Life Changer

Chapter Seventeen: Vala

When we opened the doors to go back into the castle, we ran into some people. They were wearing surface clothes. The older man looked like the younger one's dad. His eyes were a faded red, like mine and Ivy's were when we first got down here. They must have just gotten here. The younger man, who looked to be slightly older than us, had one eye faded red, but the other was hazel colored. That was strange. They said they needed to talk with my mom. The dad seemed to be in a hurry to get away. Also strange. Klaven and I went back to the office room, only to find no one was there. So we went to my room.

"Don't you think the two surface people were unusual?" Klaven asked once we were settled on my bed.

"If you mean suspicious, then yes," I responded.

"Maybe they were up to something."

"They were probably running late to meet with mom."

"I hope you're right."

We sat there for a second. I wondered what we should do to pass the time. Klaven got up and went to the window. He opened it and stuck his hand outside. I watched him with curiosity. I still didn't know much about him. When he pulled his hand back inside, he held a flame.

"You can do some crazy stuff, can't you?" I said with awe.

"I guess so," Klaven shrugged. "It is pretty rare for someone to get this ability. Usually, only one person in a generation can do these things. I guess I got lucky."

"I think it's more than that. I think you are a special person."

"Not really."

"Well, I think you are."

I smiled at him, and he turned away from me. Really shy. I got up and hugged him. I didn't really know why. I just did it. He hugged back awkwardly.

"Why are you hugging me like you don't want to? Am I really that bad?" I teased.

"Oh, uh no. I just didn't want the flame to catch your shirt on fire," Klaven said softly.

I pulled away as I remembered that he was holding fire. "Sorry, I forgot about that."

I watched him close his hand with the fire into a fist. I guessed that's how he put out the fire. He looked at me, I couldn't tell what his emotion was.

"You are my best friend Vala."

I knew then that he liked me. That he loved me. I felt my face get hot and looked away. When I looked back at him he was blushing too. Suddenly, Ivy came in. Leave it to my little sister to burst into someone's room without knocking.