The Secret Stash

[François Laffont]

Franck knew that he probably shouldn't be here. School was over, summer was here and he was no resident of Bellefonte. He probably should have gone to the town's library or whatever if he wanted to borrow a book. But he had grown so used of coming here that it felt just right to him. Besides, he had never been stopped before to borrow any book here. Either the staff working had no idea he was living in town or they just didn’t care so long as he proved to be a student here. And a student he was.

College was not in a few more weeks but Franck could feel the jitters taking over him. He wanted to do well. Psychology always interested and the idea he could help people through this meant a lot to him. He didn’t want to fail. He was taking this very seriously and it was why he came over here today.

He thought there wouldn’t be too many people. It was not like they had essays to write and research to do right now. And, as he thought, it was relatively quiet. Even the usual bookworms chose to take their books outside of the library it seemed. It was not to displease Franck. They might not say a word but they still felt and some were probably a lot more intense than people first suspected. This gave him the chance to wander around without picking anything he’d rather not.

As he looked through one of the shelves, he noticed a book that was sticking out. Not really interested in it but not wanting the thing to fall on his head, Franck pushed it in its proper place. The book refused to however. Something must have been put behind it and it prevented it from being in place. When Franck tried again, it only fell down on the floor with a loud thud. He startled when that happened, stepping back out of surprise. He was staring at the book, his arms raised halfway through his chest as if to defend himself from any responsibility on what happened. Not hearing anyone coming over, he dared to look in the hole where the book at previously been. Maybe he could see what caused this...

TAG: James William Dale

[James William Dale]

James spent the summer in the library, going to his old house seemed redundant, in fact he was confident they wouldn't want him there, he seemed alienated and ignored and hence lived at the Academy. The library was his sanctuary, especially during the summer, the amount of people diminished as they went to go frolic on beaches or visit family. This made James feel the loneliness he always experienced though more than usual, his parents rejection, his inability to connect with others and his fear that his abilities might go too far, that he may forget too much, that he would forget who he was, sure he kept his journal and the list of names he would try to remember, the faces he needed to remember and his daily reminders. These habits he had to build took a toll on him, having to create an external source for memory was not simple and he needed to unwind, vent his frustrations and the best way to do that was in the library, he volunteered often,reorganizing books on his own systems, an interesting method based on a hybrid of numerical sorting and alphabetizing based on fiction and non-fiction of course it went deeper even more than he even believed it to but he sorted as if it was a game.

The library being particularly quiet and this meant this was the ideal time to do some work, he saw almost nobody, he stood on the step-ladder as being rather short meant he needed the boost to get to most places and he eyed the perfect spot where he kept his personal diary, it seemed like the most safe place to keep it considering nobody frequented that particular section of the library. He needed to go check on it, making sure it wasn't disturbed. Stepping up the ladder and retrieving it he paged through it quickly making sure everything was there. He nodded with satisfaction on placed it behind some other books, it's ratty old used look made it stand out so James placed other books in front of it, forcing it to moved other books further on the other side as there was resistance. He heard a thud on the other side and sighed, realizing it was another book that may have fallen due to his activity. He climbed down the ladder with irritation and promptly made it around the case to see a taller man peeking through the hole he made, he froze as he thought this individual would discover his secrets. He wouldn't know what to do, how would one deal with it, if he objected the man might know something was up. He just stood still and watched, hoping with desperation it wouldn't be discovered though it seemed it was too late.

[François Laffont]

It was weird to see the school like that. Franck knew that many students chose to remain here but there were still some who returned to their family or chose to travel before coming back for the next year. Many of his friends were still here and even if that had not been the case, Franck was one who bonded easily. He just had a nature that made him likeable to pretty much all. Making friends was easy for him. For now however, his goal was not to make new friends, just to find something interesting to read in his alone time. As much of a social creature Franck was, he still needed some time on his own as well.

Franck might not stay here all day. Total silence was weird for him. Having absolutely no one was as well. When he first came to Bellefonte, being in contact with even just one human being and their emotions seemed like an impossible burden. Now, it was when he felt absolutely nothing that he felt uneasy. He liked to have music around as well. Something his brain could cling onto so that he would not feel totally alone. The library today offered little of that to him and so Franck meant to leave as soon as he could. First, he needed some books. Well, first he needed to replace the one that fell and for that he had to check what blocked it in the first place.

Oddly enough, Franck felt irritation washing over him. Since there was no one on his side, it had to come from either someone coming his way or on the other aisle. He ignored it though. If the librarian was annoyed by the noise he caused, he’d apologize and that would be it. What he wanted to do was check was caused the book to stand out. He found a book there. Not thinking it might be one that somebody purposefully hid but just one that accidentally ended up like this was sorting the books, he tried to pull it out without dropping any more books.

As he reached to get it and pull it out, it was not irritation he sensed but... fear? Whatever it was, it made Franck freeze and look around. He saw a younger boy staring at him. No need to be an empath to know the feeling came from him, he could read it on his face. “There’s a book in there,” he said, only realising after that his explanation made little sense. A book, in the library? Franck dared not pull it out though, too intrigued he was by the emotions coming from the boy. He frowned, puzzled. He wished emotions came with an explanation. That he didn't just get envy, love or hatred but also the reason why someone felt that.

[James William Dale]

"Yes!" James exclaimed, he was nervous, anxious, unsure. This guy seemed strange, why did he look scared too? Did James scare him? James breathed in, "This i-is a library, books are in libraries." James needed to get him away from his book. He attempted to seem apathetic, "Someone must of left it there, best just leave it." he couldn't make it more obvious, he was absolutely awful at lying. "This section has many uninteresting novels, little can be achieved in this section perhaps you should see the other sections. This one is terrible, in fact I don't know why I am even here. I even saw several books here on uninteresting subjects like physics, so boring, best leave it, it's a waste of time, irrelevant even." His nervousness and anxiety rose, his face didn't show it exactly as it was a blank canvas from his emotions.

James began to panic, "You know what I'll take that book in there, looks old, maybe just to get rid of it now." Interesting to say that considering Franck was the only who apparently saw the book, so how would James know what it looked like. He thought he was just screwing up, he thought about pushing the man over, taking his book and making a run for it, then again he had the physical strength of a child and the speed brick so that idea was scrapped, James tapped his foot, begging in his mind for the guy to stop paying attention, to get bored, to leave, people usually left at this point.

That book was dear to him, the very idea of it being in the hands of another made him have a lump in his throat of course, his breathing elevated, he himself couldn't understand these emotions he just knew it wasn't pleasant and them being unpleasant attributed to that man by his book, was it his fault? He wasn't sure.

[François Laffont]

Franck startled at the boy’s exclamation. Could it be the reason why he was so nervous? Franck was not used to be the reason why people were unnerved. It was more the opposite in fact. He usually had a calming effect on people. True, he did not have a chance to work his charms on the boy to have him calm down but it was still very odd to Franck that he could be the cause of anxiety.

“Right,” he replied as the young boy tried to get a hold on himself. Franck let go of the book and brought his arm close to his body as he studied him. “I meant a book that was not placed...” but the other boy talked, said he should just leave it there. Franck frowned, wondering why he came to the conclusion someone left it there as opposed to it simply being misplaced. Hearing him rambling over the fact they should go to another section, Franck started to understand. He raised his head and made a slow nod. “You’re right, maybe it’s best to leave it there. But perhaps smaller books should be in front. You know, since they stick out less,” he explained. Would the librarian notice if he placed the books differently? Probably, when they’ll put back returned books. In the end, it was not that good of an idea to move the books. “Perhaps that person should find a better hideout. I like novels and I think many students like them too. Wouldn’t want that book discovered if it’s hidden on purpose,” he let out. He was suggesting the boy to move it away but he doubted he would do that in his face. That would mean admitting the book was his.

But he said he’ll take it. He didn't see it, since Franck had not pulled it out, but he knew which one he was talking about. Franck shrugged though. “Sure,” he told him. And he pulled the book out to hand it to him. He even offered the boy a smile as he did that. He never meant to make him panic like that but he did not calm at all. Perhaps showing Franck had no curiosity as to what was written in it would appease some of that fear.

[James William Dale]

He stepped forward, like a cautious animal he proceeded with steadiness holding out his hand, his fingers tensed up as it neared the book. A few centimeters away and he snatched it, the gesture possibly appearing rude though the intention behind it was just caution. James saw the smile on his face, he didn't smile back or more so couldn't though he did feel warmer inside, he began to trust this stranger as his own eyes drew away from Franck's countenance and on to his journal he opened it again, thumbing through the pages, making sure it wasn't disturbed, holding the book open in his hands he looked back up to Franck and raised his eyebrows.



"Thankyou, I'll make sure this will stay out of the wrong hands." He responded, snapping the book closed. He began to look Franck up and down, his eyes studying each aspect of this person with a subtle expression of curiosity. "Novels...which novels are you interested in?" He questioned,caressing his book with his hands, feeling the covers ragged exterior as he waited for an answer.

[François Laffont]

Franck didn’t make a move as he waited for the boy to come and pick the book. There was still some apprehension coming out of him. Maybe he thought Franck would just hold it up above his head the moment he’ll reach it or something like that. He could not blame the boy not to know better, since he didn’t even know this guy to begin with. It was likely he didn't know of him either. He was on his guard and the moment he felt him pulling the old book away, Franck let go. He had no intention to make fun of him or anything like that. Obviously, this book was important to him. Which was why Franck suggested he found another hideout for it. Novels had to be the books that’ll come out the most at this time of the year, since no one really wanted to study and go through the other sections. Someone was bound to notice it. If not the librarian while replacing the books.

Franck waited, although he was not entirely sure why. He was not asking for a thank you from the guy. And he did not intend to read what was written in there. Maybe he just wanted to make sure he calmed down. And that he did. Whatever was written in there mattered a lot to him and finding it back, and certainly untouched, had him relieved.

Franck smiled again to him as he was thanked. “You’re welcome. I didn't mean to pry into your business, really,” he assured him. Now, the kid was staring at him and taking an interest in his person more than just because he might be discovering his secret. He waited, not really sure what he should do while that happened. His eyes grew slightly bigger at the question. “Oh, hmm... not really sure, to be honest. I wanted to have a look, see if there was anything interesting that was not a romance or cop story,” he explained. He shrugged looking at the many books on the shelf near them. “I just... English’s not my first language. Some books are a little more difficult for me to read because of it, but they are generally the ones I’m the most interested about.” He didn't ask what he had been doing here. he figured he came for the book currently in his hands.

[James William Dale]

James narrowed his eyes, he figured his lying wouldn't be good enough, at least he got his book back. He adjusted his glasses, "Right then." He looked among the shelves but wasn't entirely sure of Franck's taste, drawing out his cellphone he raised it and quickly snapped a photo of Franck's face, keeping it for later as he may forget Franck entirely. Shoving his cellphone into his pocket he pressed his lips together with a sniff, "I hope you find what you're looking for." He said in a monotonous tone.

"Considering you're..."He looked about the room, "...Here, at this academy I assume you have a certain, can I say skill about yourself? What does everyone else call it...starts with a 'p'..." He trailed off in thought, snapping back after mumbling to himself, he imagined Franck might have some interesting skill, James had observed others in the month he'd been here, watching training sessions, seeing the many feats that others perform, he himself somewhat envying the freedom they had in their abilities at their control as he always felt caged by his. Franck was one of the first few he spoke to while here, though it didn't mean James wasn't able to perform social actions, just not initiate them or act with accordance to the situation "Oh, sorry, I'm James Dale..." He seemed calmer, more composed than before. He gestured his hand forward, rolling it about as to coax Franck to state his. "You are...?"

[François Laffont]

Franck didn’t mean to mock the boy by pointing out it was easy to guess this book belonged to him. He might not know it of course, as Franck was nothing to him other than the guy who found his precious book. It was why Franck tried to appear as kind and understanding as possible. He calmed down now that he had his book in hands and Franck did not appear as much of a threat anymore. It was at least that and it made the older boy smile.

He was surprised though when he pulled his phone and took a picture. He didn’t get why he did it but he preferred not to ask. It was a strange reaction. He must have noticed that Franck caught him doing it. If he wanted to explain, Franck would appreciate but a simple picture seemed rather harmless to him so he would not simply ask for an explanation.

“Thank you,” he said, mostly to be polite. He figured the conversation would be over. He’ll probably go and try to find a better place to hide his book. Franck wondered why he kept it in here and not in his room. Maybe he didn’t trust his roommates. Franck did not reside at the school, he had no idea what it was like to live with three other people like that. He knew they had their own room but the chances for his father to rummage through his might just be less likely than some prankster or nosy roommate.

The conversation was not over though as he talked. Franck frowned, wondering if the boy really struggled to find that word or was being overly cryptic in a place where he really didn’t have to. “Power?” Franck suggested. It had to be what he was asking. “I’m an empath,” he answer with a little smile. He knew his power was not exactly extraordinary. And he suddenly felt like he might need to explain what that meant. “I can sense people’s feelings. All the time.” The boy then introduced himself as James. James Dale. He grabbed the boy’s hand. He knew he could sense emotions better with physical contact but this was such a small one and James didn't appear too emotional right now. He saw no problem in shaking his hand then. “François Laffont, but you can call me Franck.”