Aira

2 years later

I love Thursday's.

Yes, what a dumb day to like. Not a weekend, not even a Friday.

But I have my reasons.

I'm sitting on the green grass, my arms wrapped around my legs and chin resting on my knees. My eyes are fixed, staring right at the small stone in front of me. It's not too busy here, this is why I love Thursday's. Nobody really comes here then. I smile at the stone, looking at the four letters.

Lana.

Sure, maybe staring at a grave every Thursday is a bit weird. But it's not only that.

I do this every week. I sit by Lana for at least a half hour, reminiscing all the memories I've had with her. I think of a new one every week. Today, I thought of when we escaped that dome way back when, and we were all unsure of what to do. Lana said "nice doing business with y'all, but I actually hate every single one of you. Bye!" It wasn't funny at the time, but as I look back at it, I smile.

"Aira?"

I look up and smile at the boy standing above me.

Juris.

He's gives me a slight smile, and I check the time.

"Oh, it's already three?" I say, but Juris just smiles. "Don't worry about it. These days I've been having all the time in the world."

"We should go, though," I say, and he nods. I stand up, taking a last look at Lana's grave.

Until next Thursday.

But there is another reason why I like this day.

Juris and I walk down the street, passing by people, some with and some without elements. I'm still surprised it turned out this way. Yes, once a week all the elements have to meet up and help fix the land, but it's already gotten so much better. My family found a pretty nice home, too. Sadly, Juris lives a ways away and I only get to see him maybe three times a week. It's crazy to think I was with him twenty-four seven when we were first captured.

That was about two years ago. But it feels like only days ago.

Hanson died the same day Lana did. I didn't even realize Roma shot him, I was too in the moment to even notice Hanson. But he's gone, which meant the people didn't care if Paytah or me lived or not. I guess Lana's death was enough.

Juris and I walk into a building, and the same woman is at the front desk. She looks up at us and smiles.

"Room 38. Probably think you two know that by now." She smiles.

I've known this number for two years.

I still smile and thank the woman, and Juris and I walk past. A number of kids and teenagers are roaming around, some eating snacks, watching tv, or playing cards. We walk past all the way down to the rooms, and stop at room 38. There's no need to knock.

Juris opens the door and we watch as he is sitting on a chair, gazing out the window. He turns around and smiles.

"Hey, Paytah." I say.

We go over and sit on his bed, like we do every time. This is another reason why I like Thursday's. Juris and I also visit on Monday, though, but we have for two whole years.

Paytah lives in foster care.

His mother shot his father, and Lana shot his mother, so immediately he was taken here. He's been here for two years now, and nobody has taken him in yet.

"No families." Paytah says. He tells us every week if any families were at least interested in taking Paytah in, but it's been a while since any family has considered him, unless you count teenage girls who just want to meet him.

I feel so bad for him. Besides Monday's and Thursday's at three, Paytah has no one. He only has Juris and I, and we only come twice a week. I can't imagine living in this room, this building, for two whole years. I can tell Paytah hates it, too. They don't let him go out much, only to see Lana once a week.

He's suffering in this prison they call his home.

"Good news." Paytah says, and it's honestly the first time in two years since Paytah has been excited.

"When I'm twenty-one, I get to leave."

"Oh my gosh, really?" I ask, and he smiles and nods.

"It's not for like seven months, but it's something to look forward to. I've been working and getting money, so I'll be able to live on my own." He says. Juris and I congratulate him, and this is actually very good news. Yes, he's only twenty and has seven months to go, but he gets to leave this hellhole.

He turned out good, really. Sure, he's still a hotheaded guy who gets in a lot of trouble, but he's grown up. He's gotten stronger, he's lean and even grew a few inches. His dark brown hair is thick but clean, and his orange and red and yellow eyes are still beautiful.

Even Juris has changed. He too has added a lot of muscle, his chubby cheeks from two years back are gone, and his jawline is just as sharp as Paytah's. His black hair is still a mess, and his green eyes are still the color of grass.

Even I look different. I wanted a change. I cut my long blonde hair off, and now it's only to my shoulders. I grew a little bit, and I've gained some muscle. I'm no longer the small, innocent girl people thought I was.

We all grew up.

Do I still have feelings for Paytah? I want to say no, but I know I do. But no matter what, I can't, I won't...

Because Paytah is Lana's.

And Lana is Paytah's.

I know they had something going on between them, and just because Lana isn't here doesn't mean I get my turn. Paytah will be with Lana for the rest of his life.

And I don't think he'll ever have the audacity to be with someone else.

Same goes with Juris. I knew he had a girl before he was captured, and since he found out that she is for sure dead, I don't think he'll ever move on.

We all can't move on.

But we've come to realize that's okay.

There are days where I cry until there's no more tears, I scream until I have no more voice. I know Juris and Paytah do the same, too. Paytah's knuckles are bruised and scarred from slamming on the door or the wall, and sometimes when Juris and I visit he's sobbing. The people here also told us that he has nightmares and they'll have to wake him up and stop him from screaming. Juris can't leave his house sometimes because he's been crying so much, and felt so sick to his stomach.

We all have our bad days.

"I wonder what she'd be doing." Paytah says, looking out the window.

"She would be with us, visiting you." I say, and Paytah looks over at me and smiles.

"Except they would've kicked her out by now, probably because she sassed at someone," Juris says, and we all laugh.

Lana.

We talk about her quite often, but it's nice to. We all made a promise to each other that we've never forget her, and I won't break this promise.

Sure, maybe things aren't that great. I'm stuck at home with my family, trying to do online school. Juris is also at home, working at some restaurant. Paytah still doesn't have a family, and is stuck in this building. Lana is gone.

But we are thankful. We are thankful that Hanson is dead, that the world accepted the elements. We are thankful of our memories of Lana, and that we get to share the good times us four had, even under the horrible circumstances.

"It'll always be the four." Juris says.

We say this every time we visit. We remind each other that Lana will not be forgotten, that we were the four who changed the world.

We cling onto our meaning. We cling onto where we came from. We cling onto each other.

Because we are the four.

We will always be the four.

The End

••••••

OMG !!!

THE ELEMENTS SERIES IS FINISHED!!!!!

I'm getting emotional :(

First off, I want to share with you my journey. I started book 1 maybe two years ago? Honestly, I didn't know why I started this book, I had no idea I would go all the way to a book 3. So the fact that I finished a WHOLE SERIES is crazy!

Second, I want to thank you. Thank you to the readers who were with me in the beginning, and thank you to the readers who maybe just read this entire series in a day. Thank you all so much. This book wouldn't have been finished if it wasn't for you guys. Every comment and vote you guys made inspired me and pushed me to keep writing, and I thank you all for that!!!

I know, I know, you all are probably pissed that this story ended so sadly, but I wanted this to be as real as it gets. Not everyone in this story has a happy ending, but a happy ending seemed so impossible. So, I am sorry if the ending isn't as happy as some of you guys wanted, but I wanted it to have a real feeling

I can't believe this series is over, BUT....

I REALLY want to edit this book, starting from book 1. My dream is to maybe get this published, so I will be undergoing a lot of editing, which will mean a LOT more detail and changes! So if you guys just can't get enough of this book, you can reread while I edit!!

I'm also going to be working on more books! My other series "The Alliance" will be worked on, and I may start a brand new book ;) I am already working on it!!

So once again, thank you all for sticking with me and reading this book!!!!

Thank you, read on readers :)