We started out with a couple of rounds of running on the beach. Rhaeya jogged beside us, and yelled encouragements, insults actually, to keep us moving. I didn't have a problem with it but I could see some people lag behind.

"Have you improved nothing of your stamina?!" Rhaeya screamed at the back, the anger in her voice made me take longer strides.

I could feel some people around me doing the same to get away from Rhaeya's anger. She kept yelling at the back. I didn't dare turn around for fear of tripping over my legs.

She finally told us to stop, right in the middle of the beach. The ones in front, including me, slowed to jog and then stumbled to a proper stop, breathing heavily as sweat streamed down our faces. My legs felt like jelly. Any chill I'd felt in the morning had vanished. We'd been running for an hour straight. The sun had risen, the sky decorated in shades of light pink. The moon barely visible as it dipped towards the west to make way for the daylight.

I placed my hands on my hip to get my breathing under control as people beside me shed hoodies and jackets. I tugged off my own shirt for the tank top I'd worn underneath.

Rhaeya set us all to another round of strenuous exercises for another hour, and pulled me away for a couple of them. I frowned to myself and regretted rewrapping my knuckles in front of her in the morning. The scabs had broken while doing push-ups, the spots of blood were visible through the white gauze. A thing I tried to hide so she wouldn't keep calling me up.

Wafi strolled up to us easily a few hours later. He earned a few envious glares as he watched us with amusement, and barked out a few orders beside Rhaeya before he softened to help some others who were running out of steam.

I got a sympathetic shoulder pat from as Rhaeya pulled me out again. "Some people would be happy to be in your place right now." He said in an attempt to comfort me.

"I know." I mumbled, a glare thrown up at his fresh face. "It's been a while since I've exercised this intensely. I'm actually enjoying it. Pulling me out each time is breaking my flow."

Wafi grimaced. "You enjoy exercise? I can't be bothered half the time."

I gave his physique an exaggerated glance. "Really?"

"I swim a lot. Also, have to keep training or I'll get rusty on my fighting."

"News flash, Wafi." I turned back to face my classmates doing push-ups. "That's called exercise."

It was almost ten when Rhaeya told us all to have a five minute break. I collapsed onto the sand beside the others, eyes on my sandy legs as I tried to fill up my lungs. I was coated in sand. Wrong. I'd been marinated in sand since the sun rose. There was sand in my hair, in my eyes, stuck all over my body. I couldn't even brush it off because— oh look at that— my hands are covered in sand.

The gauze protected my scabs from burning under the salt. But it looked nasty. It had turned a light brown because of the sweat and the sand, darker brown at the spots where I'd bled through.

"Alright, guys." Wafi called out. I looked up from my toes. "Time for some breakfast and then be back here in an hour."

There were groans of relief, me included. I pushed myself off the ground, to head first into ankle deep into the water to wash off atleast some sand. The water was nice and cool on my skin, rivulets of salty water ran down my face, sand and salt slipped into my mouth. I spat harshly, and wiped my lips before I headed towards the buffet breakfast being set up in the shade.

"Everyone head up and get your swimsuits once you’re done eating." Rhaeya yelled out.

There was some excitement and some groans from the others but I didn't bother to react. I wore my swimsuit under my clothes when I came down in the morning. I probably wouldn't take off my shorts, but I would have to get rid of the tank.

I asked for a cheese omelette at the eggs to order station, and a glass of orange juice. Then found a comfortable tree to sit by after picking up my order.

Wafi joined me shortly after. I wasn't even surprised. I shifted a bit so he could lean on the tree too. He sighed as he settled beside me, his plate piled up. "Not hungry?"

I nodded. "Very, actually. I'm trying to eat light considering we're going to be exercising some more."

"That's a good idea." He glanced down at his plate. "Maybe I should not eat all of this..."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Why? Are you going to join us now?"

He nodded. "I was planning to. I mean, it's not like I have anything better to do." He turned his head towards the pier. "I was planning to work on my boat, but that's it."

I turned to look at the pier too. "The yacht? Doesn't it have a staff of it's own?"

"No, not the yacht. There's a sailing boat on the other side. You can't see it from here."

"Oh." I turned to look at Wafi's face again. "You like sailing?"

"It's fun." He smiled down at me. "Maybe I can teach you too."

I shrugged. "I don't mind. I remember learning that, only a few bits though."

"Aah, it's easy. You'll get back into it within no time."

I smiled down at my plate, his confidence in me made me feel warm inside. The fact that others stared at us didn't bother me anymore. There was only about a month left till I got declared a Royal, after which the reason for all that had been going on would become obvious.

All of us gathered on the beach again by the time given to us. Some had washed up a bit, some had changed, others hadn't bothered. I'd taken a short nap against Wafi's shoulder. I felt rested, ready to go ahead with the rest of the day.

I was in my bikini. She wore a one piece that showed off her toned abs. I wished for that. The swimsuit more than the abs. Both at the same time would be good.

Rhaeya ordered us into the water till we were up till our shoulders. All of us were scattered around— all of different heights as we struggled to stay on our feet and not be swept away from our spots because of the current. It was an interesting way to train us. She made us do basic punches and kicks in the water. Our attempts obviously slowed but the effort it took to do something that came naturally to us on ground was astonishing. My arms and legs burned with exhaustion as we finally exited the water after another couple of hours. Or it was the sunburn.

Probably not sunburn. Girls paler than me didn't seem to be suffering with it. Being Fire had its advantages.

I glanced wistfully back at the water. I would've liked to train with my other element too. I hadn't trained with it in a long time. I did it in the privacy of my home, but there's only so much you can do without equipment... or someone else to work with.

In the privacy of our room, after Rhaeya hurried into the bathroom before I could— I played around with a glass of water. I didn't expect her to come out early. Water splashed on the ground as I let go of my concentration in panic, seeing the door open. Rhaeya gave me a confused look as she stepped outside, wrapped in a towel, her hair streaming wet down her back.

"Uh, do you have some tissues?" I asked sheepishly.

The afternoon was silent after that. Everyone was dead asleep in their rooms after the day's exertions. I took a long nap as well, only to be shaken awake by Rhaeya. I grumbled as she told me to wake up.

"Come on, it's the evening." Rhaeya sounded a bit upbeat. "We can go swimming or something."

My muscles were still sore, but I couldn't help perk up a bit at the sound of swimming. She was right. It was a kind of vacation, might as well make the most of it.

The two of us bumped into Wafi as we headed downstairs. Wafi cocked an eyebrow at spotting us, clearly dressed for swimming again.

"Not had enough?" He directed at me.

I nudged Rhaeya's shoulder. "She challenged me to a swim."

Rhaeya shrugged. "She's good on land, let's see her in water."

Wafi laughed loudly. "Big mistake." I tensed up slightly as confusion crossed Rhaeya's face. Wafi was quick to add. "She told me she swims a lot in her free time."

Rhaeya turned her head to look at me, confusion shifted to suspicion in her eyes once more. "Really?"

I nodded. "I'm always alone at home. What do you expect?" Just to stop her from prying further, I cut to Wafi. "Joining us?"

"No, but thank you." He brushed away easily as he stepped forward to hold the door open for the two of us to step outside. Chivalry personified. "I have to work on my boat."

"Your yacht?" Rhaeya turned to look at the pier. "Doesn't it have staff?"

Wafi gave an exasperated sigh. "There's a sailing boat on the other side of it."

"Oh..." Rhaeya craned her neck before she nodded slowly. "I think I see the top of it."

Wafi gave me a tired look while Rhaeya was distracted. I gave him a reassuring smile before he walked away.

"Well, it was nice talking to you ladies." He spoke and left with a nod. "I'll see you both later."

"Later." I waved and turned my attention to the waves.

"It was our pleasure, Prince Regent." Rhaeya was a bit more formal.

It was a quite a feat to ignore all her questioning stares as we swam. She was quite good too. Managing to more than keep up as we did laps of the small beach from end to end. We even swam out to the edge of the pier, and waved to Wafi as he worked on his boat.

He grinned down at us from the sailboat. It seemed like a one-man affair, white, and clearly in very good condition.

"Beautiful boat." Rhaeya called up as he stared down at the two of us floating in water. "What's she called?"

"'Sea Devil'." Wafi replied, my eyes caught the name spelt in black with undertones of gold on the side.

I burst into laughter. "Really?"

He laughed with me as he leaned on the edge of the boat to meet my eyes. "What? It's a cool name."

"I like it." Rhaeya agreed.

I laughed harder. Then I choked as I swallowed some seawater. Rhaeya glared at me. "Serves you right."

"'The-the Sea Devil'—" I coughed a little. "Wh-what made you come up with that?"

"Weirdly enough, uncle suggested it." Wafi had an amused look on his face. Rhaeya's frown deepened and she glared at me.

I decided to let it go. For posterity. Still holding onto the boat, I held a thumbs up at him. "Good name."

He rolled his eyes and chuckled as he pushed off the edge. "If you're done laughing, I need to get back to this. I want to be done with most of it before sunset."

"We'll take your leave then, Prince Regent." Rhaeya turned and started to paddle away.

I waved easily at him. He still had an easy smile on his face. "See you later."

"Catch you around." He replied with equal ease before I pushed off and swam to Rhaeya.

She was headed to the beach as she caught sight of the time on her fitness tracker. I followed her out of the water beside the pier. She didn't even take a moment to adjust to the change in gravity before she started to run. I didn't join her as I slowly trudged along the ebbing waves at my feet to where we'd left our towels.

I watched her run up the mansions stairs, towel wrapped around her waist. She emerged again as I finally reached my towel, Christine at her side... she looked like shit.

Her eyes were red, bloodshot, and there were tear streaks on her face. She was in sweats. I don't think I'd ever seen a single girl in entire Elemental dimension wear unflattering, baggy, comfort clothes. The entire place felt like an alternate dimension for models at times.

My eyes stayed on them till they vanished out of sight to the parking lot. She was going back. Good riddance.

Exhaustion hit me and I collapsed onto my butt by my towel. My wet hands found my tank and tugged it on. Maybe I should head in. Finish that na—

"Fiera!" I twisted to see who'd called my name. Surprise passed through me as I spotted Colin. He ran towards me as he waved ecstatically like I couldn't see him. His bouncing golden hair reminded me of a golden retriever.

I barely even talked to the do—the guy ever since we'd stopped training together. I didn't know why but he'd fallen from fighting grace. "Hey... Colin..." I said slowly as he came within earshot. "Where's the fire?"

Colin gave me a dry look, no amusement in his brown eyes as he slowed down. "If there was a fire, you'd probably be in the centre of it."

I nodded and chuckled lightly. "Probably. What's up, is what I meant though."

"Right." He pointed over his back. "We're two people short of a volleyball team on my side. Do you want to play?"

My eyes flickered to where he'd come running from. I could see some worry on the faces of some classmates gathered by a net that been set up. I frowned. "Your friends don't seem very happy that you're asking me."

"We need players, and if you play good enough, it won't matter." His biceps stood out as he crossed his arms. "Are you good?"

"I suck at volleyball." I admitted.

Colin was a silent for a moment. "Does that mean yes?"

How the hell did h-you know what, never mind. I sighed. He was clearly desperate. "I'll play. Who's the second person?"

Colin shrugged as he turned to start walking away. I grunted as I rose off the sand. "I would have asked Rhaeya, but she left."

"Anyone you know? Your... buddy from yesterday?" He was fishing for gossip.

"She's gone. And I don't talk to anyone in class. I see you talking to a lot of people usually."

He jerked a thumb behind him. I turned to look at what was a majority of the guys in our class kicking a black and white ball.

I did prefer football over volleyball. I'm more surprised that they asked me anyway, so I'll take what I get.

"Why didn't you ask Wafi?" I said and turned back to face him.

"Wa..." Colin gave me a strange look. "You mean the Prince Regent?" I nodded. "He's not here."

"He is. He's working on his boat by the pier." I pointed at it.

Colin's footsteps slowed as his gaze strayed to the pier. He frowned. "I thought yachts have their own staff."

I stifled a sigh, starting to feel like Wafi. "He has a sailboat on the other side."

Colin read my face for a while before nodding. "If he says yes, I guess it's okay." He sounded skeptical. "I'll... hold them up for you."

I handed my towel to Colin before I turned to run back towards the pier. People decreased as I went towards that side of the beach. I had to cross the yacht to come in sight of the boat. Wafi's head was bent over something, he stood up and turned as he heard my feet.

"Fiera?" He frowned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm... fine..." I panted. God, another run. I hated running. "Just ran... Volleyball?"

"Volleyball?" He took a step towards me on the boat. It was by the yacht, a rope ladder led down to it. "With who?"

"Classmates. We need another... person."

Wafi's eyes flickered towards the beach, view blocked by the yacht. He contemplated for a minute before he shrugged. "Alright. Wait for me." He grabbed a rag to wipe his forehead as he headed to the rope ladder.

I waited for him on the sand as walked down the pier's stands. He patted my back. "Let's go."

The two of us made our way towards the volleyball 'court'. A crudely drawn rectangle nowhere close to the dimensions of an actual court but it seemed equal on both sides.

My teammates seemed more than a bit surprised that I'd managed to actually get Wafi along, but they got over their surprise fast enough once we started playing.

Wafi was good. He was very good. His height and strength were a huge advantage to us. I stayed in front, he stayed in the middle towards the back as he returned a majority of the shots, and threw in occasional spikes. Colin, team leader, was adamant about making sure we call out when it's our ball so there people didn't bump into each other, or stop cold because we assumed it's the others ball.

We won two out of three games before exhaustion took over. I figured that my classmates would want nothing more to do with me once the game was over but as I started to walk away, I was called back to sit with them.

The night ended well. The guys inviting me back to play tomorrow along with Wafi. Wafi seemed pleased that I'd managed to make some friends even if they only lasted for the camp.

The second day was a bit more interesting. The training in the water was mixed with a bit of Elemental training as well. Rhaeya taught us how to get rid of the water clogging our pores so we our body could get the oxygen required to burn. It was a simple thing. Within no time, a bunch of people mastered it. But as it was with simple things, some people got it and some didn't but Rhaeya let us go for the day.

I decided to forego the siesta and went to sit on the beach after lunch. I scrolled idly and texted my friends to catch up.

Turns out, I had gone viral. In the Elementalists community anyway.

Elementalists had evolved with the times and as with technology, social media had also integrated itself into the society. There were several sites dedicated to only Elementalists which could be accessed only within the elemental realm, or with a certain passcode that was assigned to you. Apparently, my breakdown and almost punching Christine's face in was the thing on people's lips right now everywhere. In the school, in other camps.

I had to reassure Eric and Flo that was I was fine. I'd received my own video from Sean and Francis who seemed to have enjoyed it. Only Anita was nice enough to ask if I was okay... followed by a laughing emoji.

Why didn't I have normal friends?

"Fiera?"

I looked up to see Wafi exiting the villa. He seemed pleasantly surprised to see me. "What are you doing here?"

I smiled up at him in greeting. "Talking with some friends. I get better signal out here."

"Yeah." Wafi grimaced. "The stone in the walls does a great job of jamming a lot of signals."

"Where are you going?" I asked as I stood up. Maybe I could chill on the boat with him.

Wafi gestured to the pier. "Finished working on 'Devil' yesterday." I snickered at the name again. "I was planning to take her out today."

"Great." I waved to him as I stopped. "Have fun."

"Want to come?" Wafi asked. "I could teach you sailing again."

I cocked my head. "I'm tempted, but isn't it a one-man boat?"

Wafi shrugged non-committally. "You can still tag along. It just means most of the work on it has to be done by one person. I was just planning to take her for a spin. We'll be back within the hour." Wafi continued, seeing I wasn't convinced. "Come on, we'll be back before the others come out. In time for volleyball, even."

I sighed. I just wanted to sit and do nothing... but he wouldn't drop it till I'd agreed. "Alright. Don't take very long. I'd rather not be seen coming out of the yacht alone with you."

Wafi grimaced. "You make me sound like a predator."

"Wrong." I fell into step beside him. People make me sound like the predator."

Wafi laughed at that as we started walking towards the pier. We had to climb up the gangplank into the yacht. I barely got a glimpse of the interior as we rounded the outside to get to the rope ladder, but it was exactly what I'd expected. Wood panelled interiors, plush leather furniture, a bar very clearly visible at the entrance, a hot tub somewhere inside probably because soaking in water in the middle of the ocean is something rich people like to do.

I hopped off the rope ladder onto Sea Devil. The name made me laugh again, but it didn't matter. It was Wafi's boat.

"I was going to name it after you first." Wafi said as he sat down and starting to untie the rope that held it to the yacht. "But that was a bit too early and glaringly obvious for the wrong reasons."

"You showed common sense for once." I nodded as my eyes scanned the boat. "Nice. Also, isn't this an Enterprise class?"

Wafi nodded back slowly, hazel eyes gleamed with interest. "Good eye."

"Enterprise is double-handed." I turned to look at Wafi. "I don't remember how to sail."

Wafi laughed. He wrapped the rope around one arm and gestured to me to push off from the yacht. I waved a hand, the boat jolted as the waters shifted to my command.

Wafi cocked an eyebrow at it, choosing not commentate and instead, educate. "I bought it so Uncle and I could sail together, but he's busy with treatments. So, I decided might as well get it out and have some fun with it. Long story short, someone told me I could operate the Enterprise on my own, as a one-man by just not adding the foresail."

My eyes widened in wonder at that nugget of information. My eyes roamed the mast again, now noticing the lack of a foresail. "Huh." I replied smartly.

"I looked about the same when I was told that." Wafi grinned boyishly, the sunlight illuminated his features as we came out from behind the yacht. His blonde hair glowed under the sun. I self-consciously ran a hand through my hair, and wondered how I was related to this model.

His excitement spilled over. I threw my hands up into the air momentarily. "Let's do this!" I cheered gleefully.

The wind was aimed towards the beach, which meant Wafi zig-zaged to fight nature as he moved the boat out into the open water. We talked easily as he sailed. Both of us were in tandem as we switched sides when the boom swung around.

I watched him carefully, my own memories received a jolt as I started to remember how to handle the boat. A ways away from the beach, I gathered the courage to ask Wafi what had been lingering in my mind for a while.

"Do you mind if I sail a bit?" I asked and cocked my head. "I understand if you don't allow me because it's a new boat, but just for a while. I want to see if I still remember."

Wafi grinned back at me. He winked as he leaned out over the water. "I was waiting for you to ask. Just don't drown us."

I rolled my eyes before I switched seats with him, now on the opposite side the sail was leaning to as Wafi took the spectator's seat. He encouragingly called out instructions as my memories tried to help out side by side.

Soon enough, I'd gotten the hang of it again. Wafi grinned up at me like a proud dad as I tacked like nobody's business. I laughed as we exchanged seats, ducked in unison and moves without a word needing to be spoken as the boom swung around. I kept control of the sail with one hand, my foot wrapped in a strap to keep me leaning partly outside the boat as I kept the sail tight.

Wafi couldn't stop laughing. Neither could I. It was exhilarating to feel the wind in your hair, the sail smoothly shift upon a simple nudge of the rudder.

"This is..." I exhaled shakily as my heart pumped loudly in my ears. "This is the best part of this camp!"

"I'll tell Collin!" Wafi laughed as he leaned away to counter balance me, one hand wrapped around a rope to keep him in the boat.

"Boo! No one likes snitches!" I snapped as I prepared to switch.

Wafi shifted as well. He laughed and let it fade away without a comment. His smile softened. "The camp's not been that bad, even if it started out bad."

"Eh, it's been fine." I shrugged as much as I could. I hadn't done this in a while, my arms had begun to burn. "Definitely better with you here."

"It may seem like some of the worst days of your life right now." Wafi spoke after a silence occupied only by the rushing wind and the fluttering sail. I glanced at him. The sail tugging on my hand as I got ready to change tack. He still had a smile on his face, hazel eyes glowed with warmth. "But these are some of the best ones of mine. I've haven't had this much fun in a long time."

I started to turn red, unsure of how to reply. Still keeping my lips sealed, I pushed the rudder to change side. The boat responded, I shifted down to change side. But Wafi didn't. He continued to smile up at me.

My eyes widened as the boat turned on command. The sides shifted again. The boom swung, hastened by the wind.

He didn't see it. He... "Thank you, F-"

"WAFI, DUCK!"