The bell rang _DONG_

The hallway erupted into a cacophony of slamming lockers, chatter, and laughter. I, Ethan Blackwood, leaned against my desk, grinning at my friend, Owen and kai.

Ethan Blackwood

"Did you see the math test?" Liam whispered, stuffing books into his bag.

I chuckled. "Missed it. Skipped class, remember?"

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Dude, you're gonna fail."

I shrugged. "Worth it."

The classroom door swung open, and the noise from the hallway spilled in. My gaze drifted... to her.

My eyes locked onto Eva's as she sauntered into the classroom, her smile like a spotlight on me. I felt my face heat up as I awkwardly turned back to my friends

Ava silkeham

"...because I have B, that's why I skipped class," I muttered, trying to deflect.

Owen snorted. "Dude, it's because you have a girlfriend, not because you're smart."

Kai chuckled. "Guys, it's not my fault you don't have girlfriends."

The guys burst out laughing, and I shook my head, grinning.

Owen clapped me on the back. "Seriously though, how's things with Eva? You guys doing okay?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "We're good. We're... yeah."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Just 'we're good'? That's it?"

I laughed. "Guys, don't push it. We're happy, okay?"

Owen piped up, "We're asking in a funny way, like, are you guys still in 'first base'? Like, which base are you guys on?"

Kai chuckled. "Yeah, or are you guys stuck in the 'no base' zone?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Guys, we're not even on a field, okay?"

The guys erupted into laughter.

Owen wiped tears from his eyes. "So, what were you guys doing when you weren't in class? Skipping out on us for more... 'study sessions'?"

I grinned. "Something like that."

Owen and Kai burst out laughing, holding their stomachs.

"Dude, we knew it!" Owen exclaimed, wiping tears from his eyes. "There's no way you guys are in a relationship and not... you know."

Kai chimed in, "Yeah, we're not naive, Ethan. We know what's going on."

I shook my head, laughing. "Guys, shut up. We're just taking things slow, okay?"

Owen raised an eyebrow. "Slow? You've been dating for months, dude. You're like the slowest couple in history."

Kai snorted. "Or the most romantic."

The guys kept teasing, and I couldn't help but laugh along.

Ethan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the school bell, signaling the end of the day. He gathered his stuff and headed to the bus stop, lost in thought about the upcoming exams.

As he boarded the bus, he found an empty seat and collapsed into it. The bus pulled away from the stop, and a few minutes later, it stopped again to pick up more passengers. The bus grew crowded, and Ethan started feeling a strange, overwhelming heat building inside him. It was like a fire burning through his veins, suffocating him. He couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop the bus!" he shouted, pushing past people to get out.

He ran home, not stopping until he burst through the front door. Ignoring his parents' and sister's voices, he sprinted to his room, grabbed his towel, and ran a bath. He filled the tub with cold water and plunged in, submerging himself completely.

The icy water was a shock, but it slowly calmed the fire inside him. He stayed under until he felt cold and calm, then surfaced, gasping.

As he changed into dry clothes, he heard a strange noise coming from his sister Sydney's room. Curious, he pushed open the door...

Sydney was floating in mid-air, surrounded by a whirlwind of flying objects. His parents and younger sister, Every, stood frozen in shock.

Sydney Blackwood

"Oh my God, this is not happening," his mother whispered.

His father, Marcus, ushered the younger kids downstairs. "Kids, go downstairs. I can handle this."

Ethan's mind reeled as his family scrambled to make sense of the scene. His mother, Victoria, told Marcus to be careful, and they all retreated downstairs.

Later, they sat down in the living room, Marcus and Victoria facing Ethan and Every. Marcus took a deep breath.

"There's something you guys have to know... something we've been keeping from you." He glanced at Victoria. "I think it's time to tell you guys."

Marcus, the father, sits down with Ethan and Sydney. "There's something we need to tell you kids. The truth about our family."

Victoria, the mother, adds, "We've been keeping this from you, but it's time you knew. Your ancestors, one of them was part of the Founders. Three of them, chosen ones with advanced powers. They led and protected the Villagers."

Marcus takes over, "The Founders gained their powers through a rare celestial event, a convergence of energies that granted them immense power. They protected the Villagers for centuries, keeping them safe from threats. But a few weeks ago, a dark force attacked, and the Founders barely escaped. They realized Riverview is the safest place, so they're coming here."

Victoria says, "The Founders are coming, and they have kids, like us. Sydney, you've shown water powers, but Ethan's power is still unknown. We didn't want to tell you guys, but..."

Ethan asks, "When are they coming?"

Marcus replies, "Tomorrow or the next day. We'll negotiate what to do next. We'll stay in Riverview, but need a bigger place where everybody can gather, be safe, and protect each other."

Sydney's worried. "What about my college admission?"

Victoria's sympathetic. "Sweetie, you can't apply abroad yet. You need to learn to control your power first."

Ethan asks, "So we're moving, but staying in Riverview?"

Marcus nods. "Yeah, just need a bigger place. The Founders' kids will be joining us, we'll all be safer together."

Ethan: "Dad, does this mean you don't get to live a normal life?"

Marcus: "No, kiddo. You still get to live it, but you've gotta be cautious. Control your emotions, watch what you say and do. We don't want to expose ourselves. We'll protect the Founders and each other, and look for a way..."

Ethan cuts in, "Dad, I felt something weird today."

Marcus and Victoria exchange a look. "What happened?" Marcus asks.

Ethan: "I was on the bus, felt suffocated... like fire in my veins."

Marcus's eyes widen. "Oh my God... you have his power."

Ethan: "Whose power?"

Victoria: "Your grandfather's. Dad's father. He was a great man, died saving us, saving our kind."

Ethan: "What kind of power does he have? Fire, like flames?"

Marcus nods. "Yeah, he was special. Advanced powers. And yeah, fire's involved."

Ethan: "Dad, can I still hang with my friends?"

Marcus: "Depends if they're trustworthy. Back in my days, I had friends, but... I was too much of a danger. Didn't want to hurt 'em, so I left, came to Riverview."

The night ends, everyone sleeps.

The next morning, Ethan wakes up, showers, gets dressed, and thinks about how to feel normal. Sydney's trying to change her college apps. Parents are getting ready for work and eating breakfast. Ethan heads out, waits for the bus at the stop,

Ethan's morning continued:

As he waited for the bus, he checked his phone and saw a text from Owen in their group chat with Kai:

"Why ain't u here yet?"

Ethan typed back: "I'm coming, bis is getting late, traffic crazy tho"

He closed his phone and pocketed it, staring down the road for the bus. As he waited, he felt a weird sensation – like someone was watching him. He looked back, but saw no one. Shrugging it off, he pushed the thought away.

The bus arrived, and Ethan boarded, lost in thought. When he got to school, he found Owen and Kai chatting.

"What's up, guys?" Ethan said, joining them.

Owen's eyes lit up. "So, what's this about powers?"

Ethan hesitated, wondering if they'd think he's crazy. But they listened intently, no judgment.

Owen grinned. "Wow, your sister's got powers?"

Kai chuckled. "Guess she's not just a pretty face 😏"

Owen jumped in, "The heart's getting hotter – not only's she's hot, but she's freaky! Bro, your sister's hot as..."

Ethan rolled his eyes, laughing. "Playboy jokes, Owen."

They all cracked up.

The two cars pulled into the driveway, and the Voss family emerged from the first one. Brian and Sadie Voss stepped out, greeted warmly by Ethan's mom, who rushed over to hug them. Their kids, Keran and Kia, followed – Kia with a bright smile and brown hair, looking beautiful, while Keran had brown hair and seemed a bit reserved, not exactly unhappy but not thrilled to be there either.

kia Voss

Keiran voss

The second car revealed the Ashcrofts: Paul, with striking white hair, and Diane, looking as stunning as ever, like Snow White. Their twins, Alex and Lex, trailed behind, both with white hair and deep blue eyes that seemed to draw you in – like gazing into the ocean. Lex looked hesitant, her expression saying she wasn't feeling the vibes of being there, while Alex seemed unreadable.

Alex Ashcroft

lex Ashcroft

Ethan couldn't help but notice how striking the twins were – Lex beautiful in her own right, and Alex... like he'd just walked out of a fight, his expression intense. The group exchanged warm greetings, then headed inside to talk.

The living room was buzzing with introductions and catching up. Ethan found himself sitting across from Keran and Kia Voss, with Alex and Lex Ashcroft nearby, looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Diane Ashcroft started talking about the reason for their visit, her voice calm and collected.😊

Ethan's mother, Victoria, beamed as she greeted Sadie Voss warmly. "Sadie! Brian! It's been too long!" She hugged Sadie tightly, then turned to the kids, Keran and Kia. "And look at you two! So grown up!"

Sadie smiled back, "Victoria, lovely to see you." Brian Voss nodded in agreement.

Victoria then turned to the Ashcroft's. "Diane, Paul – welcome. We're so glad you're here."

Diane Ashcroft smiled graciously, "Thank you, Victoria. It's lovely to finally meet you all in person." Paul Ashcroft nodded, his blue eyes twinkling.

The group exchanged warm smiles.

Marcus nodded gravely. "I know why we're gathered here – because of what's happened recently. Our priority is keeping our children safe."

Brian Voss spoke up, "Agreed. We've been preparing for this. The Blackwood,Voss and Ashcroft kids will need training to control their powers, especially with... the threats out there."

Paul Ashcroft added, "The new place is more secure, with layers of protection. We'll work together to train the kids – Keran, Kia, Alex, Lex, Ethan, and Sydney. They'll need to learn fast."

Sadie Voss nodded. "We'll start with basics – understanding their powers, learning control. Diane and I will work with the girls, Brian and Paul can take the boys."

Diane Ashcroft smiled. "Sounds like a plan. The sooner they learn, the safer we'll all be."

Ethan's eyes scanned the room, taking in the conversations unfolding around him. He approached the sofa where Sydney and Kia Voss were chatting, laughing with Charcoal –

"Hey," Ethan said, plopping down beside Sydney.

Kia turned to him. "Hey, Ethan. Sydney was just telling us about her favorite books."

Ethan nodded, intrigued. "Which ones?"

Meanwhile, across the room, Keran Voss and Alex Ashcroft exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing – training was gonna be interesting.

Ethan's gaze drifted to Lex, and their eyes met. Lex stared back, her expression unreadable, like she was sizing him up. Ethan felt a shiver – like the bus incident. _Wait, was she the one looking at me?_

But he shook it off. "Mom said they're like an hour away... how's that possible?" he muttered to himself, confused.