"I'll serve the food myself, take a break Mrs Alba you look pale' She seemed startled that I was able to discern her supposedly concealed fear. "No Luke I'll food out there's no need to stress yourself" she said that but she still glanced back at Jonathan before looking at me. "I insist ma'am besides I know them from school, take a break." "Oh...o...okay if you say so Luke." I saw her sigh in relief before taking a seat behind the counter.
I walked over to their table with the tray ready to serve them. "Here's your food please enjoy" "ohh thanks man, that was fast" one of Jonathan's friend commented. He was tall, very tall and for someone his height he did look lean or skinny, he probably worked out. "Hey do I know you from somewhere, you look really familiar." I looked at her she was also tall and had her hair dyed pink and tourcoiuse on each half. " Ohh I think you're right Jess. Hmm where have I seen you before... Oh that's right you're the loner, Luke something." The other girl was able to recognise me, impressive, though I guess I would be easy to recognise, I didn't know how I felt about be identified as the 'loner'. "You're right Aubrey, you're Lukehiem aren't you." She said confidently. 'That's unexpected' she even knew my full name. Not many people knew my name and I wasn't particularly fond of it.
There were all looking at me waiting for some form of confirmation. Sigh," Yes I'm Lukehiem Fitch we attend the same school." "I knew it, my memory is spectacular." Jess said while flashing a bright smile. You could tell she was a bright upbeat girl, the bright pastel colours she wore on her clothes and hair gave much away. The tall bearish looking guy looked at me scrutinising me for a few seconds before looking down at his food. I've identified 3 of them now, the only ones who hadn't said a word were Jonathan and the skinny emo looking guy next to him.
I felt that cold lifeless gaze again but this time I wasn't going to back down. I didn't have a reason to be scared, I was strong i could snap the necks of everyone in this cafe clean off in the blink of an eye, Jonathan included. I am strong I reminded myself before looking over to match his gaze. It was different yet the same today, I saw cold lethality in his gaze and pure unhindered confidence, it made me doubt myself maybe I wasn't as strong as I liked to believe. There was a quiet confidence in his eyes, the kind that told you someone believed they were strong, that they could do anything.
We stared at each other looked in a battle of dominance. It was a silent agreement, whoever looked away first was scared. The cafe seemed to vanish there was only me and Jonathan at this point, my veil was tucked securely in the confines of my mind no other stimulus reached me. "Umm guys is there something we should know about" Jess' voice reached me, I realised how ridiculous this looked but I wasn't backing down. He was finally revealing his true colours, this was the best opportunity to get answers.
"Luke is everything okay." Mrs Alba asked in concern from the counter. That was when it reached me, a silent wave of dark power rushed at me. The feeling of utter wrongness was one I couldn't describe, it poked at my mind like a hand trying to rip the veil. "Lukehiem what's wrong, are you and your classmate alright." Mrs Alba called out again, but I couldn't afford to be distracted right now. I knew that one wrong move was all it took and I'd probably end up crippled.
'I have to do something, but what I have never been attacked like this.' This was turning into an absolute shit show.
Jonathan just smirked at me and for a split second I saw emotion in his eyes, though I couldn't describe it. I was sweating, close by I felt Mrs Alba reach for me putting a hand on my shoulder from behind. 'Concentrate damn it. I have to repel it.' I'd never done this before put I pushed against this thing that tried to breach my mind. I was difficult, like trying to push something that wasn't there. It was truly difficult but the more I tried the easier it became until finally I was able.to fight back. 'It isn't a one sided battle anymore.' this time it was my turn to smirk.
I pushed harder and harder, vein popped on my head, my heart was racing, I was tired of being afraid of him he didn't deserve my fear. Jonathan finally had a reaction, he didn't look as amused and prideful as when we first started our bout. The air between us felt charged, Mrs Alba was trying to shake me and pull me away. Jonathan looked a bit concerned now, 'heh...not as tough as I thought' . Jonathan smiled once more before breaking eye contact and retracting his power.
Our little duel was over. Before I could analyse the situation and infer why Jonathan accepted defeat Mrs Alba forcefully dragged me away into the kitchen. When we were alone she took deep breath using a moment to calm herself before turning to me. "What's going on Jonathan, you said you knew them, I thought you were on friendly terms with your classmate. Isn't that why you wanted to serve them their food." "I am on amicable terms with them, Jonathan and I thought it would be a little funny to have a little staring contest.". She didn't believe my life for even a second,"That wasn't a normal staring contest! There was malice in your eyes. Is everything okay Luke if there's a problem I'm always willing to lend a hand. Did this Jonathan boy offend, is he making problems for you at school, you can tell me right now and I'll help." She was dead serious about helping me, Mrs Alba was very kind the motherly feeling she gave tempted me the same way Miss Adelaide's did.
But I couldn't tell her anything. I'd confirmed that Jonathan was also super powered, and that he very bad intentions concerning me. Telling anyone would put them in a ton of danger, I didn't know how low Jonathan could stoop. That was the problem I didn't know Jonathan, I have avoided him till now like the plague but 8 researched extensively about him in my spare time, every article, book and new about him and his family I'd gone through them. My search was fruitless, nothing unusual apart from being a bit wealthy.
Mrs Alba was looking at me again with a lot of worry. "I'm fine ma'am nothing is going on between us. Just a bunch of teenagers having fun and being mischievous." My words didn't allivate the worry in her eyes one bit. *Sigh*"Alright Luke if you say so. I'll let this be on one condition" I nodded "take the rest of the day off." "There's no need ma'am I can still take some more orders, no red to be worried we would never cause trouble in the cafe." She just smiled at me, "That's not what I'm worried about, you don't look well Luke take the day off and rest you need it." I felt the sweat on my face, my lips were chapped, throat dry and the onset of a terrible headache. She was right I needed rest after that whole ordeal.
"I'll go home but let me take a few more orders and clean up before I go" she looked out at the group of teens eating and conversing in sharp whispers. "Fine go home in a bit." She said after giving an understanding gaze. I was left in the kitchen to work while she went out to serve other costumers. 20 minutes later Jonathan and his bunch were finally ready to leave. "I'll see you around Luke." Jess said before leaving with her friends. "Hmm...I'll have to be more careful from now on." I had to factor in the possibility that Jonathan's friends might also be a part of his scheme. Though the possibility of them knowing very small, besides I didn't feel anything from them when my veil probed them. Then again I could not be absolutely sure that all supernaturals felt the same, Jonathan was the only case I had to go off of. Even then I didn't know what kind of supernatural he was.
'Lets get some rest first', the headache was fast approaching and I felt weaker with each passing minute. After cleaning up the kitchen I hung up my apron, picked up my bag and proceeded home after wishing Mrs Alba a good night. The cool evening air brushed over my skin, and then he emerged from an alley blocking my path home