External Ability

Jayden leaned back in his chair, creating some distance between them. "I think we've covered everything, I'm glad we could have this talk and clear the air."

"Huh?" Tasha's eyes snapped open, time resumed normally and the imaginary music seemed to abruptly stop, she felt a slight pang of disappointment, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why. She looked at Jayden, searching for answers, but his expression was neutral, almost distracted.

"Yeah, me too," Tasha replied, trying to sound casual, despite the flutter in her chest. She was left hanging and it felt really bad, it felt really embarrassing.

Jayden smiled kindly and stood up, gesturing towards the door. "I've got some things to attend to, but it was great catching up with you, maybe we can train together as soon as i discover my ability?"

Tasha nodded, feeling a mix of relief and confusion, as she stood up and followed Jayden's lead. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something had just slipped through her fingers, but she couldn't quite grasp what it was.

"Yeah about that, I'm glad you gained abilities Jayden, No one deserves it more," she muttered with a smile and Jayden nodded.

As she walked out of the room, Tasha was filled with regret and anger, but she didn't show it. Instead she turned towards Jayden and asked him a question.

"Earlier, why did you call me by my full name?" she asked slowly, her voice etched with slight pain.

Jayden was confused, he clearly saw her expression and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had done something wrong.

"I just thought it would strengthen our friendship, i didn't mean any malice. Are you okay?" he asked, looking at her with worry

Tasha chuckled and looked at him coldly. "What do you think?" she asked sharply, her calm and caring expression replaced with anger.

"Oh wait, I just remembered, you can't process emotions can you? It was my fault for thinking that you had changed or that you... Forget it!" she voiced out with annoyance and walked away, trying to hold back the little tears already forming in her eyes.

Jayden was stunned, she had snapped at him angrily and he didn't even know what he had done wrong, he merely shrugged and entered the room. "I have more important things to deal with, or did I make an improper approach with her? It doesn't even matter now, i don't need allies yet," he muttered and laid on his bed, back to his thoughts.

Tasha on the other hand was walking back to her room with anger, regret and a broken heart. "Friendship! I can't believe that guy," she scoffed

"I can't believe i thought i liked him... How could I even fall for someone so easily?" Tasha kept lamenting before arriving at the entrance of her room, she sighed and opened the door.

As Tasha entered the room, she was met with Jessica who was playing video games through the game console and large holographic screen hovering close to the bed.

"So, how'd it go?" Jessica asked, not shifting her gaze from the screen, she was completely immersed in her game.

But Tasha didn't reply, she just closed the door and rest her back on it before taking a deep, sad, heartbroken breath, before sobbing quietly.

Jessica paused as she heard her sister sob, she immediately put down the flat, glowing joystick and ran up to her.

"There, there sister. Told you they were all the same, fucking bastards!" she said and hugged Tasha, while also rubbing her hair softly.

"I thought he liked me," Tasha sobbed

Jessica sighed. "I don't blame you, 5 years ago, I thought so too," she muttered, remembering her own 'heartfelt' experience with Jayden.

Jayden was sitting in the bathtub in his bathroom, once again thinking. He already had dinner with the whole family except for Tasha who said she didn't feel like eating. It was a confirmation that he had offended her, and throughout the meal, Jessica kept staring at him with hostility, as if she could jab a fork into his throat at any moment.

But thankfully, dinner went well with no unforseen circumstances and Jayden decided to cool off in the bathtub. He was thinking about how he would level up, when a voice suddenly interrupted him.

[Men, you sure do think a lot] Luna said from inside his head or... whatever part of his body she resided.

"Shut up," he replied calmly and closed his eyes. But Luna didn't listen to him, she continued.

[You know, i think you would become a great actor] She said with a chuckle.

"Huh?" Jayden raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

[What! Don't tell me you have no idea]

"Idea of what? Get to the point Luna," he said and took a deep breath, feeling the warmth and coziness of the tub.

[Are you telling me you didn't break that girl's heart on purpose? But I must say, you are one ruthless person, cause I'm just an artificial intelligence with no emotions and yet i know that if I'm played like that, I'd be heartbroken for sure] Luna stated

Jayden was confused, he still had no idea what she was talking about. "Heartbreak? Ruthless? How?" he asked with a confused expression

[Oh dear, you don't even know what you did, do you? Hahaha] She said before bursting into laughter.

[You have no idea that she is totally into you and you... You told her that you admired her and said all those sweet words to her, making her think you like her as well, only for you to leave her hanging when she thought she was going to get a kiss. Damn straight ruthless] Luna explained before bursting into laughter again.

"But I truly admire her, she's not only powerful but also beautiful and she doesn't because of that, bully others. But I don't know why she would think i wanted to kiss her," Jayden said with an innocent expression, he wasn't even feeling guilty.

Luna sighed [I'm not really an expert on feelings on affection, but I was built as a feminine and therefore i think like a girl and I know what we want. You brought your face close to hers and called her by her full name while also maintaining eye contact, let's not forget the relentless charming smile as well]

"I only did that to make her comfortable, I don't know much about... bonding or making friends so I just went with what my mother taught me," Jayden muttered softly

[Well your mother has been teaching you the right thing but for the wrong purpose. If you go on trying to make friends like this, you'll end up having them as lovers, rather than friends] Luna chuckled.

"Uh... Okay, I won't do that anymore,"

[No I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, i mean you can, but only for someone you truly care about] She tried to explain

"Okay but I care about Tasha," Jayden replied

[What! Sigh* You are impossible] Luna sighed deeply. If she had a physical body, she would have slapped her forehead and shook her head.

"Well whatever, it doesn't matter. What matters now is finding out my ability and leveling up with the system, there's no time to lose," he stated with determination, not feeling any remorse for the damage done.

[Yeah just take it easy, once you get the hang of the system, you'll begin to level up pretty easily] Luna assured.

[Though I wonder what your ability could be, there should be ways to check it. No?]

"Yeah, but they already tried that at the hospital and it didn't work. All they know is that i possess an ability and i have to figure it out on my own," he muttered to himself, clearly frustrated.

[Don't worry, I'll help you discover it. So tell me, what do you think it'll be?] Luna asked with excitement.

Jayden placed his hand on his chin. "Hmm, that's hard to decipher, but some signs should begin to show soon. But if I were to wish, I'd pick the ability to fly. I've always liked the feeling of just moving through the atmosphere without any care in the world," he stated

[Pfft! Boring, flight abilities are overrated. Besides with your beast ability, you'll be able to fly with ease] Luna said dismissively

Jayden chuckled. "You mean, I'll turn into a bird,"

[Maybe, maybe not, guess we'll just have to find out]

"Yeah," he replied and washed off his body with water and stood up.

Jayden sprang out of the tub, water droplets flying everywhere. He was already moving towards the towel, draped over the toilet seat across the room. Stretching his hands out to grab it, he suddenly felt an inexplicable surge of energy.

In a flash, the towel flew off the toilet seat and landed in his outstretched hands. He caught it instinctively, his eyes widening in shock.

"How?" he muttered in confusion, and the system screen suddenly popped up with a stunning message.

[Unknown Ability has been discovered]

[System has scanned host's external ability]

[Host can now monitor the ability; Telekinetic force]

"Well, i guess it's not so different from flight," Jayden chuckled.