"Alisha..."

"mmah..."

"Hewwo Aweshia"

"merhamublumb..."

"Alisha, get your ass outta bed right now!"

*pumf*

"DAMNIT ALL!"

Two girls, one short with straight, blonde hair and another tall with dark black hair with a red streak stood amused at the sight of their friend. "Common, 'Lisha! Even Luci was able to get outta bed this morning!" the blonde said, "That's record. Especially you of all people. You're always the first outta bed."

"I was up late last night," she mumbled into her pillow.

"Say huh?" the tall girl, Luci, asked.

"I was up and out late last night," she repeated. The two girls raised an inquisitive eyebrow at each other before sitting on the bed.

"Doing what, Miss Hinston?" the blonde girl asked.

"I was out with-"

"Ben." they finished for her.

"Yeah, we just went out for a drive, no biggie," she said hoping her friends would just drop the subject. "I mean, we're both moving here soon, so I wanna spend as much time with him as possible-"

"Yeah, but you shouldn't stay out too late. You do have a curfew for driving. Luci and I followed that too when we were your age-"

"Chya right! I know that Luci was out with Lucas all the time," she bantered.

"Ugh, fine. Just get outta bed. Ming's waiting for you. Might not want to keep him waiting," the blonde finished and stood. She swiftly left the room, trying not to show her anger.

Luci sighed. "I should probably make sure she doesn't flip a car or something," she said as she stood.

"Lu, do you honestly blame me for being out last night?" Alisha asked looking at the girl who was practically her twin. Her blue eyes searched for the dark brown, the only difference in their looks besides Luci's newly dyed hair. When she finally met her gaze, she held it for only a few seconds before Luci looked down.

"No, if it was me and Lucas, I wouldn't leave his side! I mean, how often will you guys see each other after you move? He'll be in Seattle while you'll be in England! Just, you know how sensitive Rachael is these days. After Matt and all-"

"-Mr. Cocky-Jackass-Flirty-Mc-Emo-Pants" Alisha cut in.

"Lish (pronounced like leash), what are you gunna do when you move?" Luci asked looking deeply into her best friend's eyes.

"What do you mean what am I going to do-"

"I mean, what are you and Ben going to do?" she asked. Alisha looked down. She knew that the day where she'd have to decide was coming, and there wasn't a day where Luci wouldn't ask the same question.

"I don't know. I think I know what I'm gunna do-"

"Which is?"

"Well, we both wanna stay together," she stated. Luci sighed as she nodded and left for the door.

"Just don't keep Ming waiting too long. They're all counting on you in England to know your stuff," she said, her voice fading. Alisha gave a heavy sigh before heading to the shower. The burden of moving to England just continued to crash upon her shoulders. She was supposed to be the difference maker in this war. Her unbelievable powers over all the elements made her wanted by who ever could get their hands on her. She personally didn't believe that moving to England was the smartest idea, being right in the center of it all. But they insisted that she get to know the people she would hopefully be working with. She wasn't too thrilled either about going to a new school, being around strange people that didn't understand her powers unlike the people at her current school. Everyone knew not to mess with her. She may look weak due to her thin frame, but she was incredibly strong. No one except for the staff of the school and some guy would know of her powers, which meant loads of explanations. Also this guy that she'd be working with. Only 'What If...'s filled her mind. She would be away from her boyfriend of a year and a half and she had no idea what this new guy would be like. And she was supposed to be with him 24/7. Sounds like loads of fun.

"Alisha," a faint voice called, "Ming's waiting for you downstairs! Hurry up!"

She sighed and stepped out of the shower. Putting on her practice clothes, she quickly threw her dark brown hair into a bun and pinned her bangs back. She reached for her wand and raced down the steps. Stepping into the room, she saw her mother, looking more tired and weary by the second and Ming, her mentor. She bowed deeply to Ming and looked at her mother.

"You really should try flying down the stairs sometime. It would be a very useful skill in battle," Ming said giving her a small smile. Her mother quickly glared at Ming.

"There will be no flying in my house, take it outside if you need the practice," she said hastily, walking to the kitchen. Alisha gave a small giggle before looking at Ming.

"I'm sorry I'm late. What are we gunna be working on today?" she asked still smiling. He gazed out the window before answering her.

"I was thinking we could try and play with weather. In battle, it can be used to confuse the enemy and hide fellow soldiers," he replied. "It will take some time, though. I do not even know if it is within range of your powers. I would think so, but never before has there been a mage with your power," he finished. She pondered the idea for a minute. There had been times where when she had began to cry and it started to rain and times when she wanted it to be sunny and it was. He started for the door and walked outside. She shrugged her shoulders and followed. It was a nice, June day. A warm breeze brushed across her skin. Her baggy shorts gently pressed against her slender legs. She moved to the backyard, where Ming stood by the fence. She jogged over to him, stopping about five feet from him. "Let's start with some light exercises," he instructed.

Later:

"I'm POOPED!" she cried walking back into the house. Her mom was in the kitchen doing the dishes as she plopped down on one of the chairs.

"I can imagine. You worked hard today," the older mage said while placing a plate of spaghetti in front of her daughter. "Now eat. The carbs will help restore your strength," she commanded. Alisha obeyed and ate quickly.

"Mom, do you mind if I go to see Ben tonight?" she asked while taking another bite of spaghetti. She looked up from her plate and glanced at her mom. The woman stood in front of the sink, holding a sponge in one hand, a plate in the other. Her face was blank and unreadable. Her eyes glassy and unblinking. "Mom?" Alisha said. She snapped her fingers. "Mom..." She repeated. She snapped her fingers again, creating a small flame. She extinguished the flame and began running the faucet water until she has a small ring floating around her mother's head. "Earth to Mom!" Alisha exclaimed becoming impatient. She cut the ring and with one end, gently tapped the end of her mother's nose. Her mother suddenly jolted backwards breaking Alisha's concentration, causing the water to fall to the floor. Her mom gave her a quick glance and Alisha quickly bended the water off of the floor and into the sink.

"What was that for, Alisha Lynn?" Her mom exclaimed.

"You were just staring out the window and I was trying to get your attention. I wanted to know if I could go over to Ben's tonight," she defended. Her mother returned to washing the dishes. She gave a deep sigh.

"I guess, but I must ask, what are you going to do after we move?" she asked the young mage. The girl sighed and handed her the plate devoid of food.

"We both want to stay together, but I don't know... I've been thinking a lot lately, and it just doesn't seem like a good idea," she said quietly. She sat back down and her mother took the seat next to her.

"So what do you want, Alisha?" her mother asked, "It is after all your decision. If you want my opinion, I will give it to you, but only if you ask."

"Spill," Alisha ordered.

"Dating him could put him in danger if anyone were to find out. If you truly believe that you are going to spend the rest of your life with him, then date him," she said. Alisha sighed heavily.

"I knew this would happen," she whispered.

"Now Alisha, do what your heart tells you and what you think is right," she advised. Alisha stood up and began walking to the door. She grabbed her coat and reached for the door knob.

"Thanks, Mom," she said as she opened the door. She walked out the door and a few minutes later, heard the car starting. Light flooded the house as her daughter pulled out of the driveway.

Later: (again)

Her eyes flooded with tears. Never before did she believe that they would break-up. 'At least it was a nice, clean break,' she kept telling herself. She still loved him, but she didn't think that she loved him enough to make it, that was the hardest part. She pulled into the driveway looking into the dark windows of the house. 'That's odd, mom never goes to bed before 11,' she thought, 'Let alone, turn the lights off. Especially the front lights. She always leaves them on.' She turned the key and stepped out of the car. A gust of wind chilled her to the bone as she climbed up the steps to the front door. Fear shot through her as her hand reached for the doorknob. All happiness drained from her body as she turned the knob and opened the door.

"Mom?" she called. No answer. She hung up her coat and shut the door. "Mom?" she called a second time. The putrid smell of fresh blood lingered in the air. She walked out of the foyer and into the living room. "Mom!" she called again. Still no answer. "Mom! This really isn't funny!" she yelled. She turned and walked into the kitchen. Blood coated every surface. The table was broken in two, chairs overturned. Her body trembled in fear. Drawers were hanging open, their contents spread across the floor. Cabinets were out of their hinges, dishes and glasses shattered. Bits of cloth hung on the ceiling fan, that rotated ever so slowly. A knife covered in blood lay on the counter, the parts uncoated shone in the moonlight. The window over the sink was broken, pieces of glass were in the sink and on the counter. A cold, cruel breeze swept into the home and the curtains swayed. She shivered as leaves danced into the kitchen and around her body. A trail of blood led her to the stairs where faint cries could be heard. Alisha slowly began climbing the stairs. As she reached the top of the steps, the voices grew louder.

"No, no! Take me! Leave my daughter out of this! She never did a thing!" a woman cried from the very last room at the end of the hallway.

"Shut up, Hinston! The Dark Lord is extremely upset with you. He will be merciful to you if you hand over the girl-"

"SHE NEVER DID ANYTHING! NO! I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HER! NO! TAKE ME!" the woman cried again.

"I said shut up, Hinston!" a man yelled, "Crucio!"