Elements: Can You Trust Me? (Book 3)

Battle of the Push-Ups (Chapter 6)

Morning came and went, each day getting closer to the dreaded first day of school. Training involved fitness and workouts for the fall sports that the teens participate in. Alex and Owen got Ku to fill out their DIAA physical forms to play soccer for Owen and field hockey for Alex.

Brenton wouldn't stop nagging Carol and Tyler to fill out his form in order to do Cross Country for the fall. Ava managed to find a time where her mom was feeling better than usual to fill out her form so that she could participate in volleyball. Urana got her parents to fill it out early. While Sasha had to wait for Ku to be able to be her legal guardian. Once he is, Sasha could participate in gymnastics.

Owen and Urana are across from each other and doing push-ups that Ku assigned them. Alex, Ava, and Brenton are also doing push-ups just spread out but close enough to see Owen and Urana beating them.

Suddenly, Owen puts one hand behind his back and does one-handed push-ups. Urana sees the challenge and does the same. Owen narrows his eyes and the two stare at each other, picking up their speed and intensity. They quickly switch hands and their rapids movements cause sweat to pour down their foreheads.

"What the heck," Alex stops his push-ups as do Ava and Brenton to just let their jaw drops at Owen and Urana.

"Okay, they actually look really tired," Ava shrugs. "Are they okay? They're sweating a ton."

"How are they even doing that?" Brenton questions, seeing their muscles, that were sort of toned, glistening with sweat.

Almost as soon as the talking finished, Owen and Urana collapse onto the ground, panting.

"You fell first..." Owen huffs.

"No, you did..." Urana is busy catching her breath.

"Okay you two, we get it," Brenton kneels down to them and pats their heads simultaneously. "You two can beat us in anything, thanks so much for reminding us."

"Who...fell first?" Owen and Urana turn to Brenton, still trying to catch their breath.

"Uh, you both landed at the same exact time," Ava answers. "What kind of superhuman stamina do you two have even?"

"Superhuman stamina to try and beat each other that's what," Alex throws towels at all four of their faces. "It's the only reason they do that anyway."

"Good job you crazy lot!" Ku's voice booms over the dome. "Now wipe off your sweat and come up here."

"Aye aye Sensei!" The teens call out from below and start to make their way out of the dome.

"Say..." Urana says thoughtfully. "If the Earth refers to our planet, how does Owen's power work on other planets? Or at all?"

"Because 'earth' means the ground, nature and the planets and all that jazz to the universe," Amy answers into the speaker. "Then y'all decided to name your planet Earth."

"What do you think about Sasha?" Ku asks Amy, watching the teens get closer to the exit.

"Her intentions seem clean. I don't see any need to worry about her hurting or betraying anyone. But I think there might be someone following her..?" Amy shrugs. "You don't think Vada might've put a spell on her or something to keep Sasha from being herself?"

"Doubtful," Ku muses. "Although Sasha could have been exposed to a spell like that. But someone following her? There is no way to travel here without somehow alerting the World Leaders...if they know we may be getting a call soon. About Sasha and whoever is following her."

"It was hard to tell because of all the Nobits around but there was someone lurking in the alleyways," Amy remembers.

"Could be the gang that bullies Brenton...how have they not ended up in trouble?" Ku questions.