Fight With Fire

35

Helicopter. We heard it before we saw the giant machine soaring across the sky. I shouldn't really known what it is. It was described in a book from the library but there's nothing like seeing it in real life. There isn't very much technology that citizens have access to because it's all in the council's possession. I am the first to leave for my job trial so everyone is standing behind me in awe. I didn't let any emotion show as the helicopter landed.

"You don't look impressed at all." I turn to see Finn smiling at me.

"Well that's only compared to you Mr. Smiles and Rainbows." I poke Finn in the cheek as he laughs.

"That mechanical beauty doesn't impress me all. Not when you've got all my attention." Finn states with a twinkle in his eyes.

"I'll miss you too Finn." I reply into his chest where I am trying to hide my blush. "I don't know how I'm going to sleep without you."

"Sleep? Really? Out of everything you could've said, you thought it would be important to point out that you won't be able to sleep without me." I feel Finn's laugh rumble against my chest as he wraps his strong arms around me.

"I can't even imagine walking without you!" I yell dramatically as a joke but my heart squeezes at this very real fear. I won't have him around to help manage my Drell.

"Wow, when you'd become such a romantic?"

"You love it!"

"I love you." Finn breathes into my hair before placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"And you're calling me a romantic?" I question with raised eyebrow.

"Caught red-handed." Finn smiled cheekily and we stand there for a few moments. Finn's smile falls slightly and I see his deep green eyes turn slightly blue. "I will really miss you."

"Yes, I'm sure." I laugh nervously and look over my shoulder at the helicopter.

"No." Finn grips my chin lightly and turns my face to look back at him. "I will really miss you. I'll miss the warmth of your skin against mine. I'll miss the feel of your hair in my fingers. I'll miss the feel of your body in my arms. I'll miss our silly conversations and our deep ones and even the painful ones. I'll miss finding you asleep on a book or finding you at my doorway in the middle of the night. I'll miss-"

"Okay, Okay! I get it! Please stop." I laugh and put a finger on his lips. "Goodbye." I turn and walk away before he can say anything else. I refuse to let myself turn around but I distantly hear Finn's laugh echoing after me.

There are a few men standing outside of the helicopter and I see Carly walking down from the helicopter. There are a lot of people in the crowd between me and the helicopter but they are all moving out of my way as I carry the bags I packed for the next 2 weeks. I trip on someone's foot and go barreling into Olivia who isn't paying attention.

"What the hell?!" I yell causing everyone around us to look over. "Can you pay attention please?"

"I-I'm sorry." Olivia stutters as she rolls off me. When I look closely I see tear tracks staining her face. When she sees me watching, she quickly wipes them away. I turn back to where she was looked before I knocked her over to see Gwen with her back to us.

This brings me back to the moment when I ran into her after the rankings for testing were posted. I couldn't figure out what she was looking at but it's clear now that she was watching Gwen and Adrian.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled." I would've normally yelled her head off but I felt a pang of sympathy for her. I join her in staring across the field to where Gwen is staring down at Adrian. She has a supportive hand on his shoulder and an worried expression on her face. Olivia probably just sees how much Gwen cares about Adrian. Instead of her.

I am about to walk away when I see Adrian falling as Gwen tries to catch him. I run off in their direction with Olivia on my heels.

"Adrian? Adrian? Can you hear me?" Gwen is yelling frantically at Adrian who peals his eyes open slowly. "Please, say something."

Adrian opens his mouth to reply and erupts into a loud, wet cough. Gwen's eyes open even bigger as her eyes scan Adrian up and down. From her expression she must see the same thing as me: the ghost of the old Adrian. His eyes are permanently clouded and unfocused, his skin is deathly pale, and he has half the muscle mass he had two months ago.

"I'm just tired." Adrian protests weekly. I think he has used that excuse one too many times. "I just need to lie down for a while before my group leaves."

"I don't think you should be going anywhere." I meant to sound caring but it comes out harsh and demanding. "You are obviously sick, you should stay and get your energy back before Placement. There's only a few weeks left."

"I appreciate your worry Ella, but I'm fine. Just tired." Adrian pushes himself to his feet angrily and after taking a few moments to regain his balance, he marches off into the crowd.

I want to go after him. There is clearly something wrong and standing with Gwen and Olivia, I can tell that they both agree. Gwen looks frantic and starts pacing while rubbing her hands anxiously together. Olivia steps in front of her and wraps Gwen in comforting hug. Gwen immediately pushes away and throws a worried look in my direction making Olivia roll her eyes.

"She knows." Olivia states simply with a flick of her wrist in my direction.

"How-" Gwen stutters but I interrupt her before she can get a word out.

"I know everything. I thought you'd have learned this by now. And by the way, I suggest you tell the Adrian the truth." Olivia winces at my words but Gwen just turns away guiltily.

"You don't understand."

"Make me." We stare at each other for a moment.

"He's got more to worry about than a little doubt about my sexuality." She sounds like she's trying to convince herself more than she's trying to convince me.

"We both know it's your heart that's the real problem here." I raise an eyebrow at her and she does the same surprising me.

"You're the one to talk about denial? That boy has been following you around like a puppy for a decade and you've just been dragging him around just in case you need him to intimidate someone." I open my mouth to protest but she holds up a hand to stop me. "Don't deny it and don't you dare pretend you don't know who I'm talking about. Stop preaching to me about being honest about your heart and go sort out your own problems."

I lunge at her grabbing her around the shoulders and pinning her to the ground.

"You think you know me but you don't know half of what I'm capable of." I whisper violently leaning over her face.

"Get off of her!" Olivia is yelling but she has none of my attention. She also tries to push me over but I don't budge.

"You think you have such big problems with your boyfriend and your girlfriend? Just look around you. You better hope something changes because these people are all better than you. If I were you, I'd focus on getting placed. You have 2 weeks, don't waste it."