ethan had revealed a glimpse of his abilities.
"Hide!" Jake urged, and the three of them squeezed into a corner of the classroom, hearts racing. Ethan felt the familiar sensation of something building inside him—a mix of fear and excitement. He wasn't just a quiet boy anymore; something had awakened, and he was about to find out just how deep the veil of control went.