Chapter 1: Introduction
"Hey, Jess?" Blake sticks his head into Jess's bedroom, textbook in hand. "You wanna grab dinner later after we finish our studying?"
Jess looks up from her book and smiles. "Sure, Blake. Sounds good." She sets her book down and stands up from her desk. "Want me to find something?"
Blake shakes his head. "No, I got it. I just need to finish this problem set. But when you're done, come find me."
Jess nods, watching him as he walks out of her room.
She turns back to her desk, but her gaze lingers on the doorway for a moment longer. She can't help but notice how Blake's jeans fit him, or the way his t-shirt stretches across his shoulders. She shakes her head, pushing the thoughts away. They've been roommates for years, and she's never felt anything but platonic affection for him. Besides, she has enough on her plate with her upcoming exams.
She sits down at her desk, pulling her notes towards her. She starts to read, but after a few minutes, she feels a strange sensation.
It's like a tingling, starting at the tips of her fingers and spreading up her arms. She shakes her hands, trying to dispel the feeling, but it only grows stronger. She looks around her room, wondering if there's some explanation for what's happening. That's when she hears it - a soft groan coming from Blake's room.
"Blake?" she calls out, concern lacing her voice. There's no response, so she gets up and walks over to his door, knocking lightly. "Blake, are you okay?"
Still no response. She hesitates for a moment before pushing the door open.
Blake is sitting on his bed, his head in his hands, his body trembling slightly. Jess rushes to his side, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Blake, what's wrong? Are you sick?" She places a tentative hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles.
He looks up at her, his eyes wide and glassy. "Jess...I don't know what's happening. I was just sitting here, working on my math, and then...I started feeling things. Weird things."
Jess furrows her brow, confusion etched on her face. "Feeling things?
Like what, Blake?" Jess asks, her voice barely above a whisper. She can feel her own heart racing, matching the rhythm of Blake's rapid breaths.
Blake takes a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Like...like I could feel your heartbeat, Jess. It was pounding, just like mine is now. And I could feel your hands, cold and shaking, even though you weren't touching me." He looks at her, his eyes filled with bewilderment. "And then, I could swear I felt...your emotions. Your worry, your fear.
It was like...it was like I could taste them," Blake says, his voice trailing off as he tries to make sense of the inexplicable experience.
Jess stares at him, her mouth agape. "That's...that's impossible, Blake. People can't feel each other's sensations like that." She pulls her hand back from his shoulder, creating some distance between them.
Blake runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his gesture. "I know, Jess! I know it sounds crazy. But I'm telling you, that's exactly what happened. And it's still happening.