After taking a closer look at my eyes and genome, Dr. McCoy explained, "Your eyes, simply put, are amazing." He gestured toward various charts and holograms, but I could kind of get a grasp of what he was saying.
"And there's a certain telepathic and minor psionic aspect to your abilities," he continued.
Yeah I kind of understand it a little, I thought to myself.
"Well, thanks for everything, Doc," I said, getting up to leave.
"Take care of those goggles!" Beast called out as I exited the Lab.
The only reason I could walk around right now was thanks to those goggles. Without them, my vision was all over the place—left became right, I saw behind me while walking forward, and sometimes everything was upside down. Ms. Frost (one of the top telepaths) mentioned that since my powers were telepathic in nature, the Cuckoos could help me learn control (i really wish i said no). Speaking of which, I was pretty sure those five identical girls heading toward me were them.
"You assume right," the five said in perfect unison.
That's... extremely freaky, I thought.
"We're not freaky. We are perfection, You're just intimidated, Four Eyes," they responded, clearly reading my mind.
"Whoa, are you girls telepaths?" I asked, their synchronized speech was both weird and cool. "I think you're supposed to give me a tour?"
"Once again, you assume right, Four Eyes," they whispered, loud enough to sting.
The Cuckoos showed me around the Institute, introducing me to students like Beak, who was surprisingly chill for a guy looked like an overgrown chick. The place was strange, but I was starting to feel like I fit in. As the tour wound down, we passed a guy named Quentin. Let's just say... he was a total wimp and jerk, I don't know how he managed both.
"H-Hey, Sophie..." he stammered, eyes locked on one of the Cuckoos.
"Wrong Cuckoo, Quentin," they uttered in a cold, synchronized tone. "...And goodbye."
Jeez, poor guy, I thought (which I was quickly learning wasn't as private as I'd hoped).
"Are you looking down on me?" Quentin snapped, his voice low and bitter as he stepped forward. His piercing gaze felt like a challenge, and the air between us became tense.
Quentin's eyes narrowed, lips curling into a mocking smile. "You think you're better than me, don't you? Just because you've got the Cuckoos showing you around?"
I raised an eyebrow, unsure how to respond. Why's this guy so intense? I just met them today, I thought, instinctively gripping the goggles on my face.
The Cuckoos, still hovering nearby, giggled in unison. "Quentin, your insecurity is showing," they said.
Before I could speak, Quentin's telekinetic power sparked—small objects in the hallway began vibrating around us.
"You know, now that I think about it," I said, gripping my goggles, "you'd have had to read my mind, and I don't think I like that."
"Leave it, Four eyes. Quentin, buzz off; you're annoying us," the Cuckoos said in perfect unison.
Quentin stumbled backward, shook his head, and walked off.
"Thanks for the help, Cuckoos," I said with a smirk.
"Don't worry about it, Locke," they replied. "Watch out for Quentin; he's a powerful telepath."
"Sure thing, Thanks for the help," I said, a bit smug about being in the Cuckoos' company rather than dealing with Quentin.
"You know, this has been a good tour. I bet one of you could take me to lunch?"
"Four eyes, we like you, but don't push it," the Cuckoos said in an even colder voice than before.
"Wake up early tomorrow so we can practice controlling your telepathic abilities," they added as they walked away in unison.
"Thanks, girls," I said as they walked away, leaving me feeling a little stupid. I headed to my room, which was a few doors down.
When I went in, I noticed that I had no roommates. The first thing I did after settling in was shower. After getting dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, I set up my TV and lounged in an office chair provided by the school. It was time to sleep. As I got off the chair and went to the bed, I noticed a folder on it. After examining it for a moment, I tossed it onto my bedside table. I got into bed, ready for sleep, when voices blared into my mind.
"Don't even think about going to sleep yet, read the folder" the Cuckoos' voices echoed in my head.
'I hate this place,' I thought, once again assuming in the ability to have privacy of my own mind.
"We can still hear you, read the folder Locke," the Cuckoos said with finality.
"Fine, geez," I said with defeat. Honestly, this was all happening because I tried flirting with them. 'Oh well, I made my bed, might as well lay in it,' I thought as I opened and read the folder.
I finished reading the folder and, though exhausted, knew I'd have to revisit this information in the morning. I took off the goggles, grabbed a sleep mask (reminiscent of a certain anime character who met a dramatic end, we miss you gojo), and finally went to bed, preparing for the training that awaited me.