I shook my head. "I mean, why aren't you with Wafi and Mich?"

He shrugged before he bent to pick up a can. "I could ask you why you're not using the front door, but I guess that's obvious. We did show up unannounced." He paused. "To be fair, Wafi promised me we'd be gone before you came back."

I rolled my eyes, moving away from the door towards the kitchen island. "Sure, like the fact that it was supposed to be behind my back will make me feel better."

Christopher took a swig of the soda before he spoke. "I told him the same thing. We're already on rocky ground."

"Then why are you here, and my brother and guardian there?" I asked, taking a seat on the stool.

"Wafi wanted to introduce me to your guardian. Also to tell him that I'll be your instructor— it's better I met him in person." He took another sip. "By the way, beautiful house."

"Thanks." I mumbled absent-mindedly. "I beg it's nothing compared to yours."

"No, it's not." Ow. Modest. "But it has a very nice feel to it. Like someone worked hard on it. It feels like... It feels like a home."

I cocked my head, confusion passing through me at the comment. I wasn't one to disown a compliment but I should understand it first.

"Thanks?" I said slowly. But Christopher wistfully eyed my dining room.

"Our dining room seats thirty at the long table." He continued, not having heard me. His gaze was focused somewhere in the distance, reliving memories. "It's very impersonal. We don't even use it everyday. Only when mother is home because she forces us all to come down. I try not to be home for those times. We end up having these huge fights and she jets off somewhere again." Bad memories. "Father goes back to work, he thinks I don't know that he just goes in there to get away from us."

I shifted uncomfortably. I also shifted off my stool. Trying not to be visible, I turned to leave. But apparently that's the only power missing from me at the moment.

"Where... where are you going?" He asked as I turned. A slightly hurt note in his voice.

I turned back around and tried to play it off. "I was going to keep my b-"

"Fiera?!" An incredulous voice I well recognized by this point cut me off and I grimaced.

My eyes were squeezed shut for a few moments before my shoulders slumped in defeat and I turned around. Wafi had a few lines on his brow, with his mouth slightly open. Mich had an eyebrow cocked in amusement and curiosity, but no expression of surprise.

I sighed, the gig was up. "Hey, Wafi... Mich."

Mich nodded. He leaned comfortably against the entrance to the dining room as Wafi tried not to meet my eyes.

"We were meant to leave before you came back." He spoke softly.

"I know." I jerked my head to Christopher. "He told me."

"Sorry."

"Go screw yourself."

"Swear jar." Mich chimed in.

I pulled a note out of my pocket and slammed it on the counter. "That's a fiver for all that I'm about to say."

Mich gave me his 'oh boy' look as I walking towards Wafi. Wafi was carefully watched my face as I stalked towards him.

"What part of you was thinking when you brought Christopher home? Not only that, you tried to do so behind my back. You thought I wouldn't notice? Do you honestly take me for such an idiot?"

I was a foot from Wafi, looking up into his impassive face but I could see a little fear in his eyes. "Fiera, I-"

"Shut up, Wafi." I growled. "Let me finish... I've been trying to start trusting you, even initiating hugs so you don't feel bad. And you try to pull this kind of shit behind my back? Just who do you think you are? Sure, I'm your sister by DNA, but you have yet to earn my trust and respect." He grimaced. "If you wanted to get Christopher here to meet Mich, then you should have called me. It's my house too. Mich would have told me after, anyway.. Do you think that would be any better?"

I shook my head as I backed away from him. "I know you're a Prince Regent. You've lived in royalty your whole life. But I'm pretty sure you know some basic etiquettes. So use them for once in your goddamn life. Your attempts at the first few contacts with me were wrongly executed and you know it. But I am tired of having to deal with shitty surprises and-and more new people, not to mention terrified to come home now, in case you've got more fricking people here to meet me."

I cut myself off abruptly. I could speak more, but I'd rather not. It was just my stress speaking for me now.

I glanced at Christopher once more. His eyes a fraction wide. "You think your family's dysfunctional? I'm still getting to know mine."

Saying that, I stepped to the side and walked past Mich up to my room. Hoping that they would've left once I came back to get something to eat would've been too much, especially with the week I've been having.

I walked past the three seated at the table, not sparing them a glance. Walking into the kitchen, I pulled out a box of cocoa powder to make myself a chocolate shake. Way too many calories, but I needed a comfort drink. Maybe Mich would let me spike it.

There was an uncomfortable tense silence as I work. Right as I placed the lid on the blender, Wafi spoke.

"Fiera, we stil-" I cut him off by switching on the blender. The loud grating noise was too much to speak through.

Stopping it after five seconds, I opened the lid to look in. Wafi took his chance. "We still need to talk about you-" placing the lid back, I turned the blender on again. Happily keeping it there for a longer period this time. There had been chunks of ice floating around. I prefer a smooth, thick, creamy shake.

Once done, I poured it in a glass and turned around to face the three. They were watching me expectantly. I took a huge sip and sighed softly as I swallowed. "Okay, you can speak now."

"We need to-"

"And you can start with an apology." I cut him off again and licked my lips. Foam dissipated on the tip of my tongue as Wafi tried not to look annoyed at being interrupted again and again.

"Sorry." He snapped, impatiently. I cocked an eyebrow at the attitude, and Wafi didn't keep the glare up for long. He apologized again, a bit more properly. "Sorry... I should've called you."

Christopher had a carefully blank face. Good choice, after observing all that. But it was Mich I was worried about. I recognised that look, he wasn't happy with my actions but he wasn't doing anything because there was a guest. I don't see why not blast me right now. I mean, by this point, does it even matter?

"We need to start your training at the earliest." Wafi began slowly, not seeing a reply in the making from my side. "We were thinking tomorrow?"

I shook my head. "No can do. I’m exhausted and bruised enough from training to do anything."

Wafi shrugged, face impassive. "You're going to have to compromise."

"I don't see why. Nobody apart from you three know I even exist."

"Fiera," Mich cut in, "just do it. It's your mother's legacy."

I tried not to react at the emotional jab. "I didn't know her." I replied dismissively.

"Even if you didn't..." Christopher began slowly, uncertain if he was even allowed to speak in a family matter. "... she gave birth to you. You owe it to her to atleast try."

I frowned. "I thought you're on my side, dammit."

"Swear jar."

"Oh, shush. I just put down a fiver I didn't even use completely."

"How's Christopher on your side? Wafi cocked an eyebrow. "He's my best friend."

"Yes, but we don't like each other. He probably wants to spend as much time with me as he spends around the bubonic plague." Christopher gave an agreeing shrug. "See?"

"He's training you as a favour to me, Fiera." Wafi started to stand. "The least you can do is be nice to him."

I ran a glance over Christopher. Fine, fine specimen of a guy my age. I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Hiding all this from Elizabeth is going to be a breeze." He sighed as started to walk away.

"Of course it is," I smirked, "you've been hiding your balls from her since day one." He stiffened as I snickered. Wafi and Mich glanced at each before Wafi placed a hand on Christopher's shoulder to hurry him out. "See you tomorrow, trainer."

He twisted right at the doorway, blue eyes blazed in anger. "You can shove you-"

Mich stood up and slammed his hands against the table to cut Christopher off. "She's used up her fiver, son. You better leave."

I frowned and glanced down at my note. I think I still had one left. Not like I'm going to let him borrow one.

I'd felt like asking them to stay for dinner because I felt guilty for snapping at Wafi. I took out my frustration on him too often, he was still just trying his best. I had too much pressure on me, and I was not handling it well.

Mich gave me a huge lecture once they left. It was about how I was treating Wafi unfairly, and if I had to get angry at someone, it shouldn't be in front of a guest. He was right, he had taught me better. And thus, feeling guilty about the night's events, I texted Wafi a huge apology and tried to fall asleep. As usual, sleep evaded me.

I woke up like a zombie rising from the grave. I had bags like one anyway, and my groan sounded convincing enough.

Mich had already left for work after his day off. He'd prepared breakfast for me which I gulped down, surprisingly hungry after a sleepless night.

It was when Eric and Flo drove up that the realness of it hit home. I didn't want to hide it from the only two people in the school who hung out with me. Yet, I would have to.

"Hey, guys." I greeted cheerily as I sat down and slammed the door shut behind me. "How's it going?"

"Would've been better if her face wasn't the first one I had to see every morning." Eric shrugged easily, as he started to drive. "Nothing special otherwise."

"I've been having a good day so far. After all, I did wake up next to your dad." Flo snapped.

I gasped as Eric turned red, unable to retaliate or lash out as his hands were on the wheel. I cackled in the backseat while he fumed and Flo sat smugly beside him. "Oh... My... God..." I choked out amidst gales of laughter. "I... Can't... Breathe..."

It was a few minutes before I was able to stop. The pain in my stomach forced me to. Sitting up properly, I wiped my eyes before speaking. "I may be the Fire one, but Flo just roasted you."

Eric mumbled something under his breath as Flo chuckled. "Thanks, Fi." She twisted in her seat to face me. "Hey, I wanted to ask if I could come over after school. Or if you want to go somewhere. My parents are out for the next two days."

"Hey, I want to come too." Eric whined, his first words since his roast.

I grimaced to myself. Flo frowned as she noticed my reaction. "Uh..." I scratched my head, looking away from her wide gray eyes. "I... uh... can't make it today. I have some... stuff."

"What do you mean?" Eric looked at me in the rearview mirror. "You don't have a shift today."

"I know, I know. It's just..." I bit my lip. "I... have an extra class." Work, brain, work. Pull up something. I continued in the inquisitive silence. "Rhaeya isn't very happy with how my self-defense is proceeding, or rather how it's not. She's told me to start staying back for some overtime ass-kicking. I'm sorry, guys."

Flo sighed and turned back to face the right way. "You don't spend a lot of time with us anymore." Her voice was soft. "Work, I get. But this?"

"Flo's right." Eric piped up, his tone had a bit of a bite in it. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're avoiding us."

"No!" I burst out as I leaned forward desperately. "No! I'm not! I swear! It's just... I'm her star student and she wants me to be prepared for everything in the practicals. I really have no choice as to this." I paused as I hoped they would say something. When they didn't, I continued. "You guys have seen how beat up I am after each class. I... I lied when I said I asked Rhaeya to stop healing me. She stopped it saying that only when this pain affects my life will I feel the need to get better at this."

I stopped for good this time. There was still no reply. Desperation bubbled in me. "Guys, please." I begged. "Say something." My heart thudded in fear. They had to believe me. That was the only lie that made sense. There was nothing else I could tell them. Nothing.

"You weren't kidding when you said your instructor keeps a tight ship." Eric's voice was soft in the silence. "I can't believe she denied you healing."

I'm so sorry, Rhaeya.

Flo sighed. "You do suck at self-defense. I mean, I haven't seen those many bruises on someone since the last time I watched Rocky."

Exhaling in relief, I fell back into my seats. "You have no idea how important it is that you guys believe me. You're the only people in the entire school, or this dimension, that I trust."

"What about Mich?" Eric asked. "Can he do something?"

"I trust him, of course." I shrugged. "It's just that I can't tell him stuff I can tell you guys. You're friends, he's my guardian."

They chuckled together, the tense mood dissipated. "And if you want us to stay your friends, you better call us over for a pool party." Flo warned jokingly. "You still haven't."

"Sorry." I whined. "No weekend has been good for me so far. This one should be free... I hope."

"What?" Eric spoke up. "More unexpected guests."

"You have no idea." I mumbled as I sunk back into the seat.

I didn't feel the lack of sleep the whole day. But once my training was over, I could certainly feel the pain. Rhaeya was surprised I asked to be healed, but did it without question. I felt slightly guilty about implicating her exchange for in my new training classes, but I had no choice. If this ever came out, she would kill me.

I got  a text to meet in the Commons Gym again. I sighed, deciding to take the long path and freshen up before I headed over. After all, I doubt this would be an easy session. Maybe I should go now while my body's already warmed up.

Deciding on that as the better course of action, I left the Gym from the back route. I had to avoid the parking lot because according to Flo and Eric, I have nonstop practice. I hate my life. So many lies, so many secrets. I wanted to tell them but there's no good way to phrase this. No good way to tell them all this.

I mean, it's pretty hard to slip this into normal conversation by the poolside.

‘Hey, pass the pizza. Oh, by the way, I'm an illegitimate child of a Water and Fire Royal whose families have been dethroned and their names buried. I'm also Fire and Water embodied so that's some cool stuff, huh? You guys want soda?’

Yes, because it's going to be that easy. I can blurt it out in my stride, but can they take it in their stride?

As if I wasn't already feeling bad about missing a trip to the mall with Flo, this thought had me more down. I tried not to look dejected as I entered the Gym, a smile aimed at Wafi and Christopher on the bleachers.

"Something wrong?" Wafi noticed anyway.

I shook my head. "No, nothing at all. Why?"

Wafi watched my face before speaking. "Nothing. Just asking."

I rolled my eyes to exaggerate my absolute okayness before I dropped my bag by their feet. "So, how do we start?"

Christopher was a surprisingly quiet guy. He only spoke when I spoke to him. I didn't understand if it was because he still didn't like me, or he wasn't used to the idea of me.

"I don't know." He shrugged as he eyed my outfit. "I've never done this."

"You mean training a Fire Elemental to channel Water? Yes, I'm pretty sure nobody ever has."

There was a tired chuckle from him as he started to rise. "You're not the only one who's lost sleep over this."

I cocked an eyebrow as I walked with him towards the fighting mats. "Is my lack of sleep that obvious?"

"Let's just say I recognise the signs." He sighed as he stopped upon the feel the floor becoming softer. I walked a bit more to get a little distance from him.

He shook his hands a bit, kicking his legs to stretch them a bit before he crouched. I inhaled deeply to calm the fire within me. I was a bit confused, it was visible on my face.

"I want to see how you fight first." He explained as I started to get into position. "Then I'll start the actual training."

"Weird, but okay." I shrugged casually. "You're the teacher."

He didn't register my remark as a blank look I recognised took over his features. It was how Rhaeya got before a serious fight. A shiver of apprehension passed through my body as I tensed up.

It was right as Christopher moved towards me.