War of The Elements

4

August 10th, 2084

Dear diary,
Todays the day. I'm going to the Fire element. I will be meeting with Atlas on the ship, and we will set sail in a few hours. I've packed all my bags, I've said my goodbyes to my friends, but I feel like I'm missing something. Whatever, it won't matter when I'm competing. Mom and Dad are downstairs crying, while I'm having the best time of my life up here. I'm going to be free, finally.

Hazel

We reach the boat launch on the edge of the Earth element, not far from where we live. It's the only part of the stone wall that gives access to the outside. I've never been outside the wall, but I've seen the ships filled with fish, goods from other elements, and on the rare occasion, other elemental people. The ship I board is from the Fire element, with smoke puffing from its funnel. Decorative flames are lit about every ten feet apart, wrapping around the ship.

I kiss my mother and father goodbye, and promise to write to them every chance I get. My mother wipes her tears before they fall from her eyes. "We love you, Hazel. Have the best time. Now go, get out of here." My mother cried. I pull them in for one last hug, then make my way on the large flaming ship.

Drew Burban greets me on the main deck. He's still wearing the same white beanie from the draft. He gives me a warm smile, and offers his hand to me. I shake his hand. "Welcome Hazel, I hope you're ready for this adventure. We've been looking forward to having you here with us today." He brings me into the ship, in a large room, a round red table with seven chairs sits in the middle of it. There are five people filling these chairs, is a woman with long black hair slicked back into a braid, folding her hands onto the table, an older man with multicolored eyes who is rapidly tapping the table with his pointer finger, a red headed girl around my age, and a small boy, who can't be over the age of 14. The boy and girl were whispering to each other. Then there's Atlas. He's sitting there, with his dirty blonde hair contrasting the rest of the room. I sit next to Atlas, and Mr. Burban sits in the last empty seat. "Let me introduce all of you. This is Hazel, and this is Atlas." He gestures towards us. We greet them, then he continues. He points to the red headed girl and the boy. "This young lady is Ember, and this is Blake." They give us a half smile, and then turn their attention to the remaining adults. He introduces the woman as Ms. Orwell, she announced the draft for the Fire element. Then the old man, he'd been a friend to the competition for many years, and he's guided the chosen for years.

Mr. Burban and Ms. Orwell were polar opposites. Mr Burban was bubbly, sweet, and enthusiastic. Ms. Orwell was cold and sharp, she didn't make small talk, and only spoke when needed. Ember and Blake seemed the same, they acted as if they feared messing something up. They are unhappy, dreading the competition. Meanwhile, Atlas and I give each other small glances here and there, enjoying every second we have on the ship. Ms. Orwell speaks up. "We will be arriving in four hours, you all are dismissed." Her tone is flat, she has no excitement at all.

Atlas and I tour the ship, waiting patiently for us to arrive. "What do you think the first task will be?" He questions. I've been wondering the same thing. "Well, I don't know. It might have to be something to do with Fire, you know since we're going there." I answer. He nods, and we continue our tour. We ran into Blake and Ember, they were arm in arm. We greet them, and invite them to walk with us. They accept. Ember is quiet and sharp like Ms. Orwell, but Blake has a little more energy. He tells us how he was nervous, but that he was lucky to have his own sister be his companion. Now that he mentioned it, Ember and him do look alike, apart from the hair color and all. I learned that they come from a family of glass blowers, and they contort glass to create the most beautiful pieces of art. Ember starts to warm up to us, and she asks us questions about our home. As we walk, her long red hair flows softly  in the breeze, and I catch Atlas admiring her. I nudge his side, breaking him from his trance. "What?" He muttered. I give him a teaseful grin, and he blushes, ignoring me.

We reach closer to the Fire element. In the time we've spent together, Ember, Blake, Atlas, and I have all made each other great friends. We  talk about each other's skills, and we offer to trade each other's creations when we get back home. Blake promised to make Atlas a personalized piece of glass. Atlas promised to make him something carved from wood. Ember wanted me to make her a crochet top if she made me a charcoal painting. "I like to draw more than blow glass, I want to be original." She states. I nod. "I understand where you're coming from, my parents aren't artists at all, we have a forestry business." I replied. Ember asks me if they will let us be friends during the competition. I tell her that they probably wouldn't have put us on the ship together if they had that intention.