The 50/50 Vaccine

Chapter 13

After two weeks, my headaches and blurry vision are becoming minor, thanks to the headphones Sasha gave me. It’s much easier to tell the color changing when I’m in a dimly lit area. Emil and Milly have been working with me quite a bit. They are talking about bringing others in but also encouraged me to practice with Lexi in the evenings. I told Lexi everything, and she was happy to help me. I also told her about the training hazing her family pulled and they became serious about helping her master her ability.

Not having Nolan drop in once or twice a week feels strange, but I hope he’s enjoying life outside this building. Lexi and I have been keeping the apartment lights dim for me, and working with non-magnetic utensils, pans, and knives isn’t as hard as one may expect considering they have a non-magnetic metal. The apartment is safe for both of us, and we are happy. Having such a good friend like Lexi is so rare, I thought after things ended between me and Doug, I lost my only friend. I fall into this isolation, and only a few people get to be there with me. I’m sociable just fine, but unless I work on it, I don’t socialize.

“Earth to Mandy,” Lexi calls from the other end of the sofa.

“What?” I ask, opening my eyes to look at her. “I was meditating. Emil thinks it’ll help me process the color information better, though I wish I had learned to meditate years ago. I can’t seem to shut my brain off; even with you silent, my mind is running wild.” I sigh. “I’ve been trying to meditate every day for the past week, with no luck.”

“So, maybe instead of meditating, you just sit in silence. Quite a lot of thought and maybe color or draw. You know something quiet and busy at the same time.” Lexi suggests.

“I am no good at drawing,” I grumble.

“Come on now. Let’s practice some more.” Lexi smiles placing her metal collection on the table. It’s only a handful, but she has been training herself how to manipulate the movement of the metal, pulling it towards her, pushing it away, or just having it hover. “You know, I’ve been tempted to try changing an object's shape. Do you think it’s possible?”

“Everything is an unknown, what have others with your ability been practicing?”

“As long as they don’t summon knives and other metal when upset or angry, they are cleared for release. I’m still not there, obviously.” Lexi replied without breaking her concentration.

“Maybe you should give it a try with thinner metal at first, " I reasoned, looking at the collection of bolts and nuts that she brought home. Something thin and bendable. That way, you can bend it without hurting yourself. If that works and you feel you want to try thicker material, then continue.”

“I know, start small and work my way up.”

“Exactly.”

“Now, let me tell you about my day.” Lexi insisted. This is how she helps me practice my ability; she tells me about her day tossing in some lies and half-truths to see if I can identify them as she talks. It’s working pretty well, but I’m starting to learn her tells, like how she smirks a little when she’s only telling something half true, or how she doesn’t make direct eye contact when she’s lying.

“I think I want to practice going a day without the headphones,” I admit. “I don’t see my ability getting less intense if I keep hiding from it unless I’m in a quiet place. I think I need to work through it and learn to process things.”

“Just keep the headphones with you in case it gets too much. You can put them on until the dizziness passes.” Lexi suggests.

“That’s smart.” I smile.

“Do you want to watch TV? Maybe you can decipher truth and lies.”

“Well, they are all lying on tv, just because they are pretending to be a character.”

“What about reality TV?” Lexi suggests.

“I’ve never liked those shows.”

“No? Now you can use your superpower to help me figure out who is fake in game shows…”

“Fine, one game show. I’m not going to sit here yelling at the television when someone is lying.” I sigh in exasperation. I love Lexi like a sister, but sometimes she’s just exhausting, always pushing the limits. I worry about her having such a strong ability mixed with her need to test limits.

She managed to get me to stay up for three more hours watching multiple game shows, but the ones I found interesting and aggravating at the same time were the ones where it’s a game of wits, sabotage, and secrets. I knew they were lying before their confessionals and Lexi would guess if they would come clean in the confessionals or not. Now we have to watch the show again to see who gets voted off by the other competitors, I have a feeling it’ll be the people who aren’t lying to the rest, but people can surprise you.

“I’m tired,” I finally say standing up and stretching.

“I hope things become less exhausting once we fully control our abilities.”

“Same.”

“Good night, Mandy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night,” I reply as I walk to the bathroom to get ready for bed. I brush my teeth and hair, do my facewash and moisturizer, all so I can rest and feel relaxed as I settle into bed.