I watched Christopher leave in confusion. He wasn't usually one to shy away from a chance to beat me up. The door closed behind him and I was left in utter silence.

My steps echoed in the empty Gym as I headed to the exit a while later. I didn't think I was ready for the Trials. I needed more practice. Rhaeya spotted me immediately, and did a sort of double take as I walked in. She left whoever she was instructing and walked towards me.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, irritation in her voice. "I told you to go home and rest."

I turned away from her intense gaze. My voice was soft. I didn't want anyone to hear. "I don't have anywhere to go to."

She didn't say anything for a while. When I looked back at her, I could see worry in her eyes. I tried not to do my own double take as she sighed. "Start warming up. Might as well see how well you can do against me."

My stomach did flips as a small smile grew on my face. "I'm warmed up."

She paused as I said that and turned around with an exasperated look on her face. "Atleast keep your bag somewhere, for heaven's sake."

I didn’t care about my possessions as the moment. Throwing the bag aside, I quickly jogged over to the mat. Stretched a bit more as I impatiently waited for her. She took her time to come over, I could see she didn't feel like doing this, which meant she'd want to finish it off quickly. I'll have to watch out for her jabs and kicks to the side. Those could take me out with a few shots, or leave me in severe pain for the rest of the fight.

I tensed my body and pulled up my guard as she rolled her neck and mirrored my pose. It was a hard spar. She wasn't getting anywhere because I wasn't letting her get anywhere. Finally frustrated, she growled angrily.

"What the hell, Fiera!?" She was scowling. "I'm pretty sure I've taught you more that just defense!"

"I'm practicing defense. If they're going to be stronger than me, I'll have to just tire them out." I replied, not moving from my position.

There was a moment of silence in which neither of us moved an inch. She sighed, straightened up and let her guard go. "Screw this. Go home, Fiera. I'm not fighting you today."

Feeling slightly let down, I dropped my guard as well. But there's one last thing to do. I quickly walked up to her, she twisted partially as she heard me run up. "Can I just ask for another thing?"

She gave an exasperated sigh as if I was pissing her off but she was always like this. She sluggishly turned towards me and shrugged. "What?"

I'm pretty sure the only reason she didn't hurt me when I moved in to hug her was because she wasn't expecting it or because the two of us had a strong bond now. I suspected the latter. She was unresponsive to my arms around her but I knew it wouldn't stay like that for long.

"Thank you." I whispered in her ear before I quickly pulled away for fear of serious hurt. I gave her a sheepish, warm smile and turned to walk away as I ignored the dumbfounded states of my classmates. I'm pretty sure they were as surprised as I was that I'd managed to come out of that unscathed. And without a broken rib.

Having nothing else to do, I waited by Eric's car for the last hour to finish. I would go spend my free time with my friends. I had an hour before I fled off to a shift at Anchor.

My friends were more than happy and surprised to see me. When I told them I'll have to head to Anchor in an hour or so, they suggested that we head there itself.

"Guys!" I protested. "I'm there every other day. Not Anchor, please."

"Fine, fine." Eric laughed, placed an arm around my shoulder to pull me to him. "God, I've missed you."

"Ew, get off me!" I struggled in his grip. "Get away, you're stinky!"

"That's it." He growled, pressing me to his chest. I squealed in disgust as I tried to get away from his sweaty being. "Just because you're not messed up today doesn't mean I'll let you stay like that."

"This is a bad idea." I warned him before I flared up my aura.

"Ow!" He yelped. Eric jumped away from me and swiped at his clothes before he frowned. "Wait... I'm not burning?"

I shook my head at his melodrama. "No. It's just my aura."

"Well, it's super hot."

"Thank you."

"Who's super hot?" Flo chimed in as she walked over to us. "Were you guys talking about me?"

"Fiera's aura." Eric explained as I waved at her. He was still messing around with his clothes.

"Cool."

"Not really."

She rolled her eyes and directed her next words to me. "So, I'm guessing you were done early today? They let all the contenders for the Trials out early today."

I nodded. "Yup. I have an hour to spend before work."

"Work? No way, uh-uh. You're not working today. Today, you're spending time with us."

I cocked an eyebrow at her assertive tone. "And who's spending time telling Brett I'm missing work?"

She turned to Eric. "Let's go to Anchor. I'm pretty sure we can convince Brett to let you go today."

"No way." I protested. "No way. You're not talking to my boss."

She grinned at me as she crossed the car to go sit in her seat. "Who asked you?"

Eric laughed as I turned to him. He just shrugged apologetically as he got into the car.

"Guys!" I whined and got in as well. "No! Please! Let me work! I didn't tell him I'm in the Trials."

"Even better." Flo checked her lipgloss in the rearview mirror. "We'll tell him the good news."

Eric adjusted the rearview mirror, and turned it away from Flo's. "I bet he'll give you a day off then."

Flo twisted the mirror back to her as Eric revved the car up. He growled. She hissed. He scowled. She frowned. He made sarcastic comments. She insulted him. Glad that talking to my boss was the one thing they agreed on. When we finally got out of the car with the married couple, I was ready to never look at a mirror again.

"Hey, Brett." I greeted cheerfully as I walked in.

He looked up from the magazine hidden under the counter in surprise. "Fiera? You're early."

"Yes..." I paused as Flo and Eric entered after me, glared aimed at each other. "I have something to tell you."

His face immediately fell. "Please don't say you're quitting."

"Worse." Flo provided. "She's one of the fighters in the Trials."

There was a pause where Brett seemed unsure about what he'd heard. "Say... say what?"

"You heard it." Eric piped up. "She's in the Trials."

There was pause as he glanced between my friends, two absolute strangers who'd been in Anchor once or twice so far. Then he chuckled to everyone's surprise. I'm just happy the place was empty at this time. "Right. Sure. You guys are pulling my leg." He shook his finger at us. "Almost had me there for a..." He trailed off as he spotted my guilty look. "Wait. Fiera, is this true?"

"Um..." I grimaced before replying. "Yes. I... was going to tell you."

"When?!" He burst out and threw his hands in the air. "After they were over?! You're my employee, but you're also my friend! I could have given you some days off for rest. I didn't even buy the tickets to watch you! What the hell, Fiera?!"

My grimace deepened. "Sorry...?"

"Damn right, you should be!" He moved out from behind the counter and strode towards me. "I'm not missing out on your fights!" Before I could react, he had thrown his arms around me. He laughed aloud as he shook me around like a tumbleweed. "Oh my god! I'm so proud of you! Atleast that one hour everyday is paying off!"

He pulled away, a wide grin on his face and a look of disbelief on mine. "You're a junior and you're going to the Trials! Do you have any idea what an honor this is?!"

"Trust me, she doesn't." Was Eric's dry reply.

"She's too modest for her own good." Flo backed Eric up. "So, now that you're updated. Give her the day off. Work her like a stable horse when she's back."

"Are you kidding me?!" Brett laughed. "Give her the day off? I'm giving myself the day off." He laughed like a maniac. "You, boy. Close the doors. Girl, pull the blinds down. It's time to pull out the special drinks."

"Uh..." Eric, or 'Boy', tried to interrupt. "But we... sort of have our... own plans?"

Brett was in his own world as he finally let go of me and rushed into the kitchen. "Call your guardian over, Fiera! He deserves to party with us too! 'TIS A JOYOUS OCCASION."

I was so surprised when Brett returned from storage carrying a carton of booze.

"No, I'm sev-sixteen." I almost slipped up.

Brett rolled his eyes. "In this dimension, the legal drinking age is 16. Because that's when an Elemental is starting to properly develop."

"Even less reason to start drinking at sixteen."

Mich didn't take long to arrive. He was probably out his office the moment I mentioned free drinks. It was the five of us in an empty cafe. Customers came but Brett waved them away. Flo and I avoided drinking more than necessary but by the end of the night, I'm pretty sure she'd downed more bottles than her limit.

Eric stayed sober. He was Flo's designated driver. And it seemed like I was Mich's designated driver tonight.

"Brett." I mumbled against my boss's chest. "Brett, let go of me."

There was a hiccup which sounded suspiciously like a sob before he pulled away. He slurred his words as he wished me for the fight.

I nodded understandingly as I started to back up. I could hear Mich struggle to mount the bike and he seriously needed help. If I didn't help him, he was going to fall with the bike and get seriously hurt.

"Mich, stop." I commanded. His grey eyes struggled to focus on me. "Let me get on, then you get on."

"Right." He mumbled then he hiccupped.

A little more coaxing and I managed to make him settle behind me. He tugged the helmet on automatically, and pressed his head against my shoulder. Needless to say, he somehow managed to stay on the seat during the slow ride home. The man had some crazy grip despite being totally wasted.

I opened the door for him and he staggered upstairs with a drunken good night. I sighed as I heard the door close. There would be a car coming in the morning to pick me up from my house and take me to the new accomodations. I was hoping to be able to talk to Mich as I packed and worried.

Now all I could do be was pack and worry alone. Not that there is that much to pack. Throw in a couple of toiletries, take the box the suit for the fight had arrived in, pack an extra set of clothes. I guess that was it.

I cleared the bed to get some sleep. My body was exhausted but my mind was active. I was worried about tomorrow, fearful even. I wanted to talk to someone who had some knowledge of how this worked. Would I have to meet the people over there? The ones I'd be fighting against? Or would be absolutely isolated till the time of my fight?

These questions threw me into an uneasy sleep. I tossed and turned, jolted awake a few times. My only solid bit of sleep was in the few hours leading up to my alarm. I smacked my phone so hard it flew off the nightstand. I let it beep the end of my sleep.

Requiring a few censoring beeps myself, I managed to scrabble for it in the dark and shut the infernal thing off. I was up, one way or another. Might as well get ready.

It had barely turned light out. My pool shimmered under the soft light, I wanted to swim but shook myself out of the daze. I had to change. I needed to make breakfast for Mich. There's no way he'll be able to do anything today with that hangover.

"Fiera? Are you up?" Mich accompanied the question with a few knocks at the door.

Surprise passed through me. I expected him to still be dead to the world. Deader still maybe with how much he downed last night.

"Yeah. Come in." I called out and swung my legs off the bed.

"Change and get ready. I'm preparing breakfast." Was his reply. I heard him walk away, still sort of dumbfounded.

The feeling eventually wore off as I got ready. Things had been so shaken up since I'd arrived here that I'd forgotten about this. Mich always made sure he was awake before me on important days. First days in new schools, events, competitions. He'd been the mom I never had. Slinging my duffel bag on my shoulder, I went downstairs. He hummed to himself in tune with the radio as he moved around and prepared something that smelled delicious.

"Morning." I greeted cheerily to hide my anxiety. "You're up."

"Nice observation." He chuckled. Gesturing with his spatula for me to sit, he ratted out the menu before asking, "So, what have you packed?"

"A set of clothes, the suit, toiletries. I'm travelling light."

"What clothes?"

"Shorts."

"Oh, hell no." Mich switched off the stove and twisted around immediately with his arms crossed across his chest. His lips were pursed in irritation. "You will not be wearing your usual clothes when there."

"What?"

"Come on, back to your room." He snapped his fingers. "I'm setting your bag."

I didn't have the senses to react as he snatched my duffel off the table and marched towards my room. He paused in front of the stairs as the doorbell rang. It's too early for it to be Eric and they know not to show up today. Besides, it's the beginning of the weekend.

Mich pulled the door open and grinned. I was slow getting off my stool as I saw Wafi step in and shake hands with him.

"Why are you here?' I blurted out as more confusion was piled on.

Wafi laughed as he turned to me. "Nice to see you too, Fi. I came here to make sure you pack properly and-" he crossed the dining area as he spoke, pulling me into a bear hug "-wish you luck!"

I was pulled off the stool into his too-tight embrace. My hands were pressed against his chest as I squirmed in his grip. "Call... before..."

"Forgot." He dismissed easily before he finally pulled away. His golden eyes twinkled. "Come on, let's head up to pack your bag."

"Wait, what, why?" My protests and questions fell on two sets of deaf ears as the two chatted easily on the way up to my room as if out for a morning stroll.

Stroll through my cupboard.

In five minutes, all my clothes were scattered around as the two discussed amongst themselves about what to pack and what not to pack for me. I'd been commanded to get a bigger bag out of the storeroom and by the time I returned, Wafi was holding up a cream slip dress and nodding.

"This is good."

"Thanks." I said, dropping the bag on the floor. "Good for what?"

Two pairs of exasperated looks were thrown my way. "Been training with Christopher for two months and you didn't even bother asking what all happens?" Wafi chastised. "You should be more curious."

"I was more curious about my abilities and how I can improve my fighting over my fashion sense. By the way, I don't really see the use of carrying that delicate dress to an arena."

Mich chuckled as he rifles through my clothes. He pulled out a dusty pink shrug. "You have an introductory dinner tonight. I say introductory but you guys will probably just glare daggers at other teams."

"Sounds about right." Wafi agreed as he eyes the dress. "Do you have a black shrug or a cropped jacket to go with this?"

I nodded and made my way through the mess to dig out a white cotton shrug. I threw it towards Wafi who caught it with one hand and frowned. "This combination is too demure. I asked for a cropped jacket."

"This isn't a goddamn department store. Besides, that dress is the farthest thing from demure." I glanced at Mich and awkwardly scratched my head. My voice lowered. "It's short in front because my chest is a bit... um..."

"Got it. It's good." Mich hastily cut in. "Now for her current clothes."

"Right." Wafi pointed at a dress handing on the front door of my bathroom. "That. Stat."

"Uh..." I frowned at the dress. "That's... not appropriate. It's a bit over the top."

Both of them turned to give me an identical glare. But Wafi spoke for the two of them. "Trust me. Nothing is over the top when you arrive at a seven star."

His voice was too grave for me to argue back. I scurried away with my eyes wide and feeling slightly intimidated. It was tough to be snippy when they were both against me.

I had barely emerged from the bathroom when Wafi thrust the handle of the stroller in one hand, my heels and makeup bag in the second.

"Your car's here!" Squealed my 38-year old male guardian like a little girl. "Don't forget to do that eye makeup thing! With the black powder!"

"It won't match." Wafi snapped back as he started to push me downstairs. "Some classy eyeliner, a nude lipstick and brush your hair. I kept your hairbrush on top."

I managed to brace myself from being pushed the door so that I could tug my heels on. "You both are insufferable!"

"You can't be underdressed like the time you met me." Wafi hissed. "You need to make an impression."

Tugging my final heel on, I twisted to glare at him. "I'm the only junior in this year's Trials amid 24 seniors who have more experience and training than me. It's not my clothes which are going to create the impression. It's me."

Having the final word, I pulled the door open and stomped out.