The filler rod that had been in my left hand clatters to the work table.

I let out a slight huff, seething inside at my own incompetence.

As calmly as I can, I turn off the oxy-acetylene torch, place it on the table, then proceed to smoother the affected hair with a gloved hand. For a moment, I rest my elbows on my knees, my hands clutching at my eye protection as I breath heavily. I suddenly rip off the goggles as I stand.

My odd actions seem to attract the attention of Einion, as he turns to face me. Even though his vision is slightly impaired with the shade five lens, he notices my agitation.

"What's wrong?"

"Me," I answer sharply. As I walk away to calm down, a small part of me feels bad for snapping. But a larger part of me is too angry to apologize at the moment.

I go to the lockers and get my water bottle. After gulping down nearly all of it, I can feel the heat from both my temper and the shop gradually dissipate.

Once I feel relatively calmer, I bring the lock of singed hair into my field of view. Roughly an inch is frizzled and borderline charred. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Taking a pair of scissors, I cut off the damaged ends and throw them into the garbage can. I pull the remainder of my hair into a higher and hopefully more secure ponytail.

When I return back to my work station, I abruptly stop in my tracks.

Einion had moved over a seat and is now hunched over my assignment. His own T-weld coupon is completed and his two pieces of metal are positioned for a corner weld but remain untouched.

"What are you doing?" I inquire, somewhat confused.

Einion jumps at the sound of my voice, causing the flame at the end of the torch to touch the back of his hand. Thankfully he was wearing gloves, although the smell of burnt leather wasn't pleasant, it was better than a serious burn.

I apologize as he turns off the torch. He smiles, turning to face me with the goggles resting on his forehead.

"Nah, don't apologize," he says as he removes the gloves before addressing my earlier question. "I noticed that you were getting frustrated so I thought that I would help." He gestures towards the completed weld.

"Thank you." Although I only said two simple words, Einion seemed to have heard the sincerity in my voice. With a slightly weary smile I comment, "This oxy-acetylene welding is dangerous. First I singe my hair then you burn your glove."

He chuckles slightly. "Well, at this rate, we're going to burn the world together."

My smile widens and I can feel my cheeks warming up slightly.

Just as I am about to reply, my father exits his office and booms over the noisy ventilation fan, "All apprentices please come over here. I have some very important news."

Donny comes around the other side of the table to join us as we head towards the office. As I pass by the ventilation switch, I turn it off. The three of us gather around my father, waiting to hear the announcement.

"This is predominately aimed towards Einion, but I think that all of you should hear it," my father begins, glancing at a piece of paper in his hand. "'Valley Windworks is looking for potential new apprentices that are preferably in their final year of high school. Not only would they be expected to operate the generators and monitor the windmills, but also have a proficient ability to repair anything if the need arises. Additional training will be required and provided.' So essentially you will go from one apprenticeship to another." He turns the page over and continues to read. "'Prospective students must be able to pay attention to details, be able to do precision work, be able to read and follow diagrams and direction, have good electrical and mechanical finesse, good hearing, eyesight and manual dexterity, and have good communication skills.'"

A faint scratching noise to my right caught my attention. I turn to see Einion holding a striker to an oblivious Donny's back, attempting to spark it without calling attention to his actions while my dad continues to list the requirements needed to apply for Valley Windworks. Einion catches my eye and smiles mischievously. The next strike is louder than the previous ones, which causes Donny to look back.

"Dude! Really?" he whispers, annoyed, as he pats his back.

"There's only some soot on the jacket," I inform him in a quiet voice.

"Don't tell him that!" Einion playfully scolds me as he gives me a light nudge. When I defiantly stick my tongue out at him, he slowly raises the striker towards me. "Maybe we should even out your hair, hmm?"

I knock his hand away. "Don't you dare or I will-"

"Are you paying attention over there?" a stern voice cuts into our hushed conversation.

Immediately, Einion hides the striker behind his back and both of us put on nearly identical expressions of innocence. I can just make out Donny laughing silently on the other side of Einion from my peripheral vision.

My father clears his throat, giving my partner in crime a particularly stern look, before continuing. "'Applications will be open until Friday. A recruitment officer will visit Fuego Ironworks next Monday to inspect the work of the apprentice. If the apprentice passes, a letter of acceptance and a career opportunity will be delivered promptly.' Are there any questions?"

All three of us shake our heads.

"Are any of you interested?"

Donny and I both turn to Einion, who gives a non-committed shrug.

"Think it over. There is no pressure, whether you choose to stay here or decide to go to Valley Windworks. I'll leave the application forms right here," he says as he places the papers on a barely used work table.

We all nod before heading back to work. Donny walks backwards so that he faces Einion and I, turning on the ventilation fan as he passes it.

"Are you going to apply, Einion?" he asks. When the other boy simply shrugs again, he adds, "It could be a good experience."

"It definitely would be," I agree. "But imagine how boring the shop would be without him!"

"You're just worried what you will do without me, let's be honest here," Einion smirks, lightly punching my shoulder.

We arrive at the oxy-acetylene table and just gather around it.

"I manage just fine on my own," I reply defiantly, putting on the googles. I flip up the shaded lens so that I could see through the clear one.

"Yeah? Well try telling that to your T-weld," he chuckles, flipping the lens back down.

As I move the googles so that they rest on my forehead, I scowl. "I loathe oxy-acetylene welding."

"You're just not thinking about it the right way," Donny says, reaching around the table to grab his completed coupons. I stare at them in shocked silence, as they were well done. He noticed my expression and explained, "I also hated it until I got to thinking that the rod was like chocolate."

Einion and I exchange baffled looks before asking simultaneously, "What?"

"The rod is like chocolate," he repeats before continuing his comparison, "and the two pieces of metal being welded are people. First, things get a little heated between them, then one gives the other some chocolate, and then they become closer to one another, to the point where they're nearly inseparable."

I have to hold onto the table to keep from completely keeling over in laughter. When I regain my composure, I have to wipe tears from my eye.

"In that case, I'm off to melt some chocolate," I say, laughter tinging my words.

As I complete my corner weld, I cannot stop smiling. I can always count on shop to brighten my day.

~~~~~~~

The week had started to become better, although coming to the shop still continues to be the highlight of my day.

Math continues to be the bane of my existence, but having a quick conversation with Einion after class is like a salve on a burn.

By Wednesday, Einion had completed an application form and is slowly starting to outwardly express his excitement.

We continue to work on different welds using the oxy-acetylene torches and even began a small project, although Einion would often start doing something else to prepare for his assessment, such as cutting metal into various sizes of rectangles and running a few practice MIG and stick beads.

Thanks to thinking about Donny's clever analogy, my oxy-acetylene beads had significantly improved by the end of the week.

"That's looking good," a voice commended from my left after I finished a bead.

Lifting up my googles, I see that Einion had settled himself down on a stool beside me.

"It's almost as good as buddy's," he says, gesturing to where Donny is working.

I nod in agreement before asking, "Are you ready for Monday?"

He takes on a thoughtful expression. "Yes, I think I am. I'm just worried that I'll screw up."

"You've got this," I exclaim, punching his shoulder with a little bit more force than I usually would in my excitement. 

"Thanks."

~~~~~~

"I don't got this," Einion hisses as he passes to enter the storage room, his eyes wide with slight panic. Just before the door closes, a few curse words escape.

The scout from Valley Windworks is wandering around the shop as he waits, a clipboard in his hand and a stern expression on his face. Occasionally, he would stop and scribble something down before continuing.

Donny and I are standing out of the way, by the lockers, so that Einion would pretty much have the whole shop to himself.

"It sounds like he's a little stressed," Donny whispers.

"That's an understatement," I reply just as quietly. As Einion exits the storage room in leathers with his arms full of equipment, I encourage in a low tone, "Relax and take a deep breath if you have to. Pretend that this is just an ordinary day. You're a skilled apprentice, remember that."

"Thanks," Einion mutters before hurrying back to the work table.

From the sidelines, Donny and I quietly cheer him on. The first few beads that he did under the scrutinizing eye of the scout were done with stiff movements.

As he dunks one coupon in the water bucket, he glances over at us.  I discreetly give him an encouraging smile and pretend to give him a fist bump while Donny shoots him a thumbs up. Einion is noticeably more relaxed as he completes his assessment.

"Thank you, Einion. We'll contact you after we review our notes," the scout says at the end. He shakes the apprentice's hand before heading into the office, most likely to have a discussion with my dad.

"Good job!" Donny exclaims, high fiving Einion.

"You've got this," I repeat, giving him a fist bump.

Einion gives us a tired smile but his eyes are alight. "We'll find out soon enough."

The sound of low voices catches our attention and we turn to see the scout exiting the office. He gives us a slight wave, which we return, before he leaves the shop. Once he was gone, my father approached us with the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.

"Well, Einion," he says, clapping the boy on the shoulder, "I have a strong feeling that you're going to get an offer."

That feeling turned out to be correct as Einion receives an envelope on the following Monday. Donny and I crowd around him as he slowly opens it,  savouring the anticipation. His face beams once he unfurls the letter, followed by a loud holler.

"Congratulations!" Donny and I chorus. The three of us all high five at the same time, and end up nearly missing due to our excitement being barely contained.

My father, after seeing our elation, comes over to congratulate Einion on his acceptance. "When is your first day at Valley Windworks?"

He skims over the letter before replying, "At the end of the month."

For the rest of the day, minimal productive work actually occurs. The three of us talk about anything that comes to mind and we eventually wonder into the field to play with our Pokemon.

~~~~~

As the month begins to draw to a close, a vague feeling of unease settles at the back of my mind. At first, I try to ignore it but the more I did, the more it became obvious.

I am anxious about what will happen when Einion leaves the shop.

It isn't that I don't support his decision, quite the opposite, but with him no longer being an apprentice at Fuego Ironworks, I can't help but worry about what will happen to our friendship.

After I return home from the shop on Thursday, I prepare to bake two dozen poffins. The simple task of reading a recipe and combining ingredients helps to ease my mind. Just before I put trays into the oven, I give a spoonful of batter to each of my Pokemon, having to go out into the backyard to give Ronda hers.

"It smells delicious in here," my mom remarks as she enters the kitchen just as I take out the poffins.

"Thank you. Hopefully they taste as good as they smell," I say, carefully removing the treats from the tray to put them on a cooling rack.

She placed her hands on my shoulders in a comforting manner. "How are you, honey? You seemed stressed these last few days."

"I'll be fine," I say, trying to avoid the subject. Both Liam and Sienna look up at me, as if encouraging me to answer honestly.

My mom is having none of that. "Is it math again?" She lets out a remorseful sigh. "I'm sorry that I can't help you with it."

"No, it's not math. Well, maybe a little bit, but it's not the major stress causer this time," I laugh bleakly as I put the final poffin on the cooling rack.

"What is it, honey?" she asks gently, her words punctuated with worry. She sits down at the kitchen table and gestures for me to do the same.

A remorseful sigh leaves my lips as I sit down. Liam instantly jumps into my lap, momentarily knocking the wind out of me, while Sienna curls around my feet. As I absentmindedly pet Liam, I confess my concerns.

"Oh, Celosia," she says with a warm smile, taking my hand in hers. "A little bit of distance between you and Einion shouldn't matter. Something as menial as that will not separate good friends."

"Really?" The heaviness in my chest seemed to lift.

"Yes, really." She smiles wider, squeezing my hand before letting it go. "Now how about we try some of those poffins?"

Both of my Pokemon instantly perk up at the mere mention of food. Laughing, I stand up to get the baked goods. "Sounds good to me!"

After the conversation I had with my mom, I felt reassured and even at ease. I carefully package a dozen poffins in a simple box wrapped in silver ribbon. Although it looked nice, it wouldn't be very entertaining to watch him open it. After wrapping it loosely in a plastic bag so that the ribbon remains nice, I encase it in several layers of duct tape. Next, I write Einion a card, wishing him all the best as he begins a new chapter in his life, expressing my wishes to not lose touch, and signed it with care.

The next day, I enter the shop in high spirits.

Half-heartedly, my dad informs Donny and I that we are expected to continue work on our oxy-acetylene welding projects. He realizes that nothing productive will likely occur, unless a party can be considered productive.

Donny and I sit on one of the welding tables while Einion is on a stool with his back leaning against the oxyacetylene table. Since we're not actually doing any work, all of our Pokemon are out with the exception of Ronda and Rex, who are loose in the meadow. A playlist of assorted songs play loudly, with Melody occasionally chirping along to the ones that she knows.

Einion's eyes widen in shock before narrowing when I give him the present and the card. As he struggles to open the duct taped box, refusing to use any tools or receive any help, Donny and I cannot stop laughing at his expense. When he finally manages to open it, his entire face lights up. He immediately stuffs his mouth with one before sharing the rest with us.

The remainder of the day passes too swiftly for my liking.

A familiar feeling of dread settled in my core once again as I watch Einion prepare to leave, emptying out his locker.

"Hey, Einion," I begin nervously. He looks up. "We'll still be friends, right?"

He goes back to rummaging around and putting some of his belongings in his bag. "Always," he replies distractedly.

"And we'll continue to stay in touch?"

"Yeah. Look I gotta go now." He swings his bag onto his shoulder then gives me a little wave. "See ya around."

"Bye," I say, the ghost of a smile on my face.

~~~~~~~~~

Despite his promise to stay in touch, Einion seemed to grow increasingly more distant. Before, when we would pass each other in the schools halls, we would wave or even lightly punch each others' shoulders. Now it seemed that he would always look away. Even after math class, he appeared to make a pointed effort to not enter the room until I left.

After a few weeks of this absurdity, with my mood descending with each encounter (or lack of), I decided that I had had  enough.

I baked more poffins and once again put them in a box, although I didn't wrap it in excessive amounts of duct tape this time.  

The next day, I tell my dad that I will be a little late getting into the shop because I had a small errand to run. After school, I head towards Valley Windworks with countless emotions fighting for dominance. Should I be upset that he's been ignoring me? Should I take it as a sign that he's been busy with his new apprenticeship and be happy for him? Should I just leave him be? Could we still be considered friends? How would he react?

Before I enter Valley Windworks, I inhale deeply.

"Hello. How may I help you?" a woman behind the reception desk inquires with a welcoming smile.

I approach the desk, nervousness weighing down my steps. "Umm, hello. I was wondering if Einion is here? He's one of my best friends."

"One moment," she says before briskly walking into the hall then disappearing behind a door. She returns a few heartbeats later.

A somewhat confused looking Einion follows.

At the sight of him, I smile from ear to ear. He does not have the same reaction, scowling instead when he sees me standing in the lobby.

"What are you doing here?" he demands in a hushed whisper.

I'm taken aback at his tone. It takes me a moment to get over the shock enough to respond with, "I...uhh...I came to see you."

"Why?"

"Because we haven't talked in a long time and-"

Before I can finish my sentence, Einion cuts me off. "Well, you saw me and we've talked. Now will you go, Celeste?"

My heart plummets.

AN; Sorry if this chapter seemed a little choppy with all of the time skips. Even so, it's longer than I originally planned. I wanted to cover a few things in this chapter and start to pick up the action. Now, with the foundation laid down, we can start getting to the more exciting stuff...hopefully. Thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoyed it.