Fires Collided

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"Yes sir.It didn't help."He laughed once again."Remember the first time you came here?"I nodded."You said it was easy enough for you to live one of your worst memories."I nodded."I did say that sir.But a lot has changed after that.I held it together for three years.I did everything I knew and could.I chanted every spell you taught me.I tried to hold myself.When I knew I would I left.I was miles away.I did my best.And I'm sorry I failed.But it wasn't your class that I failed.It was myself.And right now you're wasting your minutes to yell at me.Well here is your explanation.Please continue so I can learn what I'll have to do next time something like this happens."He stared into my eyes seriously and silently for a while then he went back to his class like nothing happened.

After classes I went to watch the practice.I got Alex and Silver with me.Since I can't do anything other than watch I thought why not invite them.Technically they could've been just passing by."So this is your punishment?"I nodded."Girl you're hella lucky."I sighed."He basically gave this to me as a detention because I enjoy everything he counts as a detention.He knew I hated this jock stuff that's going on here.They're all different when they're on field.Do I make myself clear because I'm confused?"They nodded."Well...I gotta go but you and Alex enjoy."Silver left and it was the two of us.I leaned onto his shoulder and we were talking until barbaric Crooks showed up and tried to punch him."I get that you are possesive but he is my cousin so get yourself straight Juniper!He will be here whether you like it or not!Understood?!Good.I really can't deal with you if you're like this."Then the team captain called them back on the field and he went back.Me and Alex sat there together.I even fell asleep on him for a couple minutes.Well more like an hour or two because they were done with the practice once I woke up.

"C'mon.Let's get to dinner."I rubbed my eye."Who are you?""Crooks.Now get up."I got up and he left."I'm not following you around like a dog.Please ackowledge that."He turned around."Yes you are."I laughed and I stood there.He just stared at me."Oh you are in a very long list mister.I think you should get out of it before it's your turn."He rolled his eyes."What do you want?Chocolates?Flowers or something?"I shook my head."Manners.Something you clearly forgot to listen when mama thaught you.Offer your arm maybe.Or ask me nicely.For example:Shall we go to dinner?Or something close to that in the form of a question.But my answer is no thanks.Alex?"He nodded and got up.He offered me his arm.I took it.While we were next to Crooks I stopped."Something you lack but my cousin suceeds."Then me and Alex went to dinner.Everybody was looking at me like I was some sort of freak.I was used to that look from my parents.At least that's what I thought but now?I realized that I am not used to it.

"Let's just sit down with Silver and James.Alright?"I nodded."I think that's the best option and the only option I got."We walked over and a few minutes later Crooks came over."Grab my arm and drag me again I dare you."He rolled his eyes."Sit with me?"Wow.I never thought I'd see the day he didn't demand me to sit with him or drag me.Or heear his voice this soft."Ok.I'll sit with you."He offered me his arm and then I saw Alex's face.This night is getting much better.I sat next to him and his friend group.Weirdly Ralph wasn't here.After a while I thought I'd ask."Crooks?"He turned to me."What now?"I rolled my eyes."If you hadn't add that 'now' I would've been nicer.But that's not what I wanted to say.Where is Ralph?Aren't you two are like twins?Clearly not identical."He rolled his eyes and he didn't care where he was."I don't know.He said he had something to handle.He said it was family affairs and I couldn't care less."Family affairs?Oh no.I got up and threw the napkin on my lap on the table and left.Just when I was about to leave the room Crooks came."Where do you think you're going?"I sighed.

"I'm going to the club tower."Then Alex came too."Where are you going?"I took a deep breath."C'mere."I whispered to his ear."Rlaph is dealing with a family affair.Do you know what this means?"I stepped back."Well you're not going alone.I'm sorry."I chuckled."This is your first year Alex.You're not dying yet.If you're there you might get caught in the crossfire I'm not risking that.You are my responsibility as long as you are in this school grounds!Understood?!"He didn't answer."Alex!You're not coming.End of discussion."I turned to Crooks."Do me a favor and keep him here.""Uh...no.Not until I know what's going on."This is unbelievable."Alright.Then Crooks you are responsible for his safety the moment we enter the club tower.Both of you.Follow me."

And I was right.Ralph was being choked and yelled by his father."I never thought I'd see the day you become so brave that you come here Phoenix."He let go of Ralph and he fell on the ground."I see you brought body guards.Monroe.Crooks.Nice to see you boys."I rolled my eyes."One more step towards me and I'm lighting you up Fern."He stepped forward towards me and I walked to him in my flame form."When I say I dare you I mean I dare you.So...try to hurt or get close to one of my family member or any of my friends.I dare you."I took a step back."Now get the fuck out."I turned back to my human form."You're not that brave you know?You're just a brat who makes people pity for her."I chuckled."If my goal was for people to pity me then you would be pitying me.Believe me.I can make that happen if I wanted to.Since you're not pitying me...that's not the goal here.But I know what you're all about.Power.And we all want that.Let's be honest.But this is not monarchy.You're not going to be a king and rule the entire universe or something.All you want is to rule our world.But you can achieve that.And it drives you crazy.More crazy every day.Years go by and you forget who you are.What your morals were.Then you act out of personality which you lack.Then you start to act in a very certain way.Beat your son.Threaten a 14 year old girl.That was at first because I was a Monroe.Then I saved your son while you were beating him and now your fucked up plan isn't going the way you want.Is it going the way you want?I don't think so."

Now he was glued to the wall he was choking Ralph on.I leaned to his ear."So you better leave Fern."I stepped a couple steps back."Again.I dare you."He left running.He tried to hide it but it was kinda obvious.