Slowly Opening up the Shy Box

[jessica2008]

Slowly Opening up the Shy Box
Tagged : Giorgio Quartermaine
[w] (dunno yet but just in case)

The weather outside is better then what it has been the last couple of weeks. The sun was out and there was a slight breeze not too much but just enough. A few clouds floated by in the sky. But a few weeks ago it was cloudy and rainy and cold and just not the type of weather for any one to go out in.

The previous night, Toni had met a young man or boy, she wasn't too sure yet but she was going to find out, but she met him over the net. She figured she might as well give him a chance like all the other guys plus who knows maybe she will actually be entertained for a change. Either way Toni was tired of doing all the things such as parties, and just seeing the same guys, she needed to change not too much just to get her to a point where she was not too bored.

Toni pulled up to the house that Gio had lived in. She looked down at the piece of paper that she had wrote the address on making sure that she had the right address. Yup, that it was. She looked back at the house it was nice.... Dark and different but she like it. It was very unique and had its own charm to it. She turned off her Jeep Cherokee that was a few years old but still looked pretty new. She moved her back view mirror over to look at her reflection. She reached over and picked up her black purse. To her she needed some touch ups before meeting a guy for the first time in well face to face anyways. She pulled out her lip gloss and smeared some on softly. She closed the lid and rubbed her lips together for a moment and then put the tube back in her purse. She ran a finger under each of her eye lids to wipe away any leaking black eyeliner. She sat back once she was down with all of that and gave herself a satisfactory smile. She moved the mirror back to the position that it was suppose to be in. She picked up her purse and slid the strap on her shoulder. She took the keys out and set them in her purse.

Slowly she climbed out of the car so that way her denim skirt that fell at her mid almost high thigh would not ride up and show the world her bottom. She had on black flip flops that showed off her black painted toe nails and her toe ring that she had on. She took a deep breath as she stood up straight and pulled her strapless white top that had pink trimming on the bottom and on the top of the shirt. She readjusted her necklace... The very one that had her mother's charm on it. The necklace fell a little above her cleavage since her shirt is a little revealing but most of her clothes were nowadays. She had on a pink sweater that matched the trim on her shirt. The sweater was open since she was not one to favor buttoning up. She pulled her curled hair off to one shoulder and then closed the door. She looked at the house for a minute wondering what Gio looked like if he was tall but then every one was taller then her since she was short.

A few steps at a time was the way she walked until she was closer to the house. She was too busy looking at the rest of the houses to rush to the front door. She has not spent much time in this neighborhood but she had always enjoyed it. It was a calm and peaceful looking neighborhood at least to her it was. Before she knew it she was at the front door of the house. She knocked on the door a few times and then took a step back.

Her plans for the day was to take Gio out to the Square were it was normally not too busy but just a little bit. Plus it was the Square and one of the places she knew that she could not exactly hit on the guy. Since she was 18 and Gio was only 16 she figured she should take it slowly and see how much he really knew about girls before taking off too fast.

[gio]

The whole day at school he was so unfocused at everything even he managed to ignore the bullies throwing paper balls at his head. He looked out the window and tapped his eraser impatiently on his desk. Sure he was excited but he was so nervous at the same time and didn't think she would like him at all. Just sitting there thinking of the reactions she would give him when they first met. Finally the school bell rang which school was out so he kind of rushed his things together then run away. Mostly he did run all the time when the bell rang or else he would be picked on to the max. He liked to get away as fast as he could before he was thrown in a trash can. Made it down the street near the Inn quite fast too which he looked around. Paranoid his brother might come out of no where and attack him like he had a couple days ago. Which explains the cut on his lip since he fell down pretty badly for he tripped, also the slight limp.

He sprained his right foot but it was nearly healed up since it was a minor sprain. What a story that was going to be to explain to Toni when she saw him in person, just a bit beat up. Then again he did tell her that he did not have the best of luck in school and was the prime target for everyone to pick on. She did not seem to mind the fact he was a loser she just wanted to hang out with him. Why she wanted to hang out with him, he was not sure. Why she was a little persistent to hang out in person, he was not sure either. But she did not seem like one of those people to chop you into little pieces. So he rushed home and avoided his Father, Constantine, who now was his legal Father. He went to his room which Constantine went to bother but Gio was nice. "Dad, I er, need to change before my friend gets here." That stunned Con first off that Gio got a new friend and that Gio was going to hang out with him tonight.

So Con did leave Gio alone and left to finish his conversation with one of his ghost friends, Ollie. Gio was rushing to change from slacks to normal blue jeans and a normal black with white logo band shirt. Put on some sneakers and then fussed with his wavy hair to make it do something, then gave up. He checked himself over to see if he looked normal and he nodded with his own approval. Didn't know why he felt so obligated to try to look good for Toni he just thought, she was a pretty girl, might as well make an effort. He grabbed his black hoodie sweatshirt since it might get cold and he didn't know when he was getting home. He did not know that Toni was there already which is why Constantine got to the door first. 'Constantine there is someone parked in front of your house.' Another ghost friend walked through the wall and informed Constantine that there was someone outside. Con tilted his head then stood up since he did not think if Gio had a friend they would be able to drive, if they were the same age.

Con walked to the door and heard the knocks which he opened the door in a rush like he had been expecting it or was startled. Constantine stood there a little baffled that there was some young girl standing there, pretty too. Thinking for a moment he put two and two together and then turned around called for Gio. When he heard that Con had answered the door he had freaked out since he didn't want to tell Con anything. But when he walked out there wary and slow he didn't see any mad hint in his father. He was told just to be good and don't come home too late because he wouldn't want to be worried. "Okay." He said in his quiet tone of voice with the small hint of a different accent in his voice. He was about to head out the door to greet Toni formally but he was stopped and Constantine pulled out something. Stuffed it in Gio's hand and made Gio look down to see it was money.

Right that would of been important to ask for in case he was hungry later or something. "Thank you." He said again in a quiet tone then he stepped out of the house to face Toni. Door shut behind him, he went bite down on his bottom lip and his aquamarine eyes looked at her for the first time. He was only slightly taller then her but still he did have to look down to see her eyes. This was amazing since he felt he was short and now felt taller because she was slightly shorter then him. Also she was drop dead gorgeous and felt his heart pumping abnormally too high. He could have a panic attack right here and drop to the ground but he refrain. "Hi." He managed to get out with lots of effort, without a stutter. Since it was small and easy to say otherwise Hello would of been one hell of a challenge. He didn't look at her in any staring manner just looked a glance then to the ground. Fumbling with his things he shoved the money he got into his back pocket then he rolled his sweatshirt in his hands since he didn't want to wear it. He was too hot and bother, non sexually, right now to wear it.

[jessica2008]

When the door opened in an abrupt manner, Toni took a step back and stood up taller. She had not expected that guy in front of her to be Gio for one he looked much older then sixteen. She raised an eyebrow as she looked this guy in the eye. She had noticed him before but she could not remember where. She bite on her bottom lip delicately for a moment. She knew she has seen him before. Not school god not school but just around. Who the hell was he! This was really beginning to bug her. She hoped that they haven't met before so she won't feel awful for not remembering the guys name. She just gave up and decided it will come around later on. She slowly let out a deep breath as she took a step forward so she didn't seem to appear scared towards the guy.

"Hi, I'm Toni." She said politely just so he knew who she was just in case he was the adult that was taking care of Gio. Toni herself never really had the parental figure around so she felt like parents were just another person or an equal. She smiled a little for a moment. "I am here to pick up Gio..." She said as she pointed back behind her at her car. She had her class ring on and a few bracelets that made a soft clinging noise as she moved her arm. The guy seemed to be in a rather shocked mood. She guessed that Gio wasn't going to tell his father about her but she didn't know if this was the guy that was taking care of Gio or not.

When she saw a boy walk up to the door, she noticed the slight limp pretty fast and the cut lip that was being dressed on his lip. She looked from the boy that she guessed was Gio to the adult figure next to him. Gio wasn't all that bad. Not the best but he had some good features. Who knows there are still many years for him to change and possibly by that time he will blow other guys his age out of the water. She looked over at Con after the two had exchanged quiet words among the two of them.

"I will make sure he is home before dark. If he is a tad bit late then I will take the blame since I am the one with the keys." She said as she looked at Con hoping he would understand. Most parents have been fairly easy on her but then again she also went to school with the boy. This was a huge difference. She then looked at Gio and back at Con.

As Gio walked out of the house, Toni stood still with a smile on her face. She looked out of the corner of her eyes as she seen the door shut. Her brown eyes moved over to Gio. She had to lift her head up a little for both guys but still she was used to it all since she has been one of San's shortest. He had eyes that stood out though that was something Toni had to admit.

The word hi and the manner of Gio said it, really confirmed some of Ton's suspensions. "Well hello Gio, I am Toni." She said with a smile and a soft sweet voice. She figured if she kept her voice in a mellow and sweet tone that maybe it will help him relax some. She felt so many mixed feelings coming to her body. She was not sure if they were Gio's But either way she promised him that she was going to show him around. "Come on we should get going before I get in trouble with the dad." Boy did that sound different, Toni thought. Most of the time the guys are the ones that are up for time watching and date planning and all of that. SO it was a little different for Toni to be on this side of the fence.

[gio]

So that was simply embarrassing for his Dad to come out and greet the guest like he did, since he didn't want to tell Con it was a girl till later. Didn't think that Con would actually smile to the girl and approve of her taking Gio away. That was simply shocking and the door shut behind him by Con made him wonder too. Guess Con really wanted Gio to get out there in the world and make friends, no matter who. No questions were asked or nothing he was just told to be good and not be home late. Which Toni answered up which guess that did help a little, Con only smiled to her and nodded. For some reason he did feel they were being watched still since Con did have eyes in back of his head. Stupid nosy spirits, maybe that is why Constantine was so mellow about letting Gio go. Then again he wouldn't pry would he? He was not sure but figured oh well they were not going to go do something bad anyways, just hang out to talk. Maybe go get something to eat when it came time to eat some dinner, which he sure would be soon.

Licking his wound slowly with the tip of his tongue to make sure it was moist he smiled small, then said hi. God he was going to fall over, pass out or something, he steadily his breathing so he would not pass out. His mind went to his past for a moment and remembered his experience with girls. He had a few who flirted with him back home which he embarrassed himself in front of both of them. Literally he passed out then when his father came to pick him up he got a beating of a lifetime. Only because his father had to leave work to come pick up his son who passed out. Shaking his head he erased the thoughts since he knew his new Father would not hurt him. In fact his new Father just gave him money and kind of pushed him out of the house, none physically. He did not know what to think and what to do since he had no where to run and hide. Soon his tension eased when she spoke up and he heard her voice directed at him for the first time.

Sounded like an angel's little voice and his eyes fixed on her for a moment since she did grab his attention. She formally introduced herself which he smiled since she said his name, she remembered his name. After her introduction he went smiled weakly then he took a deep breath in then out. "Nice t-t-t-to met you." He had a stutter, he couldn't help it since he was so nervous. But in the small words and stutter you can depict out his english accent since he was raise in England his whole life. He was sure his emotions were radiating all over the place for her since he was nervous, happy and scared all at the same time. Mixed emotions which he could not help but feel since she was too much for him. No one like her would come near him at all, especially want to hang out at all with him so this was different. Also she was older then him, only by two years, but still meant she has been around longer them him. Out of the school scene and she did mention she liked to party, so he assumed she has kissed men before.

When she called to him to go he nodded slowly then walked down the small pathway with her away from the house to the car. He couldn't help to think how much they were different but yet they were going to hang out. Willingly he has never drank in his lifetime and hates the smell or taste of alcohol. But then again it was because his father used to shove the bottle of nasty straight up whiskey down his throat. Partying, he never been to a party in his life time but seen his brother. When his brother got home from one of those parties he would be so drunk, smoking a lot and more then enough times have some drunk girl in his arms. Those were the nights where Gio barely got any sleep since it sounded like the two were killing one another or something. He didn't understand what they were really doing other then being loud and banging against the walls. No, Gio had not a clue what to do with a girl other then be friends with them if he could. All he knew was that you can kiss them since he seen that around before, he did go to high school. But he never experienced that before and doubt he would, especially with Toni. He waited for her to unlock her car before he opened the door gingerly then got inside, buckled up right away then was ready to go where she planned to take him.

[jessica2008]

Toni walked with him by his side. She hated it when people would walk faster then others and have it seem one is better then the other. The only real time she walks in front of people is when she is at a party and she wants the guy to chase her but other then that she doesn't care for it. She lowered her purse from her shoulder so it was swinging from her bent elbow. As she walked she took her keys out. She pulled her purse back up onto her shoulder after pulling the keys out. She walked up to the passenger door and unlocked the car door. She looked over at Gio with a smile. She could feel his emotions and boy were there more then she had felt in a while. She stepped to the side as he walked over to the car and got in. Once he was in the car, she turned and walked around the front of her car. She unlocked her door and climbed up carefully. Once she was comfortable in her seat. She looked over at Gio.

"Hey loosen up... I may be a girl driver but I am not some crazy blonde driver." She said with a smile on her face as she could feel how nervous the poor boy was. She looked forward again and slide the key in the ignition. She quickly reached over and turned the volume down from her Three Days Grace cd that was playing in the car. She had so many cds in this car that is was insane. Her brother Emilio had put in a new stereo and added many speakers. He said that it was a necessity. Toni thought he was just a money spender until she heard the music when everything was set up.

"Alright you are in charge of music. I am sure you will find just about every current CD possible in this car." She said with a smile as she looked back at Gio. She slowly and carefully leaned over to him. She reached her hand under his seat and pulled out two zipped up Binders of nothing but cds and set them on his lap. "There are Cds in here and then in the door and the glove department and well just everywhere." She said with a soft laugh. She sat back in her seat and put her seat belt on.

Carefully and slowly she pulled away from the curb of Gio's house. She was always careful when it came to her driving and car. She began to drive at the speed limit that was posted. She also was driving even more cautious then before because she could since his nervous and she wanted to try to get him to see that nothing was going to happen. She leaned back some and kept her left hand on the steering wheel.

"so today I thought I would take you over to the Square and then we will work our way out from there. and then ever day or when ever you want to see something new." She said as she glanced over at him and then back at the road. She slowed down as she saw a stop sign ahead. She was personally feeling better at this whole ablilty of hers. Before she thought it was just a stupid ability but now she realized that this was pretty awesome. She got to feel the other's emotions with them before they even tell her how they feel.

[gio]

When he was all settled he was trying to take some deep breaths before she got into the car to calm down. He didn't know why he was doing this or why he felt the need to maybe jump out of the car and run to hide in the woods. He stopped the deep breathing treatment to calm down when she got into the car. He did not want to make it seem like there was something wrong with him. Though he was nervous as hell right now and scared out of his mind, but he tried so hard to look normal. He buckled himself in since he has been in a car before then sat up straight in the seat. Placed his balled up black sweatshirt in his lap then looked over at her as she was getting settled. But when she looked at him he looked away and bite down on his bottom lip. The glancing game, he couldn't help it, he didn't want to stare at her and when her eyes met his he got nervous. Eye contact was never something he did well since he never ever made eye contact with anyone before he came to San.

Mostly he was backed into a corner scared, never spoke or talked to anyone. He needed to get out of the dark past he was in before and grow up a little to face her since she was a nice person. In fact she told him to loosen up but she was referring to her driving and he smiled off. "Oh...I.." He started out then he looked at her for a second then finished off the sentence all stuttered and jumbled. "Didn't sa-sa-say you wou-wou-would be a bad driver." He made it clear to her he did not make fun of her driving skills and he was sure anyone was better then his father. His dad had always one hand on the wheel and the other hand around the neck of some alcoholic drink covered in a brown paper bag. So Gio did not fear for his life with Toni, in fact he was comfortable. For the first time he was not having a panic attack in the car. He was perfectly alright and just looked out the window when she said she can change the music.

He listened to it for a moment then looked to the stereo then thought to listen to the words for a minute. She set CD booklets on his lap and he looked down and didn't think to open it. He was not in-tuned with the music now a days since he was pretty much in a hole his whole life. "No, it's fi-fi-fine." He remarked towards the music but he did open the CD book to just glance at them. He didn't know what bands were what or heard of any of the bands so he just looked at the covers. When he was just done flipping he closed the book then he put it on the ground but so he wasn't putting his feet on it. His hand went to brush hair from his eyes then he looked out the front window. She then began to tell him where they were going and he went nodded slowly since he was agreeing. "Okay." He was being as social as he could but he was still so scared.

At least the big step was taken and he was even out of the house and in her front seat. Biting on his bottom lip he kind of forgot the wound then flinched in pain, put his hand up to touch it. God that was a horrible day and a good day all together. Horrible he came face to face with his older brother after he had successfully ran away from home. But good because that is when Con adopted him legally and told Marcus off. Wow that was such a sigh and he was so happy to have Con there for him. Toni was taking him to the town square which he has not been to at all, he made it to town hall, but never went wondering in the square. He really didn't know much of San except from his dreams, well except when his powers kicked in. That also worried him so much so his fear raged in him. What if she found out he was tainted? She would hate him and kick him out of the car. He didn't know what to do with himself other then to twiddle his thumbs slowly in his lap.

[jessica2008]

Toni was trying so hard to block out all of his nervousness that her mind was picking up on him. She took a deep breath as she saw the square come to view. She felt so much from this little boy. She could not tell if he was scared because of being out here or scared for being with her. She began to wonder if Gio has ever really been with a girl before like talked more then just a few minutes. If he hadn't then this was most certainly going to be a relationship that Toni is going to have to work on. She always hated seeing people scared and lonely. There was no reason why people should be like that.

She looked over at him and saw his lip. She felt bad for the kid. She had no idea how he got that lip or who had done it. She was curious to know and she was not sure if she should ask or not but she figured that he will slowly open up. She didn't want to push him too fast otherwise it will just scare him so much more. She herself was always in her own group which mostly consisted of her and Anna and the others seemed to change depending their relationship with Anna. Growing up in San Toni was never picked on but then she thought that the reason for that was because Anna was her best friend. And Anna well she can be a bit of a bitch when she wants to.

She looked back forward as she looked for a spot to park. She was looking for the area that had more shade. The worst thing about driving to Toni is finding the parking spot. It always seemed like a race between two people to get to a freaking stupid spot in a big lot. She drove around the outskirts of the Square where the cars all parked. Finally over towards the far south end she had found a few spots open. She slowly parked to the one that was away from everyone else's. She took a deep breath as she continued to feel his emotions seep into her body as if she had no control over it. She still had not been able to control this. She did for a little bit but then she lost her control some how. Now once the emotions begin to be absorbed by her body she can't stop it. She put the car in park and turned it off.

Slowly she turned her head and looked at Gio. She had to tell Gio that she was a tainted. She wanted to be open and honest with him. She knew what it was like to be kept in the dark and to her it sucked. She bite on the side of her bottom lip for a moment as her mind tried to come up with a way to bring it up. Because she didn't think the whole, 'oh by the way, I forgot to mention that I am one of the tainted now how about a stroll around the Square.' She looked down for a moment and begin to fidget with her finger nails as she always did when she was a little nervous herself. "Gio...." She said softly as she slowly raised her head. "There is kinda something you should know about me. I am... well.... you see its kinda a.... ummm... " She stopped for a moment and then took a deep breath. "Gio I am a tainted." She said in a slightly rushed voice but she figured if she didn't get it out now then she never will. She bite on her lip after word and looked up at Gio wondering what he thought and if he was going to bolt out of the car screaming at the top of his lungs.

[gio]

This was not so much torture for him to meet a new random stranger he had not seen before or spoken before in person. He just met her last night too online and she wanted to hang out which she made him feel so, comfortable. So he had agreed to this all even though he was scared out of his mind. First girl he had known only in his dreams and met in person for the first time was horrible. He saw her in his dreams because his projection came out of him and ran into her and others before. His projection was more the Gio in a normal sense since he was social and not scared. Reason was because this projection was his soul really inside his body that came out of him when he slept. His power only worked as he slept and it was completely uncontrollable. But when he met the girl in his 'dreams' they were good friends and he even got a liking to her too. When they met in person it was the park which he was sitting on the swings. She approached him, he saw her for the first time, he literally held his breath then keeled over passed out.

That was experience number one, which all she did was try to revive him before calling someone to help him. Then he was taken away home which he woke up to Con looking at him funny. Embarrassing first impression, which the girl moved away soon after which he never saw her again. Next female experience was him being picked on at school but this one ended up good. Vicky was nice to him and his friend though they barely spoke to one another, mainly it was online they spoke a lot. He always has been scared of females which lead him to the final experience. Audrey, he didn't know why she had made him feel funny at all and he just passed out. She revived him but he ended up collecting his things then running away scared out of his mind. Also since when he was passed out his spirit, or projection, pushed out of him then people were shocked a tainted was in their presences. God he needed to open up more but did not know how. Maybe this is why he was flooding the poor girl with his rushing of emotions. What if he did pass out again or what if she felt he was pathetic.

With a small shake to his head he turned his eyes to look out the window watched as they were looking for a parking spot. When she parked he did expect to rush out of the car and then off to the adventure. But instead she said his name softly so he turned towards her as he unbuckled his safety belt. They were parked so there was no need to have that on him anymore. Now he was curious if this was the part where she was going to break down the whole he was pathetic part. He was waiting for it and fear rose inside of him about this whole ordeal. He had no idea he was nearly killing Toni, not literally, with his huge rush of fear and nervousness to what she was going to say. Maybe she knew he was tainted since she seen his astral around. God he was so busted if she did and soon his stomach began to do some back flips. Running seemed like the better idea right now but she had not said a word yet. So he waited for her to get out what she was going to say to him before running away. His aquamarine eyes just gazed at her as she nervously spoke herself, which was odd. Though his attention was fully at her as she was breaking out what she wanted to say to him.

Something about her he did not know what she was going to say but when she said she was tainted. His stomach stopped flipping around, his head tilted to the side, he looked at her with wide eyes. Emotionally inside of him he just felt the wave of fear all of a sudden pop into nothing, it was gone. Now some spark of relief was in him. though still nervous but a calming kind of nervous feel. Not to mention a leaking of happiness slowly rising in him as he was gathering words to say to her. "Re-re-really!?" He said in is normal stuttering tone of voice and he looked at her surprised. God after he said that the happiness rate rose up and relieved. Calm took over for a minute as he began to spit things out in some scramble. "Dad wa-wa-was right! Th-th-there is lots of pe-pe-people like him an-an-and me." He actually put a smile on his face but he still was nervous and gripped his hands onto his balled up sweatshirt onto his lap. He took a deep breath in and out of him then he told her flat out without a stutter but kind of quick. "I'm tainted too." After he said that he looked down at his own lap before he looked at her again then he let out a small smile. Now he felt about 100 times better then he had before, though he was nervous, but now he knew she was not some untainted person who hated tainted people.

[jessica2008]

Her dark brown eyes continued to look at Gio's. She swallowed for a moment but then feel a whole bunch of emotions be lifted from her. She let out a calm sigh of relief as she leaned back in her chair. A smile formed on her face. She listened to him carefully. She was just so relieved to feel all that nervousness and scared feeling escape her body. Her mind was in a high right now from the relief. She was curious that he was a Tainted. Most of the people she knew that were tainted had lived in the area or have had family around here. She sat up some as he told her that he was also a tainted.

"Wow... you are a tainted too..." She said more in a statement. She figured that if he was a tainted and others knew then he would not be picked on so much unless those who were tainted were the ones picking on him. She just sat there looking at him wondering what kind of ability he possesses. Was he really this shy and stuttered all the time because it was a cover up or was it because he was scared? She had so many different thoughts running through her head.

"Most of my friends around here are Tainted." She said hoping to break the silence that had fell in the car. She hoped that maybe this will help him talk to her more and open up to her. She leaned closer to him so that way it seemed more personal and well most of the time people don't just talk about the Tainted out in public like this so it was almost just by habit for Toni.

Her small hand reached over and set on top of Gio's hands that were on his balled up sweatshirt. She rubbed her thumb slowly over his skin. "Gio... please stay in this mood. Because I am an empath and let me tell you, make there before I told you I was tainted you were seriously giving me a migraine. So please stay in this happy and relaxed and calm mood. You can be nervous I won't tell you not to be but just don't over load." She said with a soft laugh hoping he would understand. She figured he would but if she had to explain what her ability is, she would try her hardest since she was still trying to figure that all out herself. She was not sure what her ability was all the way like but sometimes just restless nights with no sleep and migraines to hell.

[gio]

After he announced he was tainted as well she seemed to have a smile spread across her face right back at him. Oh this was actually going good and he had not hyperventilated by now and passed out. Though he was about to pass out right there in the passenger seat for he was so drop dead nervous. He couldn't help it he was not one to have much experience with being out and about. Back home in England, before he came here about 2 months ago, he was nearly dead. Father never really fed him so he eat food at school and took home snacks to sneak in his room. He was beaten up verbally, physically and he was not allowed to go no where but school. So he was like a caged up animal and treated lower then dirt to where Gio did actually feel like dirt. He didn't have any clothes of his own other then the school uniforms he was forced to wear. No iPod, no phone, no music and just no nothing other then his own room and books. It was like a dungeon of a life to how it was compared now and this is why he was just not well.

This is the first time he was invited out with someone who wanted to hang out with him, especially a girl. Gio's Dad made him feel so shallow about himself with all his hurtful words to scar him for life. 'What girl would want to be with you? Your an ugly, pathetic, weak creature and deserve to just die.' He bite his bottom lip thinking about those words then he looked at Toni. Maybe his father was wrong and maybe this girl was different but of course Gio did not know. He had just met her and did not expect a thing other then talking with her, in fact what the hell did one do with a girl. Gio knew about kissing but never ever kissed a girl in his lifetime, not even on the cheek. Only kiss he received from a girl was from Anna, Constantine's best friend, but that really didn't count did it. Other then kissing Gio had not a clue really what else to do with a girl besides talk with her and hug her maybe. Gio ran ill the day the class was having the whole lesson on sex ed and passed out 5 minutes into the whole mess. So he was taken home and completely clueless about things beyond kissing with a girl. If he did know then that would more then likely be a shocker for the boy since he was so naïve.

When she finally came around to being shocked he was tainted it was relieving telling her since now he felt more comfortable. Now he was curious what her power is since he knew three tainted people who are close to him. Toni would be the fourth person now he knew that was a tainted, so he was curious. She remarked some of her friends were tainted and he smiled, more tainted people around. He did come to San for the right reasons and that was to be with people like him. For now he was excited which he was going to ask her what her power was and such. But she beat him to the attention which he was nervous gripping the sweatshirt he was holding. Her hand went on his hand and a fluster of nerves came over him, but he tried to calm down. His eyes went on her hand then he looked at her as she began to tell her what was on her mind. She told him to stay happy and calm because she was an empath. What the heck was what, he wondered to himself but she clearly explained it out to him. Took him a moment to get what she was saying then it hit him like a ton of bricks she was telling him to keep his emotions at bay.

He realized that he was so nervous, so flustered, so scared and he was killing her with this overwhelming rush. Maybe that is why she broke down and told him her power. Because she was about to ring his neck if he didn't cut off making her head implode with his emotions. "I'm sorry." He said rather quickly and like he was out of breath. Man he felt bad now and began to work hard on regulating his emotions down. But she laughed so he was calm, she was not pissed at him or something, she was just trying to get him to understand. Her power was so interesting to him now and he smiled slowly. "Everyone has cool powers. I do-do-don't." He said which his stutter was starting to calm down around her since he was calming down. Sure he was still nervous but he was trying to calm down. After all he did not want to scare her off with his fluster of emotions. "Mine...only work wh-wh-when I'm sl-sl-sleeping." He remarked to her slowly then he tilted his head to the side for a moment. "Astral projection." He said to her in a slow clear voice so that she would know what his power is as well. He kind of almost forgot they were in the car since she was talking to him and he was actually talking back.