Elements

We were at Orchid Park, hidden behind the hills. We quickly changed out of our suits and began looking. The hill with the headquarters was just a big mound of dirt, and I felt bad we had to destroy it. Not because it once belonged to someone, but because it was a part of the park.

“How would they even be able to hide a trapdoor on a hill?” Michael wondered.

“I’m not sure. Let’s split up,” Carina suggested. “Michael and I will search around the base, and Jade and Leo, you guys look on top of the hill.”

“Alright, let’s go,” Leo said.

We climbed to the top, and carefully looked around. I was trying to use my powers, but I could only feel soil underneath me. I kept walking around, when I stopped feeling a connection. The ground beneath me was hollow. I bent down and ran my hand over the dirt and felt something hard. I brushed away the dirt to reveal a wooden hatch with strange symbols in the shape of four circles lined up. Inside of each circle was an arrow.

“Guys!” I called out. “I think I found it.”

They came running over to me, and I showed them the door.

“It’s some sort of combination,” Michael pointed out. “What do those symbols even mean?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “I’m going to ask Wil--”

“Done!” Carina exclaimed. The hatch was opened.

“How did you…”

“We don’t need to know how to open it when we have powers. Duh,” Carina said.

We climbed down the rusty ladder and were in a dark room, the only light coming from small lanterns on each corner. I saw a person in one corner and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty. We are the protectors of the elements. We are here to save you.”

He was wearing a black hood, which looked awfully familiar. He pulled it back, and I almost fainted.

“Raven?!” we all shouted.

“Yes, I am the king of Mystic Meadows,” he said. “I’ll explain everything once we get out. This room makes it impossible for me to teleport.”

It was hard for me to climb back up the ladder because of how much I was shaking. When we finally made it to the top, we all looked at Raven for answers.

“I can explain,” he said.

“So that’s what the sixth button on our watch is? It’s a raven, right?” Michael discovered.

“This is why Willow wanted us to come back right after we came for you,” Leo said. “Let’s go.”

Raven teleported first, and the four of us formed a circle and held hands. I was grateful it was night so no one would see us. We each connected, and we were back in Mystic Meadows. Willow and Raven were already waiting for us.

I stormed over to Raven and slapped him as hard as I could. Leo and Michael ran and grabbed my arms, holding me back.

“I can’t believe you never told me this! It was bad enough you were hiding your power from me, but this? I’m your sister! You rule a kingdom and you never thought to tell me?!” I paused. “Does this mean you’re MARRIED?!”

“Calm down Jade,” Raven said, rubbing his cheek. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

I tried hitting him again, but Michael and Leo’s grip on me was too strong. “I almost DIED today. I would’ve died without knowing the huge secret my own brother kept from me.” Tears started forming in my eyes.

“Let me explain,” Raven said.

“I don’t even want to hear it.” I turned to Willow. “Take me back home.”

“Not until you know the full story,” she said.

“Take. Me. Back. Home. You can’t keep me hostage here,” I spat.

“Very well then.”

When I got back to Los Angeles, I went straight for my favorite birch tree to clear my head. The branch boosted me up, and I stared into the night sky.

I can’t believe it. I always told him about my powers. He never told me about his. He never told me about the fact he’s the king and that he’s married to someone. He never told me anything.

All of a sudden, I heard the sound of the crisp leaves crunching behind me. I whipped my head around and saw someone standing there. It was too dark to make out their face.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

“Jade?” said a guy’s voice. He flicked a lighter over his face, his features glowing. It was Leo. “Are you alright?”

“If I’m being completely honest, no, I’m not alright.”

He walked over to the hanging down branch. “Give me a hand?”

Leo stood on the branch and I lifted him up, setting him beside me.

“So, about what I said back in the dungeon,” he started, and I felt bad I had forgotten because of everything that was going on.

“You told me you loved me,” I said gently.

“I thought I was going to die and never get the chance to tell you how I felt,” he turned and faced me, placing a soft hand on my cheek, his blue eyes gazing into mine. “Jade, ever since I met you, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. When we were partners in biology, you always made me laugh. You were the only reason I could stay awake.” I giggled. “But then the four of us became friends, and I felt it would be better if we didn’t start dating. I think we both felt that.” I nodded, not wanting to interrupt him. “But now, I can’t stop thinking about you. I want go further in our relationship. I want to hold hands, and kiss, and do everything a couple would do.” He paused. “What do you say?”

I was speechless. I never knew he felt that way. I knew we had a little crush on each other, but I never imagined this kind of confession from him.

“Leo, of course I want to date, but if something were to go wrong, it would ruin our friend group. We can’t do that to Carina and Michael. You know that.”

“So then let’s make a deal,” he said. “We’ll still hang out as the four of us without making them feel uncomfortable, but we also spend some time alone. If something were to somehow go wrong, we have to promise to still be friends and nothing would be awkward.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this Jade. I love you so much, and I want you to be my girlfriend. Please give us a chance.”

I got butterflies when he said us. His eyes were full of hope, and I knew, he was the one I wanted too.

I closed my eyes and kissed him. It was full of passion, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach turn to fireworks. I suddenly forgot about everything that was going on. I forgot about Toxic Shadow and my brother and Mystic Meadows. He was my only priority. Right now, we were the only people in the world, alone together. My heart was exploding, full of the devotion, excitement, and affection I was feeling.

“I love you so much Jade,” he whispered into my ear.

“Shut up and kiss me,” I whispered back, and he obeyed.