But that’s impossible. Because even though this explanation makes the past few months make a lot more sense, the explanation itself does not make sense at all.

“That’s not possible,” I push back. “ESP and all that stuff isn’t real.”

Caleb looks offended at that.

“Not that I don’t believe you,” I rush to explain. “But just that … just because you’re maybe more sensitive than other people doesn’t mean you can read minds.”

“I didn’t say I could read minds,” he bites, “just emotions. But I’ve gotten good at piecing together the feelings to figure out what’s going on with someone. It’s not perfect, but I’m getting better at it all the time. Dr. Bright has been helping me a lot.”

“Dr. Bright?” I ask, dazed.

“Yeah, she’s my therapist—”

“And she says you’re an empath?” That beggars belief, but I try not to sound judgmental. “That you’re not a normal human?”

“Yeah.” He nods enthusiastically. “After the fight, my parents sent me to her and she helped me figure it all out. It’s what she does. Works with people like me. Not just empaths, but other people who are special too. But she has seen lots of people who are like me—who are empaths. And it made so much sense, when she diagnosed me or whatever. I got into that fight with Tyler because I was so overwhelmed by his feelings. I thought they were mine—all that anger and bitterness—and I didn’t know how to balance it. I’m better now. I mean, obviously, I’m not perfect, but I can usually tell the difference between someone else’s feelings and my own now.”

Caleb’s body starts to relax throughout that little monologue and he’s looking at me hopefully, as if now that he’s explained his therapist and his diagnosis, I’m totally on board and completely able to grasp everything he’s saying.

“So…” I process out loud, “you feel the feelings of everyone around you and it’s sort of like mind reading but also you think those feelings are yours sometimes?”

“Pretty much.” He nods. “I mean, it’s a little more complicated than that probably, but that’s the gist. It’s not mind reading, I promise, but it’s … I don’t know … I know a lot about people now.”

That makes my heart beat faster in fear. If this is true (and I’m really starting to believe this is true), I might be in real trouble here.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, getting to the important question. I’ve spent a lot of time pestering Caleb about whatever perceived secrets I thought he might have, but he’s always been reluctant to cave. Why now?