The Elementals: The Beginning & the End

Chapter 1 Date: the fifth day of the month of Lena, 2013 Report number: 1001 Subject: The Duels It was the last day of school. I was sitting next to my mother, Liana Paula, sipping a glass of water and smiling a smile that I was sure didn’t reach my eyes. I somehow had this feeling, this premonition that something really, really bad was going to happen. If only I hadn’t been right. Mom, as usual, was very optimistic. “Bye Ella! Don’t worry, nothing can go wrong.” Only mom. She was being, well, optimistically pessimistic. She told me that nothing could go wrong, which meant that she thought that I thought something might go wrong, which meant that she, obviously, was, at some level or the other, worried, either subconsciously, or consciously, and felt that she shouldn’t worry me. Which worried me. Nonetheless, I forced another smile, and laughed her off. “Obviously. See you soon, mum!” As soon as I reached school, I saw my best friend, Fleur Bluma. She was an energetic, ever smiling person, and was a genius when it came to – well, everything. She had a way with plants, flowers, studies, books – you name it. She was peaceful, and somehow made everyone near her laugh. “Ella!” She crushed me in a hug. “Last day of school!” she laughed as she pulled away. “How awesome is that? And guess what? Sol’s coming after school!” Sol is Fleur’s friend, but she never stops talking about him, which makes me suspect they might just be more. “That’s great,” I told her. “But let’s get through the day first. I mean, Progress reports!” Fleur laughed. “Well, it can’t be that bad. After all, you did have me helping.” We shared a smile, but then the teacher walked in. I groaned. Progress reports. Looking back, I miss the time when progress reports were my biggest worries. “Bluma, Fleur. First rank.” Called the teacher, smiling. I clapped, grinning. Fleur had a way with teachers as well. The teacher went on calling names, until- “Paula, Eleanor.” I got up, waiting for her to read out my rank. She looks up and smiles at me. “Second rank.” My jaw dropped. Second! I smiled and went to collect my card. “Well done, Eleanor.” She murmured quietly. “Ella,” I said, equally quiet. “Ella.” She said, smiling. The rest of the day progressed fairly quickly, and it was soon time to leave. Before I could leave, however, I was stopped by someone slamming into me head on. I blinked. Then I sighed. “Pam.” Pam Nicola was the third rank, and she, obviously, felt that I shouldn’t have gotten second rank, or even passed. “Ella,” she said in a high pitched, mocking imitation of my voice. I raised my eyebrows. “Do you need to see the nurse? You sound like a rubber duck that’s been stepped on.” She colored. “I didn’t see you this cocky yesterday in math.” Now it was my turn to color. I’d forgotten to bring in my homework, which you, obviously, don’t want to do. I smiled sweetly. “I think you mistake calmness for cockiness. Of course, no one blames you, dear.” She snarled. “Don’t insult my intelligence.” I tilted my head. “Don’t insult mine, and we have ourselves a deal.” I walked past her, and she decided to take it a step further. “Where’re you going, crying to your dad? Oh, wait, you’re going to your mom! Momma’s girl!” She jeered. I clenched my fists and turned around. “Oh? And what about you, Nicola?” I raised my eyebrows. “Going to run to your daddy? Tell him that you can’t handle someone standing up to you, since you’re a bully?” Wind whipped my hair around, but I didn’t care. Until I noticed that I was in the middle of a mini tornado. Thankfully no one noticed, and I turned around and walked away, taking deep calming breaths, praying no one noticed. I stepped out, and let out a breath. “Where were you?” Snapped Fleur. “Sol’s here.” I pursed my lips. “Two words: Pam Nicola.” She winced in sympathy. “Sorry.” There was a brief silence. I looked at Sol. He had golden yellow eyes that looked like he had two suns staring at you. He had wavy hair that looked gold where the sun struck it. I held out my hand. “Hey, you must be Sol.” “Yeah. Sol Soliel.” He exchanged a glance with Fleur. “Yeah,” I laughed, ignoring the look. “Fleur’s told me all about you.” Sol raised his eyebrows. “All good, I hope.” I grinned. “Maybe!” We laughed. Sol turned to Fleur. “Will you go get the others?” Fleur nodded. “I’ll go directly to camp after that. See you both!” She waved and disappeared. Literally. “Whoa! How did she do that?” I demanded, my eyes wide. “All in good time, kid. Maybe.” He grinned. “Who’re you calling a kid? You're my age!” “Sure.” He snapped his fingers. Everything disappeared, and we appeared in a forest. I shook my head. “How-” Sol grinned. “Because I’m awesome.” I snorted. “Of course. Not because I’m dreaming.”