Academy of Elements: Earth

Chapter 19: Gardens of Home

My first exam was today, and despite my best attempts to study I didn't feel prepared, I had also tried to get some extra sleep, though sleep still pulled on me, trying to drown me in its dark self. I sit in my place in Potion and Poisons picking up my pencil as the test is placed in front of me. A sigh comes from me as I write down my name and the date starting the thick page of papers. I finish a few minutes before the bell goes handing the page in after stapling it. I only had no more exams today, tomorrow I would have two and then finally a Elemental Attacks test of some sort. It would be a long week.

It wasn't as hot as it was over the weekend, it had dropped a few degrees's, though it was still boiling. As I head from Potion and Poisons I walk into the cafeteria sitting down in my seat taking a sip of water. I serve myself some salad and give Nora a smile as I notice her across the cafeteria.

After making a few phone calls I had gotten Nora a ticket on the plane home. She would be staying in the guest lodge, a new addition to the Academy, over the break if she didn't sleep with me. It wasn't that we... well... had sex... or anything of the sort... Just holding her in my arms through the night made me feel safe.

It kept the nightmares at bay.

They had been occurring for a while now, images of the people I love dying because of me. It was a horrid thing, knowing that I had been the cause of their death. But they had only been dreams, and thank god for it; for we don't know fear until are nightmares become reality.

They had started a week or two ago, or that's when they had gotten bad. Paris had set them off I assumed, building a tower up, and then the news about Nora and I had pushed that tower over.

Eating my lunch I smile at Haley as she sits beside me.

"Hey." She smiles taking a bite of an apple.

Mrs. Aneltt walks onto the small stage at the back of the cafeteria, Haley's face going pale at the sight of her. "Good morning." She says briskly. "Would anyone in the Potion and Poisons year 6 class go to the classroom now." And she walks off stage.

Haley takes a deep breath going back to her meal.

"What happened?" I question.

"N-nothing." She says, pursing her lips.

I finish my salad and walk from the cafeteria Nora joining me by my side. We make our way up to Elemental Attack, despite my complaints.

"I don't want to go." I sigh. "It's too hot."

Nora stops pecking me on the lips. "You can have another kiss if you stop complaining."

I roll my eyes as we head to the pool for gym. Pushing open the glass door I step in the large area. The cliff sides have water trickling down them, the water falls from the training rooms pouring into the pool from above. The ceiling has been opened, the sun casting strands of gold over the world. I head into the guys' washroom. I take a locker and pull off my clothes leaving me naked and throw them in the locker. John takes the locker next to me and as I start to pull on my bathing suit I notice his gaze run along my body. I crease my brow at him and head to the showers and then go to the pool. Hopping into the pool I join the other people in my class.

The last time I had been in a pool I had nearly killed Nora.

The thought cuts my breath short. Surfacing the water I see Nora. She walks towards me a smile on her lips wearing a navy bathing suit like I do that shows off her stomach, her abs well cut. Landing in the water beside me her hand touches my chest.

"You look cute." I smile her eyes shining.

"I know." She winks and I splash her in the face.

The teacher stands. "Start with four laps of the pool." He demands as sits back in his seat in a chair. Pushing myself up I start to swim, the cold water rushing against me countering the burning heat of the sun.