Oliver felt his heart sink. Hed been hoping they would provide a piece of the puzzle of his identity. But they knew nothing.
Nothing? he asked sadly. Not even their names?
Dad stepped forward. Not their names, not their ages, not their jobs. Adopted parents dont get to know that stuff. Its luck of the draw, you know! You could be the offspring of a criminal, for all we know. A lunatic.
Oliver glared at him. He was certain his parents were neither of those things, but Mr. Blues attitude was still horrible. Why did you even adopt me in the first place?
It was your mother, Dad scoffed. She wanted a second. Ive no idea why.
He sank onto the couch beside Mom. Oliver stared at them, feeling like hed been punched in the gut. You never actually wanted me, did you? Thats why you treated me so awful.
You should be grateful, Dad muttered, not meeting his eye. Most kids get lost in the system.
Grateful? Oliver said. Grateful that you barely fed me? Never gave me any new clothes or toys? Grateful for a mattress in an alcove?
Were not the bad guys here, Mom argued. Your real parents abandoned you! You should take it out on them, not us.
Oliver listened without reaction. Whether his real parents had indeed abandoned him or not, he had no evidence either way. That was another mystery for another day. For now he would take Moms words with a grain of salt.
At least the truths finally out, Oliver said.
Chriss mouth finally shut. You mean to say that pipsqueak isnt my brother after all?
Chris! Mom scolded him.
Dont speak like that, Dad added.
Oliver just smirked. Oh yes, Christopher John Blue. Since were on a truth mission. Your darling sonyour real, biological oneis a bully. Hes bullied me my whole life, not to mention other kids at school.
Thats not true! Chris bellowed. Dont believe him! Hes not even your son. Hes hes nothing! No one! A nobody!
Mom and Dad looked at Chris with appalled expressions.
Oliver just smirked. I think youve revealed the truth all by yourself.
Everyone fell silent, deflated by the revelations. But Oliver wasnt finished. Not quite yet. He paced back and forth, commanding the room and the attention of everyone in it.
Heres what happens next, he said as he marched. You dont want me. And I dont want you either. I was never meant to be here. So Im leaving. You will not look for me. You will not speak of me. From this day forward, it will be as if I never existed. As for my end of the bargain, I wont go to the police and tell them about the years of torment, about sleeping in an alcove and having my food rationed. Do we have a deal?
He looked from one pair of blue eyes to the next. How silly, he thought now, that with him having brown eyes hed never guessed before.
Do we have a deal? he said again, more firmly.
With great satisfaction, he saw they were all trembling. His mom nodded. Chris did too.
We have a deal, Dad stammered.
Good. Now let me pack my things, and Ill be out of your hair for good.
He could feel everyones eyes on him as he walked over to the alcove. He grabbed his suitcase, still filled with bits of his inventions, and put the inventors book inside it.
Then he took the compass out of his pocket and placed it on top.
Just as he was about to close the suitcase, he noticed the dials on the compass had moved. One was now pointing at a symbol that looked like a Bunsen burner. A second was hovering on the symbol of a single female figure. A third pointed at a graduation cap.
Oliver put all the pieces together in his mind. Could it be that the compass was guiding him toward Ms. Belfry? The Bunsen burner could represent science, which she taught. The single female figure was self-explanatory. And the graduation cap could represent a teacher.
It must be a sign, Oliver thought with excitement. The universe was guiding him.
He closed his suitcase and turned to look at the Blues. They were all watching him in complete shock and silence. It was very satisfying to see the looks on their faces.
But then Oliver noticed that Chris was squeezing his hands into fists. He knew well enough what that meantChris was about to charge.
Oliver had only a split second to react. He used his powers to quickly tie Chriss shoelaces together.
Chris launched himself forward. He tripped over his knotted laces immediately and fell in a heap on the floor. He groaned.
Mom let out a squeal. His laces! Did you see his laces?
Dad went pale. They they tied themselves together.
From a heap on the floor, Chris glared up at Oliver. You did that. Didnt you? Youre a freak.
Oliver shrugged innocently. I have no idea what youre talking about.
Then he turned on his heel, suitcase in hand, and stormed out of the house. He slammed the door shut behind him.
As he walked down the path, a smile spread across his lips.
Hed never have to see the Blues again.
CHAPTER FIVE
Oliver stood outside Campbell Junior High. The playground was as noisy as ever, filled with kids running, shouting, and throwing balls like grenades.
Oliver felt a knot of anguish in his stomach. It wasnt that he was scared of the kidsor of crossing the playground filled with flying basketballsit was because he would soon be seeing Ms. Belfry again.
As far as his favorite teacher was concerned, hed been sitting in her class just yesterday. But for Oliver, it felt like a lifetime ago. Hed been on a whole, tumultuous adventure back in time. It had changed him, matured him. He wondered if shed notice the changes in him when they came face to face.
He crossed the playground, ducking beneath the flying balls, then headed straight up the corridor to Ms. Belfrys science class. It was empty, with no one inside. Hed hoped Ms. Belfry would be there early so he could talk to her. But soon, his classmates started to file in. There was no sign of Ms. Belfry yet, so Oliver had no choice but to take a seat. He went for one at the front beside the window.
Oliver looked out at the playing fields, at all the kids playing different sports. He marveled at how odd it felt to pretend to be a normal student again, to be around normal people rather than seers with extraordinary powers.
More kids entered the classroom. Amongst them was Samantha, the girl whod mocked Oliver every time hed answered one of Ms. Belfrys questions. She took a seat at the back of the class. Then Paul came in. He was the one whod thrown screwed up paper at the back of Olivers head.
Seeing the kids that teased him again made Oliver feel uncomfortable. But the memories of them bullying him were already fading, the sting of their words holding much less power over him. Thanks to the School for Seers and the friends hed made there, Oliver felt like those old wounds had healed. Hed moved on. His bullies could no longer hurt him.
The class filled up and everyone laughed and chatted loudly until the moment Ms. Belfry hurried through the door. She looked flustered.
Sorry, I was running late. She dumped her teaching materials onto the table. Amongst them was a shiny red apple. Today were discussing forces. She picked up the apple and dropped it to the floor. Who can guess what were learning about today?
Oliver immediately put his hand up. Ms. Belfry nodded at him.
Gravity, he said.
Right away, Oliver heard Samanthas mimicking voice coming from behind him. It was swiftly followed by the smattering of laughter from her friends.