[ WP ] You 've been able to read minds since you turned 7 . Mostly you watch people 's thoughts passively and undetected but one day someone talks back .

When I was younger, I had a huge case of anxiety. I found myself constantly worrying about what people thought of me. Wondering if I wore my clothes right. Wondering if anyone is making fun of me behind my back. 
 
 `` *... I am sooo going to get fired today..*'' 
 
 `` *... why do we have eyebrows... *'' 
 
 `` *... I forgot to wear perfume oh God I hope I do n't smell... *'' 
 
 Then, at the age of seven, I learned the meaning of true peace. 
 
 It took me a year to accept it, but people do n't really... care about me. There are those stray observations, like `` *wow that shirt looks nice*'' and `` *I wonder what music that person is listening to*'' but insults? Ninety percent of the time people simply glaze over my presence. They are much more focused on themselves, worrying their heads about petty things. Too focused with their own worries to give me any worries. 
 
 These happy thoughts kept my spirits up as I rode the train. Sixteen years old, earbuds in the ears, no music playing but rather listening to the symphony of thoughts everyone else has. I absentmindedly listened to a few inner conversations, hiding a chuckle at some of the crazier thoughts, just doing whatever I can to make my own thoughts light. 
 
 `` *It's so... Peaceful..? *'' 
 
 I did n't spare a glance at whoever said that. Never did, never wanted to look suspicious. The person sat next to me. From what I can see through the window's reflection, it was a guy. He's slouching a bit. 
 
 `` *I do n't slouch! *'' A pause. The person next to me seemed to have straighten up. `` *I take back my peaceful comment. This person is mean. *'' 
 
 I bit back a string of anxiety at that. I rarely get insulted, people are usually too caught up with themselves to worry about me. What did I do wrong? Why did this person think I was mean? 
 
 `` *What? I insulted her? Is it my posture? *'' The guy shuffled a bit more, looking around the train. 
 
 He seemed nervous, wringing his hands. In the spur of the moment, I turned over to him. `` Are you okay? You're fidgeting a lot.'' *How did this person know I felt insulted? * 
 
 The male jumped a bit. `` *Am I that obvious?! *'' He blinked at me. `` I'm okay, are you?'' *Did I make you uncomfortable? * 
 
 `` No,'' I answered immediately, before I realized he only said one of those questions out loud. `` I mean, yes, I'm okay. I am also not uncomfortable, in case you're ever wondering.'' *This conversation is getting awkward. * 
 
 `` *Great, I'm glad she also thinks this conversation is getting awkward. *'' The guy returned to slouching. `` Right, um, okay.'' 
 
 `` Yes, okay.'' I tried to hide a wince. *The worst part of an awkward conversation is when both people know it's awkward but have no idea how to end it. * 
 
 `` *There should be some type of class at school where they teach you how to avoid or end awkward conversations, *'' thought the guy, staring wistfully at the ceiling. 
 
 I turned back to the window. `` *Freakin' yeah, I agree. Would make my life so much easier. *'' 
 
 `` *... Agree to what? Wait what happened, what is she thinking about? *'' 
 
 It was my turn to jump as I snap my head towards his direction. The guy also had a confused look. We locked eyes. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, until I realized that my brain was n't working. 
 
 `` *Welp, *'' thought the guy, `` *It got awkward again. *'' 
 
 I bit my lip. `` *Is he not going to question why I'm staring at him? *'' 
 
 `` *Nah, I'm too busy getting lost in your eyes. *'' He grinned at me. `` Like what you see?'' 
 
 I took in a deep breath. `` *Can you... Hear my thoughts? *'' 
 
 The guy stilled. `` *WAIT-WAIT-WHAT -- -*'' His grin went from egotistical to sheepish. `` *Sooo... You heard my'getting lost in your eyes' comment, huh. *'' 
 
 I looked away, faking a cough into my sleeve. `` No, I do n't like what I see.'' I turned back towards the window. `` *Yes I heard that comment. Weirdo. *'' 
 
 *Aww, why did she turn away -- Oh right, it'd be weird for other people if two strangers were to stare at each other without speaking. * The guy looked back up into the ceiling. `` *So, you can read people's thoughts too? *'' 
 
 `` *Yeah, *'' I replied. It felt kind of silly to have a conversation in my head. `` *Ever since I was seven, for no explainable reason. I did n't think there were anyone else out there with the same ability. *'' 
 
 `` *You and me both. *'' The guy was bouncing a bit in his seat. `` *Name's Dan! You know, I'm kind of glad there's someone else out there to share my pain. *'' 
 
 `` *Pain? *'' 
 
 `` *Well, yeah. *'' The guy, now dubbed Dan, ruffled his hair a bit. `` *Listening to people's worries day in and day out... Does n't that make you go crazy? *'' 
 
 I frowned. `` *No? Why would it? *'' 
 
 `` *What do you mean why would it? *'' He crossed his arms. `` *Did their daughter like the new puppy? Did that person get the job? Did they visit grandmother before she died? Do n't you ever wonder if those people got their happy ending? *'' 
 
 `` *Nope. It's none of my business. As long as no one is thinking smack about me, I'm good. *'' 
 
 `` *But you can help them! *'' Oh great, Dan is whining, and I'm the only one who can suffer from it. `` *I'm not whining! I mean it -- just last week I helped two of my friends confess! *'' 
 
 `` *Such a great friend. *'' I sighed. `` *Would n't it be better if you left their thoughts to themselves? The mind is a sanctuary, the only place some people feel safe in. *'' 
 
 `` *Hey, you're intruding too, you know. You read my mind and everyone else's without permission. *'' 
 
 `` *I have no choice, I ca n't turn it off. *'' 
 
 `` *Well me neither, so you might as well do something good about it, right? *'' 
 
 The train chugged along the tracks. I sighed again, standing up. `` I'm leaving, my stop is next.'' 
 
 `` Wait!'' Dan stood up, giving me the puppy dog eyes. It looked kind of disturbing on a teenager. He's not even that cute. `` Okay, ouch on the cute comment.'' He shook his head. `` But seriously, at least think about it? At least try?'' 
 
 `` *No, *'' I mentally answered, `` *I've been thinking about it, and I've realized... I feel so much better about myself now that I know people are n't thinking about me. This ability practically cured me of my anxiety. If I start using it to change things... Whatever has given me the ability might take it away. *'' 
 
 The train came into a stop, but Dan seemed to be adamant in making me stay. `` *So?! It might go away anyway! This ability helped you, why ca n't you use it to help other people? *'' 
 
 The doors opened. I took in a shaky breath, walking out without a goodbye. 
 
 `` You're just too scared about putting yourself out there.'' His voice wo n't turn off. I could never turn off these voices. `` I said that one out loud.'' 
 
 I turned to my right. Dan was standing at my side, grinning. I scowled at him. `` Are you going to stalk me?'' 
 
 `` May-be. But mostly, I'm going to prove a point.'' The male looked over to a lady on a bench. She was on her phone. `` *Listen to that woman's thoughts. *'' 
 
 Like second nature, my senses zoned in to her thoughts. `` *... is my make-up even on properly? Oh gosh I know I've been putting on weight, what if he dumps me... *'' 
 
 Before I could ask what his point was, I watched as Dan sauntered over to her side. `` My friend and I think you look lovely today! Your make-up is perfect!'' 
 
 The woman and I stared at him boggled-eyed. `` I... Uh... Thank you..?'' 
 
 `` You're welcome!'' He skipped over to me. `` *And voila, we made her day. *'' 
 
 `` *She thought you were a loud idiot. *'' 
 
 Dan smiled. `` *But she genuinely appreciated the comment, yeah? *'' 
 
 `` *... Maybe. *'' 
 
 `` *Instead of worrying if someone is going to insult us or not, let's go brighten up their days and listen to their happy thoughts! *'' He took my arm. `` You coming with?'' 
 
 I hesitated, before shrugging. `` *Only if you're the only one making a fool out of yourself. *'' 
 
 `` Sweet, let's go!'' 
 
 ( ( First time writing in a long, long while. Was winging it the entire time, it ended awkwardly, but whatever. Just happy it's done. ) )
