My name is Olivia Zoe. Hi! Nice to meet you.

Only a week ago my life seemed to be heading to a sudden stop, like any other 20-something who just quit college and has no idea what to do next. I moved to Central City to broaden my horizon, so to speak, but after one term studying art (a subject I thought would be really fun) I realized with the help of a square-minded and boring professor that the academic world isn't my cup of tea. I love learning, don't get me wrong on that note, it's just that the strict and old-fashioned way to do it in an sterile-white classroom is not very appealing.

My big brother Adam and I are sharing a small apartment and since we have always been pretty close, growing up in a small town in Minnesota, that's been great. He is very much like me, optimistic and independent from people's opinions, although he is more of a realist and doesn't have a necessity to express himself creatively. As for me, that's all I wanna do.

As a child I took dance lessons, learned how to play guitar with the help of my dad and I would always sing along to every song heard on the radio. I haven't stopped doing that, if you're wondering, but I had stopped dancing during the time following high school (being occupied with everything practical) and that made me kind of sad. But, with the guidance of my friend Lauren Davies, who knows my family, and my dad I got encouraged to apply for Central City Musical Academy (CCMA) which reaches out to talented dancers, singers and actors to prepare them for a future in showbiz! I've always wanted to follow that dream, but the timing has never been exactly right in my heart. So I waited, cause you always need to follow your heart.

I had just received the extremely happy answer that I had gotten IN when something pretty out of the ordinary occurred. My dad was visiting over Christmas and to celebrate my acceptance to CCMA he, Adam, Lauren and I drove a few miles out of town to have a bonfire with barbeque grilling and star observing... In short, we were up for a very lovely time.

"I am so proud of you, my girl." said my dad as he took out his guitar and started playing the chords for Ready set don't go, a song we both loved from the Hannah Montana series, and we took tone together as the others smiled. The warmth from the sparkling fire filled me with rejoice.

Afterwards I kissed my dad on the cheek and everyone laughed. That moment was the definition of perfect.

"Isn't it tonight that Dr. Wells is going to start his particle accelerator?" asked Adam.

I couldn't help giving away a laugh.

"A particle-what?" I wondered. I've never been too good with technology, or math for that matter.

"I don't know what it does, exactly." Adam continued. "Only that it is said to be a great asset to the future."

Lauren took out her Iphone and tuned in on a live countdown on S.T.A.R. Labs website.

"5 minutes left now..." she read and at the same time the stars disappeared behind massive and dark clouds above our heads. A chill wrapped around my heart as the light of the fire decreased and I starred into it as if that would make the flames survive... I could physically feel it struggling against the pressing wind and it forced me to catch my breath in between moments.

"Well, we better get to the car before lightening strikes." dad insisted and we all got up on our feet.

The others walked to the car as I started packing our things. All of a sudden a thunderous noise was heard that made everyone look up. We could see the building of S.T.A.R. Labs give away a ray of bright blue light, reaching in all directions! The light must have come from an explosion of some kind, I thought, as it soured towards the valley where we were standing.

"Olivia!" dad cried. "Run to the car now!"

I heard him but his voice became all muddled by the wind. The bonfire was right behind me and I could feel the heat against the back of my legs. I felt brave and in a few seconds the light was upon us. It struck with such a force that it made me loose my footing and I fell right into the yellow and red flames! I remember a biting pain dancing all over my body and I could see nothing but a white blank until I woke up in an hospital bed... yesterday.

I first saw the face of my brother, who was sitting beside the bed, and then a rather handsome man in a white coat smiled widely against me.

"Hello, Miss Zoe. Welcome back."

Dr. Jonathan Kirsch (that's his name) explained to me that I had been in a coma for 48 hours and that, apart from a few burn marks on the back, there is nothing wrong with me. How freaky is that? I couldn't have been eaten by fire in one second and then be totally fine the next!

"Your family told me that you fell and the flames caught on to your shirt." said Dr. Kirsch, looking at my kin, who where all present in the room. "But that they successfully put it out with a blanket."

"I can't remember..."

"You were lucky." uttered Lauren and touched my hand. "We're just glad that you're alright."

I was allowed to return home that same afternoon. Lauren made us coffee and all four of us sat down in the living room. The silence was deafening.

"Why did you say that, Lauren?" I dared ask. I knew that she had been lying about saving me with a blanket.

"How do you feel, darling?" asked dad in his inquiring tone.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Fine."

Lauren sighed.

"..Then the explosion from S.T.A.R. Labs made you immune to the fire." she said.

Adam leaned closer to my face.

"You were flying, Olive!"

I don't like being called Olive. My name is Olivia!

"I was?"

The three nodded.

"It was like you became one with the flames. They carried you and when you became unconscious you landed safely on the ground." dad explained further.

I gathered my thoughts and asked again why they hadn't told Dr. Kirsch the truth.

"We don't want you to become a science experiment!" Lauren said. "Whatever caused it might have been temporary and if that's the case we would only be putting you in danger. Time will tell if you're back to normal..."

"And if you're not the only people we will be contacting is S.T.A.R. Labs." dad finished. "Perhaps you are not alone in this... predicament."

That sounded like a plan and as for now I am grateful that I don't feel anything more different than the burnings on my back. My first year at CCMA's is due to begin in January and I am so ready! This will be my year of accomplishments, I can feel it.

Olivia Zoe

23rd of December 2013