X-Caliber

"The world is a magical theatre where fairytales and realities intertwine."

It all happened at the lake. And it was with a group of twelve-year olds. 

There were five of them, seated around a round rock they called their 'table.'

Art was clearly the leader, with his wise-looking blue eyes and sandy brown hair that curled around his ears when it got too long. He was adopted, and didn't look anything like the rest of his new family, who were all raven-haired and dark eyed.

He was slumped on his rock stool, leaning on the rock table with one elbow, blowing hair out of his eyes.

"Wanna play hangman?" he asked Kay, a little bored.

Kay was Art's adopted brother, and they were about the same age. Though they were almost complete opposites, and Kay was boorish at times, known for being a tease, he was very loyal to his adopted kin. If it came to it, he would defend Art to the bitter end, no matter if it cost him some of his own reputation (of which there was not much).

Kay's dark eyes flashed between Art and Gwen.

"What do you want to do, Gwen?" he asked the blond-haired slip of a girl seated between Lance and Art.

Kay was baiting them, as brothers often do.

Lance was Art's best friend, even though he had only known him for a year or two. When they met for the first time, an instant bond was formed. There were not many things that could come between them.

However, Gwen happened to be one of the few things that could. She was sitting in a dangerous position, between two so close. She had known their family all her life, and lived just across the street.

"I don't... know...." she replied slowly, looking across the round 'table' to the lake, shimmering in the summer sunlight.

"I kinda want to go swimming...." she continued, seemingly transfixed by her own thoughts.

"Last one in the water is a rotten egg!!"

Vivi, the rambunctious red haired waif of the group ran towards the water, not bothering to take off her outer clothes to reveal her blue scaled bathing suit.

"HEY, that's not fair!!" Lance yelled back, racing Art to the cold water's edge. He stopped at the last second, re-thinking his decision to jump into the frigid water, and then was slammed aside by Kay, laughing at Lance's shivering body as the latter resurfaced.

"Oh you're going to get it!"

While all the boys got into a wrestling match, Vivi and Gwen swam a little ways away, their feet brushing the rocky sand at the bottom of the lake.

"Wanna see who can hold their breath the longest?" Vivi challenged Gwen.

"Duh!"

One, two, three, and they were under.

But Vivi, the breath-holding champion, came up before her time, her hand holding a shiny object that had caught her eye right before she dived. She relentlessly tapped Gwen until she too came up, agitated.

"What?!"

Vivi caught her breath, her red hair dripping.

"It's a pen!"

Gwen rolled her eyes.

"So?"

"It's golden!"

Gwen did not know what the fuss was about.

Vivi grumbled.

"It looks expensive, dummy. What if it's actually gold??"

Gwen snorted.