Hello guys,
this story was requested. I will be writing it alongside my current story "Heart of a Mother" which I am very hyped about. The two might connect to each other at some point. We will see how this one will go too, so what is important to know is that this fic takes place after "Z is for Zenith" .
Hope that you will like it! :)

Irma Lair woke up, feeling grumpy. The teenage girl growled and got out of bed reluctantly. A few weeks had passed since their big fight with all the baddies, and Irma had thought that by now she would be able to go back to living her normal life. Only, she had forgotten that her 'normal life'included going to school. Couldn't at least winter break last a little longer?
Irma got dressed in a pair of 'boyfriend favorite' jeans and a green sweater, then headed to the bathroom to follow her normal morning routine: washing her face and teeth, then brushing out her locks, finishing it all off with a little lip gloss, mascara and her favorite perfume "Eternity Aqua", which Cornelia had given her for Christmas.
Usually the young water guardian would fancy up gladly, as she like most teenage girls, was boy-crazy and was determined to look her best on a daily basis. Not as much as her blond friend of course, but still, Irma had her own style. This morning however, there was more than one reason for her not looking forward to anything. First of all, she was incredibly grumpy and sleepy from staying up late, catching up on her shows, which she had missed during their entire 'Kandrakar and Meridian war with Phobos, Nerissa and friends -fiasco'. Secondly, she was going to have a history test in less than an hour. And boy did she hate tests early in the morning. Irma pouted. She had said to her friend Will the other day:
"Hey, Will can't your mom, you know ask Mr. Collins to postpone our test a little, since she is his jural girlfriend and all."
But Will had rebuked her:
"I really don't have time for jokes now, Irma."
"Jokes?Who said I was joking!"- Irma growled even now, as she brushed her hair, while remembering this conversation. "I was dead serious! What is the use of your mother dating the teacher, if you don't take advantage of the perks!"
She opened the bathroom door with a swift turn and was about to storm out, when her 9 year-old brother fell on the ground in front of her.
"Chris!"- she exclaimed."Why are you standing like a creep in front of my door, while I'm in the bathroom!"
The little boy jumped back on his feet, but instead of a snotty reply and giving his sister bratty attitude, he looked down. One could say he was even unrepining, but not Irma. She was too hasty and nervous to deal with him right now and the only thing she wanted was to get him off her back.
"Little dweeb, what do you want! Make it quick, cuz if I am late for the test, I will ..."
"It's nothing."- Chris pouted and walked away. His desire to talk to his sister had disappeared at the sight of her reluctance.
"Oh it's your call, little monster."-she barked and followed him down the stairs, where in the kitchen their parents were finishing their breakfast.
"DAD! Could you pleaasee drop me at school? Pretty please?"
Tom Lair glanced at his watch and sighed:
"You're lucky today, young lady. Get in the car."
"Yaaay!"-she exulted.
"Irma, can I talk to you about something."- Anna Lair tried to get her daughter's attention, but she was already out the house.
"Mom, I am in a hurry, we can talk later."- Irma yelled in response, and hoped in her father's police car.

Sheffield Institute, end of first period :

"History just stinks."- Cornelia announced grimly, as she and her friends walked to their lockers.
"Tell me about it!"- Will growled, as she took her books for the next period out. "I will get a C, at best. And we all know I never get anything best."
"A-a! You are banned from complaining about it Will."- Irma said sternly. "After all, you didn't do anything to prevent this. Even though you could!"
The redhead rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. She knew Irma joked around about everything. That was her way of turning even the hardest moments into an idea more carefree.
The three friends were about to head to their next class, when Taranee and Hay Lin crossed their way.
"Taranee, weren't you supposed to help me during this test?"- Cornelia reproached her friend , the minute she saw her, but Taranee made her a sign to be quiet.
"That can wait Corny, right now we have a problem."
"What problem?"
"Irma."-Hay Lin began in a conspiratorial tone. "Your brother is outside, hurry up, before Knickerbocker..."
"Whaat?!"- Irma's jaw dropped.
Chris was here?! At Sheffield Institute, alone and not at his own school? If her parents found out about this...No, she just wouldn't deal with that.
"Come on, girls!"- Irma yelled and ran out of the school, followed by her friends.
The cold air outside hit her in the nose, as she hurried to the place in the yard, where Hay Lin had told her brother to wait for her. And she saw him, shivering as he wasn't even wearing his jacket, hidden behind a bench.
Irma grabbed hold of her brother and pulled him by the colar, both furious and worried. What was wrong with this child?!
"Christopher Lair, you little dweeb! Why are you here?!"
The rest of the girls surrounded them, as the little boy hesitated for a moment. This time Irma could see it in his eyes- he was afraid. Her big sister spirit was beginning to kick in, as she was seeing the bigger picture.
She followed Hay Lin's example and knelt down, so that her eyes were at the same level as his and took his little hand in hers.
"Chris what's the matter?"- Hay Lin asked him with a gentle tone, as she stroked his cheek. "You can tell us, look even Irma is not mad at you. Tell us what got you scared."
Irma nodded encouragingly.
"We promise you, she will not scream at you."- Cornelia interfered. "If she does I will punish her."
Irma rolled her eyes, but placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. It was too cold, they had to make all this quicker:
"Tell me now, and mom and dad will never find out you ran away from school. Come on little bro, you wanted to tell me this morning too. Do it now."
Chris looked at the five girls in front of him with big, scared eyes, not being able to make up his mind. Could he trust them and tell them? And what was more important, what would happen if he revealed the truth about what terrified him...