Running out of time

Chapter 23. Ben - Earth

I inhaled sharply as Jet handed me some water. We had no time to waste with the training for our mission. Jet said that it was almost certain that the four of us would be picked for the team.

"Ben come on, you need to access your powers" Jet said waving his arms in the air.

"It's not that easy" Ben stammered out between deep breaths. He had been trying to move the earth in front of him for hours.  "Sure it is" replied Jet.  The four of us were separated. Anna to a lake, Lucy to a hill, Roy to the gym and me to this field. I outstretched my arm focusing everything onto the bit of earth before me.

Nothing.

I yelled and smashed my fist into the ground. Why couldn't I do it? Why did I have to be the only one who couldn't do it? I tried it again. And again and again.

"This is useless!" I yelled at Jet.

"Ben-"

"No. I'm sick of this, maybe I'm not the person you were looking for" I stepped backwards until I realised that I started walking back to the academy.

"Four years".

"What?" I turned around to face Jet.

"It took four years for me to fully control my element, don't expect it to be easy Ben" Jet paused. "It's something we all have to do sooner or later, face that we aren't always going to measure up to the people around us. I quit at first. My guardian let me quit - so go ahead Ben. Go ahead and quit because you don't get a second chance at this. I spent those four years without a guardian and I spend all the goddamned time wondering how I would've turned out if I had someone to help me" Jet made no notion to move.

I looked at him and nodded slowly. "I'm not you". I turned on my heel and headed back to the academy.

-

"How was training?" Roy asked tossing me a canned drink.

"Fine" I muttered under my breath.

"Terry thinks I'm okay but I can tell he's impressed with how quickly I managed to use my powers, he says that tomorrow we could be training in pairs or in a group, whaddaya say Ben? Wanna be my partner?" Asked Roy. I winced. I couldn't tell Roy that I couldn't even access my power - he'd think I was weak or something.

"Sounds great but Jet thinks that we're doing pretty well so I don't know, I'll probably still be in the field tomorrow practising my power"

"Suit yourself mate, I'll just ask one of the girls" Roy answered taking a sip of his drink. He sat back at his chair "there's not much to do here after training is there" he grumbled. I nodded my head. "I'm knackered from training so I'm just gonna get an early night".

"Don't you wanna grab something to eat?" Asked Roy. I didn't really feel like seeing anyone so despite my rumbling stomach I shook my head and let Roy walk out the door.

As soon as Roy had left I punched my pillow, hard. This was stupid. There they were, everyone finally telling me I was special then bam. Turns out I wasn't. I should've known. I took my phone from my pocket and called my little brother's number. I watched it ring until he finally picked up. "Jake?" I asked down the phone.

"Ben?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, why did you call?"
"Is mum ok?"
"Yeah, why"
I laughed slightly. He sounded so suspicious.
"I was just wondering that's all"
"Ok?" Jake didn't know, I realised. He thought I was at boarding school. I was worlds away from my little brother and hearing his voice, I smiled. "Take care of her Jake, and yourself, don't let me down ok?" I said into my phone.
"Sure whatever, when are you coming home?" He asked. I narrowed my eyes.
"What did you do to my room?!" I yelled down the phone.
"Nothing! I swear why do always assume I did something?" Jake yelled back
"Because you always do something!" I yelled back. Jake paused before responding.
"That's fair enough... bye Ben". Jake hung up.

I stared at my phone in disbelief. The audacity that little guy had. I put my phone into my bag. Although briefly, talking to my brother did improve my mood. He was a little idiot but he understood me in ways I don't think anyone else can. I laid down on my bed and turned on my side. Maybe I could talk to Jet maybe we could make an agreement. I don't exactly know what I want yet but I don't want to give up. I can't go home not now, not when my friends need me.

A/N thanks for reading, remember to vote :)

- Neerac12