Page 62 of Gifted

“I’m crying on the inside, don’t worry,” he says dryly.

Ben smirks. “I doubt you even have tear ducts.”

“You know I cry myself to sleep every night because you don’t like me.”

“You sure have the ability to make Rebecca cry, though,” Ben says, finally piercing Daniel’s indifference. His gaze snaps to me, and his reaction surprises me almost as much as Ben’s comment.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.

Ben huffs a laugh. “Uh, just that every time you two are alone, you end up freaking out.”

“That’s ridiculous! I don’t even know him. Why would anything he says affect me?” Daniel clenches his fist, and I can’t guess why he’d care that I don’t consider him a friend.

Ben and Laura exchange glances, only increasing my defensiveness. “Okay, sure,” Laura says sarcastically.

“What? I’ve only ever spoken to him a couple of times, and he made it pretty clear he wants nothing to do with me.”

Daniel doesn’t respond, but he’s definitely listening. A muscle moves in his jaw.

“What about the medication issue? And in the gym just a week ago?” Ben says.

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”

“Are you serious?” Laura asks, also getting riled.

“Just lay off, okay? It obviously wasn’t a big deal to her,” Daniel mutters, only confusing me more with his defense.

“Not a big deal? She was a basket-case on both occasions.”

“I was not! You must be confusing me with someone else.”

“You were pretty upset,” Laura says.

“Do you remember any of this?” I ask Daniel.

“You were adjusting and probably emotional about other things. I just happened to be in the way at the time,” he says quickly.

“Listen to him trying to be sympathetic,” Ben mocks, and Daniel glares at him. “You’re going to hurt yourself, buddy.”

“But… Why don’t I remember this? What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing. I’m sure you remember things about other people that they don’t,” Daniel says, but that’s bull and he knows it.

“I think I’d remember bawling my eyes out in front of some guy who hates me.”

“I don’t hate you,” Daniel says quietly, and I make the mistake of meeting his gaze again. I can’t stand the sudden drop of my stomach, the feeling that I don’t despise him as much as I want to.

“Congrats, Rebecca. I’m sure you’re thrilled. Does she get a certificate?” Ben taunts, but I barely hear him.

“Can you show me? Please?” I ask, motioning toward Daniel’s hand. I fully expect the denial that comes when he shakes his head and inches farther away.

“Why are you so worked up?” Ben asks me.

“How can I not be upset? You all clearly remember some big event that I don’t. Don’t you think I should be worried?”

“Daniel probably doesn’t remember half the shit he does,” Laura says with a snicker.

“Maybe it’s part of your gift, Rebecca. You see people’s past and future, but you’re starting to lose memories of your own,” Ben says.

---