*****Connor******
I've always been average. Since the day I was born that is all I've ever known. But I guess I should explain and why I stated that about myself.
My name is Connor Riddly. I am 5'9" and barely 150 pounds. I have slim shoulders and wiry muscles so I'm not exactly a toad, just average. I have a slimmer waist at the top of sleek muscled legs and sandy blonde hair tops my head in waves, with olive green eyes to contrast. And I am finally at the age to be free of my family, 18.
In my family, every male on my father's side, has a gift of sorts. I have cousins who can put thoughts into people's heads, take the thoughts out, and some who can only hear what they are thinking.
They all seem to involve the mind, no one in the family knows why. Just that when the boys of the family reach the age of six they develop the gift automatically at the time of their birth.
But I have lived through quite a bit considering I am the first male to never develop a gift. And gifts cannot be used against those who are descendants of the line either, so I didn't have to worry about thinking anything I wasn't supposed to, which is a relief considering some of the more powerful talents of the family.
I live with the knowledge that my father is disappointed. When your about to turn six and surrounded by all your family and nothing happens, nothing at all, what else are you suppose to do but stuff your face with cake.
Everyone stared at me, but I didn't want to see their faces, especially the look on my father's face. I am the oldest of four siblings. I guess my father wanted to have at least one offspring with something to show for it.
Unfortunately the next two were girls, Briette and Germaine. Finally there is my baby brother, Markl. Markl will have his sixth birthday in two years and my dad actually has a count down clock.
I never thought I'd see someone that obsessed. But according to my mother, my grandfather wouldn't let any of his son's even attend school, fearing they'd be contaminated. Which explains my father never letting Markl out of his sights, since I was taught in school and I have no gift.
But I don't have to worry about any of my family's drama any longer. I will be on my way to college and I made sure to pick a college so far from my father that not even God will be able to find me. I can't even imagine it.
The only let down in this whole thing is I will miss my mother. She never made me feel like a freak because she knew what it was like to be surrounded by so many gifted people and not be one of them. She actually chose to marry into that!
She said she was going to be ok, so I had to believe her. "I have lived with this family longer than you have, so don't worry honey. Enjoy your flight" she said as I was loading the last of my luggage into the taxicab. And of course I had to promise to call when I landed and when I made it to my dorm room. With a final hug for my sisters and brother, and a small kiss for my mother, I got into the cab.
It took three changeovers, but I made it to my college of choice. I did steal myself away enough time between flights to call home to reassure my mother, as well as getting a bite to eat. And all that time I never once had to worry about any stray internal monologues entering my brain.
My cousin Vin can't even go on subways anymore. Every time he rides in one he has every rider's thoughts instantly. My uncle had to pick him up because he couldn't stay upright after the onslaught. I felt bad for him. I rode with my uncle to get him, I was only ten but I still knew to be grateful for what I didn't have.
Making it to my dorm room at last, I unceremoniously plopped on the bottom bunk. Closing my eyes for just a second, I then heard the most amazing voice ever. "That is my bed" said the stranger's voice.
I bolted upright and had a sense of dizziness sweep over me and luckily didn't bang my head on the frame. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know anyone claimed it yet."
The guy actually had the nerve to laugh at my embarrassment. "What's funny about that?"
"I was only kidding man. Didn't think you'd get so riled up over that. I just got here too. My name is Avery."
He seemed to look remorseful enough, so I believed him. With that cleared up I finally relented.
I stood up and offered my hand, but saw he was holding a box. "Let me help you with that. Where do you want it? Sorry again I guess. My name is Connor. Connor Riddly."
"Thanks a lot. But you don't have to keep apologizing for everything you know, I understand" pointing to an open floor space for the box.
He moved throughout the room glancing over everything. It wasn't a big space, just enough room for two people to fit comfortably. In one corner by the only window, there was another desk accompanied by a dresser. Likewise where I had just vacated.
The beds were bunked up so there was some floor space, as well, in case we wanted to fit an entertainment stand, especially for the huge tv he seemed to bring out of nowhere. I realized that neither one of us had anyone helping us to unload, so I volunteered to help him. It seems he had to bring his whole life with him with as much stuff we carried to our room.
"Sheesh dude, why do you have so much stuff? Can't you just visit home sometime?" I chuckled slightly because I know I definitely wouldn't want to go home, even for a single pair of underwear.
He didn't seem ashamed of the fact he had a lifetime's worth of clutter now stacked in the middle of our very limited floor space.
