You Call This a Gift?
Chapter 9: Annalisia

I sat at the kitchen table practicing my newly discovered power; summoning the salt shaker to myself and then sliding it back across the table opposite from where I sat. I repeated this process five or six times. My mom set the plate of lunch she had just prepared in front of me. I looked down at the bowl of chicken noodle soup and the grilled cheese sandwich that had just been placed before me. “Mom, you forgot the…,” I began to call out. I thought for a moment and then used my power to summon a spoon. I giggled at my new ability, it was kind of fun.

My mom walked over in annoyance saying, “Anna, I am happy that you are beginning to accept your powers and that you are practicing, but that does not mean you can use your power for everything whenever you feel like it. I will not allow you to become this lazy.” She grabbed the spoon from my bowl and returned it to the kitchen stating, “If you would like a spoon, you may get up and walk yourself to the kitchen and get one.” I rolled my eyes while letting out a sigh and continued to eat my soup without a spoon.

I sat at the table looking at Anna; she seems to have accepted her gift for now, but I still have not shared any information with her other than what her power is. She hasn’t even questioned what mine is, or what else exists, or anything. I watched as she began summoning the salt shaker again. I grabbed the shaker as it began to slide back to its starting place.

“Anna, that is quite enough. It’s time that we had a talk,” I said sternly.

“Okay, what is it, Mom?” she asked awaiting my answer.

“We have yet to discuss any of this. You know only of your own power and nothing of the world around you. Your gift of object manipulation comes from your father Samuel. I had hoped you would receive my power of shapeshifting, but alas, you did not. There are many powers in the world 33 that I have personally come in contact with. Some of the more common supernaturals are werewolves, vampires, witches, teleporters, shapeshifters, mind readers, and flyers. Now some of the more rare supernaturals include you, object manipulators, Time-Turners, and chameleons.

She looked at me with her thick eyebrows raised to the ceiling and asked, “Do I know anyone other than you that has powers?”

I gazed down at my feet and slid them around not wanting to reveal the information she was looking for.

“Mom!” she groaned in annoyance.

I looked up until our eyes met and filled her in.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about them!” I yelled. “How could you not tell me my best friend is a Time-Turner?” I asked in disbelief. “And my teacher, Mrs. Humai, is my guardian? What even is that?” I flooded her with questions.

She just looked around and shook her head. “I couldn’t tell you anything until you accepted your gift, I told you that already,” she said annoyed. I’m going to my room I can’t take any of this anymore.

“Goodnight!” I said with an attitude.

I held the phone to my ear and listened to the repeated ringing coming through the speaker. “Hey, girl! What’s up?” I heard come through the phone.

“Hey, girl?” That’s what you have to say to me? What about, “Oh, hey, I forgot to mention over the duration of our friendship that I’m a TIME-TURNER?!” I shouted. I could feel the silence that persisted for a moment.

“I, I’m sorry, I wasn’t allowed to tell you,” she said with a sadness in her voice.

“Do you think for one minute that if it had been me, I wouldn’t have told you?” I asked feeling betrayed.

“I said I’m sorry, you know I’m not one to break the rules,” she replied distressed.

“I just can’t believe I’m unable to trust my best friend,” I said while ready to hang up on her. I could hear the crying in her voice as she said, “Please, Anna, don’t say that, I love you, you’re my best friend. I only found out about this a few weeks ago after my birthday; I’m new to all of this too.”

I sat in silence for a few minutes contemplating what to say next. I could feel my heart sinking just thinking about a life without Kenna. I gathered my thoughts and replied, “I’m sorry, Kenna, It’s just been a lot, but I guess you already know that I’m sorry you had to go through it all on your own.”

“I wasn’t alone; I had my mom, dad, and my guardian Samuel. Do you have a guardian yet? They’re awesome!” she replied giggling.

“Mrs. Humai is my guardian,” I said a little confused why she didn’t know already.

“Mrs. Humai is a guardian!” she shouted.