Welcome

Part 7

A couple of weeks have passed since our first park meeting with Maya. I think those are going to replace us getting picked up to go wherever Alex is since we haven't seen him since January. It's now March and I think another one's coming up.

But other than that, I think things are starting to settle down a little.

School has been normal as always, besides the fact that we have midterms now. We try not to let it throw us off schedule, which has worked well so far. We have even been able to fit in some studying.

The only thing that's really in the way is Maya's little sessions after school.

They're still one-on-one, they last until five, and it takes up all of our energy. We sometimes question if she even does her work. If she does, then where does she even get the time? Long story short, it's all very annoying but it honestly might be helping.

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we got better at controlling our "elements". Don't know why we're still using quotes though...

The bracelet actually helps me, surprisingly. I keep it on when I don't want water to go crazy near me, like at school. But I pretty much have it under control when it's off as well, so it was very effective.

I can't really speak for the other two though. I think it's because theirs is related to temperature and that's a different story. I know Kira doesn't wear hers at all unless it's her day to meet Maya since she got yelled at the first time. She carries it around though, just in case. And Max just wears it whenever. I think he's gotten used to it.

...

We're just sitting in the café now. We didn't have much to do, but there's always something. Even if we are testing. It's been quiet for a while and I wanted to spark a conversation.

"So," I started, "nice weather we're having," I said, which was so dumb but I just let it go. Kira looked up and smiled. "You're right, there's nothing like sixty-degree weather," she said and Max just shook his head. "You two are ridiculous," he said, still looking down at his paper. "Hey, at least it's not snowing. If anything, we should've blamed Kira for that," I said jokingly. "Hey! I didn't even have this power when it started snowing. That's like blaming you for all the rain we had or blaming Max for global warming," she said, trying not to laugh.

"Why am I being brought into this," he said, finally looking up. "Because you're being boring at the moment and I just want you to say something," she said as he just looked at her. "Aw, is someone getting a little heated," she asked and I just burst into laughter. "I thought you were done with puns," he said. "There's no such thing as being done with puns. Puns are great," she said and I agreed.

I suddenly heard the bell at the door and it caught my attention. I looked up and I felt a smile form on my face.

"Hey Scarlet, hey guys," Jason said and he gave me a hug. This was new but it didn't really bother me much actually. "How are you," he asked me. His voice was soft and he sounded sincere. In a way, it sounded like something was wrong.

"I'm good. But how are you? Are you okay," I asked. He gives me a slight smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just been a crazy day. But it's better now that I've seen you." I couldn't help but smile. It felt nice to know that I can make someone's day a little better.

"Well I hope I wasn't interrupting anything," Jason said as he turned to the other two. "Nope, nothing at all. Just be glad that you didn't walk in when these two were talking about the weather," Max said, pointing at both Kira and I. "Oh really? Was it about tornadoes," he asked. "What? No. Why?"
"Because I can imagine it being very twisted," he said and Kira and I started dying. That came out of nowhere!

"You know what? I'm done." And he started to walk out. "No wait," Kira said blocking the door. I just shook my head and turned to Jason. "That was great," I said and he did a slight chuckle. "I try," he said. "I was actually going to buy something. Did you want anything."
"Oh no. I'm fine. Thank you though," I said. He smiled and walked off.

"Scarlet, can we talk," Max said as he walked over. "Yeah, what's up?"
"It's about Jason," Max started, "What if he isn't telling us something?" I just kind of looked at him and I felt the whole atmosphere change. "What do you mean," I asked him and he lowered his voice.

"Kira's dream could mean something. If he does have a 'power' then he could be working with Alex like Maya is." I didn't say anything. I actually didn't know what to say. I have never been in this situation before. "That doesn't mean anything. He could've shown up in her dream because he's been hanging around for a while. Not everything and everyone that is introduced into our lives has something to do with what happened to us."

I can feel my tone of voice changing. I can tell I'm sounding defensive but I feel like I have a reason to. "Scarlet, the last time someone just showed up, they ended up being some type of second hand for Alex. And considering all the events that have happened to us, I wouldn't be surprised if Jason was one of them," he said.

"Guys, calm down. Please? We don't know anything. You both know as much as the other. Let's not assume," Kira jumps in, "We already know that we have to be aware of our surroundings and of the people we come across, but we can't jump to any conclusions." Max and I just stared at each other.

She's right. But I can't help but think about what he said. If anything, it took me out of a good mood. Jason came back a couple of seconds after with a coffee and he handed me a cup of water.

"Thanks," I said forming a slight smile. "Of course," he said as he sat down.

As time went on, the tension that was in the air disappeared. We were all hanging out like we were before all of this happened and it felt nice.

I think Max and I are cool now.

Because of Kira...

...

No pun intended.