Element

✭ Chapter 37

We didn’t go back to the library that afternoon. Instead, Brooke, Alanna, Kaelie, Rhodes and I hung out in my room, chatting about the project, how crazy Brooke’s confrontation was, and the fact that the reason the air team could never win against fire was because of Yvette. The last topic was the bulk of our conversation, and Rhodes just kept saying how he always came to watch the championship games at the end of the year and never picked up that Yvette was sabotaging her team.

“I just… You’d think there’d be some sort of thing you saw to tell she was doing something suspicious. But she’s so… sneaky!” Rhodes says, frowning. "And I can’t believe she didn’t get caught immediately for twisting your ankle.”

“Rhodes, it’s ok. It’ll be healed in one week from today,” I note, trying to smile.

“I know, but…” He trails off, and we all sit in uncomfortable silence for a while.

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“I hope you all have a good idea what your project is going to be. It will count for a large percentage of this year’s grade in my class.”

Mrs. Hersmer goes on about how grades are important to keep up, blah blah. My gaze shifts to the window beside me, and I see it’s snowing. Again. Come to think of it, I don’t think it snows this much during the winter normally. There’s something about the weather this winter… like it’s more severe and, well, cold. Even when it’s not snowing, it’s bitterly cold out. The sun hardly ever comes out, and when it is, it’s still cold. But I can’t come up with any explanation other than some weird weather pattern. And yet something keeps nagging at the corner of my mind, a reason for the weather that I can’t put a finger on.

“And so, the rest of today will be spent finalizing your plan for this two-month project. Questions?”

Everyone’s so zoned out with boredom that even the kids I could tell were confused earlier don’t raise their hands.

“Very well, get to work.” She barks, and people slowly get out papers from their bookbags and start writing. I take my own sheet of blue lined paper and start writing.

My Plan

For the project assigned to us in Mrs. Hersmer’s History of Dimicel 4 class, I have decided to create a journal from the perspective of one of the Five, most likely the air element. I will be able to more realistically describe the use of powers for her than any other element. For this project, I would need to do extensive research on the Air element from the Five, making sure to use the correct names, references, and sophistication depending on age. I would make trips to museums and the Central City Library using a pass from Ms. Hersmer. I would try to add not only the battle strategy and war planning that went on, but also personal issues the air element was facing at the time. With sufficient time spent researching and with dedication, I know this journal will be done within the due date and will be done nicely.

I scribble my name at the top of the page before glancing at the clock. Seven minutes until the bell rings, releasing me from the class so I can go to Mr. Gravet’s class. Five minutes later, Mrs. Hersmer says I can leave early. I know it’s probably because of my ankle. God, I can’t wait to get this cast off. I turn in the sheet at the front before opening the door and leaving.

I walk out, and I immediately notice the difference in temperature. With one step, I go from a warm and cozy room temperature to the freezing cold climate, biting at my skin. I’m really glad I wore my snow boots with wool socks today. The thick black headband I’m wearing also conceals my ears so they’re not freezing off either. I smooth out the top of my ponytail with my unfortunately thin gloves before making my way to my next class, which happens to be a ways across campus. I reach the class within six minutes, so I’m glad Mrs. Hersmer gave me those extra two minutes. As I enter through the door, Mr. Gravet asks me what happened to my foot.