Page 17

“Well then, good.” Andrew said, shrugging at Charlotte. She returned the gesture, and moved to open the door.

“Now we must fix Mrs. Eacker’s room.” She said, looking around before holding the door open for the rest of us. We were walking back down the hallway, when suddenly Andrew began pushing us.

“Go! Teacher’s coming! Go!” We took off, running down the hallway, taking the turns necessary to get to the broken classroom without even thinking about where we were going. Andrew was behind us, making sure no one was following us.

Cameron and I got there before Charlotte and Andrew, so we saw him first.

“Hi Maggie.” Jeff smiled weakly. It disappeared when Andrew and Charlotte turned the corner. Andrew cursed. I looked back at him in shock. I had never heard him use that type of language before!

“Not now. We’re focusing on training these two and I’m in over my head…” Andrew muttered, and then glared at Jeff. “Why? Why now?”

“Like I can control when I learn my powers.” Jeff said, shrugging slightly. “I always thought there was something weird about you. And then you kept trying to talk to Maggie and Cam, and then she came to school…”

“I can’t protect you.” Andrew told him. “I’m already using all my power now, just protecting them.”

“I’m not asking for your protection.” Jeff said, standing up straighter. “I just…I wanted you to know.” Then he turned to look at me and Cam. “All of you.”

I turned tiredly to Andrew. “No guessing games. What’s his power?”

He sighed, running his hands through his lovely brown hair. “Fire.”

“Fire?” I looked to Jeff for conformation. He smiled and held out his hand. A flame lit in the center, as if he had lit a match. Slowly it grew, contained in his palm but spreading until it became a fireball.

“Put that out! Put it out!” Andrew nearly screamed, rushing forward. Jeff closed his hand and whimpered before Andrew, who was glaring down at him. “Never,” he said, his voice dangerously low, “do that again. You have no idea what you’re doing.”

“I think I have an idea-”

“You don’t.” Andrew was near shaking. “You’re putting us all in danger. If you want in, sure, fine I don’t care. But never do anything that will endanger us again.” Charlotte stepped forward and put a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. He stopped shaking and turned to look at her.

I felt tears come to my eyes. They had a connection that him and I could never have. I had lost him, before I even had a chance. And I would have to accept that. Accept it, and move on.

Cam cleared her throat.

“So, um, are we going to fix the lights or not?” Andrew looked at her, the circles under his eyes growing.

“Jeff already checked them out. They’re broken, not unable to absorb power. The custodial staff will just have to change all the bulbs, and they’ll work again.”

“Good.” I said, exhaustion beginning to dawn on me. Andrew looked at me, a small smile on his lips.

“Does anyone want to go get something to eat? To hang out a little bit…and maybe try to figure some things out?” Jeff piped up. Andrew turned to look at him, but it wasn’t threatening. It was almost friendly.

“That’s a good idea.” He said.

“I’ll drive.” Charlotte said, a smile spreading across her face.