Solar Dust

4.

Marks due to heat were in the trail of the solar blast, the target was gone. After I released my blast, I stumbled and tripped.

Getting my footing, I stood in disbelief, not moving a muscle, my eyes fixed on the target.

' but how? I never felt such a surge before; that was different.'

It was quiet. Curious eyes wandered from me to the decimated target and burnt trees. The silence began to feel so loud until people started clapping and cheering.

" phenomenal work, Miss Blythe. Continue the good work, and you will do just fine in the Trials." 

I got off the training platform and caught my mom looking at me with a satisfied expression.

I see Jilia smiling and jumping excitedly, with Koi smiling, " Oh my goodness, you did it, Eli your magic is amazing."

I nodded in agreement and said "Yeah it's definitely something."

" Windbrook, please come to the platform"

It was Makani's turn, I turned around, and immediately she got into position.

Closing her eyes, her chest slowly rose, and it began to feel chilly.

She took deeper breaths and let out a gust of wind that blew through the trees, making some of them change shape due to the force. Letting out a long breath, she turns back around.

" amazing, you will do phenomenal in the trials."

This time, the voice was none other than Justice Zi, looking proudly at Makani, which made her smile and look away.

The Justice walks to the other instructors.
They talk quietly and privately among themselves.

Makani walks down from the platform and starts heading towards me.

Until Aurora stops her, she takes her to the side, sparking a conversation.

" I wonder why she's speaking to her, and maybe she's trying to recruit her. Uhh, Eli, can you ask your mom to consider me?" Jilia asked

" um, I'll try," I say, remembering what she said earlier.

She gets excited and talks to Koi about being in my mom's battalion. I tune them out, and my eyes wander over my mom and Makani.

The conversation seems like it has ended, and Makani walks away. My mom heads straight towards me, " My sunshine, why don't you come over here with me?" She says with the fakest smile plastered on her face.

" hi Mrs Blythe, my name is Ji-.."

" I'm sorry I have to talk to my daughter," she interrupted Jilia, making her face fall with disappointment.

I didn't even answer; she just grabbed me by the arm and dragged me over to the side where not many people were around.

" you finally did something right with that solar blast. Are you friends with Makani Windbrook?" her eyes narrowed as she looked down at me.

" no," I say plainly.

"Well, you need to be to convince her to join my battalion. I tried to speak with her, but she wasn't as interested. Maybe you can do it."

" I-.."

" she's a strong pixie from a powerful and royal background. Those are the type of people you need to surround yourself with, not those two weak pixies you are always with them. It makes you look weak, and you are not weak because I'm not weak. I'm not asking you; I'm telling you to be her friend and get her to join my battalion." With a clenched jaw and folded arms, her eyes looked at me expectantly.

" yes, madre"

" Good, now go back to your room; you need to rest."

I nodded and headed back to my apartment since the results of our practice trial would be posted later today or in the morning.

I reached home, locking the door behind me, and shutting my room door.

' I need some peace of mind I thought to myself.

I play some Lauryn Hill and strip myself of that uniform and run the bath.

Pouring my lavender bubble bath solution into the water and lighting a candle. I submerge myself in the water.

Closing my eyes, I lowered my head under the water, feeling at peace.

My mind has been racing since before, but now it's still quiet. I feel sleepy. I reemerge from the bath and fall asleep.

Eliana Samira, you are stronger than you appear; you are being fooled. The voice was low but I hear them.

Wake up. You are losing who you are.

Samira wake up.

I jolt up, making the water splash everywhere. Hyperventilating, I look around, and it's just me in the bathroom. The candle was blown out, and the music stopped.

I get up to calm myself down and pull the stopper so the water can drain. I turn the shower on and wash my body clean.

'Who was that? I'm losing who I am?'

Stepping out and wrapping myself in my towel. I look in the mirror, and I see a print of fingers above my eyebrow like someone put their hand on my head.

' what is going on?'

Getting out of the bathroom, I find some comfy clothes and throw them on.

I see a text on my phone, and it's from an unknown number.

' I'm surprised you even have powers, but you will get what you deserve.'

I text them back,' And what are you going to do?'

' I'm going to end you and your whole bloodline.'

'do it. If you're going to make a threat, actually put some effort.'

' ...I'm trying, don't rush me. I'm going to kill you. Do you not know that?'

' you're wasting my time'

I block them, and I see I get another message.

' It looks like being patient and practicing worked.'

' Makani? How'd you get my number?'

' your mom she said that you needed help or something, but you don't look like you do after today.'

' no, I don't need your  help

' I'm sorry for what I said before. Sometimes, I just speak my mind and didn't mean to hurt your feelings.'

' it's fine.'

' it's not because if it was, you wouldn't have been acting so cold with me, I really wanna be friends with you considering you know about my crush'

' oh, so we are only friends because of that? Maybe you do deserve me to be cold to you.'

' no seriously, we should be friends you aren't so bad passed that cold front you put on'

' I'll see you tomorrow Mak'

' see ya Liana'

Getting comfy in my bed, I think about everything today. It's just so much, my mom's pressure, the magic, Makani, the unknown number. Can things just be normal.