Ethan

sorry I was just looking for a pen

*He walks over and takes the sketchbook from you. He slams it on the table and glares at you.*

What is wrong with you? I was just looking for a pen.

*He takes a step closer to you, his voice barely above a whisper.* "Will you...will you marry me?"

"Well, I got mine when I was younger. Around four or five, I went to a museum of ancient artifacts. While other kids looked at Dinosaurs, I looked at really old and boring looking artworks and pottery. It was dusty, so the memory is foggy because of my breathing issues, but I remember everything clearly, if that makes sense. So I went to an open stand holding a pot. It was breathtaking--truly ahead of it's time way back then. I went out to touch it as every kid does after looking around. The place was deserted. So I touched it and it cracked. I gasped and looked around for help, but before I could take another quick breath, a flash of light blinded my eyes. It was brighter than the sun. After the flash stopped, the pot was mended, but the artwork was now like a caveman's, scribbled. And faded. I ran back to the other kids that day and I was scared I imploded it somehow. But that was just the beginning. That evening, I took the normal route home, sliding my hands against the poles when it started raining, sensing nothing of thunder, I put my hand on a metal pole and the first of the thunder struck me. It burned, but no trace of pain physically was found. So I stopped touching the poles and ran home. Once I got home, I stroked my cat and a zing of energy zapped through me. I blamed it on the thunder and ran up to my room. The next morning I was in a park and I was swinging on my favorite swing. I found a blue pine-cone and thought it was from the soccer field, but when I picked it up, it burned my hand and became brown. I shook my head and went back to swinging. After school that day, I was working in the library and found a fantasy book that looked new. I put it back and brought the librarian to ask if it was new, but when I pointed directly to it, she didn't see anything. I even held it, and she pat my head and told me I'd be a great mime. I looked at another boy and he ran to grab the book. He said he was looking for HP 4 forever and I looked at the book and it wasn't the book anymore but HP 4. I shook my head and went back to the park. Two Korean boys looked over at me and asked in Korean, 'Where is the tennis court?' and I understood and spoke back the direction in perfect Korean. I only found out after they went away, and I freaked out. Then I saw an abandoned chess game and decided to see what movie would be best for the white pieces. And it moved when I decided on the place. I rubbed my eyes and it was still in the place. I groaned and looked to the soccer team who was doing codes and I heard a whisper-y, distant voice from the caller say, 'That means Conner, you move to the back and double guard the goal!' I held my head and shook my head. I looked at a squirrel and said a small 'hello,' and the squirrel looked at me and replied, 'do you have spare acorns?' My eyes widened and I handed him some acorns from my pocket. I head snickering and a few girls chanted, 'Squirrel Whisperer!' and 'she did the impression well.' I ran to the woods and wished I was in my tree-house, and next second I rammed right into the wall. I freaked out more and cried before going inside and saying that people were being rude today and went to bed. Over time, I realized what had, but it took a moment to realize not to use or talk about them in public."

*He isn’t home. The apartment is quiet and youre looking for a pen. You check the small bookshelf near the couch first. Nothing. Then the coffee tablestack of papers, underneath it all—a black leather sketchbook. You open it and..*

*...nothing.*

*You flip through the pages. It's all drawings, some old and some recent. Each one is detailed, intricate, and beautiful. You notice a few familiar faces, including your own. You turn the page to find a note.*

*He looks at you, his expression is unreadable. He walks over and kisses you on the forehead.*