Academy of Elements: Earth

Chapter 6: Hebe of Home

(Fun Fact: Hebe [mentioned in chapter name] is a native New Zealand plant)

I don't exactly remember coming back to my bed. I just know that it started to rain, and hence we eventually dragged ourselves in half asleep. Thank God it was Saturday. After the long week, full of torment, hardship, and just plain exhaustion, I slept in, far past than when I should have woken.

It is lunch time when I finally drag myself downstairs. It was a cool day, much colder than the previous day. A cold salty breeze drifts through the huge hub of the school from the opening, which revealed a dazzling blue sky, a few white clouds gliding through it.

Stepping into the cafeteria I see the other members of the Gifted Six and join them planting a vegetarian wrap in the process onto my plate. "We should go into the village," I suggest.

"Sure," Ella says with a smile.

"I have to study for a test," Haley responds glumly.

"As do I." Adds Denen.

"I can go." Aira smiles.

"So can I." Brennen states.

I bite into my wrap as Aira blatantly says: "I need coffee." The whole table goes quiet. Aira already had a very bubbly personality and was usually quite energetic, so with the addition of coffee...

"No," Haley says quickly. "No, no, no, no, no."

"Well, you can't stop me," Aira says standing. Ella, Brennen, and I take our cues and trail Aira as she walks towards the village. We walk past the large tree, birds chirping on its large branches. The leaves were slowly starting to turn gold, as were the other trees in the large, Bush filled area. We head into the area where the doors to the dormitories were, and to the large gate. As I touch my hand to the gate something clicks and ice coats the metal bars. I walk through. Aira has to do the same, probably something to register whereabouts. For Aira, the gates blow open. Next Ella goes. She touches the gate and it opens. No fire, though magic was still persistent enough in her blood to open the gate. Brennen goes last, the bars trapped in sparkling water. We re-group on the other side of the gate and walk down the gravel road. Lamp posts line the street, off at the moment. Trees go between said lights, still mainly green with a hint of yellow. The village circles a large sparkling lake. It was a truly beautiful place. The shops are made of various material, mainly dark faded wood. Kids of various ages run around in the tall swaying grass. It was people's homes. And I would hate to see any tide of war ruin it.

Aira found a cafe. She drags Ella in by the hand and Brennen I just look at each other with a small smile. Brennen and I were friends. Not the closest but, still friends. Before I go in I admire the outside.

The first floor is made of stones, beige in color and covered in ivy crawling up to the second floor. The second floor is made of wood, a large pointed roof atop. I catch up to the other three and we get in line.

"Coffee, coffee, coffee." Aira sings quietly making Brennen, Ella and me chuckle.

Aira gets to the Barista and simply says: "Coffee." Aira pays the small amount and flows out of line.

I go next. "I'll have a chocolate croissant and an Iced Latte." The barista stares at me for a second. Hazel gold eyes bore into my own and quickly pay and walk away. The Gifted Six and I must not be very popular in these parts. We end up retreating to a bench at the lake. Aira stands jumping from foot to foot.

"Do you even like coffee?" Ella asks Aira.

"Um..." Aira pauses and takes a sip. Coffee sprays over the ground like rain. "Nope" She concludes, as she walks over to the lake and drinks the water.