Confession

While eating our desserts Danny goes on and on about how there’s a dance coming up in three weeks and that he would love to take Iris. But I’m only half listening, staring out the window watching the busy street move forward. My mind keeps thinking about what Danny had said earlier and now Iris.

‘Uko.. Who is Uko? Why is the name so familiar to me?... Is it just a coincidence or something else? What’s going on all the sudden? I can’t remember anything though.’

So many questions are racing through my head I don’t notice Danny trying to get my attention.

“Hey! Hellooo?” Danny pokes my nose as if hitting a reset button on my attention span. I look at him, blinking a few times in his direction.

“You need something?” I finally ask.

“Ugh, you're frustratingly cute when you space out like that you know. But, Yeah, I need to know if you plan to go to the dance or not? I know you won't go with anyone, but are you going?” He says slightly puffing at the fact I had spaced out too far by accident.

“Sorry. I don’t know yet. It’s still a bit a ways away. I’ll let you know what I decided the week before. K?”

“Hm, Ok. I hope you say you will. It wouldn’t be any fun without you.” He takes a bite of his cheesecake before continuing the conversation.

“So.. Uko Ami? You know her? Could it be the same Uko from your nightmare?” I choke on a piece of macaron at the sudden topic change.

‘Did he read my mind or something?’ I think to myself while clearing my throat.

“You ok?” He asks me.

“Yeah.. Just got some bits of cookie down the wrong pipe.. Ng.. And no. I don’t think I know her. Why do you ask?”

“Well it’s the same name you muttered in school while sleeping. And now there’s another mention of the name. So I was wondering if maybe it could be the same person. But you have no memory of the name or who it could be..” He trails off a little as if to ponder further.

“Did you read my mind or something Danny? I’ve been thinking about it myself this entire time.” I admit to him my thoughts and he just ever so slightly stiffens at the idea.

“Of course not.” He says turning his attention back to his desserts.

‘Odd.. It’s not like him to get nervous. Is he okay I wonder.’ I think to myself.

“Don’t worry about it.” He says suddenly, his gaze dead locked on mine now.

“What?” I ask.

“Huh?.. Nothing. I was just talking to myself.” He breaks our little staring contest and looks out the window for a bit, no longer interested in the food or conversation.

“Ok, did I say something to upset you Danny? Just tell me if I have.” I say, trying to figure out what’s going on. He sighs.

“If I could read minds.. How would that make you feel, I wonder?” He asks.

‘What an odd question.’ -- “Hmm.. Not something I really think about. I guess it wouldn’t bother me too much. I mean if it’s you. Why do you ask that type of question?” I’m curious now.

Thinking back to all the times he’s showed up at random times to help me out with stuff and when we would finish each other's sentences or speak together at once. How he always seems to know when something is troubling me. When I’m over thinking. Now that this question has arised I can’t help but think that maybe.

‘Is he trying to hint that he can?’

Before I can process any further Danny looks back at me. Holding my gaze a moment. His blue eyes look worried.

“Yes, Sasori. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

‘Did.. Did he just answer my thoughts?’

“That’s right. I did. I'm a telepathy user.” I sit back in my seat and cross my arms looking down at my now empty plate.

‘How do I process this.. I wasn’t exactly expecting him to get serious about it. Maybe it’s another joke.. But he looks so serious. I don’t think he is.'

“Ugh!”

I unfold my arms and place my elbows on the table sinking my fingers into my scarlet hair.

“I wasn’t expecting this from you.. Why don’t we go to my house and talk it over some? You can explain to me better there. It’ll be a bit more quiet too. Away from anyone that may overhear.”

I start to pull out my wallet to pay but Danny has already pulled out some cash and laid it out.

“Sounds good. Let’s go.” I nod and we grab our stuff and say our goodbyes on the way out.

I’m still trying to process the whole idea of him being telepathic. I can’t say I don’t believe him considering how he answered my unspoken questions at the cafe. The walk to my apartment is a silent one. He must be worried about being rejected. I couldn’t possibly reject him. He’s been my best friend since I moved to this country. We reach my place and I unlock the door. As soon as we enter we place our bags down by the door and sit in the living room. It’s a small one bed apartment, nothing fancy or anything like out of one of those home magazines or apartment guides. It’s silent for a long moment before I finally speak up.

“So you can read minds? Like for real?” I ask the two questions that have been circling the most.

“Yes..” He does not want to look at me.

“Ok then. How long have you been able to do it?” I ask next.

“For a few years now.. You remember that accident I was involved in two years ago? It happened after that. I woke up in the hospital and just could. I had sustained a head injury of sorts.”

I nod remembering that time. I spent a lot of my evenings visiting after school while he recovered from the car accident.

“Does anyone else know about it?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No. You're the first person I’ve actually told. I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore. Not from you.” He pauses a few seconds. “Do you believe me? Do you think I’m..”

I hold up my hand to stop that last question.

“I believe you and I don’t think you’re weird or a freak.. It makes sense now looking back. So don’t worry about me.. But I have to ask.. Are there limits or anything like that? How does it work?”

Feeling a bit excited about my friend's ability, I want to learn what I can.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I was a bit worried you were going to reject me for being different. How does it work? I’m not sure how to answer that. I’m still trying to figure it out myself. But don’t worry. I don’t use it all the time. Like now. I didn’t want to hear your thoughts before hearing it personally come from you.”

“That’s kind of cool.” It’s all I could manage to say. “So.. What now? Obviously I don’t tell anyone. At least not without your say.”

He shrugs. I guess he doesn’t know either.

“Ok, well why don’t we study a little then? I have a test tomorrow in my “Myths and legends” history course.”

“Ok. Couldn’t hurt to review some papers I finished earlier during class.”

So for the next few hours we study and order some chinese delivery before calling it a day. I see Danny out and head to my room.

Laying on the bed I keep thinking about Danny’s gift and all the things he must hear. I sort of feel bad that he hasn’t much choice in the matter. I wonder if he gets headaches. Thinking this I remember how often I’ve seen him rub his temples at school and while hanging out in general.

“Maybe I should start carrying some painkillers from now on.” My eyelids grow heavy and the world goes dark as I fall asleep.

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