Hello, lovelies. Enjoy! Sorry for the long wait. 

***

I blinked, multiple times, to make sure I wasn't dreaming again. I stood there wondering if I heard him right, or if my mind was playing games on me. It couldn't be.

Just to make sure, I looked back at him. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It's a lot to take in, so I have assigned one of the other students to help you out. Her name is Crystal, she will be your roommate and guide through the institute. Come with me," he said all too quickly. Darren escorted me through the halls of crisp white interiors. It reminded me of an art museum - large and spacious.

All of a sudden the air became cold. Like the thick clothes on my back were doing nothing to keep my warm. Even though this place was what he said, my feelings can't change that fast.

I've been avoiding people for years and now I will be around them constantly. I wonder how I will be able to cope with all of these teenagers and children around me. Judging by the size of the school, there were quite a few students here.

We stopped in front or large doors and he faced me. "This is the girls dormitory, I'm not allowed in, but Crystal should be here any minute."

I nodded and tried to take it all in. "Why haven't I heard of this place before?"

He breathed in just before answering me and explained with hand gestures. "We are a private company and it's purely celestial - we are governed by a higher power. The institute was founded a few years ago when the earth grew weak. There needed to be a renewal of resources."

He caught me staring at his hands, which were moving in the air with grace, and he cleared his throat. "Sorry, air is my element and we tend to move like it."

"So, what are we?" I ask the one thing that has been on my mind since before I knew of my pyretic powers. I was hoping he could answer. Just then a girl with silver hair bursts out the doors with a tired smile.

"Hi, you must be Elora!" Her voice was small and cute, like her height, I towered over her by a few inches. She looked tired but attentive, maybe it's because of late night dorm parties. She let out a hand for me to shake and I recoil. I can't touch her, not after an episode, anything can trigger me at this point. She blinks at me once then her expression changes empathetically. 

"Crystal, this is Elora, she'll be your companion for the next few weeks. Show her around and take her to the office tomorrow morning for her classes. Can I count on you?"

She smiled widely. "Of course! I've been waiting for her all week!"

All week? It's as if they know I will stay - which I don't even planning on doing. I planned on sneaking out that night when things quiet down. "Excellent. I'll see you two around, alright?"

Crystal nods and waits for Darren to disappear around a corner before speaking again. I gave her nothing but wide eyes and a sullen expression. "Well, welcome to the institute, I'll show you around first and we'll end at our room."

"Our room?" I asked, inwardly panicking. "I can't have a roommate, you don't know what I'm capable of."

She ignored my warning and started walking and I have no choice but to follow her. She seemed to be calm about everything and looked to be prepared for each onslaught I was about to give her. "The elders didn't put us together blindly. The first companionship is one that is always compatible."

"What do you mean?"

"We're compatible," she looks back to look at me as she walked. "My element is earth and yours is fire. It's hard to conflict those two and if they do, it's pretty rare."

I stayed quiet and contemplated on what she said. What about the other people in campus? I thought as I spotted a few students lounging around. "What about the others?"

"They have their own companions and levels of maturity. The first phase is about compatibility - you are paired with the an element that complements you and brings the best in you," she pointed to the two of us.

We walked towards an open balcony overlooking the central section of the institute. Everything looked so uniform here. The walls and surroundings are basic and similar, but strong, no doubt.

I found comfort when the air would blow against my face. I looked down and saw students with different elements, mostly water and earth, showing one another their talents. "The second is the learning stage when you are paired with different elements to study the way you work with them."

I nodded to acknowledge her but hide the fact that I was starting to feel nauseated. It wasn't because of the information she was giving me but the fact that we have to be around people the whole time. Having someone within close proximity is enough to tick me off, but someone living with you, that's bigger problem.

"Oh, gosh, I'm going too fast, aren't I?"

I shake my head slightly. "No, keep going."

"Are you sure? We can continue this later, I mean, you did just get here."

"Yes. If I'm gonna stay here, I need to know the system." I exhale a deep breath. I would like to know, its part of who I am. Obtaining and retaining information is a part of me. I'm like an owl, very observant and intellectually inclined.

"Okay, the third and final stage is acquiescence." She stopped and pointed to a wide, dull building across the way. I squinted my eyes to get a better look. It was isolated. "You are paired with your complete and polar opposite. That building across the way houses phase three companions together - it's composed of all elements. It's built to withstand conflict."

"Sounds like marriage," I muttered, not intending to make a joke out of it.

She giggled as she turned to me. "It kinda is...you are paired with the opposite sex. You learn to live and work together, like a couple."

My cheeks flared as she said that and for some odd reason that sparked a light within me. Who will I be paired with? I pursed my lips and looked away. That's not what I should be thinking of right now, I should be thinking of how to survive the duration of my stay here.

"Right," I said. Squeezing my fists to a close, I faced the short girl and gave her a feeble smile. "Are there others like me, here?"

She hesitates for a brief second. "No, you're the only one..."