Chapter 23 CHAPTER: 023
All fire and ice elementals are called to the School stadium, hundreds of students sitting across from each other.
Asher sits between Rase and a few other fire students, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze flickering briefly across the stadium and landing on him. Xavi. Of course, he stares back, eyes blank and arms crossed over his chest.
It's puzzling how they can find each other's gaze even among hundreds of people, but Asher looks away, ignoring the way his heart clenches.
Asher has already acknowledged the fact that he likes Xavi more than he likes to admit. Rase flirts with him; Rase takes care of him, gives him attention, makes sure he's alright, and always stays by his side, but Asher feels nothing despite the boy's obvious infatuation, but it's different with Xavi.
Xavi makes him feel things he hasn't felt before. He makes Asher want to break the rules and do so much more. The stupid feelings started the very night they felt them. And now, realization finally struck; Asher wants something he knows he can't have.
It sucks. Asher never thought he would like another person, never thought he would like a boy. Even though he's only eighteen, Asher had always thought he would end up alone, abandoned and cold, and live in a world where no one would want him because of his ability, but that perspective changed when he grew used to being in the academy and being with people who are just like him, but he can't have the one he wants.
He exhales a sigh. It's a simple crush that's going to go away as long as he avoids the boy.
“Are you alright?” Rase asks beside him, and Asher nods. He's going to be fine. He can manage a silly crush and hope it fades fast.
“Elementals!” Principal Selene’s voice booms loudly from the speakers, gaining everyone's attention. “You all are called today to remind you, as much as you may find our rules restrictive… they were not created without reason, and last night, we encountered an unfortunate situation between a fire and ice student. Their bodies were found hand in hand."
“Bodies?” Races murmur, sharing the same thoughts with other students as murmurs break out in the stadium.
“Yes, you heard that correctly. Two students were found dead because they came into contact with each other. They were in love and were foolish enough to touch and faced the consequences,” the principal continues.
Asher breath catches in his throat, and his heart races faster. Instantly, his gaze found Xavi across the stadium and found the other boy staring back, but the blank look in his gaze didn't change.
They'd almost touched yesterday. Did that mean they could have died too? Asher might have been heated his whole life, but he has never once been suicidal. Death fears him despite wishing he had never been born. He swallows deeply. They could have died. The words ring loudly in his head as he continues to stare at Xavi.
“The rules are there to protect you because your lives matter. I will not remind you again: fire and ice, when combined physically, are lethal. Do not test the boundaries of this academy or of your own lives. Any fire- and ice elementals who're caught seen together will be punished and expelled from the academy. If you value your life, you will heed this rule and live apart. This is for your own good. You're dismissed. Quickly return to your various classes and training centers.”
While everyone stands to their feet, Asher and Xavi remain unmoving in their seats, their gaze stuck on each other while everyone else leaves.
Asher wonders if Xavi also realizes the gravity of what could have happened if their skin had brushed. Or he does not care about it. Does he still want to be with Asher? Are his feelings even genuine, or is he simply toying with Asher just the way he does with others?
But they both value their lives, right? They both want to stay away.
“Asher,”
Asher immediately breaks away from his trance and looks up at Rase, who has a deep frown on his face
.
"Everyone's gone."
Immediately, Asher realizes he and Rase are the only ones in the large stadium, even Xavi is gone.
“Oh,” he murmurs, finally getting up to his feet and heading towards the exit.
“Are you sure you're okay?” Rase strides beside him, and Asher nods.
He will be okay
~~
Days later, Asher keeps himself busy, taking his classes seriously to improve his fire and combat skills and working at the library. Asher buries himself in routines, yet his mind still wanders.
Asher never thought the blue-haired boy would occupy his mind this much. During lunch, he finds himself staring absentmindedly across the room, half-expecting to see Xavi walking in with his gang, calm, and untouchable as always, just to cause chaos like he always does when he's bored, but as the days pass, he always ends up disappointed. He never catches a glance of the ice Elemental.
It makes his stomach twist, and once again, he shakes his head, scolding himself. He’s ice. Asher’s fire. They cannot.
“What do you think, Asher?”
The question jerks Asher from his thoughts as he returns to reality, finding himself seated among the little group of fire elementals he was paired up with for a task assigned by their instructor.
They look at him expectantly, waiting for him to answer their questions, but Asher only stares back confusedly.
“I'm sorry, I wasn't listening,” he immediately apologizes, and groans break out in the group of five. He could offer a smile, but the muscles around his jaw are dead.
“We're having a little basketball match with earth elementals, and we're wondering if you want to play,” the question is repeated.
“I don't know how to play,” Asher answers genuinely.
“It's fine. The match is taking place in three weeks, so we can teach you as long as you're interested. Who knows, you might become better than the great Xavi himself.”
Xavi. The name echoes. Asher doesn't think his skills in basketball can beat anyone, even if he plays for a thousand years, but there's nothing wrong with learning something new. After all, the academy is his new home; he'd better get himself acquitted.
“Okay.” Comes his reply, and they cheer.