I swear today will finally be the day I die of heat exhaustion.

"I hate summer," I mumble to myself, wiping the sticky sweat off my brow for the 50 billionth time.

Yes, summertime is beautiful; I love the breeze through the trees, the chatter of birds, the blue water sparkling in the sun—but I'm so fucking over this relentless heat.

Granted, it's the only time of year it's semi-acceptable to wear the least amount of clothing possible, so at least I don't stand out for now. Actually, if it was acceptable to walk around campus in the nude, I'd strip down in a heartbeat. Maybe I should consider joining a nudist colony... But alas, I'll suffer in silent, sweaty hell like I've done everyday for the last 20 years. How long until winter? Six months? Shit.

Of course I have to walk clear across campus to get from my last class to the cafe where I'm working for the summer.

On the bright side, at least the walk itself is nice. With summer classes just starting the campus isn't as busy as it is the rest of the year, but there are still plenty of students in this area.

Amity University is somewhat spread out and diverse. The largest section is composed of modern, sleek, and state of the art science buildings. The art sector is bold with impressive murals covering every curved and abstract wall. The business square stands strong in brick and mortar, stable among an ever-changing world.

Currently, I stand in the dead center of campus surrounded by towering stone structures. Full of old world charm, The six Learning Halls are the heart of the university. Each Hall is dedicated to one of the six disciples: Aero, Geo, Hydro, Pyro, Photo, and Neuro. The weavers of each disciple are scattered around me, some hurrying into a Hall for class, others meandering down the path like myself. Many are clustered on the lawn, practicing their abilities, studying or just relaxing between classes.

I watch a group of students as they try out some new abilities. One girl is floating leaves on a pillow of air, it looks like another is training a squirrel? ...I think?

Next to them, two weavers are working together to create a rainbow: the hydroweaver sends out a spray of water droplets, while the photoweaver bends light through it.

One of my favorite qualities about our school is how the students and faculty of each disciple mingle and hang out together. Outside of the university is a different story, but here, we pride ourselves on working together, not creating invisible lines between us.

At least that's how most of the school is. Of course there's the few sour skittles in the bunch.

Someone rams into my shoulder with their own and I reel back, only half processing it when their books scatter onto the sidewalk like a deck of cards.

"Shit, sorry! I wasn't looking!" he blurts, scrambling to grab his stuff.

My heart pounds in my ears. Did his shoulder hit mine? No, my sleeves cover my shoulder. I'm running pretty hot today, but am I hot enough that I would've burned him? I'm not sure... should I ask if I hurt him? Maybe that would make it wor—

"Sorry about that! See ya!"

He resumes his jog away from me, head still buried in his phone. No wonder he ran into me.

At least he's fine, I reassure myself. Close call though...

I resume my own walk towards the cafe, wiping the beading sweat away once again.

Great. I'll probably have to use my fire weaving today at the cafe too since I'm training. Wren is definitely going to owe me big after talking me into working there with her. "It will be fun," she started. "We could use you're fancy fire hands on the hot bar," she complimented. "Please! We really, really need more help for the summer," she finally begged.

She's lucky I need a job—I'm about to be one toasty hotdog.

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The Daily Grind is located on a popular street just on the outskirts of campus, so it can get crowded in the mornings but the weekday afternoons are perfectly mellow and a great place to study or sit with friends.

My best friend, Wren, and I discovered this place at the end of our freshman year and it's been a favorite of ours since then. So much so that she got a job here the first chance she got and had been here almost a year now. Which is great for her because she loves it, and it's great for me because it's given me an excuse to visit and get a free drink here and there.

I put off getting a job as long as I could, but my broke ass finally needed one so working here wasn't that hard of a choice. It's not the job itself I was hesitant about, but I hate using my pyroweaving in public... the more I use it, the hotter I get both internal and external. The last thing I need is another incident.

First day jitters clouded my thoughts and movements as I had arrived at the cafe, but quickly fell away after Wren greeted me and began explaining everything. Although it was new to be behind the counter instead of in front of it, the familiar surroundings helped ground me.

Rich, dark notes of coffee permeate my nose, somehow invigorating and relaxing all at once. A worn-in, brown leather couch sits snug against the wall of the cafe, it's accompanying coffee table marked with dark rings—evidence of the many drinks it's held. Wooden high-top tables with sleek metal stools hold laptops, books and the patrons who brought them, some of which talk or laugh together while others sit in calm solitude.

Above the hum of voices and clacking keys, the occasional grind of coffee beans accompanies the hiss of frothing milk, creating a backdrop of white-noise.

"Aiden be careful, your scalding the milk!" Wren reprimands.

Sure enough, the milk pitcher in my hands is steaming and a sour smell pierces my nose.

I pull the pitcher off the steam wand and dump the wasted milk in the sink. "Shit, sorry... again."

"It's fine," she laughs, her large earrings swaying with the motion. "It takes awhile to figure out when it's at the right temperature, it's easy to under or overdo it... especially for you since your hands are helping to heat it, you'll just have to practice. Soon enough, you'll be a pro!"

The bell above the front door dings and Wren hands me another pitcher as the customer walks up.

"Here, I'll take their order, and you can try another one."

"Sounds good, go work your charm, I'll try not to burn this one." I give her a salty grin and fill the pitcher with milk, putting it under the steam wand to foam while helping to heat it in my palm.

I need to learn the register as well, so I watch Wren as she helps the customer. With short, shaved hair, there's nothing to obstruct the view of her stormy grey eyes, marking her as a neuroweaver. Rich ebony skin serves as a contrasting background to her brightly colored lips, earrings and outfit, which compliments her also colorful personality.

"Hey Parker, how are you today? Would you like my usual special?" she asks.

They exchange a few words while I pull the steamed milk off and pour it over an espresso shot to finish off a latte. No fancy latte art yet like Wren does, but it still looks delicious and I think I nailed the temperature this time.

I glance back up in time to see Wren assessing the customer, Parker. She squints her eyes slightly, but I catch the slight color change of her irises. "Hmm... You're anxious and in hurry, but excited about something— Oooh you got an interview or a hot date or something today?? A caramel iced coffee it is! A caffeine boost and a hint of sweet to keep you going, but simple enough to help lower your stress and not overcomplicate anything!"

"Sounds perfect, as always," he responds. "Thanks again!"

Wren instructs me how to make it, but it's a simple enough process that I'm able to finish it up on my own so she can help the next person in line. She assess them as well, and declares they need a cozy cafe mocha!

We have a moment of free time after that and she walks over to jab an elbow in my side. "Aideebear, what did you think of Parker? He's super nice, and he's got a great ass—"

"Ok one: ow, you've got sharp elbows. And two: stop trying to set me up. But yes, he did have a nice ass."

Her bright red lips pout in defiance. "Fine, wimp. Just being a good friend. You need a good lay, or I can do some crystal healing on you, but someone's been moody recently with this hot weather." She waggles a finger at me. "Don't think you can hide it, your emotions read like an open book to me. Plus, we've known each other long enough I can read you, regardless of my weaving. I love you, but you're killin my vibes, man."

I put my hands up in surrender. "I will try not to 'kill your vibes', but you know I'm like this every summer. I'd like to see how you'd react when you're literally burning from the inside out. I love you too, but I don't need your crystals unless they're made of ice."

"Well I suppose you could still go with my original plan of getting layed th—"

I shush her, just as someone else walks up to the counter.

We continue on for another half hour or so like that, Wren rings up the customers and helps me make some drinks, and I was starting to get the hang of it until we got a bunch of hot drinks back to back.

I was fine at first, but after a few drinks I started sweating, a few more and I was burning up. It was already a hot day outside and the cafe was a bit on the warm side, but now on top of that I've been using my pyroweaving to heat milk and water; the combination of it all just snuck up on me. My head is muggy, vision starting to blur, movements sluggish.

Wren touches my shoulder and I jerk away. "Aiden. Hey, I was calling your name. You're scaring me. Dude, go sit down and cool off. We don't need you burning out on your first day."

"Yeah, thanks... sorry, it just hit me all the sudden, I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"Take your time, I've got this handled. The other newbie should be here soon anyway, so I'll get them oriented while you cool off, ok?"

Other newbie?

Oh! I had completely forgotten, Wren did mention that there was two of us starting today, something about their classes ending after mine so they'd be coming in later. I mean that's cool; The more the merrier. I just wish I didn't have to meet them like this... Maybe I'll go sit in the back until I'm good. Avoiding people is my specialty after all.

I grab a clean rag and wet it with some cold water before finding a seat in the back office, which feels more like a cramped storage closet, especially with my wide shoulders taking up most of the space. Leaning back in the chair, I wipe the sweat from my neck, put the rag on my forehead and close my eyes for a few minutes.

My semi-relaxation is interrupted by Wren calling, "Aiden, are you back here?"

"In the office!"

She pops her head in a second later. "Feeling any better?"

My breathing is still heavy, but my head's not as fuzzy. "A little, did you need help?"

She looks at me, usually grey eyes flashing red, and a quick frown crosses her face before a wide grin returns. All in a quick rush she says, "I know your still hot and bothered, so you're probably not in the mood to meet the new guy, but I need you to trust me because you really need to meet him, you'll thank me later I promise."

Not waiting for my response, she disappears from the doorway and then reappears with someone next to her.

I notice the big, grey, knit sweater that clouds his frame first because it's so out of place this time of year. He has dirty blond hair that he attempted to put in a bun, but a few wavy pieces float free around his face to frame high cheekbones. Curious eyes travel up and down, taking in my current position. Blue eyes—so he's a hydroweaver, but his are much lighter than most, and friendlier than the color would usually be associated. His initial, tentative smile widens as Wren introduces us.

"Aiden, our resident pyroweaver, I'd like you to meet Kalum. Kalum here is a hydroweaver with an ice affinity." She stresses the word, obviously trying to tell me something. What, exactly, I'm not sure.

Kalum hold his hand out. "You can just call me Kal."

I look at his hand and then back up to him with a reassuring smile. "It's nice to meet you Kal, sorry I don't do handshakes though. I don't want to burn you. Perks of playing with fire."

He laughs lightly but keeps his hand outstretched. "Trust me, you won't burn me. It's nearly impossible, and I could use a bit more warmth in my life."

Wren is grinning ear to ear, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Aiden. Shake. The Man's. Hand. Do it, trust me."

The hell is she on about? She knows I don't shake hands... but I do trust her... and they both seem so confident. Fuck it, it's their own fault.

"Oookay, if you insist."

"C'mon hotstuff, show me whatchu got." He grins.

I reach out slowly, giving him a chance to pull back. When he doesn't, I hold his gaze and grasp his hand.

Frosty lightning licks my palm. Sweet, sweet refreshing cold.

Not hot.

Cold.

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〈 Character aesthetics are made by me, face claims made using artbreeder. Please don't steal.〉

[A/N]

Thanks for tuning in!

First, I want to dedicate this chapter to sarcasticoffeelover5  for their amazing help and taking the time help new and undiscovered authors like myself! Please take the time to check out their books if you can (ˆ▿ˆc)

Second, yo! Aiden's kind of a pessimist, huh. To be fair, it would be pretty sucky to be constantly overheated. Any first impressions of Kal and Wren though?