SILENT THOUGHTS

Author

This book is written, compiled and Edited by OYELEKE MARIAM BUKOLA (OMB)

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DISCLAIMER

This is a work of friction. Name, character, businesses, events, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner, any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying recording, or other electronic or mechanic methods without prior written permission of the copyright owners.

Copyright © 2019

This is an original work and is not available in any other form.

🌠PROLOGUE 🌠

My names is Natalie Howard, a high schooler, I'm 18 years old and I'm from the family of four, have an elder brother who study outside the country by scholarship, well... I came from an average family.

My dad works as a secretary and mom as beverage store manager, I wish I was normal like everyone else, why is that..... My dad call it a curse my mum call it a gift, this is my secret ability, my ability to read people's mind, it all started after a heart transplant when I was 6, three days after I had a heart transplant after suffering from a heart disease for two years, my parents finally raised the fund for the heart transplant, and that put me into dilemma, I was still in the hospital when it all started, the doctor was thinking I had an obvious resemblance with his dead daughter, why the nurse was thinking the doctor back ass looks sexy.

I was so confused hearing their thoughts so loud, I had asked the doctor if I really look like his dead daughter, he was so surprised, he asked how I know and I told him he said it. My mom and everyone had denied him saying it, I was thrown into complete dilemma, and mum was thinking I had ear issues, I had told her I don't even if it was from her thought, my mum had apologized to the doctor and had stay with me asking questions. She finally figure out I was hearing people's thoughts, she had make it easier for me to differentiate between between people's thoughts and voice, and she had make sure she keep it secret saying gift like that was rare and could attract unwanted attention, dad had found out after I told my mom he was having an affair, I was 12, dad had said it was all a lie, my mom had looked at me and I told my mom what exactly was in my dad's mind, my dad was fearing divorce, and he still love my mom, he was just playing his boss to get a raise so as to keep up with my mum in the contribution to the house upkeep, it had came as a shock to hear me say it, my brother was also amazed, Ever since my dad has always believe I was cursed, My talent had benefits and much disadvantages, I couldn't concentrate on my studies anymore, I couldn't have friends, and I had to transfer schools once a person discover my gift, after transferring two schools, I finally adapt to it, I had headset, music prevent people's thoughts from disturbing me, but what if in class during teaching, I use my headphone under my winter cap following only what was written but not the words it was hard coping, my mum had helped too, she had reconstruct my room to be sound proof, and make sure I'm always in human free environment, our house was restricted to human movement, and my brother had help too by stopping his friends from visiting but this happened after yelling every time people's thoughts get crowded in my head, I fainted two times because of it, the first one happen in my first school when all my classmate have different thoughts and I was hearing it all, I yelled and fainted, my mom had rushed out to the school clinic after she had, I had complained to her everyone was making noise, everyone present to visit me was shocked except my mom, and.

My brother, he had brought his friends as usual and I was working on my homework, they wouldn't stop disturbing with various thoughts, I had stomped into the sitting room and insulted them for making noise which there wasn't, they were playing scrabble, but their thoughts was so loud,

Jeremy was crushing on my brothers crush despite knowing my brother's feelings for the girl , John was so eager to beat my brother in the game, Chris was planning to steal my brother's cracker and Ethan was imagining kissing me, I had said it to their face, every single thing they were thinking, all of them at that time was calling me a psycho lunatic, and I had yelled at them for that asking them to get out, I had left my brother speechless, not because of that, but because of his friends thought, his own thought was messed up, steal his cracker? Crushing on his crush? His mind was full of questions which was disturbing, for a 17 year old boy he was huge and bumpy, we had that trait, I was huge too, and I was 15 at the time, my brother Nathan was a complete replica of my dad and I took after my mom, the bus stop and I felt a tap, the man's thought crowded my ears with that, yes contact make the inner voice more audible I removed my headset to look at the man, he was a pervert, he thinks I had sexy thigh, I draw down my school skirt which only stopped two inch to my knees, I draw it down, on looking at him

"The bus has stopped" he said bringing my attention to the bus, I climbed down making my way to school, it was the first day of resumption, glad I'm now in final year.

I couldn't wait to get to my new class final year will be fun.... I thought but it can't be that fun, no friends no boyfriend, what a boring life I thought, I remove my headset, hang it over my neck, sipping my coffee I took my seat, I could hear various thought, different things going through peoples mind,

I was about to put my headset back on when something caught my attention, it was Hanna's inner voice 'he's so handsome I heard her exclaimed', how can a nerd be so gorgeous' she added, I was starting to feel irritated, I looked back to see a new guy, he wasn't bad I thought as I turned to the front, I saw Hanna staring at me, then I heard her inner voice say, 'looks like the isolated beauty found him attractive too', I smirked on that, and I heard her curse using her inner voice, nobody does that to me,' she added then face her friends, telling them they were going to teach me a lesson by break, Melanie one of her crew was starting to feel sorry for me, then I heard Nicole saying she will smell nice with some perfume don't you think? Then Hanna's thought give their plan away, they were planning to pour the toilet litter on me by break, how insulting, I thought as I brought out my books when Mrs Smith came in, she was a beautiful woman with long black hair, I had always admired it.

"As you all know we have some new members amongst us this morning-"

Some I thought, then I heard the woman's inner voice..... Gracious, the woman had decided to have her children transferred to Bloomington high school, but only one was in my class, Adrian.

"Adrian and Sandra" Mrs. Smith announced

"Hi I'm Adrian Smith " The dark hair guy said as he stood, I can't dispute his handsomeness he share an obvious resemblance with his mom, I thought as everyone applauded him, all the girls in our class was already drooling, how annoying.

"I'm Sandra Jones" the girl beside him say, she was pretty too but not compared to Hanna.

"Now that they've introduced themselves can we now get back to work" Mrs. Smith

Asked and we all answered 'yes Mrs. Smith' But the funniest guy in our class, Gregor raised his hand.

"Yes Gregor, what's your question?" Mrs. Smith asked.

"Is he your son?" He asked and as usual every one laughed at his silly question

"Silence" Mrs. Smith cautioned and silence once again took over but in my ear there were so much oozing, I took my earpiece dig it in my ear and start some music, I didn't hear anything until Mrs. Smith called on me and I quickly hide the earpiece.

"Are you here?" She asked eyes narrowed at me in question.

"Yes ma'am" I answered briskly.

"What was the last thing I said?" she asked not believing me, knowing obviously she was thinking of what she said I stole the idea from her thoughts.

"You said there is going to be an organized orientation for our class by noon" I replied calmly.

"Sit" she ordered and I did, then I heard murmurs, many kept saying they were pretty sure I wasn't listening how did I manage to know, it made me smile.

She started work for the day, Biology; that was my best subject, our Math teacher took over afterward and break, I was the first to leave the class knowing clearly about the plan against me, I went to the last floor of our school building it was the most quiet, then I brought out my lunch,

I would have headed to the cafeteria if not for for two reasons, one too much people too much thought, two.. I was to be ganged up against, even if it lonely here, I preferred it here, it was peaceful I thought closing my lunch box, I was done eating, I was about bringing out my books to go through when I heard someone stumbled through the door, he was shivering and shouting, and his hands trembling.

"Hey!" I shouted and he looked over towards me.

"Are you alright?" I asked scared something happened to him.

"I'm fine" He stuttered I wondered if he was like that or just the situation he was in and the most funny thing is, I couldn't hear his thoughts.

"Adrian, right? I asked to be sure if that really was his name, he nodded in affirmation

"How did...you know my name?" He asked and that kinda annoyed me..

"You hadn't noticed me in class if I should guess, I'm Natalie, we are in the same class" I said standing from where I sat.

"It's okay... If you don't wanna tell me why you suddenly bumped in here and start shouting, can you at least tell me why your hands are trembling? I asked taking a good look at him, he suddenly put his hand into his pocket

"It's non of your business" he said sternly.

"Sure....yeah it's not, but I don't like company, I hate to ask you this but can you please leave then" I said annoyed

"You don't own this place, do you?" He asked boldly, I guess he's better now but he was very much annoying.

"No" I retorted sharply.

"Then you can't ask me to leave" he said confidently arching an eyebrow at me making me snicker to be honest I feel like kicking him now.

"Sure then take your time" I said sitting back on my blanket, which I already have the habit of bringing since last year that I got transferred, I took out my books to review what we've done but the guy's presence was disturbing, I was damn curious what happened to him and I hate the fact that I couldn't hear his thoughts, I put on my headset and concentrate on what I was doing then I could feel him sitting on the floor. 40min later, I was done and ready to leave but when I look at him, he was sleeping,.... So peacefully I thought, the sun was affecting him, I bend towards him... And shake my head in pity, my thoughts was telling me to leave him and make him suffer for his rude manners in the hands of Mr Blair.

Our physics teacher, but my mind wouldn't let me, I was about waking him when I saw a tint of dirt on his forehead and I was about picking it when he suddenly held my hand and opened his eyes.

"What are you doing?" He asked me looking at me sternly, despite holding my hand I couldn't hear his thoughts, I pulled away my hand and stood,

"I wanted to wake you" I said and started moving, I was almost late for class, I saw Mr. Blair on the way but I run past him to get to class, looks like Mister handsome will face Mr. Blair after all I thought as I settle down, Mr. Blair was a black dude who managed to make dread look cool, he was addressing us about the semester topics when Adrian came in.

"Hey you?" Mr. Blair called as Adrian was walking towards his seat, he turned to him in surprise

"Why...are.. you...just coming?" He asked through gritted teeth annoyed, He was upset...really mad, he had a misunderstanding with one of the teachers and was ready to punish any student that messed up today, he didn't want to care if we just resumed, thanks to his mashed up thoughts I was able to pick out something.

"I asked you why you are just coming!?" He yelled at the dumbfounded Adrian.

"He had to collect his seat number from our class teacher. He's a new student" I put up quickly standing up, my ear was full again too much murmurs and thought, I couldn't pick anything.

"Is he?" He asked not believing me. Then he turned Adrian "Are you?" He inquired.

"Um...yes" he replied shyly

"Ain't surprised, you came late to my class, you had better learn, from now on, no body come in after I'm in, is that clear?"

"Yes sir" we all answered as we take our our seat. Well the rest of the class was not so fun, I was dozing in the middle of the orientation, I was now eager to go home....since I didn't hear anything at the orientation due to my headset.

I've been avoiding Adrian ever since the situation, and Hanna and her crew have been stalking me as well, all I want now is to escape, Immediately the bell rang, I packed my stuffs and made my way out before the girls could follow, I raise my headset to my ear from my neck as I got to the gate, I could tell I was the first person to go out of school.

"I'm home... I shouted as I went in into the house, off my shoes and keep them on the rack, then raise down my headset

"Hi mom" I greeted pecking her, she was in the kitchen making cupcakes I took one.

"Don't!" My mum immediately warned with a glare as I was about to put my mouth on it.

"For our new neighbors?" I asked in alarm grabbing it from her thoughts.

"Yes" she answered already used to me picking on her thoughts.

"Who are they?" I asked but even her, isn't aware.

"Mom I'm starving! Anything for me?" I asked then I heard her inner voice telling me she put some slice of strawberry cake on my table. I rushed inside drop my bag to see the cake, it was just a matter of minutes before I ate it all, I had just finished changing from my school uniform when my mum come into my room.

"Honey, can you please bring the cupcakes to our new neighbors?" My mum pleaded and I took my pink canvas put it on to match my girly pink gown. I took the tray of cupcakes cover it with transparent plastic cover and made my way to the house after grabbing my headset and getting the directions from my mum's thoughts, the house has been empty for long.And it was looking as good as new just yesterday we heard someone bought the house, it was a duplex story building unlike ours which was a duplex bungalow, theirs was bigger painted in white and light green, I knocked and Mrs. Smith opened the door.

"Mrs Smith?" I called in surprise and lower down my headset

"Hey hi... What's that your name again?" Mrs. Smith asked with a curious glance.

"Natalie" I answered with a smile.

"um... Actually my mum ask me to bring over this over as a gift" I said gesturing the tray of cupcakes to her view.

"oh... That so nice of your mom Tell her I said thanks" she replied nicely in appreciation taking it from me.

"Yeah...sure" I said waiting for the tray

"I'll ask Ashley to bring it over" she said knowing what I was waiting for.

I heard from her thoughts "Adrian who likes cupcakes so much is gonna miss this, looks like he ain't around I concluded after that.

"Bye Mrs. Smith" I said stepping down their stairs.

"Bye... Natalie" she said closing her door I turned after that causing me to bump into Adrian, then I fell,

"Watch where you're going" He said annoyed, I stood and frowned at him before finally leaving, my ankle was sprained I couldn't manage a normal walk.

"I'm home" I said making my way to the sitting room after the pre-room making my mom to notice my sprained leg

"Are you okay?" She asked looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

"Just a sprained ankle" I answered taking my seat on the sofa.

"Sorry dear" she soothed moving over to the shelf to get balm, she helped me with it taking off my shoes. I turn on the TV as she returned back to the kitchen.

"Your exams are near Natalie. Shouldn't your focus be on that?" I heard her ask from the kitchen.

"Come on mom, I just sprained my leg. Shouldn't I at least enjoy some entertainment" I joked and the door bell sounded

"Honey, please go get the door" My mum pleaded and I did. It was Adrian and a young girl can't be more than 10, 11 at most.

"Hi" the girl greeted with a wide grin,

"Hi" I replied ignoring Adrian completely.

"My mom asked to return this" she said issuing the tray to me

"And she said thanks" she added nicely.

"Oh...no problem I said and I was about closing the door when I heard the girl's thought, she was looking at his brother.

'Come on Adrian, apologise to her and tell her thanks'. From her thoughts I could make out the conversation she had with her brother and mother, Adrian had get home guilty on what he did. He had told his mom about me and how I helped him in class and how I bumped into him.

His mother and sister had scolded him for letting me leave without him offering apologies for that, so their mom had asked him to follow Ashley in returning the tray and to start making friends, Adrian is also an anti-social kinda person due to some kind of disease that I wasn't able to make out when Adrian call to me.

"Natalie?"

"Yes" I replied with my head immediately shooting up, distracting myself from the girl's thought.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" He requested timidly.

"Hmm sure...give me a sec" I said shoving the tray on the dining table and moving out again, Ashley had left when I returned.

"I... I am sorry... For bumping into you" he finally apologized and I smiled.

"It's alright" I assured walking him out, he noticed my leg.

"Does it hurt?" he asked his gaze fixed on it.

"Not much" I answered casually.

"I'm really sorry for that" he apologized again

"It's alright. At least you didn't turn out to be the jerk I thought you to be" I said leaving him completely clueless.

"What?" he questioned shock written all over his face.

"WellI thought you were a rude jerk, no offense" I replied smiling

"Oh.. I'm sorry, and thank you.... For putting up for me" he added shyly, he seems he wasn't used to communication.

"Yeah.... It's no biggie" I shrugged then my mom came out with her bag, she was ready to go back to work, she's always like that taking 2 hours break to prepare both lunch and dinner for the family.

"Heading back?" I asked as she looks for her car key.

"Yes honey"she answered looking up then I heard her inner voice question who Adrian was.

"He's my classmate and our new neighbor" I answered,

"Oh..." she pouted in realization, bringing out her keys.

"Hi Mrs Howard" Adrian greeted

"hi.. Umm" she said thinking of what to call him.

"Adrian" I helped her out

"Oh Adrian...well you guys have fun I'm heading to work" she said getting into her business car which Melody beverage distributor was written conspicuously on and was parked beside the house in the car shade.

"Bye mom" I said waving and she waved back leaving... I smile on my mom's last thought which was 'Adrian is handsome and we'll make a fine couple'

"your mom is nice" he complimented

"Thanks...and yours too" I returned the compliment.

"Well I.. Um... Gotta go" he muttered scratching his head lightly. Cute I thought.

"Yeah...sure...bye" I waved slightly.

"Bye" he replied waving back before heading out, I guess it's only me, myself and I at home, I thought as I headed back inside.

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