Page 4

Keahi

I’m late for breakfast – which means perfectly on time for everyone else – so the cafeteria is cramped and I have to wait in line to finally get my food.

They give me a piece of bread and a pear, then hurriedly send me on my way.

My patience is running thinner than ever and I curse myself for not having eaten earlier like I usually do as I’m trying to walk back to my seat. The cafeteria is so crowded, people can’t seem to avoid touching me.

I try my best to keep my temper in check but finally snap around when someone falls against me with the force of a boulder being thrown by a mountain troll.

It’s a kid my age, and their eyes go wide when they recognize just who they disturbed.

"I- I-" they stammer their excuse or apology, and I roll my eyes.

"I- I-" I mock them.

They quickly shut their mouth, their body freezing, and I seize the opportunity to look at their tray.

I reach for the green apple on it with a smile on my face. The kid looks on the verge of tears at this point, and I am ready to leave, satisfied, just for a biting voice to stop me.

"Give it back!" My eyes zero in on the little girl next to the kid.

It takes me a second to recognize her as the new girl now that she is no longer shaking like a leaf in the wind with her jet-black hair shielding her face.

Her icy blue eyes glare up at me, and I can’t stop the smug expression that takes over my face. This is a fun little surprise. I truly didn’t think this girl could possibly have any backbone when I saw her last night.

"What did you say?" I demand.

People around us turn to watch.

"Give them their apple back!" She stands her ground, her voice loud enough to catch more attention.

Who does she think she is, acting all righteous, her nose tipped up at me with the entitlement of a damn princess.

The students nearby seem to hold their breath.

"And why would I do that?"

She narrows her eyes.

"Because it’s theirs." There’s no hint of fear or resignation on her determined, little face.

I can tell she’s really set on doing what’s “right” here. I’m not worried though; I will get her there. She doesn’t know me or my status in this school yet.

The only concerning thing is the spark of interest in the eyes of the people that do know me as they watch the scene unfold.

As much of an interesting surprise as this little confrontation may be, I don’t need people giving me lip all the time from now on.

I like the wide berth of space everyone is accustomed to giving me at all times and the way a tense silence seems to follow me like a loyal shadow most days. It’s dull but it’s familiar by now.

I square my shoulders and take a slow step toward the girl, expecting her to step back.

She doesn’t.

A low murmur goes around the room, but she doesn’t seem to notice the kind of spectacle she’s causing right now. No, she’s keeping those steely eyes firmly on me, fixing me with a glare so fierce it makes mine feel fickle. It’s intense, but I force my eyes to stay on hers just as stubbornly as I lead her friend’s apple to my mouth and take a big bite of it.

I chew, taking all the time in the world, then say, "Now, it’s mine." Her eyes turn to slits, and she looks beyond pissed.

Before I can react, she grabs something off my tray.

She takes a bite of my pear, and people around us gasp audibly. Not that I’m able to properly hear them over the blood rushing in my ears.

This new girl just made a fool out of me in front of all these people, and I see red.

I put my tray down on the closest table and take a long step toward her.

She must see the flames dancing in my eyes because now, she looks appropriately scared. She takes a small step back, but I wrap my hand firmly around her wrist before she can get too far.

"Not so brave anymore?" I chuckle as her eyes widen.

"I am aware you are new, but there is something you should know." I tighten my grip and feel my hand tickle softly as my powers surface, burning her.

Even better, that will leave an impression. I lean in, bending at the waist so my face comes down next to her ear. "If I say something is mine, it’s mine," I hiss against her utterly still form.

She doesn’t flinch away from the heat of my touch, doesn’t so much as twitch in protest.

It makes me wonder if she is a fire handler that knows how to redirect my power.

Before I can wonder for too long, a familiar voice booms behind me.

The only voice that always makes me obey and do so gladly since I honestly respect its owner.

If there was ever anyone coming close to replacing the parents I lost, it’s him. "Keahi!" If not before, then every last head turns into our direction now.

I quickly let go of the girl’s arm before turning around, my smile wiped from my face.

Kaz is stalking over, his usually warm eyes now firmly staring down at me.

He looks between me and Malia a couple of times before addressing her.

"Malia, show me your arm." To my pleasure, I see her hesitating.

Either I’ve managed to leave a real impression on her or she’s just an unwilling snitch.

Either way, I like to see it. She’s clutching the wrist I hurt with her left hand but shows no other signs of pain. That means she has a damn strong poker face since I know my burns hurt.

"Alright then, follow me." the trainer says once it becomes clear that Malia doesn’t intend to do as he asked.

Kaz leads the way out of the room, and the two of us follow.

We walk in silence until he tells us to sit down in an empty room.

"Show me your arm." My trainer’s voice is less soft and more demanding now, so Malia follows his order.

There is a red handprint where I held her, but the burn seems superficial.

Kaz’ expression tells me I am in a lot of trouble, nonetheless.

"Explain," he orders coldly.

"She stole my pear and things got out of hand.

I am sorry." Apologizing even though I don’t mean a single syllable is the best way to handle a situation like this.

Speaking of experience. Tell the teacher what he wants to hear, and he’ll be less hard on you.

"Is that true?" he asks Malia.

She swallows and sits up straighter.

"He stole the apple of my friend and wouldn’t give it back.

I made it even." I almost can’t keep myself from tutting at her thoughtless reply.

Her words might make sense to her, but it is clearly not the answer Kaz wants. He wants to hear that she regrets her actions and won’t do it again.

"Well, the rule an eye for an eye doesn’t apply here," he says sternly and then sighs.

"But hurting each other is unacceptable, you know this, Keahi.

I will get back to the two of you once I’ve settled on an appropriate punishment. In the meantime, behave." He dismisses us, and we both walk out of the room.

We make it a few feet until Malia breaks the silence.

"Sorry for stealing your pear." I turn my head to see if Kaz perhaps decided to follow us, but it quickly becomes clear that we are alone.

I furrow my eyebrows, confused about her behavior.

That apology gets her nowhere, why would she waste her breath? Especially now rather than when it actually mattered in front of Kaz? She made a bad impression on her superior, and now she’s making a fool out of herself.

Is this her conscience making an appearance because she thinks I meant my apology in the office? No one’s that naive, right? Despite not knowing me, she should be able to tell from the glimpse I showed her in the cafeteria that I am not a good person.

I school my features, cock an eyebrow, and turn to her.

"There is no teacher around," I point out, but she doesn’t seem to understand.

I shake my head. "You’ve got some stuff to learn." We are in this academy all day every day with strict rules in place that are enforced by the teachers and faculty. If those people don’t like you, they can take away all of your privileges and make your days here as stale as uncooked rice. Kaz will surely give her the benefit of a doubt, but his impression of her can’t have increased during that short encounter.

"So, teach me," she says, and I laugh at that.

It’s her turn to cock an eyebrow at me.

"Let me make this very clear since you don’t seem to get non-verbal hints.

We’re not pals.

We’re not family just because we both live here. We’re not even on speaking terms in my book. So, no," I state provocatively slowly before walking away. Her huff still barely reaches my ears before the distance between us becomes too vast.