The Spirit of Fire

Chapter One- Monday, January 26th, 2014

Music filled the club, the bass making the windows shake. "Yo, Livia, hit me up with another Jolly Rancher shot." I yelled over the music to the bartender, tapping my fingers on the bar top. She nodded and I headed back to my table next to the dance floor. I sat down at the table, gently thumping my heel to the beat of the music.

Olivia came over a few minutes later with a Blue Raspberry Jolly Rancher Vodka shot. "So, what have you been up to? You haven't been here since the incident with Jeremy back in November."

I shrugged. "Shit's been crazy. Jeremy and I started talking about two weeks after the incident, my friend Jakob and I started hanging out again, my grades started slipping, I work every weekend, I still dance, Danny started being an asshole when he started dating Becky Luciano, DeAnna and Trina turned on me, and I moved into a new house with fi- I mean, four other kids somewhat like me.

Olivia whistled. "Damn, you've had a lot going on. Here are some words of advice. One, you need to stay away from Jeremy; he's only bad news. Two, Danny isn't worth your time; I definitely vote for you and Jakob to get back together." She paused for a moment and studied me. "Three, stay out of trouble. Now, I need to get back to work. Hit me up or stop by anytime, kid."

I nodded and saluted her. She smiled, before turning and walking back to the bar. I stirred the blue liquid in my glass, my eyes focused on the dancers. Thoughts spun around my head as I looked down at my glass. Finally, I picked up the glass and placed my chapped lips on the cool brim, tipping it up quickly. The sweet concoction burned my throat, but left me feeling slightly buzzed. Leaving the glass on the table, I stood up. I left a twenty under it before heading to the entrance of Club X. I grabbed my jacket off the wall of hooks and threw it on. As I opened the door, the bitter winter wind forcefully clawed at me.

I headed down Wallkill Street, in the direction of the house. Snow started falling, dusting the streets in a white powder. The cold bit at my nose as I walked faster. The lights of the house soon came into view. I ran the rest of the way down the street, jumping up the front steps.

As I went to open the door, two of my housemates, Alyxx and Margaret, came running out, almost colliding into me. They ran down the steps, not even bothering to acknowledge me. I rolled my eyes and hurried inside. The heat swept around me as I walked in. My other two housemates, Walter, Margaret's twin brother, and Mark, one of my best friends, who are both metahumans, were walking out of the kitchen, deep in a conversation. I kicked off my combat boots at the bottom of the stairs and took off my leather jacket, gently throwing it over my shoulder. As warmth finally settled in my bones, I headed up to my room.

Once I reached the top of the stairs, I noticed two suitcases by the doorway that led up to Margaret and Alyxx's "girl cave". I glanced down the hall, towards my room, and saw that my bedroom light was on. My legs quickly carried me down the hall, a growl rising in my throat.

I stopped in the doorway of my room and saw my ex-boyfriend's new toy, Becky Luciano, sitting at my desk. "What the hell do you think you're doing in here?" I growled. Becky stood up and smiled, but said nothing. She tried to walk by me, but I pushed her up against the door frame and repeated my question firmly. "What do you think you are doing here?"

Becky looked at me firmly. "Danny and I are moving in. Walter told us to pick a room, and I chose your room because it's the biggest, and there's an attached bathroom, perfect for me and Danny."

I growled as I shoved Becky into the hallway. I slammed the door shut, making the windows rattle. I locked the door, so no one else could intrude. I glanced at the bed and saw two duffel bags, neither of which were mine. A smirk danced on my lips once I realized who they belonged to. Slowly, I picked them up off the bed and brought them to the side window. I opened the window and looked out. Snow finally covered the layer of icy grass. An evil grin was plastered on my lips as I tossed the bags out into the cold winter night, letting them hit the ground with a thud. Quickly, I closed the window and shut the curtains.

Now that I felt a bit fired up, I decided to change into something else. I slid out of my black skinny jeans, pulled off my Anarchy tank top, and tossed them into the hamper. Standing in just my black bra and matching boyshorts, I threw on my long, black, satin robe. Feeling content and ready to face the wrath of Danny and Becky, I walked out of my room, closing the door behind me.

I walked downstairs and found Becky and Danny in the kitchen with Mark and Walter. When I walked in, everyone fell silent. A smile danced across my face as I filled the tea kettle with water and placed it on the stove.

Danny cleared his throat. "Uh, Storm, where are my bags?" He asked, almost too calm.

I turned and smiled. "They grew wings and decided to fly away." I replied sarcastically.

He growled as he walked out of the kitchen, to the front door. Becky followed him outside. I smirked and walked to the pantry to find my tea canister. I grabbed the canister off the third shelf, shutting the door once I moved away. Mark stood up and pulled a mug off the top shelf of the hutch. I smiled gratefully at him. He smiled back, flashing his bright white smile and dimples.

I set the mug down on the counter next to the stove. The sounds of Becky and Danny bickering in the foyer caused Mark, Walter, and me to start laughing. The tea kettle began to whistle. I put a tea bag in the mug and poured the boiling water over it. Mark placed a packet of sugar and the bottle of lemon juice on the counter. He started to walk away, but I grabbed his wrist.

Mark looked down at me. "Why are they here?" I whispered.

Mark shook his head. "They got evicted from their apartment. So, they asked to move in here, and Margaret and Alyxx said yes, of course, since Daniella-" Mark paused.

A sharp pain pierced my heart. Mark sighed, pulling me into a tight hug. He kissed my forehead. Looking at the clock, I sighed. "I need to get ready for bed. Please don't give my room to Danny and Becky."

Mark smiled down on me. "I wouldn't think of it." I smiled and finished making my tea. Mark ruffled my hair before disappearing into the living room. I headed upstairs, bumping shoulders with Danny. He growled as I continued walking.

I went into my room, locking the door behind me. I turned my side-table light on and flicked off the blinding over-head light. Semi-darkness surrounded me as soft voices echoed in my head. I closed my eyes gently. Soon enough there was a soft glow in the room. I opened my eyes and saw that all the candles were burning calmly. I slowly exhaled and all ten candles went out. A smirk danced on my lips as I turned my bed down. I hung my robe on my closet door, grabbing my lace babydoll slip. I slid it on, took off my bra, and crawled into bed.

"Work your magic, Daniella," I whispered, turning my light off. I closed the bed curtains and slowly drifted to sleep.