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Melody stood in line watching the other contestants, the guys had been separated from the girls for this event, she looked over at where Terrance stood in line. He kept clenching and un-clenching his hands while scanning the crowd
His clan put a lot of stock in stone and fire for men, this competition would be important to him. She wished she had a way to encourage him, like he had encouraged her.
This competition would not be as bad as the air competition, she talked to a friend the night before who finished the stone competition and told her the competition was done in a group setting. They would all compete against experienced stone users, but they would be on the field at the same time.
The pendants were stronger containers than the ones they used for air magic, filled to the brim with stone magic. Her friend’s competition had gone on for two hours before she ran out of stone magic, there were some who’s amulets lasted even longer.
She stood a ways apart from the rest of the girls, not so far She couldn’t help but compare herself to the other girls. Conversation was not easy for her and she had no interest in most of the things they talked about.
She resisted the urge to pace, any action on her part risked being seen. She hated this fear, she worked hard to overcome her fear, but just standing here in the midst of a crowd was overwhelming.
She glanced over at Terrance again, she wished she was allowed to go and stand by him. He didn’t judge her like the other teens did, he was not oblivious to her fears, but he didn’t let them color his impression of her. Having someone she was comfortable with was a new experience .
She shook herself from that line of thinking, she needed to prepare for the competition, . She took deep steadying breaths, visualizing her fear, a large black hole where her heart should be. She exhaled her fear, with every breath she visualized the fear leaving her in a black cloud dissipated in the light of day.
“Hey freak,” someone called from behind her. Joni walked through the crowd with a group of her friends, “how did a pathetic thing like that finished first in the air competition. She must have cheated somehow.”
Melody turned away hoping they would leave her alone.
“How did you do win, did you bring your own amulet? Did your parents buy you a link? I bet you have an air cat hidden nearby, that how you were able to access that amulet.”
Melody continued to ignore Joni’s jibes.
“I’m talking to you! Turn around and listen when your betters are speaking.”
A rough pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. Nothing but rage flickered in Joni’s eyes as she closed the distance between her and Melody.
“You made me look like a fool!” Joni whispered as she punched Melody hard in the gut. Melody fought to keep from gasping in pain. She stood back up bristling with defiance, she wasn’t going to run from this bully. She tried to avoid thinking about the attention this must be drawing. Just the thought made her want to curl up and hide.
Squaring her shoulders, she stared back up into Joni’s murderous eyes, “I have no link, and I did nothing to your amulet. I competed, you competed, I won. I am no freak. If you need to compete with me, compete on the field. Don’t hate me because you failed the first competition.” Joni’s face turned murderous at her words.
“Ill beat you wherever, whenever I feel like it. Here, on the field, at your house. Watch your back, I’ll be waiting.”
With that Joni turned away and marched off. Joni’s friends glared at Melody before following Joni back into the crowd.
Cadence 