"Your crazy. And amazing" Will laughs. I reajust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. Willow walks beside me at a brisk pace.
"Where now?" She asks.
"Lunch starts in a few minutes we could meet Killijan" I propose.
"Mkay" She agrees. We race through the sparse hallways. Aussie's on our heels and Xaz mewls in protest from Willows bag. We skid into the dinning hall. I smooth down my hair so its not in my face. Willow pulls hers into a ponytail. We search the room for Killijan. Willow spots him at a table of teens dressed in white.
"Hey Willow, Roan" He acknowledges.
"Mind if we sit?" She asks. He gestures to the marble bench beside him. I flash him a grateful smile because the other side benders look at us with repulsion. We walk to the food served buffet style. I take some blue glop and some green kind of jelly. While Will decides between grey specks or yellow I scan the crowds for Zeris. I bite my lip. The water weilders are scattered around the whole room.
"Your boyfriend can wait you're supposed to be spending time with me today" She grumbles.
"He's not my boyfriend. We only kissed twice" I remind her.
"Twice? You only told me about the first time!" She whines. We head back to Killijan.
"How have you been?" He asks. I open my mouth to answer but then realize he wasn't talking to me.
"Fine. Training has sucked. I hate my teacher" Willow says while nibbling on a grain bar.
"Coba was super tough on me this morning. Where were you anyways?"
"I was-"
"Oh you didn't know, she's Enchanted and Vice let her have the day off" Will chatters. I hit her arm.
"Your...what?"
I swallow hard. Beads of sweat glisten on my forehead.
"Roan Elex" A voice booms. Everyone looks over. Mr.Coba stands at the door of the hall with his hands on his hips. I scurry over to him.
"Thanks for the save" I murmer, slipping past him. He walks beside me, his expression puzzled. I shove my hands in my hoody pockets.
"Professor Vice and I had a little chat..."
I meet his eye.
"Congratulations Roan" He comes to a halt.
"Thanks?"
"I expect to see you this afternoon for training. And Mrs.Beatriz wishes to see you afterwards" He clears his throat. I groan and rub my temple.
"Yeah" I grumble half heartedly.
"I promise this time Will"
"That's what you said last time!" She protests.
"I'm making you dinner you should be grateful" I point out.
"I can cook just fine" She retorts.
"From a box doesn't count" I fell her, shoving her shoulder playfully.
"Should I come by around...say 4:30? I need time to change and shower"
"How's 6. I have to see Mrs.Beatriz after practice" I tell her.
"The head Water instructor? Good luck"
She walks back into her training room, rich earthy scents wafting from it. I sigh and weave my way through the hallways, not wanting to be late.
"Miss Elex, so glad you could take the time out of your busy schedule to meet us" Killijan teases.
"Oh shut up"
"Children" Mr.Coba remarks.
"To your podiums" He adds. I step onto the small hexagon closest to the entrance. Killijan trots over to the one a yard away from me. I plant my feet and ready my hands. They tingle in excitement. Mr.Coba shouts for the dual to begin but my ears swell with air. I endure the blast and prepare my own. I twirl my hips along with my wrists to make a twisted sort of tornado. It picks up the sand and I heave it towards Killijan. He puts his hands in front of his face-knowing its not strong enough to bowl him over. I ready another, sending it to wait near the ceiling. He hits me from behind, weaving the snake around me and planting it in my spine. I give a grunt and shoot one at his feet, hes thrown off balance and lands promptly on his back. I hurl myself off and catch the air. It carries me toward him. I jump and roll, planting my foot on his neck. I feel hands on my ankle and the breath escape from my lungs. He sends a collected ball into my chest, it explodes on my rib and I feel it splinter. Anger boils inside of me. I grunt and hurl the waiting air from the ceiling at his back. He doesn't expect the retort and falls forward as I stand up. His chest lands in my knee. He yelps.
"Enough" Coba murmers. I look back at him, panting. I lower my arms not realizing they're still up.
"Good Roan. But remember to control your temper" He growls with irritation in his tone.
"Yes Mr.Coba" I mumble, stepping aside. He helps Killijan to his feet, I peer over his shoulder-not wanting him to be hurt. Mr.Coba teaches us techniques on battling Earth benders, as they are the counter of air and would cause the most damage to us on the battle field. I imagine using these tactics against Will and it feels wrong.
"But Mr.Coba, if Earth is our counter then how will I learn it?" I ask.
"You will eventually have to learn Fire Roan, and that is the counter of water. Just as you will have to learn water, which is the counter of fire"
"I don't know what you mean by that"
"Sometimes you need to forget about the counters to the elements. Especially as the Enchanted"
I nod though I still don't quite understand.
"Roan wait up" I turn around to meet Killijan. We're in the hall outside of the arena. I changed from my sweaty training clothes.
"Why do you never wear shirts?" I ask him with a chuckle, looking at his bare chest. He slicks his hair back with his hand and averts his eyes from mine.
"Thanks by the way" I tell him.
"For what?"
"For what you did last night"
"Well I couldn't just leave a fellow air weilder afraid of Air now could I?"
I look away-distracted by vpices down the hallway and feel cold fingers on my chin, Killijan gently bings my face to meet his. Before I know what's happening his lips are on mine. They mould together perfectly and butterflies flutter in my stomach.
I push him away because he's not Zeris.
He looks at me confused. I look away and he tries again. I hear a gasp from close by.
"Will?" I say meeting her gaze. I realize his hand is on the small of my back an pry it off.
"No Killijan. I don't..." I tremor, staggering away.
Willow storms down the hallway with tears in her eyes. How could her best friend do this to her? Didn't Roan know she liked him?
"Hey Willow" A familiar voice calls.
"Oh whoa what's wrong?" He says, putting a hand on her shoulder. She sniffles and wipes the water from her eyes. She looks into his and opens her mouth to speak.
