I pull out a pen from my purse and scribble the word dog on a paper napkin. I hand the napkin to Liam and ask him what it says.

"It says dog," he answers as he looks up at me and I ask him to look again. "Now it says... cat... how'd you do that?" He asks stunned as he slides the napkin over to me.

"I make you think you are seeing the word cat. It's like an illusion I make with your mind. The word dog is actually on the napkin, but I make your brain see otherwise. I don't know how I can do it, and to be honest it only started a couple of years ago." I slump back into the booth and his silence urges me to continue explaining, "I was arguing with my mom when she claimed I left a note saying I would be home from a movie by eight one night and it was during the time my phone had been stolen, whole long story, and I had yet to get my replacement so I never checked in with her. I argued with her that the note said ten and that I was home when I was supposed to be. When I went and grabbed the note from the fridge she grabbed it from me before I could tear it up. She looked at it and said she was wrong and it did say ten. I looked at her in disbelief because when I looked at the note again, it clearly said eight. I asked her to look again and she said I was just being a smartass and to go upstairs. I've slowly started perfecting it since then." Molly comes back just as I finish my story and sets our drinks down. We order and I can't wait for her to go away. She lingers and tries to make small talk with Liam until another table calls her over and she finally leaves.

I sip on my iced tea and Liam is sitting with his arms crossed. I push my drink away and decide to answer his first question.

"Most things in my life are my manipulations. I changed all the votes to my name when people were tallying them. I did that with cheerleading, student council, and homecoming votes. Harper would have been homecoming queen our junior year if I hadn't changed the votes. I wouldn't be on honor roll if it weren't for Derek and I wouldn't even be on the cheer team if Lily hadn't begged me to try out with her our freshman year. I even changed the scorecards so I would be guaranteed a spot on the squad." I point to him and add, "But I have never once manipulated Derek. He loves me and asked me out all on his own." I've never told anyone this and while Liam stares at me, I avoid his gaze and stare at the table. Saying this aloud makes me feel ashamed, but it's who I am. I feel like a devious monster only I hadn't realized I had created one. I finally find the courage to look at him and add, "And then you come along and challenge everything and make me feel bad for what I've done. Have you really never done anything that you're not proud of?" I ask and Liam shakes his head.

"Derek loves the person you've created. You have manipulated Derek by making him think you really are this person you put out there. And you are proud Ellie. You are exactly where you want to be and know exactly where you're going, but do you know who you really are?"

"Well, what do you want Liam? What's important to you?" I ask unsure of the answer I'd give him. We make eye contact and he reaches across the table to grab my hand. Reluctantly, I drop my hand into his and I look down at our entwined fingers. I notice his hands are soft with a few rough callouses on his palms. His fingernails are kept short and clean and a fancy watch adorns his wrist. Once again, I find myself focusing on all the wrong things.

"I want to live in the same city for more than six months," he finally confesses, "I want to figure out why we have these talents and what's the purpose of them. I want to continue to meet others like us because I'm always amazed when I do. But right now, most importantly, I want us to be friends so we can figure out what those weirdos are planning so you can walk out of that school just as gorgeous as you walked into it." I can't help but smile and I feel those pesky butterflies creep back into my stomach. I blush as I pull my hand away.

"Okay. Deal. But I want you out of my head. That or I get full access to yours." He laughs and waves his hands in front of him.

"No, I'll stay out. I'll teach you how to close it off sometime. Keep your secrets safe."

"Yeah, but you know all of my secrets yet I know none of yours." I hint trying to get him to open up, even the playing field a bit.

"I've already told you my secrets," he says and I raise an eyebrow knowing that's only somewhat true. He laughs again, "Okay, ask me whatever you want. I'll answer honestly." Hmm...I have to think about this one.

"When was the last time you had a girlfriend?" His face falls immediately and I see I've hit a nerve.

"Uh, pass," he answers and now I'm really interested.

"You said you'd answer!" I whine and he leans back against the booth.

"Fine...yeah had a girlfriend. Once. Back when I was living in California... next question." I can tell he really wants to drop the subject and I think back to when we were in his room. He told me he sought out a girl named Stephanie in California and she had the ability to shapeshift herself. I wonder if that is the mysterious girlfriend.

"Fine. How many times have I been in your dreams? Like had visions with me in them?" I don't know exactly why I asked this, I guess I just want to see what he saw before he met me. He focuses on his Coke and fiddles with the straw, once again avoiding eye contact. Liam glances around making sure no-one's listening to our conversation before answering.

"I don't want to freak you out because I can't control my visions. But... I have had visions of you every night for almost a month now. I saw you with the dresses, the football field and getting into the car accident. I've seen you wandering the halls at school and laying on your bed at home." He pauses, "I felt like I already knew you before I met you. It's why I felt so comfortable around you when we first met and I just had to remind myself that even though I may think I know you, you don't have any clue as to who I am. Sorry if it felt like I came on too strong the first day I hung around you."

I laugh, "I thought you were pretty cocky. And a bit blunt. Which is odd because you don't seem like a jerk now."

He nods, "To be honest, after seeing everything I have in my visions, I thought you liked jerks. I thought if I acted like one, it would help me win you over. I'm not usually so forward. It was even odd for me to be so cocky and blunt." My jaw drops slightly and I'm not sure how to react to this. I lean forward in the booth and flit my eyes to him.

"I'm not sure what to say to that one." He shrugs while replying, "I think you don't want to see Derek as a jerk. Maybe he's not a dick to you, but you can't sit here and say he's not a dick to others." He's right, I can't sit here and say Derek is a nice guy and friendly to all. It's unfortunate that Liam acted like a jerk in hopes of getting an in with me. I give a slight nod to Liam but don't say anything in regards to Derek's behavior. He pulls at my hand again and I think he's afraid his comment put tension between us.

"Sorry if you thought I was an ass when we first met. But I hope you don't still feel that way because I would love for you to get to know the real me. Just like I want to get to know the real you. As friends."

I nod, "I can agree to that. I will say that it feels like I've known you for longer than a week. I don't know why, but even before I knew we shared abilities, I felt like we were long-time friends. You do fit in with our group rather easily."

"Mike and Aaron are actually pretty cool. Much more laid back. Now as to your friends..." he says while shooting me that silly grin.

"You had no idea what you were getting yourself into when you met me did you?" I joke and he starts laughing. The weirdness between us finally floats away and we laugh and joke the rest of dinner. It's easy to be comfortable with someone when you have nothing to hide.