Devika didn't know what had happened. For several wonderful moments, she'd felt... amazing. More herself than any other time in the world. And then she'd been hit in the face, and then Austin was holding her. "Mmmgh..." She rubbed the cheek that was throbbing with increasing pain, and quickly extracted herself from Austin. "I'm sorry." Her eyes started to fill with tears, and she removed her glasses to wipe at them. "...I'll just.. ah... be going. I can tell my power's messing with you." A wobbly smile appeared on her face. "I'd give you a hug to thank you for catching me, but I'm pretty sure you'd pop out of your fur. So... thanks from a distance." Without waiting for a response, she rushed off.

The outdoors was there before she knew it, and she slumped into the cool grass, covering her hurt face with a hand. It was easy to see why Gretchen was so damn happy all the time. Easy to smile when literally had no care for anyone besides yourself. It had been beautiful, the confidence, the strength... and it had been gone that fast, a breath of perfume on a stagnant day. 

She wanted to be stronger and more confident, but... that wasn't what she wanted to become. Her parents had raised her to look out for those who needed help, and that's what she was going to do. Her way. But still... that dose of confidence still buzzed in her brain, like a drug. She wanted that feeling again, and she knew immediately that the need in itself wasn't like her.

"Crap... If this bitch turns me into some sort of addict, I'm going to have my parents sue the school."