Beads of sweat are forming on Amethyst's forehead, as she struggles to keep the couch above the ground. It is only about two inches up, but it seems to be quite energy-consuming. She makes one final effort, lifting it another inch, before she falls down, couch falling to the floor with her. "Careful with the floor!" Will is peeking out from the kitchen, where he is busy preparing lunch for tomorrow. Sean smiles at him. "We'll try. No guarantees, though." He then turns back to Amethyst and the couch.
She is now sprawled on the floor, panting from the effort. "Was it heavy?" Leo cocks his head to the side, his grey eyes fixed on the couch. Amethyst huffs. "Whadd'ya think? I am not so incompetent as to drop a lightweight object on the floor. I've had some training this year." Leo just shrugs, earning a glare from the black haired girl. She doesn't like anyone labelling her as weak. Oblivious to Amethyst's annoyance, Leo keeps asking questions. "Where did you focus your energy?" He stretches out his hands in the same way Amethyst just did. "The base, of course." Leo nods, closing his eyes. He is mumbling something to himself, while slightly moving his hands. The couch starts lifting again, ever so slowly. It floats up about three inches, but it is like a weight is holding it down. Leo is breathing heavily, mumbling growing in intensity. I don't understand what he is saying, but he has told me it is latin. The couch doesn't move. It slowly floats back down to the ground. Leo leans forward, hands on his knees, panting as if he just ran a long distance. Me and Sean look at each other. Is it really that hard?
***
"Why are we stopped by a stupid couch?!" I hit my fist on the table, making the bowls jump a bit. I flinch. "Oops. Sorry." The rest of the group just laugh, but I am starting to feel uncomfortable. A hand lands on my arm. It is Amethyst, her amazing purple eyes filled with a smile. "Don't worry." She whispers. I smile. It feels really nice to have her as a part of our little "group". She is amazing at catching people's feelings, and I admire her ability to help others. She raises her voice as she says the next words. "We are all struggling with the couch. But I bet we only need practice." Sean nods in agreement, having lifted the couch the highest, a whole of four inches. He picks up his bowl, eating the last of his candy. "I guess it's supposed to be this hard. S said the items were to be around the same size as a couch. We'll hope it is smaller, then." It takes me a second to remember that S is his name for Mr. Crimson. I need to ask him about that.
"Can I give an opinion?" Will is standing in the doorway, watching our discussion from a safe distance. He is done cooking, and has been in his room for the most part since, probably playing some sort of game. Now he decided to watch us struggle, as big brothers seem to do. We all nod. He clears his throat before he starts speaking, his hands fumbling a bit with the hem of his shirt. I must say, for being a professional bodyguard, he is very awkward in social situations. "I think it might have something to do with how you put your focus. Are you focusing on one specific point?" I think about it, remembering how I focused on the middle of the couch. I only got it two inches off the ground. I solemnly nod, watching the others do the same. Will snaps his fingers. "That's it. You need to spread your focus to the whole base of the object." He comes over, picking up Sean's empty bowl. "See, when I do this," He puts the bowl on his index finger, trying to balance it. "It doesn't work, of course. But if I do this..." He holds out his palm, placing the bowl on his palm as if it was a table. Sean facepalms, eyes wide in realisation. "Oh my god, it's that easy? Everyone, get off the couch, NOW!"
I am standing in front of the couch, my legs spread in a basic fighting stance. I take a deep breath, reaching up my hands. I close my eyes, imagining the spell as a flat surface under the couch. I exhale slowly through my nose, focusing as hard as I can on the task. I open my eyes and flick my wrists. The couch starts moving upwards, and it is surprisingly easy. At least, as easy as lifting a couch can be. It floats upwards, until is halfway to the ceiling. At this point I am gasping for air, almost dropping it on the floor. I decide to do a little test. With my last strength, I move it a few inches to the right, before I let it sink down. It goes a little too fast, and I hear the floorboards cracking. "Sorry." I am gasping, hands clasped behind my head. Fresh air fills my lungs, and I am instantly feeling better. "No worries. We did it!" Sean is standing beside me, clapping his hands. "All we need now is practice. Now let's get to that sleepover."
