Seth's POV

"Dammit, Seth, watch where you're walking!" another voice echoes through the crowded hallway as I bump into yet another person on my way out and just like all the others I don't offer any sort of apology.

With my head hung low I shove past the crowd toward my car which thankfully I parked in the far spot in the parking lot. The last thing I need is someone trying to speak to me. I don't need nor do I want company, especially from any of these losers. I want Vega... no, I need Vega. I need to see her and be with her. I need to be around her and hold her in my arms but once again certain people are standing in our way.

Why can't we just be together? Why won't they let us? Hasn't this damn war gone on for long enough? Why are fighting anyway?

I can't decide whether it's funny or concerning that I don't know the answer to that simple question. Over the past thousand years, I've been born twice and have lived at least over thirty years combined but I've never found out why the fighting started let alone when it started. I suppose there was a time when I thought the benders were just born to hate each other simply because we're different. But it can't just be that simple, could it?

The roar of a nearby engine snaps me from my internal rant. Glancing at the thick black watch resting on my wrist a small spark of panic rushes through me as I notice all the time that has gone by. Hopping into my car I turn the key bringing it to life.

Speeding down the quiet back roads of Los Angeles I get to my house in no time hopefully still before my mom because I know she'll freak if she gets here and I'm not—

"Where the hell were you, young man!" my mother's voice booms from the now-open doorway.

I wince as I look up at her, despite being at least a whole foot shorter than me she suddenly looks like she can tower over me. Her arms were firmly tucked over her chest and her emerald eyes sharpen with her glare. There are many things in this world that I have learnt you shouldn't mess with and an angry Anastasia King is one of them.

"Sorry, Mom, the parking situation at the school was next level packed?" I nervously mumble as I slowly walk up the small set of steps onto the porch where she's standing in all her furious glory.

Her eyes trained on mine she stand silent most likely contemplating whether my story is complete bullshit or not or maybe just trying to work out how long she should ground me for.

"It was that bad, huh?" she asks.

The calmness in her voice fills me with a sense of ease and I can easily look her in the eye and nod.

"The worst," I scoff.

With her gaze still locked on me she slowly nods before turning around and making her way back into the house. "Oh, Marabella and Carla are coming over for dinner tonight. They'll be here at six."

A low groan slips past my lips and I slump into one of the nearby chairs. "Why God do you hate me so," I cry into my hands.

First I have to wait four weeks to see Vega properly and now I have to sit at a table and deal with that bitch. Today is not my day.

* * * *

Today is not my day, I think as I stand as close to the steps as I can allowing me to safely watch the two demons walk through my front door without being spotted and pulled into any sort of embrace they want to offer.

Perched in my little hiding spot a pit forms in my stomach as I watch the door slowly swing open swiftly followed by my mother's voice floating through the still air. "I'm so glad you two could make it," she says in a sing-song voice stepping aside so that the first of the two women can come in.

Carla, the girl my mother believes to be the definition of perfect, which makes me question my mother's standards, walks in first. Usually, when she comes into view I shift my gaze toward literally anything else. But this time not even I can look away from the bright red lipstick decorating her lips making her smile look even more unnatural and truly making it the kind of smile that you would see the villain of a horror movie pull out. 

"Hi, Mrs. King, how are you," she greets in that fake voice she puts on for the adults, and I have to use all my strength to stop myself from vomiting right here on these steps. 

With a gleaming smile still on her face, my mom pulls Carla into her embrace. "I'm good, my girl, and you?"

My girl, just the sound of that nickname makes me want to vomit. I don't know how I am going to survive this evening if everything these people do makes me feel ill. 

"I've been okay just busy with work. Last year of school so I've got a lot to do."

"Oh, I can imagine. I have to anyway since that one doesn't tell me anything," my mom laughs nodding toward my little spot making the first demon aware of where I am standing. Thanks a lot, Mom.

Shaking my head I emerge from my hiding spot. "You don't have to worry about anything, Mom. I've got everything school-related under control."

"Well, at least one aspect of your life is under control. Maybe you should try your methods in other aspects if you know what I mean," the dreary voice I have been dreading all afternoon says as the mother of demons herself walks through the doorway.

Her ridiculously tall heels click and clack on the floorboards as she takes the small steps toward me. The long strands of her very fake blonde hair swish from side to side with each step she takes, and I have to force myself not to look away from the intense gaze of her dark eyes. 

"Hello to you too, Mrs. Muchamore. I'm well thanks for asking, and how are you," I say with a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. 

She doesn't let my mother see it, but I can see the anger raging within her. She can look my mother and everyone else in the eye and say that she sees me as a son, but I know she hates me and always has. Which granted is my fault, after all, I am the only person alive who isn't afraid to call her out on her bullshit like that nose she claims is natural. 

"I'm well, dear, and I'm so glad to see that you are feeling better." She looks over my shoulder at my mother, "I know we were told not to speak about it but as your friend I just wanted you to know that I am so happy that your son is feeling better after... the incident." 

"So am I," my mom mumbles solemnly nodding as if I escaped death or was cured of some dreaded disease when in reality her reaction couldn't be more fake. 

My mother was so mad about the certain name that I called out that she barely came into my room to see me while I was twisting and turning in pain. She sent me food, water and anything else that I would have needed through the nurse who stayed with us throughout the whole ordeal and would only speak maybe one or two words to me through the mostly closed door when she was on the phone with my grandparents. I knew firebenders were temperamental and that their emotions could get the best of them, especially their anger, but I never once imagined that my mother would abandon me in my time of need because of it. 

"Hi, Seth," Carla greets me flattering her eyelashes while her body gently sways from side to side ever so slightly like some lovesick schoolgirl you would see on TV or read about in a book. 

I don't say anything back just give her my usual greeting: a quick wave of my hand. 

"Don't be rude, Seth, say hello to Carla," my mom hisses under her breath her gaze turning hard stabbing my soul. 

Scoffing I look up into Carla's muddy eyes and putting on my fakest smile I mumble, "Hi, Carla."

Crossing her arms over her chest she let out a small scoff and shakes her head. "Aren't you going to ask me how I am?" she asks shocked that I am not interested in her life. I don't know why she's so upset, it's not my fault I can figure out how her life is going by turning on any show that has a head cheerleader that is also a bit of a bitch. 

"Not really," ignoring the look of horror on her face I look past her shoulder at my mom who looks like she's about to die of embarrassment, "Mom, I'm starving, when can we eat?" 

"We can um..." she looks to Marabella who is glaring at her and me, "Dinner will be ready in about five minutes so you guys can go to the dining room."

While my mom rushes to the kitchen Carla, Marabella and I make our way to the dining room and take our seats. Making sure that I'm sitting as far away from either of them as I can I take out my phone and start mindlessly scrolling on Instagram hoping that this small shield would deter them from trying to speak to me.

"So, Seth, what are your plans for after school?" Marabella asks as she taps her fake nails together. 

It didn't work. With my gaze still locked on my phone, I quietly mutter, "Probably take a gap year to travel."

"Oh, that's cute where do you want to travel to?" Carla asks, but the only response I give is a silent shrug.

"Dammit," my mom yells from the kitchen followed by the sound of some utensil clattering as it hits the floor. 

"Mom, are you okay?"

"I'm fine just had a little accident!"

"Would you like some help in there?" Marabella asks. I wish I could roll my eyes, she's never helped anyone or anything in her entire life, especially her hair which has to be so dead from all the chemicals she puts in. 

"No, I'm good!" 

Any good friend would still run to the person's aid, but as always Marabella stays seated brushing her fingers through her hair while glancing around at the frames hanging on the walls each one holding a memory of the family I used to have. 

"Have you ever thought about visiting New York?" Carla asks breaking the reign of silence that I was enjoying. 

"Not really," I mumble under my breath as I shrug. 

Marabella gasps and slams her hands on the table. "Oh, New York is a beautiful city! All the lights, the art, fashion and who can forget the wonderful people? Not to mention the good schools, which is why Carla will be applying to the colleges there. Maybe if you decide to travel there you and Carla can explore the city together. I know I'll feel much better knowing my daughter won't be wandering the city alone."

"That would be so much fun!" Carla squeals with excitement as she enthusiastically claps her hands. 

Looking over at Marabella I'm honestly not surprised she's trying to steer me to the same city that her daughter will be going to. For years this walking tub of bleach has been trying to set me up with Carla because apparently we would be 'such a cute couple'. 

"It sounds cool but New York has just never really interested me."

Marabella scoffs and shakes her head. "Well, if not New York then where would you want to go?"

"Uh..."

"Yeah, Seth, where would you go?"

"Well..." Mom, please help me. The door to the kitchen swings open and my mom emerges carrying a large glass dish from which the sweet aroma of butter chicken drifts causing my mouth to salivate.

"Dinner is ready," she announces placing the dish in the center of the sparsely decorated table. 

"Thank God," I whisper under my breath.

"What's that, honey?"

"Oh... I just said that it smells delicious," I stutter praying that she and the demon spawns from hell would accept my hastily thought-out replacement. 

After a brief nod from her, we dish up our food, and while the adults converse as they slowly eat I spend my time dodging questions from Carla with some of my best excuses: I'm eating, the shrug and the simple I'm deaf. But as the dinner came to an end my excuses were trailing thin so I had to pull out my small shield again. 

"Seth, can you please show me where I can charge my phone for a bit my battery is about to die and I need it to video call Samantha later," Carla says once again pulling down my shield and dragging me into the conversation.

"Do I have to? You've been here more than enough times to know where you can charge your phone," I sigh. 

My mom's hand flies out harshly slapping my shoulder. "Seth! Stop being so rude and just take her to a spot where she can charge her phone."

Rolling my eyes I move away from the table and with Carla silently trailing behind me I make my way up the stairs to the closest charging point I can reach which thankfully is in my mother's room. 

"There it is in the same place it was the last time you were here and all the times before that."

Quietly closing the door behind her she turns to face me with a smirk tugging on her lips. "Yeah, I don't need to charge my phone I just wanted to talk to you about something."

Sighing I cross my arms over my chest, "I already told you I'm not going to prom with you so you can let that idea go. And for the record, your mom wanting to set me up with you is seriously..." 

My voice trails off as I look at the picture she pulled up on her phone. My heart drops to my stomach at the image of Vega in my arms and the flower I gave her resting in her hand. 

"So, does your mom know you're dating that icebender? I'm guessing she doesn't considering you're still alive."

"What do you want, Carla?" I hiss. 

Sliding her phone back into her pocket she laces her hands together and starts to gently sway side to side as she smiles ever so sweetly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Grabbing her shoulders I shove her into the closest wall. "Cut the shit, Carla, you wouldn't be doing any of this if you didn't want something. You would have run straight to your gossiping mommy so that the fire could start spreading. So tell me what you want or I'll burn this jacket you love so much."

"It's not a good idea to threaten the person who has so much leverage against you and is not afraid to use it to ruin not just your life but that little slut's life as well. So," flames appear in her palms, "back the hell off and I'll tell you what I want."

I carefully let go of her and take a few steps back watching as she kills the flames. "The floor is all yours."

"I want you to break up with Vega," she says so bluntly that it almost makes me fall to the floor.

"Excuse me," I gasp. 

Confusion distorts her face. "Did I stutter? I want you to break up with her preferably tomorrow or else I'll have to you know send that picture to the council and get you both kicked out of the orders, ruin your lives and all that."

"You and I both know I don't give a fuck what the council thinks of me so why would I care if they kick me out?" I chuckle trying my best not to show the fear that is circulating through me. 

"I know you don't, but I'm sure Vega cares, after all, she is a new member she wouldn't survive without a support system. So, I'm going to bet that you're feelings for her will help you see that breaking up with her is the best option here."

"You're insane," I scoff. 

"Oh come on, Seth, if you care about that girl in any way you'll see that by being with her all you're doing is destroying her life. If the ice council finds out that she is in a relationship with you they'll kick her out and her family and friends will disown her. She'll be all alone because let's face it there is only so much a boyfriend can be for you. And who's to say she doesn't fall out of love with you? Maybe she'll hate you so much for being the reason her family doesn't speak to her again that she'll leave you, and then both of your lives are ruined?"

I shake my head, "You're lying that will never happen."

"But do you know that for sure? Come on, Seth, be the bigger person here and do what needs to be done. Break up with her and let her have an actual shot at a good life."

Looking up into her soulless eyes I curse at the small part of my brain that is entertaining her argument. I can try and deny it all I want but she is right, if the councils find out about our relationship our lives will be ruined. I may not want to be a part of my order but that doesn't mean she doesn't. Her family and friends mean a lot to her and if she lost them I don't think she'll ever be able to forgive me. 

"Fine, I'll do it tomorrow."

A wicked smile graces her lips. "Perfect, I'll text you the location where you have to do it." Turning on her heels she starts to walk away. 

"Why?"

Stopping in the doorway she cocks her head back to look at me. "Because I want to watch, dummy. I need to make sure you actually do it. Anyway, we should be getting back before they get concerned."

As she walks back to the dining room I stand motionless and emotionless in my mother's room trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to get through tomorrow but more importantly how am I going to kill that bitch when it's all over. 

My phone buzzes in my pocket and before I even take it out I know who it is. Looking down at my lit-up screen my heart drops as Vega's name pops up with the bold words underneath: You'll never guess what just happened!