The following week, the girls met up at their usual hangout spot after school, ready to put their plan into motion. The air was thick with anticipation, the weight of their newfound powers hanging over them like an invisible force.
“We need to be careful,” Zee began, her voice steady as she addressed the group. “The only way we can control this is if we stay away from anything that might trigger our powers.”
Kalli nodded, her hands twitching as if she were trying to contain the flames within her. “Yeah, I’ve been keeping my distance from anything too... intense. Ayokong magka-problema.”
“I think we all need to keep our emotions in check,” River added, glancing at the others. “We don’t want to accidentally stop time or freeze things again. We can’t afford any more slip-ups.”
Niamh, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up, her voice soft but firm. “I agree. We can’t let our powers take control of us. But... it’s not easy, especially with everything that’s happening.”
“I think the key is to avoid the things that stir up strong emotions in us,” Aria said thoughtfully, her eyes distant as if she were contemplating the implications of their plan. “Walang galit, walang takot... walang pag-ibig, siguro?”
The others glanced at her, and Kalli let out a small chuckle. “So, we’re supposed to avoid everything that makes us human?”
“Not everything,” Aria replied, smiling. “Just the extreme emotions. The ones that can make us lose control.”
“Okay, let’s agree to stick to that,” Zee said, a determined glint in her eyes. “We’ll stay calm, keep our emotions in check, and avoid any triggers. That’s our best shot at keeping our powers hidden.”
But as they were discussing the plan, Zee’s thoughts drifted to something else. Or rather, someone else.
“Migs…” she whispered, her heart racing at the thought of him. She had been crushing on him for years, and the idea of him being anywhere near her powers made her feel like she might lose control.
“What about Migs?” Kalli asked, catching Zee’s distracted expression.
Zee shook her head quickly, trying to snap herself out of it. “Nothing. I was just... thinking about how I need to keep my distance from him.”
“Well, you’re not the only one who has someone on their mind,” Niamh teased, nudging her with a sly grin. “I’m sure River has her eyes on someone too, right?”
River rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “I don’t have time for crushes. We’ve got bigger problems right now.”
Zee chuckled softly, though her thoughts were still on Migs. How would she be able to keep her emotions in check when he was around? He had always been kind to her, but there was something about him that made her feel like she couldn’t hide who she was.
---
Later that afternoon, as the group split off to head home, Zee found herself walking through the school gates when she saw him.
Migs.
He was leaning against the wall near the entrance, talking to some of his friends, but his eyes seemed to drift toward her. Zee’s heart skipped a beat as she nervously adjusted the strap of her bag.
“Zee! Hey!” Migs called out, flashing her that warm, familiar smile.
Zee froze for a moment, feeling a rush of heat in her chest. She quickly forced herself to remain calm, remembering their plan. No emotions, no triggers.
"Hi, Migs!" she managed, giving him a small wave. Her voice was a little too high-pitched, but she hoped he didn’t notice.
“You’re heading home now?” Migs asked, pushing off the wall and walking toward her.
“Yeah, just about,” Zee replied, trying to sound casual, though her heart was pounding in her chest.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Migs said, his tone lighter now. “Do you want to study together sometime? Maybe this weekend?”
Zee blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure! That sounds good.”
He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Great! I’ll text you the details. See you around, Zee.”
“Yeah, see you,” Zee said, watching as he walked away. Her mind was spinning, her heart still racing.
As soon as he was out of sight, she let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions almost spill over. That was too close. If she hadn’t managed to keep herself in check, she might have... What? What if she had lost control?
She quickly shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside. “Stay calm,” she muttered to herself. “No emotions, no triggers.”
But deep down, Zee knew that controlling her emotions around Migs—someone she had secretly admired for years—was going to be harder than she had anticipated.
---
Meanwhile, across the school yard, Kalli was having her own trouble. As she walked away from Zee, she felt the heat inside her flare up once again, an almost uncontrollable urge to ignite something. She clenched her fists, trying to force the flames back down.
River noticed Kalli’s discomfort and slowed her pace to walk alongside her. “You okay?” she asked, her voice low.
Kalli sighed, looking at the ground. “I’m fine... just... you know, trying to keep things under control. But it’s hard.”
“I know,” River said sympathetically. “But we’ll get through this. We just have to keep it together.”
Kalli nodded, but her eyes were filled with doubt. Could she really keep her power hidden forever?
---
Back at home, as Zee sat at her desk, her phone buzzing with a message from Migs, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Was she really ready for this? To spend time with him, knowing what she could do? Knowing what she might do if she let her emotions run wild?
The weight of it all settled on her shoulders as she typed a quick reply, trying to push aside the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
“Stay calm,” she whispered, the words almost a mantra.
But the storm inside her was just beginning to stir.
---
Meanwhile...
Sa isang madilim na sulok, malapit sa paaralan, isang babae ang nagmamasid mula sa likod ng puno. Nakayuko siya, itinatago ang sarili mula sa mga batang nag-uusap, habang pinapakinggan ang bawat salita ng kanilang plano.
“Confirmed na,” ang boses ng babae ay malamig at may sigla habang siya’y kumokonekta sa kanyang telepono. “Sila ang mga susunod na kandidato. Babalik ako mamaya.”
Ang babae ay nagmamadali na lumayo, ang kanyang mga mata naglalaman ng matalim na intensyon, na para bang may malaking misyon siyang tinutok.
---
YOU ARE READING
The Storms Within
Fantasía"When the world shatters, their powers awaken. But can they control the storm inside?" In a quiet town surrounded by lush mountains, Zariah "Zee" Torres and her close-knit group of friends embark on what should be a peaceful break from their chaotic...
