Fires Collided

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Following morning I woke with the biggest headache.The debate was happening today and I had to be there for my grandparents.I went to the bathroom and washed my face and stuff.The usual.Then I looked at myself in the mirror as I took my medication."This is a good thing.This is going to keep you in line."I said to myself as I swallowed the pills.I changed in a more professional clothing than yesterday and acted like everything was fine."Damn I look hot as a chili pepper."

Then I met with my grandparents in the breakfast area.Alex was already down and was half way done with his breakfast."I'm sorry I'm late.I slept a little late and had a headache but it's all good now.""Good.You look good today.It's just a debate you are not even forced to go.I figured you would stay with Alex at the hotel."I tried to make eye contact with Alex."I figured you guys might need me.Moral support.I also promise I won't go out of my way like yesterday."

Then Alex lost it."You are in no condition to be a moral support Rose."He didn't yell.But he lost it.His eyes made it extremely obvious."Alex I'm fine.I'm alright."He rolled his eyes."You're not fine.We both know it.Lying to yourself won't make it.This is not something you can fake it until you make it.I'm out of here."Then he left."What is going on between you two?What happened last night?And why does he think you're lying to yourself and in no condition to go to the debate with us?"Too many questions.Too many question I can't handle."Nothing grandma.I'll talk to him and learn what's going on."

"No.You stay and have breakfast.Darling?Go and have a talk with him.Male to male."Grandpa nodded and left."What do you want honey?"I sighed."I'm not hungry.I'm going to go talk to a friend I just saw.Meet you at the car?"She nodded and I went over to James and Mel."Hey.How is the headache?"James turned to me."What headache?"Exactly.What headache."That fire message was from Fern wasn't it?"He sighed."I'm sorry."I chuckled."It's not your fault.He has an effect on people.Making them feel like they have to.It's ok.I just wish you had told me."He took a deep breath."Want me to get you a drink when we go to the beach today as a payback?"I smiled to them both."I'm going to the court with my grandparents.That's why we came here in the first place but you can pay me back by looking out for Alex today.Don't leave him alone alright?Last night things got gnarly between us.No questions asked.Just be there for him.If he wants to be alone?Just keep an eye for him.You don't have to spy him or anything.Just...look out for him."

"Of course."I nodded and met my grandparents at the car.We went to the elemental government headquarters in Bahamas.We entered the court room and I sat between my grandparents.And the more I listened the more I believed that we should stay in the community.My grandparents are really good people.They give scholarships to students.Whether their parents work for them or not.They don't have to but they do.And just because those students don't turn out to be Dragondeth my grandparents gets the blame.It took me a lot not to strangle all of them.

Ralph not taking his eyes off of me didn't help either."The jury will discuss this in their confidential room and we will be back here for the verdict and hopefully we will reach a decision."I stood up."May I have the stand?""Will it be like yesterday Ms.Monroe?"I sighed."No sir.I promise."He sighed."Then you may have the stand."I took the stand and watched everybody's eyes on me.But I turned to the jury."I know I can't change their opinions about myfamily but I know I can count on you to listen to me and reach a verdict."I took a deep breath.

"I'm not going to say what I'm going to say because they're my grandparents.I'm going to say what I have to say from a third perspective.Yours.Thiers.And now mine.One thing that was given as a reason really messed up my thinking.Giving scholorships to students who are not Dragondeth."I chuckled out of anger."Think it like this.What if they didn't have the education I am getting?What if they didn't get emotion control?Defense?Potion?History?Transfiguration?Transformation?And many other classes that I take.Can you imagine what would happen?Them not being able to control themselves around a mundane?That's just...dreadful.Hurting a mundane.Maybe another elemental.Hell!What if they hurt themselves so badly that they...die?It'll be their parents' fault because they didn't send them to a school that could teach them these lessons.So my grandparents took an action and actually did something that you guys should be doing as the government.Instead of doing this debate stuff you should be thanking them."

I turned to the big guy."That's all I wanted to say sir."I sat back next to my grandparents and after he dismissed us we all left."You should be a lawyer Rose.You know how to defend."I chuckled."Thanks grandpa.Honestly it was just me saying ehat I had to say.I basically improvised.I just hope I did the right thing."Grandma put her arm around me and gave me a nice small squeeze."You did what you felt like you had to do to defend your family.You did the right thing sweetie."

Then someone tapped on my shoulder.I turned around."Can we talk?"Ralph wants to talk.Shocker."No.I have nothing to say to you.Or your father."He sighed and my grandparents left."I have something to say.You're going to listen whether you like it or not."I chuckled."I don't have to Ralph.I don't have to do anything.Just...Just leave me alone."Everytime I want to walk away from him he stops me."You know...you should let it all out."He said mockingly."Listen to your therapist."I needed to keep my cool.Or else this whole debate can go down hill.

"Listening to my private conversations now Fern?""You are the one who chose such a public place to do so.I was just passing by."I sighed."Good for you Ralph.But I bet you don't need that Flamekeeper to figure out how I felt last night."Then I went to the bathroom and locked myself in one of the stalls until the verdict was out.