After the game, the softball players joined the football team at the local diner, Burger Bop. As they entered the restaurant, Giselle fretted about her appearance. "Is this red lipstick okay?" She stared into her compact and fluffed her hair.
"Hmmm, go with pink. I read in a fashion magazine that boys like softer colors."
Mandy led the way to a long table that spanned the entire back wall. Chad had saved a seat for her. His eyes seemed to glow with happiness like a child opening up presents on Christmas morning as she approached him. But was it real? Mandy had no idea if his feelings were genuine, or if he was one-hundred percent influenced by her powers. After a year together, this had started to bother her. The energy always simmered in her core. She could turn her powers up, but never all the way down.
"How was your game, babe?" Chad kissed her on the cheek.
"We had another shutout, thanks to our most valuable player!" Sharon squealed.
"That grand slam was amazing!" Penny said.
"Oh, it was nothing." Mandy acknowledged her fans.
"Hey Mandy, could I possibly have a picture of you?" Eileen Small held up a digital camera. "I just started working for the school newspaper, and we want to run a front page article about you." Eileen pointed the lens at Mandy's face and snapped a few photos. Mandy blinked as the shiny spots from the flash obstructed her vision. Ugh, couldn't the paparazzi give her a few minutes to relax?
Mandy gazed across the room and spotted her twin seated in a booth with three friends. Brianna was smiling, leaning forward, engrossed in whatever she was hearing. The boy with the Mohawk grinned and used large gestures as he spoke animatedly. When he finished, the whole table doubled over with laughter. The purple-haired girl's eyes widened as soda shot out of her nose. This made her and everyone at the table crack up even more. Mandy's lip twitched as she suppressed her own smile.
"You always play so well, babe." Chad put his arm around Mandy and leaned in so his lips touched her ear. "I love you."
Did he? Did he really? Mandy longed to know Chad's true feelings. With her eyes closed, she imagined putting a lid over the simmering pot of energy. For a few moments, Mandy didn't feel any power radiating from her body. The energy continued to simmer underneath the lid, but none escaped. Wow. She couldn't believe it.
"You look different tonight." Chad sounded concerned.
Dread coursed through Mandy's veins at the words. "What do you mean?" Mandy's mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton balls. Her tongue seemed to stick to the roof of her mouth between each word.
"I'm not sure," Chad started. Mandy's heart raced as she waited for him to finish. The moment of truth. She was ready. All she wanted was the truth, even if it hurt. She was starting to think it would hurt even more living her whole life hiding behind this facade.
Unrelenting, the power pressed against the underside of the lid. The discomfort reminded her of holding her breath for an extended period of time. It was like her body screamed for its life source. Thousands of black dots flashed in front of her eyes. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead. She could no longer sustain her control. The lid flew off as the built-up power burst out in one big rush. Mandy struggled to replace the lid, but did not have the strength. After several unsuccessful attempts, she dropped her shoulders in defeat.
Chad pecked her on the cheek. "You look great, babe. I don't know what I'm talking about tonight."
As soon as they had finished eating, Chad rested his hand on Mandy’s thigh. "Do you want to get out of here? Let's go back to my place."
Mandy nodded. She didn't know if she wanted to go home with Chad. But she did know every girl in the restaurant would be watching jealously as she left holding hands with the tall and incredibly handsome football player.
It took about twenty-five minutes for the couple to say goodbye to their friends. All of Mandy's teammates wanted to congratulate and hug her again.
"Hey, Mandy." Valerie touched her friend's arm. "Sorry about before. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"Don't even mention it. All is forgotten."
"Do you want to go on a hike tomorrow morning at Rocky Ridge?"
"Sure, sounds great."
Chad tugged on his girlfriend’s arm, demanding her attention. "Let's go, babe." The couple walked hand in hand out of the restaurant and through the parking lot. When they reached his vehicle, Chad opened the passenger side door for Mandy.
They sped down the windy roads toward his house. Minutes later, the black SUV arrived in a neighborhood full of expensive houses and landscaped yards. This was the fanciest section of the town of Montmorrow and the area where most of their close friends resided. Mandy was the only one of the group who lived ten minutes away on an isolated hilltop. The luxury SUV pulled into the six-car garage next to a shiny red sports car.
Chad had his own domain in the basement. The large room was furnished with a king-sized bed, couch, coffee table, dresser, and foosball table. Mandy sank into the plush navy pillows of the couch. Her boyfriend sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. He leaned in for a long kiss.
"You look so amazing tonight, baby," he said, staring at her with adoration. "I love your blonde hair." His fingers danced through her long tresses. As he stared into her eyes, Mandy tried to decipher his true feelings. He appeared so blissful. Was he in love or hypnotized? It was impossible to tell.
Mandy wanted to know. More than want, she needed to know. Using all her strength, she tried to suppress her magic the way she had before. It didn't work, so she exerted more strength. The irony of the situation almost made her laugh out loud. She had to use her powers to suppress her powers. It didn't make any sense. Mandy's head began to spin. All the energy she used earlier that evening at the softball game had caught up with her. It was too late. Her vision blurred, and then blackness engulfed her.