Chapter One - Lovelace Academy of the Elements
Sometimes, people don't believe me when I tell them that my sister and I are twins. That's how unalike we are. Sure, we're not identical twins, but we look similar enough that you'd think it wouldn't be that hard to believe.
We are Sunshine and Blair Conrad — The Conrad Sisters, from the line of Conrads, who have been earth benders for generations.
Sunshine is my sister. She has long, wavy golden hair and crystal blue, happy eyes. She is the poster child for an earth or even water bender with her bright eyes, positive attitude, and light coloring. I am similar enough in looks to fit in, but fundamentally different, which makes a lot of people distrust me.
I am Blair. My hair is lighter, my skin warmer, my eyes a darker blue. No happy eyes, no positive attitude to be found.
My sister volunteers in soup kitchens and gives her lunch money to the homeless Mentless men on the crosswalk and sits with the kids covered in acne or who have bad breath. I follow in her trail, but it doesn't come naturally to me like it does for her. Sometimes I skip weekends in the soup kitchen or keep an extra coin so I can have lunch. Sunshine is a kind person: she goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels happy and included. I am a good person: I do enough to appease my conscience.
In the world of benders, when you turn 15 you are shipped off to Lovelace Academy. First you are evaluated by a series of tests to determine your given element. Then, you continue your formal education along with training and building up your element, until you are officially a bender. I turn 15 in four days. The school year starts in 5.
I am terrified. I am a member of a pristine family that has been around for centuries and has been earth benders for just as long. I'm sure a few along the way were water benders — the two are very similar, after all — but water is like earth, an elite class. High society. I am so different from everyone in my family that I fear I may be placed somewhere else.
Maybe Air, where the typecast personalities is withdrawn and elegant, with a sense of superiority. Or Fire, which nobody really likes, where the people are stubborn and quick tempered. I hope not. I don't think anyone in my family line has ever been sorted into fire. I don't plan on being the first.
Unfortunately, I learned long ago that fate stores a cruel indifference to whatever we plan concerning ourselves.
YOU ARE READING
Lovelace Academy of the Elements
FantasyI played with fire. I burned it all down. I've made more mistakes than you can count. Follow the story of two sisters who could not be more different as they are separated by a social order and even the element inside of themselves that tells them t...
