The Elementals

Chapter 1. A New beginning

I rolled my eyes and grumbled under my breath. Quinn's sarcasm is seriously hard to handle on a TUESDAY morning. "Sorry I got here late," she said with a sigh. "Arianne and Audrée needed help with breakfast." I couldn't necessarily picture Quinn making lovely heart shaped pancakes for her sisters but whatever. Don't question the tigress. Second fact: Quinn had nine siblings and they are all girls. In case you're wondering, it's as horrible as it sounds. Everyone weirdly had a rather french name except for Quinn. Arianne, Audrée, Chloé, Lucie, Constance, Louise, Claudie, plus the twins Marie-Laurence and Marie-Christine. I never really understood how that had come to being. Had Quinn's parents thought it would be hilarious to single out one of their daughters with a name? Who knows. You weren't going to see me ask such questions to Quinn anytime soon; she might bite my head off.

We got to school a bit late but it wasn't a huge deal. I beamed at Quinn before running off to Chemistry. "Thank you!" I said, stretching the "you" as I always did. "I hope you die in a fire," was her loving reply. That's Quinn-Code for: I love you too.

When I got to Chem, the teacher, Mrs. Holt, shot me a look as I arrived in a rush. "Sorry!" I whispered meekly. I finally took a seat and noticed Colin staring at me. He was adorable, sand coloured hair, expressive blue eyes and crooked smile. He was borderline lanky and he definitely liked me. I smiled at him and he grinned back. I hadn't known him for long but you could tell he was good hearted. I was also hoping he'd ask me out to the dance coming up in May.

The class went by, we took notes and listened to Mrs. Holt's explanations. Eventually, someone knocked at the door, she excused herself and told us she'd be right back. As soon as the door shut, Catherine sneered at me, "Late again Ryder? Did your freak emo friend drive you here once more? Too poor to afford your own car? Maybe if Daddy and Mama had real jobs, this wouldn't be such an issue," she said.

People like Catherine are hard to ignore but you quickly learn that ignoring is far better than replying to her. I could feel my cheeks redden from the stares other students were giving me and her. It annoyed me considering they were used to her acting this way. However, she wouldn't leave me alone, "No answer? I knew I was right. Maybe if you weren't such a freak, normal people would actually want to associate with you." Catherine really likes the word "freak". You often wonder if she'll ever broaden her range of insults. I would have tolerated her childish remarks until I suddenly felt something slimy, drip down my back. I looked back and saw mud. Who the ____ brings mud into chemistry class?! She was just like an irritating five year old.

I wasn't annoyed anymore, I was mad. Was she retarded? Slowly, I got out of my chair and turned to face her. Then, something odd happened. The ground shook. It was shaking just like I was inside. Almost as if we were on the same wavelength. An earthquake was making the whole class tremble and shake. Glass shattered and people screamed. It didn't last for very long, one minute? 30 seconds? I couldn't really remember. I wasn't angry anymore, just tired. Everything went still. Nobody moved or said anything; I was certain every living being could hear my heart slamming into my chest. Not much had been damaged besides the glass and a part of the floor precisely where Catherine had been standing.

Mud and dirt covered her from knees down. I could have smiled victoriously at her and said something like: "Look at that, guess Karma really is a b-eautiful person." I was nevertheless still shaken from the earthquake (literally) and decided I needed fresh air. Immediately.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one for ditching class, that was one of the many domains Quinn was specialised in. Stepping outside, I immediately took my shoes off, preferring the texture of soft grass over practically anything. I walked for a bit and sat down, rolling around a few times before making myself comfortable. I shut my eyes and thought about the earthquake. I had been so angry. It was almost as if it had been under my control. Someone sat down beside me, nearly giving me a heart attack as I sprung up to my feet in record time. I am a very jumpy person.

It was Colin. I was seriously hoping he hadn't witnessed me rolling around in the long grass for a minute. "Hey," he said. "Hi," I replied, more guarded. "That was-" he started. "Intense? Freaky?" I suggested, raising an eyebrow. He sighed and agreed then proceeded to lying down in the grass. He even rolled around a couple times, making it clear he had seen me earlier. "Oh stop!" I said laughing from embarrassment but also because I was happy to be out with a friend.

I got down beside him while staying a safe distance away and staring at the sky. He cleared his throat, "I'm sorry nobody defended you earlier." "Sorry I didn't do anything," he added. He continued, "Normally she shuts up after a while. I don't think anyone expected her to actually throw mud at you. Although, it's a bit ironic considering she-" "Was covered in mud after the earthquake?" I asked. "Yes!" We both smirked.

-That one looks like a whale, I said, pointing at a cloud.

-And that one resembles a key, he answered, squinting at the sky.

-Well that one surely looks like a face!

-Oh my goodness! It's so Mr. Brown's face!

-That's so mean! I said, even though I laughed.

This went on for almost an hour. Later, he turned around to face me. "Hey, so you know that dance coming up next month?" he started. I smiled knowingly and looked at him, "Yeah?" "Well, I'm bringing Catherine and I'm trying to tell her the dress she's been wanting to wear looks like something even Grandma Jen wouldn't have worn," he said pouting. My eyes darkened, I had been expecting him to ask me out. I faked a laugh, my brain having one of its epic moments where I go blank and can't come up with anything to say. He leaned in closer "Kidding," he whispered, "She's horrendous." I propped myself up on an elbow, "That was not funny!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes and then shoving him over.

He wouldn't stop grinning.

"So we're going together?" he asked hopefully, regaining a straight face. "Fine," I replied, completely failing at making it seem like I was grudgingly accepting his request.

I then left telling him I owed Quinn a strawberry flavoured ice cream with sprinkles. Little did I know this day was the beginning of a great change.