Kinship (revised)

Chapter 4: Fire vs Water

“Ann!” My mother called from the hallway.

“What?” I groaned, as she entered the room.

“We’re going to go out to eat with the Alexanders’, so get ready!” She advised.

With one last groan, I began my venture to the shower.  After a quick, or what I assume to be quick, shower, I was almost ready to go.  Thank goodness for my new found short hair. In no time, I was in the car, heading to some fancy restaurant I’d never heard of.

“Is he going to be there?” I asked, as I received a glare from my mother.

“Be nice!” she cried batting at my hand, “and yes, he’s going to be there.”

“Fine, I’ll be good.” I joked, cracking a smile.

“You’d better! Besides I thought he was being nice now.” She added.

“Yeah, all it took was me getting lit on fire!” I protested.

She didn’t reply, but there was a small smile on her face. As we drove into the parking lot, I noticed Quinn’s Mom waving frantically at our car. Lets just say I immediately groaned. Some people are just too friendly.

“Oh my goodness Pandora you look wonderful! Oh, and Ann, I absolutely adore the new hair! Did you guys get a new car? It just looks so shiny! And that jacket!” She babbled, with a painful looking grin.

“Thanks you Ellen, how are you doing?” My Mom asked politely.

“Well, George gets home so late now. We don’t even get any us time! I wish we were teenagers again, you know back when..” She chattered, before she was interrupted by Quinn.

“Oh, wow, um, this is our cue to leave...” Quinn blurted before snatching my arm and dragging me away.

“What in the world?” I asked as he pulled me to the back of the building.

There was a murky pond surrounded by large rocks. He sat on one of the stones, gesturing for me to also sit down.

“My parents always visit this restaurant. I think I’ve eaten everything on the menu. I am so sick of it, so I always come back here.” He explained, tossing a stone into the pond.

“Well, that sucks. I wish I could relate, but the only restaurant we visit frequently is McDonalds.” I sighed, causing him to chuckle.

“By the way, where’s your Dad?” He asked.

“Don’t worry, he’s not dead or anything. He just has a traveling job, but he’s still great. He always makes time for family.” I reassured causing him to smile.

“That’s good, by the way, your hair looks nice.” He said so nonchalantly, it shamefully made me blush.

“Um, thanks?” I replied in an uncertain tone.

“Too bad about your face though...” He teased.

“As..butthole.” I muttered, slapping him playfully on the arm.

“I am only joking.” He admitted with a cheesy smile.

“Whatever.” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

“What me to show you something cool?” He asked waving his hands.

“As long as it doesn’t burn the rest of my hair off..” I muttered.

“I promise It won’t.” He chuckled, offering me pinky promise.

He walked further towards the pond and with a flick of the wrist, flames danced along his finger tips. With a simple flicking motion, I watched as fire spread over the surface of the pond. Giant colorful flames swarmed the middle of the pond, before extinguishing in a matter of seconds. I gasped, looking at him in wonder.

“How did you do that!” I asked, excited.

“There’s a certain type of algae that’s highly flammable. This pond just happens to have an abundance of it. “ He shrugged, cooling the flames from his fingers.

“You should teach me more about how to control the flames.” I suggested.

“Sure, just show me some of you're cool tricks first.” He insisted.

“No way! I’d get in so much trouble!” I concluded.

“Ah, come on!” He complained, giving me a dramatic frown.  

“Fine!” I whined.

I focused on the pond. Slowly little droplets of water arose, swirling throughout the air. Then they dropped back into the rest of the pond water.

“I thought you mastered fire!” He blurted, looking confused.

“Oh, my family is a line of witches who can control all of the elements. That’s why we’re all named Pandora, it literally means: All-gift.” I explained.

“Wow, you're so unbelievably lucky.” He sighed, with a shake of the head.

“Not really, there’s way too many things to focus on. I’ll probably never master any of my talents. Plus my parents want me to be as mundane as possible.” I explained, with a grin smile.

“You’ll probably master most of them. Besides, I can tell you don’t follow the human rule very well.”  He added.

“Whatever,” I said rolling my eyes. “what was living and training with other enchanters like?”

“A lot of learning how to not expose yourself, control your element, and human history.”

“Hmm, not exactly what I’d thought I’d be like...”

“What about living like a human? Without being able to use your talents?”

“Boring, and I still experimented by my self. I learned quite a bit about my talents on my own.”

“Interesting, what’s you're favorite?”

“That’s a hard question,” I admitted, taking a minute to think, “I’d have to say liquids. I love messing with around with water.”

“Better than fire?” He asked with mock offense.

“At least to me.” I laughed.

“Ah, don’t lie.” He sighed, giving me a look of disappointment.

“Seriously, I like water better.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.” He replied.

“No.” I answered.

“Ah ha!” He yelled.

“Shuttup that doesn’t count!” I yelled back.

“Sure it doesn’t...”