I want that, what she describes. I want to be able to control this thing perfectly, to not have sleep be this weird prison where it just happens whenever it happens and then I’m stuck. I want to be able to get out of this city and to go to culinary school and to not have to worry about money or my future or my family—

I want to be able to have a girlfriend without panicking about whether I’m lying to her. Making up a story to explain why I was gone when I was at the AM was awkward enough and now I’m just … constantly wondering when I’m going to slip up and reveal something and give her a reason to call me crazy and delete my number. I’m really starting to like her—I feel comfortable falling asleep around her, I love the feeling of her dreams, even when I send them spinning out of my control, and I love the way she kisses and how she laughs and how her hands are always moving, but I don’t see a future for us if she doesn’t know, like, the biggest, most important thing about me.

“What do your patients do usually?” I asked Dr. Bright when the topic came up.

“That’s not a choice anyone can make for you, Rose,” Dr. Bright said. “Most of the people I know choose to only tell those closest to them—their immediate family, best friends, spouses, partners. It’s true that the AM doesn’t want Aypicals to go around broadcasting it—”

“Yeah, they made that very clear.” I snorted, thinking of the brochure that Owen had handed me during our exit interview called Your Ability and You! which detailed all the ways to make up excuses for the weird things that might happen around Atypicals and how best to hide different types of powers. Not the most encouraging piece of material I’ve ever read.

“But it’s your decision to make,” Dr. Bright said, the warmth of her voice making my shoulders relax a little. “I would suggest caution. Not everyone reacts well and it is a very personal thing to share. Make sure you trust the person first. But other than that, it’s really up to you.”

“Okay.” I nodded, considering. “I don’t think I’ll tell her just yet but, I don’t know, I really feel like we could be something and this isn’t a part of my life I’m willing to hide from a serious girlfriend.”

“See?” Dr. Bright smiled and that time it felt real. “You already know your boundaries. Trust your instincts.”