"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." ~ Maria Robinson

Dancing on tables can be fun. It ignites the childish humor in our bodies. The act puts smiles on everybody's faces as the songs play on. Dancing on tables sends a message to adults that we are bigger, stronger, and powerful. When you are merely a seventeen year old in high school, the same amount of fun doesn't change.

Except when you're in class. Cooking class. Mrs Malley's cooking class. The one class you can't screw around in. Although it's only cooking, Mrs. Malley takes a lot of pride in making sure we know the basic cooking skills before we are off into the real world. So dancing on tables? Not the class's best day.

Mrs. Malley walked in the room wearing her usual button up blouse, today's color is green, with black dress pants and an apron tied around her waist. A girl was walking in behind her, holding the new issued Culinary Arts book in her hands that must have been given to her prior. Mrs. Malley started to speak, and as soon as she did, we froze. "I want your books open to the beginning of chap-" She paused and scanned the room in shock at what she saw. It took a moment before she spoke again . . . well yelled. "What in the name of creation itself is going on in my classroom?!"

We jumped off the tables, music still playing, and hustled to our seats. "Hey Malley, we were just having' some fun." We all turned our heads to the one and only, Mike Ballmer. The weirdest, and loudest kid I've ever met. Mike seems to have a problem where he can't keep his mouth shut, especially with the amount of trouble we were all in.

"Yes, Ballmer, I can see that. If I see so much as a dirt speck on my tables, you are all getting Friday detention." Only Friday detention? I expected something worse, given she has extreme OCD. "But, I don't want to scare off our new student, Miss Victoria, so I'll let this little "party" go for now." Victoria. I watched the girl come out from behind Mrs. Malley in full view.

Mike let out a whistle "Damn girl, come sit by me." He motioned to a desk next to him.

"Oh, Ballmer, shut up!" Cindy, who sits in front of me, yelled from across the room. Mike simply flipped her off and began looking at his phone.

Mrs. Malley began, "Victoria will sit where I assign her to sit, Ballmer." She led Victora to a seat next to Cindy.

Shit, I wish that hot piece of ass was sitting next to me, I could stare at her tits all I want.

I overheard Mike's thoughts. I'm not surprised that's the first thing he could think of. He's easily arroused.

Yay! I can make a new friend! I hope she likes me...

That would be Cindy. Cindy loves people and is pretty much friends with the entire school. There's nothing wrong with her. I actually consider Cindy and I to be decent friends. I know what she thinks, but she thinks like most girls do, so I have nothing to worry about with her.

Victoria made her way to the seat next to Cindy. I could tell Cindy was about to say "Hello!" In the most cheerful way possible, but Mrs. Malley spoke instead. "As I was saying at the beginning of the class, I want your books open to Chapter 5, page 450." The class and I groaned, but did as we were told.

The lecture went on and on about Restaurant Management, and I thought the class would never end. But luckily, as always, it did. The bell rang right when we were about to be assigned homework for the weekend.

These stupid kids, I wish they'd, for once, stay so they didn't have to get their homework on a Monday. AND MY DAMN TABLES HAVE DIRT ON THEM

So, I think it is safe to say, that Mrs. Malley is not in the best mood.

Cindy caught me in the halls on our way to fifth, last, period. "Hey, Liam! Do you want to hang out with us after school?" Us meaning her, Mike, Lisa, and . . . Victoria? How the hell did Cindy manage to woo her into becoming friends that fast?

"Sure, I guess. Where are you guys going?" I glanced at Victoria, who was now looking down at her phone, typing.

"The Bar & Grill next to the old gas station." Lisa said, twirling the gum from her mouth on her finger. Ah, the Bar & Grill. Such a high quality restaurant. Not.

"Alright, well, I'll meet you guys there." I said waving to the four of them as they went their separate ways. Victoria looked back to wave a second time. I did the same.

From all of the thoughts I hear in the hallways, I seemed to be getting one recurring voice.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God.

I couldn't make out who it was. I had never heard that voice before. It sounded panicked, and nervous.

Oh well, it's probably just some girl freaking out about a test. I know Mr. Johnson is having a big Physics test today, and a lot of people have been freaking out about that lately.

~~~

Finally, the end of the day. Walking out to my car has to be the most grueling part of the day. Simply due to the fact that I like to park in the very back of the parking lot. Only because my mom thinks it will help with my health, which is perfectly fine, but you know moms.

I got in my car and drove straight to the Bar & Grill. A full 5 minutes, is what it takes to get there. Don't get me wrong, it's a big town, but it's densely packed with houses practically touching each other, so everything is pretty close together.

"LIAM! Over here!" I heard Mike's big mouth from across the restaurant. I walked over and sat across from Victoria in the corner of the large booth. Unfortunately, Mike was next to me.

In case you're wondering, this is my friend group. We hang out a few times a week after school. I know I don't talk very highly of Mike, but you get used to it after a while. We have a love / hate thing going on, but hey, that's normal. I already explained Cindy. Lisa is kind of odd, but I know that her and Mike are a secret 'thing.' Well, they try to make it a secret, but we all know they're using each other for sex. Not much romance between them.

Victoria. I have no idea what kind of a person she is. But, I'll definitely be getting to know her pretty quick if she's going to hang out with us as much as we do.

We usually don't eat when we come here. The food sucks, so we just hang out and talk until the manager kicks us out for not eating.

For pretty much the majority of the time, Victoria remained quiet. Nobody tried to talk to her, she only smiled and let out a chuckle here and there while listening to the ongoing conversations. I didn't want to try and talk to her though. What if she's mute? I don't want to make a fool of myself not knowing she can't even speak and I didn't want to embarrass her. Victoria sat there, hands in her lap, occasionally looking down at her phone.

It's a shame I didn't get to speak to her, but oh well, it's her choice, I'm only going along with the group.

Liam is looking so good today with that white T shirt on, his muscles show right through

What? Was that . . . Cindy? Why is Cindy looking at me like that? I thought we were just friends? Well, maybe she's just admiring rather than getting turned on. I mean, I'm a decent looking guy, I guess, but . . . It's Cindy.

It's times like these where I wish I couldn't hear people's thoughts. Especially when somebody says my name. I can choose to drown people out, but as soon as my name comes up in thought, I am immediately drawn to the person and what they are thinking. I hate it. But, I guess it's good to know what your friends think of me so there aren't people going behind my back.

~~~

By the time I get home, it's 6:30. As soon as I walked in the front door, I was greeted by my dad who was making dinner in the kitchen.

"Hey there, bud, how was school?" Oh boy. He called me "Bud" meaning I'm in trouble for something.

My parents know about my ability. Granted, they have it too. That also means we can block each other out from hearing our thoughts. We are a strange family, but unfortunately we have to live in hiding. The FBI tries to find us to use us to try and crack down criminals. That sounds nice and all, but we've been down that road, and it's nothing but misery.

They do painful cranial scans on each of us, put us under 24-hour supervision, and scientists even tried to clone us. So yeah, hiding it is. The government tries to use us as a weapon, but that just isn't going to happen.

"It was fine . . . I guess." My dad gave me a look.

"Son, your teacher, Ms. O'Connell called and told me you were slacking off in class?" Ms. O'Connell? I thought Mrs. Malley called about dancing on the tables.

"Oh, yeah, uh, I just forgot to turn in an assignment, it's not big deal."

He let out a grunt. "Just get it turned in and don't let it happen again."

"Yes sir." I said saluting him while walking into my room.

~~~

Later on I told my parents I wasn't hungry, so I just went to bed. There's just one problem. I can't go to sleep. I've got one thing on my mind, and It's been on my mind since the day started. The name. Her name. I don't know why it's so important to me, but I can't stop thinking about it.

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria.