text: Tierra Washington, Tierra Washington Connected: The Beginning The Beginning Nothing else. 
   
   
   Like you ever 
          "ROSE! Get your butt down here now!" My mom yelled for me to come downstairs for what seemed like the tenth time. I grabbed my backpack and purse and ran downstairs before she could come up and get me herself. I did not need her bullcrap this morning. As soon as I walked into the kitchen there she was sitting at the table. She looked up at me and shot a glare my way, a glare that pierced through my soul, one that could kill. 
   "How many times did I ask you to come down here. Your breakfast is cold now." My demon of a mother said as she motioned to what she considered breakfast. On my plate was a hasbrown( I hate hashbrowns) and a chocolate brownie with a coke. She never had the energy to cook a real meal for us not even when dad was alive. I sometimes felt sorry for her...sometimes. 
   I answered her. "I don't know, like ten?" I shrugged. 
   She narrowed her eyes even more(if that's even possible) and stood up. 
   "Was that sarcasm I heard?" She was now loking straight into my eyes that mirrored her own. 
   "No ma'm." I said quietly and hung my head down. I hated that I couldn't speak up to her. If I did she'd probably hit me. 
   "Good now eat your food and get to the bus stop. I don't feel like driving you to school today." 
   "Like you ever."  I thought as I ate the crappy food that she "prepared". 
     
     
   
   
   
   Awkward introductions 
    Still Rose's P.O.V. 
     
   As I made my way into the school building I headed straight for my locker to get my supplies. Everytime I open my locker I want to bang my head against it over and over again. It's so plain and ugly since I never have enough money to buy any pretty decorations for it. I suck it up and grab my books anyway. I'm a Sophomore and I have English first period. Mrs. Wombley is one of the nicest people I have ever met and my favorite teacher. 
   Every morning when I walk into the classroom I hug Mrs. Wombley and take my seat at the front of the class. Yeah I know that sitting at the very front may make me seem like a total nerd but if you were in this class then you'd want to hear everything up close as well. After Mrs. Wombley gets her book out and the lesson begins we hear a knock on the door and she of course opens it. 
   In walks a tall boy with tan skin, jet black shoulder-length hair and crystal blue eyes. He's wearing black jeans, black boots, a red hoodie with a leather jacket and a neckalace. Our eyes meet for a brief second and I quickly turn away. Obvious much? 
   "Everyone quiet down we have a new student with us today!" Mrs. Wombley got everyone to quiet down and all eyes went to the new boy. 
   "Now. Why don't you introduce yourself to the class sweetheart?" She motioned towards us and he began to speak. 
   "Well first off, my name is Chase Davidson and i'm 16 years old. I moved here from New York last week." He introduced himself short-sweet with a faint smile on his face. It seemed forced and his body language said...uncomfortable. When he was done with his awkward introduction Mrs. Wombley assigned him his seat. It was next to me...great. The rest of the class period went pretty smooth and as soon as the bell rang I packed up my stuff and was ready to go to Algebra. 
   "Ms. Peters can I have a word with you?" Just as I was headed out of the classroom Mrs. Wombley stopped me at her desk. I walked over slowly with a smile on my face. Even though I'd probably be late to my next class, it was impossible to get angry at this lady. 
   "Yes, Mrs. Wombley?" I asked calmly. She stood up and came over to me. She had to look up to me since she was about three inches shorter and I was only 5'4. 
   "I know this may be a lot to ask but I would like you to show the new boy..." She trailed. 
   "Chase." I said helping her remember. 
   "Ah...yes Chase. Well could you help him out? He's a very long way from home and he could use a friend." I almost said no but looking into her pale hazel eyes I just couldn't. 
   "Sure. I'll help him out." I said with a deep breath and eyes shut. Even without looking I could sense the smile on her face. 
     
     
   
   
   
   New Friend? 
    A few hours later at lunch I looked for Chase in the crowd of high school students. I finally spotted him at a table in the back sitting by himself. I walked over and sat across from him. He looked up and arched a brow. I gave an awkward smile as I put my straw in my chocolate milk. He smiled back and continued to eat him mushy(yeah the lunch isn't that gourmet) chicken. 
   "So? You just decided to sit with the new boy today?" He asked all of a sudden and kind of surprised me with his deep voice. I looked up and saw that he still had a confused look on his face. Boy was this weird... 
   "Well...I just thought that you'd like a friend or someone to show you around." I said in my most "normal" voice tryind not to scare him off. He just nodded his head slowly. 
   "Ok. So aren't you in my English class?" He began slowly but soon recognized my face. 
   "Uh yeah. We have the lovely Mrs.Wombley as our teacher. And you sit right next to me." I told him with my arms folded and lips pursed. 
   A strike of realization hit his face and his mouth formed an "O" shape. "Yeah right. Rose right?" He asked with a smile that wasn't so awkward. 
   "Yes. That's my name don't wear it out." I laughed at my own words, which I usually did anyways when no noe else found me funny. But for the first time in a while some one did. Chase actually laughed at my unintentional joke and his laugh was genuine. For the rest of lunch we ate our "food" and talked about his life befoe he moved here. I tried to dodge every queation that he asked about my life and what I like to do for fun at "home" or whatever. I guess this whole friend thing won't be so bad... 
   My next class was P.E. and let me tell you, I hated it. Today we were playing dodgeball and the team's were girls vs. boys. They never went easy on us and we never won...well I never did. 
   "Alright teams! I want a nice game, play fair and try your best." Coach Riley was a very tall man around 6'1 with a rougn black beard and very deep voice. He always told us his "rules for the game" before we started every match.  "Could one of them be that none of us end up in the nurse's office?"  I thought as I got into position...at the back. 
   The game was pretty good considering I got put out fifth(I was usually third). Anyways I was ready to get to the bus when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to see a very skinny and short girl. She was tan and had chocolate brown eyes with sandy brown hair that stopped at her shoulders, she also wore red-pink polka dotted round rimmed glasses. She looked down at her green high-top converse very nervously. 
   "Um, h-hi I'm N-Nya." She almost whispered and looked at me shortly and looked away quickly. I almost walked away to be honest(I'm not a bad person). 
   "Hi I'm Rose." I said kneelign down to her height. It was tiring being taller than everyone today. When did I get a growth spurt? 
   "I-I just wanted to thank you for blocking the ball and saving me today." She said so fast that I almost didn't undersrand her. I gave her a smie anyways. I suddenyl remembered that I had gotten out for being a shield for some random girl that was about to get hit in the head with a dodgeball. 
   "Oh. You're welcome then Nya. Now I gotta get to the bus so i'll see you later then?" I said in a hurry to get a good seat on the packed bus. 
   "O-Ok then. See you tomorrow." She said and walked off. I ran to the bus and luckily got a good window seat. 
   
   
   
   The project 
    I woke up the next mornin with the same old routine. Before my "mother" could wake up I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I had pinkish-colored skin with huge round grass green eyes and plump red lips. My naturally curly brown hair stopped at my waist and was a handful. I had gotten my pointy nose and eye color from my mom but the rest of my features were all my dad's mark. After getting myself ready I scavenged the kitchen for some real food. After looking through all of our cabinets I finally found some strawberry poptarts that luckily weren't overdue yet. I spread some butter on two of them and heated them up in the microwave. After I ate I went straight to the bus stop. 
   My day was pretty normal until Art Class. I had Mr. Linens as my teacher and he was a pretty nice guy. I mean if you count just getting a divorce and stepping out of the room to probably cry every five minutes emotionally stable, then yeah. Anyways today we were paired in groups for a "special project" and their were eight people assigned to each group. My group consisted of myself of course, Chase, Nya, a two other girls named Claire and Bex and three other boys who's names were Chester, Zay and Rex. Wow what a super team! *note the sarcasm* 
   "The names Nylox. Zay Nylox." Zay said with a grin on his face for the upteenth time. I just rolled my eyes. 
   "Yeah we know." Claire told him chewing on her gum and blowing hair out of her face.  
   Zay had light brown sking with almost gray eyes and wavy black hair that was hidden under a snapback.Claire has fair sking with sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Chester had dark brown skin with hazel eyes and curly brown hair. He wore round black-rimmed glasses. Bex had pale skin with dark brown eyes and really short carrot orange hair, with bangs. Rex had this whole mysterious aura surrounding him, with his olive colored skin, blueish-green eyes, and spiked up blonde hair. He hadn't spoken yet. 
   "Ok." Chester began with a shaky voice. Rex raised a brow looking curious. 
   "So what do you guys want to do for the project?" He asked and no one answered him. Our assignment was to choose a famous artist and try to recreate one of their most famous paintings and make it into our own.  
   "How about Shakespeare?" Zay suggested and everyone's eyes went wide. I tried not to laugh so hard.  
   "Dude." Was all Chase said with "what is wrong with you?" look on his face. I couldn't hold it in any longer and bursted out laughing. I even snorted... Soon everyone in our group joined in and Zay had a confused and angry look on his face. 
   "Shakespeare was a poet and author man." Rex finally spoke up and realization hit Zay's face. 
   "Oh." Was all that could be said. After all of that was said and done we finally chose Leonardo Davinchi's Mona Lisa. 
   When I got home that day my mom wasn't home. As usual I went upatairs did my homework and watched tv. My favorite show, "The Royals" was on. It was about these four princesses that had elemental powers and had to protect their kingdom with their powers. Sure it was pretty cliche but I loved it. Halfway through the show I heard my phone ringing on my nightstand. I checked to see who was calling me and was surprised at the unknown number. 
   Now I'm usually a very sane person and I don't answer calls from unknown numbers that could possibly lead to my ultimate death...too much? But I answered anyways cuz I wanted to and I'm a bad-(not gonna finish that word). 
   "Hello." I answered. 
   "Hey Rosie. This is Claire from school. Just wanted to see if you wanted to come to the mall with the group." What the actual f*** man?! How the heck did this crazy a** girl get my number? 
   "Uh...sure? I guess." I said wanting to be nice. I could just record my show and besides I could get out sometime. 
   "Yay!." She screeched. 
   "Meet us at the mall water fountain in 10." Was the last thing she said before hanging up. 
   "Great. Now I have to get up." I said lazily as a I rolled off of my bed "excited" for the things to come. 
     
   
   
   
   Mall antics 
   When I got to the water fountain everyone was there waiting awkwardly. 
   "Welp. I'm here." I said in the most exasperated tone I could muster. What was surprising though was as soon as Claire saw me her face lit up like a thousand candles. Creepy right? 
   She ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. I didn't do hugs. 
   "Ok guys, the girls and I are gonna go looking around. You do what you do and we'll be meet back here in 10. K?" Claire told he guys as she was literally dragging Nya, Bex, and I away to "look around". The guys just stood there with confused looks on their face. The whole situation was kinda funny if you ask me. 
   Halfway through walking Claire pulled us into a clothing store. It was shiny and bright, basically everything I don't like. 
   "I just have one question for you." For the first time since we all met Bex talked...well to Claire. 
   "Yeah, what's up?" She responded while looking through a rack of dresses. Nya was quiet as usual and kept looking down at the floor the entire walk here. I was just glad to get out of the hell hole that is my home. 
   "Why'd you call everybody here if we were just gonna split up anyways?" Bex asked with her hsnds onnher hips. She had an annoyed look on her face. 
   "Well I just thought that we could all get to know eachother better. We could talk now if ya want." Claire said turning around to face all three of us. She sounded somewhat upset. Maybe she really did have good intentions. 
   "Well we could start off with how I absolutely hate shopping." Bex said looking around the store with  disgusted look on her face. I almost laughed but Nya remained silent. Claire gasped and had a look of shock on her face. 
   "Ok. Well I guess I should've asked what you guys wanted to do before taking off, huh?" She said shifting her eyes from left to right. 
   "Yes, you should have. So Nya, Rose what do you guys want to do?" Bex asked looking at us. I hadn't really thought about it. Nya finally spoke up. 
   "I guess we could go to the food court. I'm pretty hungry." Nya said looking straight up. I hadn't noticed before but she had a baby face.  
   "Mmm yeah, I guess that's ok." I said not even needing to think twice. I mean come on it's FOOD! 
   About 20 minutes later... 
   The four of us were sat down at a table in the food court. Nya and I had Chinese, Bex had Mexican, and Claire had Italian. It was pretty awkward at first but we soon started talking about our favorite tv shows and movies. I never expected to have so much in common with strangers. It turned out that we all watched "The Royals" and couldn't wait for the season finale. 
   "I think Jessa will end up with Berl." Said Claire almost chocking on her spaghetti. Bex stiffled a laugh. 
   "No she won't. She doesn't even like him anymore, she's gonna marry Prince Klev." I said counteracting her statement. How did she even think that they were still in love. Where has she been for the past 5 episodes? 
   "Guys. The King will never let her see another boy again, let alone marry one." Nya said looking at us as if we were insane. We both simultaneously shot glares her way and she lookied terrified. We quickly looked at eachother and laughed uncomfortably. 
   "Uh, were sorry." I said sheepishly. Bex just shook her head at our antics. For the first time in a while I actually felt normal. 
   "Guess who's back ladies!" We heard someone say and we all turned around to see Zay and the guys standing there. 
   "I thought we decided to meet back at the fountain?" Rex asked directed at Claire who turned her head the other way. 
   "We looked everywhere for you guys." Chester said pouty and upset. Bex and I tried so hard to hold in our laughs. 
   "Well...um...you see...it's a long story." Bex said with a shaky voice that said, gonna laugh any minute here. 
   "So how's he food love?" Chase asked me as Bex explained what happened. I was confused. 
   "Love?" I asked with a cocked eyebrow. He only let out a deep chuckle that sent shivers down my spine. 
   "I probably didn't already tell you this but I'm originally from Sydney, Australia." he said with a grin. 
   "Sorry if I confused you, that's just my normal way of speaking." Realization hit me and I instantly felt so dumb, even tough I didn't know he was originally from Australia. Why would he ever call me love otherwise?  
   "Uh, it's pretty good actually for mall food." I said while taking another savory bite. 
   "You're really funny, you know that?" He said laughing at what I had just said. 
   "No. No I don't know." I said utterly confused. Did Australians find my sense of humor funny? 
   "Well you are, even if it's sometimes unintentional." So someone finally understands that what comes out of my mouth is not intended to make people laugh. I'm just weird. 
   "Yo lovebirds! Were discussing the project now." Rex got our attention and we began our meeting. 
   10 minutes later... 
   "You guys better be glad that it's Friday and I don't have a curfew." Said Bex yawning for the third time. I swear that the next time she does, she'll be knocked out. 
   "Ok guys it's almost 10:00 a'clock. What've we got so far?" Chase asked looking at his watch. People still wear those? 
   "Well we chose Davinchi and the Mona Lisa. And... now we can't come up with a new way to paint it." Rex told him tiredly looking over his notes. Yep he was the only one who actually took notes. 
   "Maybe we could do a modern painting of her. Maybe paint her as a teenager or model or..." Claire brainstormed and began trail off once everyone looked at her like she was crazy.  
   "That could work Claire but it probably wouldn't relate to any of us." Chester chuckled nervously. 
   "Like at all." Zay deadpanned. Nya actually let out a small laugh. I smiled. 
   "We could add something to it maybe a...another human being or two?" Bex suggested raising a brow. 
   "Then it's settled, we'll start on it tomorrow. Goodnight my fellow people." Rex stood up and walked away. 
   "Night." Claire said sleepily almost tripping over her own feet while walking away. 
   Everyone left and there was just me and Chase left.  
   "Do you have a ride home?" He asked me and I facepalmed. I had totally forgotten that I took the bus here and didn't even leave a nte for my mother to let her know where I was gone to. 
   "Um...no actually I don't." I said sheepishly and he just laughed. Who the heck did he think he was? 
   "Don't worry love. I'll drive you if you like." He kindly offered to drive me home. I just nodded and follwed him to his car. 
   The drive to my house was silent and I thanked him once we arrived. 
   "See you at school Monday." I said and shut the door. All I wanted to do was jump in my bed and never get up again. 
   To my surprise, as soon as I stepped through the door I saw my mother sitting on the couch staring at a blank television. 
   "Where the hell have you been?"  
     
     
     
   
   
   
   The Discovery 
    For the rest of the weekend my mom made me do all of the chores arounf the house and I couldn't go anywhere(not that I ever left the house on weekends anyways). 
   At breakfast Monday morning I tried to find a table to sit at. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the group sitting together, well just Zay, Rex, and Claire. I went over and took a seat. 
   "Good Morning Rosie!" Claire shouted and almost broke my eardrums. 
   "That's not my name or nickname." I deadpanned. She pursed her lips awkwardly. 
   "Ok." She mouthed. 
   "Sup Rose." Rex saluted in a laid-back nonchalant manner. 
   "Hello Rose Peters." Zay said in a monotone voice. Was this guy serious or did he just need serious help? 
   "Really?" I raised a brow while spreading jelly on my buscuit.  
   "I just love accents." Zay grinned like a little kid in a candy store. 
   "So how was your weekend?" Claire asked sipping her orange juice like a princess. 
   "Well I got home late Friday night, you guys know that already." I began. 
   "I forgot to tell my mom where I was and she mini-grounded me. I had to do chores and couldn't leave the house." I finished explaining and Zay bursted out laughing. Claire hit his shoulder and he stopped. 
   "Sorry. I just can't imagine being punished over coming home late on a friday." He said in between laughs. Rex rolled his eyes and sent a, "I'm sorry for his stupidity" look. 
   Later on that day in Art class we were almost fiished with our painting when I suddenly got really thirsty. I asked Mr. Linens if I could go get some water and left out of the class room. 
   After I took my first sip I let out a long ahhh. You know that ahhh that you get when you're really tired after running and really enjoy the drink that saves you from dehydration. Yeah...that ahhh. 
   I was just about to take my hands off of the water fountain when I felt it shaking.  
   "What the?" I asked myself as the shook more rapidly. I stepped back and it went down slightly. As soon as I was about to walk away I heard a BOOM! sound and I was drenched with water. The water had literally just exploded on me. I just stood there soaking wet and not sure what to do. 
   Soon after, every class in the hallway ran out and crowded around me. I flet half embarrsed and confused as hell.  
   "What happened here?!" Mr. Linens asked looking at thw hole scene. I just shook my head from side to side with my mouth still wide open. He gave me an upset look and motioned to the girl's restroom. I quickly rushed inside and I heard everyone going back into their classes. They'd probably call a plumber or something to see what went wrong. It was probably just the pipes. 
   As I desperately tried to dry my face and arms as much as I could in walked Claire, Nya, and Bex. They gave me a look of empathy and formed a group hug. I was enclosed in a fortress formed by girls that I had only known for three days at the most. 
   "How did this happen?" Bex asked ringing my jacket out in the sink. It was pointless trying to airdry my clothes but I knew that I couldn;t call my mother at all. 
   "Heck if I know. All I did was take a sip of water and Boom goes the water fountain." I recited exasperated. Nya rubbed my back in an attempt to calm my nerves. 
   "Don't worry honey, I've got some extra clothes in my locker. I'm pretty sure you could fit them, we're about the same size." Claire said looking at me up and down nodding her head. 
   "I'll be right back." She said and ran out of the restroom. 
   Bex propped herself up on the counter and moved her head to the side with the confused expression on her face. 
   "I wonder why the water fountain got angry at you like that?" She said rubbing her chin in a thinking manner. Nya cocked a brow and I think I laughed without knowing it. How did she do that?  
   "Wow you managed to pulled me out of a horrible mood." I said smiling a genuine smile. 
   "I'm just awesome like that, I guess." She dusted both of her shoulders off with a smirk. 
   "Guys. I think you're forgetting the whole situation here." Nya started crossing her arms. We both looked at her confused. 
   "A water fountain just blew up on you and you think that it was the pipes!" She shouted flailing her hands in the air like she was trying to make a point. At that same time Claire walked in slowly handing me the clothes. 
   "So what are you saying?" Bex asked cautiously.  
   Nya rolled her eyes. "I'm saying that stuff like this just doesn't happen on a regular basis." She said so quick that she ran out of breath. 
   "Yeah so? What do you think happened?" Bex asked in a serious tone. 
   "Well?..." Nya tralied off with her eyes averting to me. I was shocked. 
   "Do you seriously think that I caused that?!" I shouted my hands shooting up towards the door. 
   "I'm not saying that directly but... it's possible." Her eyes lit up and her head nodded so damn fast I thought her neck was gonna break. 
   "You seriously believe in that supernatural stuff?" Claire asked with her brows furrowed. Nya's smile widened. 
   "OMG. So do I!" Claire screeched and Bex and I gave eachother a look. Were they serious right now? 
   "No, no, no, and NO!" Bex yelled covering her poor ears. 
   "We're not starting a fangirl fest. Not right now. Besides, we've been in this restroom for so long, people are gonna think we left campus or something." With that I went into a stall and changed my clothes. Claire had given me some blue jean ovaeralls with a black and red under shirt. I kept on my black converse and put my hair into a ponytail. 
   "Let's go." I said walking towards the door but no one moved. I look back. 
   "You guys coming?" I asked and they looked very uncomfortable for some reason. 
   "Do we have to go back so soon? We could stay and chat about supernatural stuff. Or not...I'm such a nerd." Nya said pacing around in thought. These people were crazy. 
   "Yeah or not." Bex rolled her eyes and was about to grab the doorknob when she stopped. 
   "Somethings not right." She said trying to let go of the doorknob. We all walked over to her. 
   "What's wrong Bex?" Claire asked. Bex raised her head slowly and looked at us. 
   "I think I'm stuck." She said pointing to her hand with her free hand. She pulled and pulled but couldn't free herself. 
   "Let us help." I gave everyone a look and we all grabbed on to her waist like we were playing tug-a-war. No matter how hard we tried her hand wouldn't budge. 
   "Let go!" She shouted with force and her hand was finally free. She let out a breath of relief. But something still wasn't right... 
   "Um guys...do you see what I see?" She asked brething heavily. She was petrified. 
   In Bex's had was a pool of what looked like metal floating. Whenever she moved her hands the metal would form another shape. I couldn't shut my mouth so Claire did it for me. 
   "SEE I TOLD YOU. IN YOUR FACES!" Nya was so excited and jumpy. Uh oh... 
   "Uh Nya." I said slowly. 
   "YES!" She was still jumping and the higher she got the more she wouldn't come down.  
   "NYA!" Bex got her attention. 
   "What?" She asked innocently. 
   "Honey, you're floating." I informed her and she looked down. Her eyes went wide and she went into a panic. 
   "Oh no!" She panicked while trying to manage literally flying. She moved around so much that she couldn't control it and flew out the door into the hallway. 
   We shot eachother looks and rushed after her. 
   As soon as we got into the hallway we had to take cover. She was flying i every direction and couldn't control it. 
   "Ok guys now is not the time to panic. We need to help her." Claire said trying to be as acalm as she could. 
   "And how do you suppose we do that?!" Bex ducked trying not to get knocked out by Nya's shoes. 
   "Guys if you have any ideas then right about now would be the perfect time to put them in action!" Nya shouted still zooming through the hallways. What was happening right now. 
   I suddenly fely the urge to stand up do something totally crazy. 
   "Water!" I actually shot a blast of water through my hands toward Nya and knocked her out of the air. She coughed up some but was okay. 
   "Thanks. I guess." She gave me a smile as I helped her up. 
   As soon as she was on her feet her legs got wobbly and she slowly drifted off of the ground. Oh no, not again. 
   "Ice!" Suddenly Nya's feet were frozen to the ground. I looked back at Bex and Claire. Bex quickly pointed to Claire who was looking at her hands in amazement and confusion. 
   "Wow. Did I really just freeze your feet?" Claire and Bex ran over to us. 
   "Guess so." Nya looked down at her feet frozen in place.  
   "Well." We heard a deep voice and turned around to see Chase, Rex, Chester, and Zay standing there with their mouths wide open. They had seen EVERYTHING. 
   "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Chester began to have a panick attack. Chase tried to calm him down while Rex and Zay ran over to us. 
   "This is so cool." Zay said examining everything. He seriously looked like a kid in a candy store. He turned to Bex. 
   "What can you do?" He asked Bex and the only response he got was an metal mouth guard to the face.  
   "I made that." She grinned and he gave a thumbs up. 
   "Ok everyone calm the flip down." I said getting everyone's attention. I looked at the situation we were in. Nya was frozen, water was still everywhere, Zay's mouth was wired shut, and Chester was having a panick attack. 
   "How am I gonna get free?" Nya asked on the verge of tears. Claire had a look of gulit. 
   "You did the right thing." I said reassuring her. I took a deep breath. 
   "But...she can't stay like that." I finished looking at Nya's frozen feet. 
   Chase and a calmed down Chester walked over to us. 
   "Step back." Chase said to everyone. 
   "Why?" Bex asked. 
   Chase raised his right hand up and made a fire ball right then and there. 
   "Just do what the man says." Rex said looking slightly scared and we all moved away quickly. 
   "Fire!" Chase shot the fire ball at Nya's feet. 
   "AHH!" She screamed terrified. Her heavy brething slowed down once she looked down to see that her feet were still in tact and that there were no injuries. 
   "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you." She ran over and engulfed Chase in a tigh hug. 
   "Well." Said Chester slowly. 
   "Ye-" I was about to say something until we heard a thud.  
   We turned to see Chester passed out on the floor. 
     
   
   
   
   The Gate 
   The next two weeks went by quickly and we got an A+ on our painting and Chester was ok.  
   "You can do this Rose!" I heard Claire shouting from across the field. She was always so supportive when we did this. 
   I took a deep breath and focused all my energy on my element and the water within. As I exhaled pools of water whirled around my body. I opened my eyes that were now glowing a bright blue. I loved this feeling. 
   I controlled all of the water that came from me and blasted into a beautiful fountain in the air. I brought it back down by manuvering my arms in a sawyed motion. I was water bending. Not the cliche type like on tv shows but the real thing. 
   "Heads up!" I heard Chester shout and looked up in time to see a huge boulder coming my way. I dodged it and shot a gust of water in his direction.  
   His reflexes weren't as quick as mine and he got drenched. I turned my powers off and ran over to him. 
   "I-I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" I asked a groaning Chester. 
   "Yeah." He spit some water out. 
   "Just fine." I helped him up and took him over to the rest of the team. 
   "Well you're definitely 
     
     
   
   
   Publication Date: November 29th 2017 https://www.bookrix.com/-dp8acb76e70a0a5