Element

✯ Chapter 4

When I get to my room, I see it's not beige, but a maroon red. That's not too bad, in fact I really like the color. But I really should be unpacking. I enter my room, which is much like Parisa's, except mine has a little balcony. It looks over the flying field, as we’ve dubbed it . There’s also a hanging planter box with a mint plant growing in it. I make a mental note to make sure I'm watering it. I drop my suitcase next to my dresser, and decide I'll unpack later. I comb my hair a bit, make it look nice, and leave for the Dining Room.

The sun has started to set, and the sky has small streaks of pink and orange. It's really beautiful, so I bend the wind to carry me up to the top of a sturdy poplar tree and look around. It's still warm out, but it is cooling down. Very relaxing. I take in the school, so big and polished compared to the other buildings in Central City, most of which aren't taller than three stories. Funny. Central City doesn't seem much like the capital city of a big kingdom. The only thing taller than three stories in all of Dimicel is the Palace, where the King works and lives.I see a cluster of what looks like sixth-years strolling to the main complex, and my mind snaps back to reality.

I float back down to the grass, and start making my way to the Dining Room as well. The entryway is filled to the brim with people trying to find their friends, and others, simply trying to get through. I have to say "Excuse me, pardon me, sorry," literally the whole way to the tables. I glance around to find which tables the air element has been assigned to this year. The ones in the back. Oh well, it's not the end of the world. At least they're next to the big windows, similar to the ones in the office. I sit down at one of the six-person tables and wait for an announcement, anything.

I finally notice how famished I am. I haven't eaten lunch, so that would probably be the cause. As I daydream about food, Kaelie, one of my best friends plops down next to me.

"Hey, Ramaya," She says smiling, brushing her dark brown, super-long hair out of her face.

"Hi Kaelie," I respond, and give her a hug. "How's your little brother doing on the first day? Same age as Parisa right?"

"Yeah, and he's fine. He's already met like five friends, and now thinks he owns the place. I wouldn't be surprised if he started asking every girl out he thinks is remotely pretty." She says, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, wow," I chuckle. "Yeah, Parisa was kinda nervous but I think she's okay now,"I glance over the crowd, spotting her small figure with a red-haired girl.

"Be on your toes, because I think my little bro will ask you out in no time." Kaelie interjects.

"Wha- Me? Yeah, right." I reply, a little thrown off by her remark.

"No, I'm serious. I brought home a picture of all my friends, and as soon as he saw it, he pointed to you and said, and I quote, 'How'd you become friends with such a pretty girl?""

But before she can say anything else, Parisa and her friend find us.

"Oh hi Parisa. Who's your friend?" I ask.

"I'm Ellis," the redhead says. "It's short for Elisia."

Hmm, Elisia doesn't seem like an Air element name.

"Well, hi Ellis." I say, smiling. "I'm Ramaya, Parisa's older sister, and this is Kaelie."

"Are you an air element?" Kaelie asks politely, but with a hint of doubt in her voice.

"No, I'm earth," she says. Now her name makes more sense. "And yes, I know I can't eat with her tonight," she says, looking at Parisa, "but I'll eat lunch with you tomorrow."

"Great! See you then! Bye!" Parisa says excitedly as Ellis turn to leave.

Very outgoing, I think to myself, but instead I say, "She seems very nice. When did you meet her?"

"Well, when I was leaving my room, she was too, and we said hi to each other, then she asked me if I knew where the Dining Room was. I said no, and she asked me if I wanted to find it with me. I said yes and we came here together and now we’re friends.” She finishes with a smile.

"Cool," I nod, and turn to Kaelie."When do you think we'll get the food?" I ask.

"I don't know, but-" she doesn't even finish before plates of steaming food sail down from the ceiling and land neatly in the center of our table.

“Fooood!” Parisa exclaims. Kaelie and I giggle at her goofy expression. We load our plates, which also happened to fly down to us, with food. I take a bite of the steaming mashed potatoes, and nearly melt. Holy cow. Every year I forget how delicious the First Dinner is. In fact, the school kitchen staff never ceases to amaze me with their delectable food. But sadly, I can't expect such an extravagant menu every night. The First Dinner, along with Winter Solstice Dinner and the Last Banquet are always fabulous.

Our table of three stays nearly silent as we eat. We don’t exchange any conversation until we’re ten minutes into the meal. The dinner drags on for nearly forty minutes. And when the empty serving plates finally fly back up to the ceiling, I laugh, because I'm so full, and flying plates, I have to admit, are a bit funny, and just because I'm so very content. Parisa looks happy to be at school, and Kaelie is leaning on my shoulder, groaning about how much food she just ate. I smile, looking at the two. Maybe this really will be the school year to beat.

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This chapter has been revised and edited.

So far this is the longest chapter! I hope you all enjoyed. Teaser: plot twist coming up.

<3 Wien+Megan