I had to get out of there, I had noother choice. Even if I fainted, at least maybe I could get to shore first. Itwould have been better than drowning in the middle of the cold shallow streamwith an audience whom I doubted would even come to my rescue.

 I slammed my hands in the water, to push myself out of the slow current,but that, unfortunately, turned out to be a big mistake. As soon as my palmstouched the cool water, energy erupted out of them and what I created wasbeyond bad.

A giant tidal wave, of what seemedto be the entire river engulfed the shore. I watched in terror as all of myclassmates and Mr. Lawly were suddenly and unexplainably covered head to toe ina torrential downpour.  Well, at least noone was laughing anymore.

In fact, no one said anything, theyall just stared at me….dripping wet. Fish lined the shore, but most of thestudents continued to hold onto their poles, completely shocked. Seraphina gaveme a death stare, even Lilly looked less than happy.

I stood up as the riverbed began tofill again and walked straight through the crowd of people. No one saidanything or even attempted to stop me. I didn’t know what I would have done ifthey did. There was no explanation I could think of that would make sense;there was no explanation I could even give them period. I couldn’t explain whatjust happened myself.

And so with head down, I marchedstraight back through the woods and into my tent. I realized it was just atent, that the only thing separating me from the outside world was a thin layerof canvas, but it would have to do for now.

I ripped off my wet clothes andflung them outside the tent opening. I grabbed my sleeping bag and used it fora towel, regretting the action as soon as I realized it now smelled like riverwater. I finally found some new clothes and threw myself down on myair-mattress.

Eventually I would have to facethem again, but now was not the right time, I was positive of that. My hair wasdrenched, still dripping and smelled like fish. I closed my eyes and breathedin the solitude, even if it only lasted a minute. I might have destroyed whatlittle illusion of sanity I had left, but at least I had expelled theelectricity for now and maybe, just maybe could get a few minutes of rest.

Chapter Thirteen

Eventually everyone dried off. Mr.Lawly made several small fires for all of the students to sit around. He alsogave everyone a dried food packet he had brought along for emergencies. Idoubted he expected he would need them so soon.

Thankfully Mr. Lawly didn’t banishme. He was actually surprisingly nice; he even built Lilly and me our own fireso I wouldn’t have to face the other students yet. I supposed dealing withthirty vengeful high-schoolers was enough punishment for one girl toendure.

Our activity for the afternoon wassupposed to be a long hike through the wilderness. Thanks to me, and the factthat everyone’s shoes needed to dry out, it would only be a short hike throughthe wilderness. Just in time to get back and try to catch our dinner, hopefullytsunami free.

Mr. Lawly called us to our feet andwe formed a wide line. Lilly and I hung back slightly, so we could take ourplaces in the far back. I was not ready to look anyone in the eye yet; Icouldn’t even look Lilly in the eye. She hadn’t asked me any questions about myaccidental tidal wave, and I appreciated her more than ever.

Mr. Lawly started walking in thedirection of the river, before stopping suddenly and turning around. Thestudents in front of us followed his lead, making a semi-circle through camp toadjust our course. My guess was that Mr. Lawly was just not ready to face thewater again. I couldn’t blame him; I didn’t think I was either.

So instead of walking along theriver we took a route in the opposite direction, to the East of how we hiked toour camp this morning. The terrain was rough and uneven. I had to focus on theground to keep my balance. Or at least that was what I told myself I was doing,but really I was not ready to face all of the snickers and glares from my stillangry class-mates.

Our hike followed a winding paththrough a beautiful forest. The trees were thick and the leaves were justbeginning to turn colors for fall. The sound of the creek had silencedcompletely and the only noises we could hear were birds and squirrels or theoccasional insect flying too close. I was lost in my own thoughts when I heardLilly gasp softly. I looked up immediately, not knowing what to expect; maybeSeraphina had organized for me to be taken to the mental institution, or betteryet, burned at the stake.

Instead of physical death, however,it was only physical torture. Kiran and Talbott had stopped walking and wereapparently waiting for us to catch up. I glanced at Lilly to see her porcelaincheeks stained red from blushing. I didn’t understand what she saw in Talbott,but as his cheeks were an equal shade of crimson, I’m guessing he also saw thatsame something in her.

“That was some temper tantrum backthere, Love,” Kiran fell in to step next to me. I was surprised to see Talbottchoose to walk next to Lilly instead of Kiran.

“Back where?” I played ignoranthoping to avoid the conversation and glanced back behind my shoulder. Irealized it was impossible, but a girl could hope.

“I told you Seraphina would notappreciate competition,” Talbott said softly, ignoring my sarcasm and joiningthe conversation.

“I’m not competition. Seraphina canhave him,” I growled, frustrated with Kiran,  he was the reason all of this had happened. Seraphina could have him; Iwas certainly not going to fight over him.

“You’re not competition huh?” Kiranasked softly, letting our arms bump gently together as we walked. “And here Ithought you were madly in love with me,” Kiran whispered over-dramatically, hisperfect accent articulating each syllable. The electricity under my skin flaredfor a moment and I felt a surge of heat rush through my body.

“No, I’m not. Seraphina has nothingto worry about, trust me.”

“Well that just hurts,” Kiranshoved me gently and I realized that he was flirting with me, although I wasdoing everything in my power to disengage him.

“Stop it,” I commanded firmly.“You’re going to get me into more trouble. Just leave me alone so Seraphinawill leave me alone.”

“That’s not very likely on eitheraccount,” Kiran mumbled. “Besides, you’re done for now. I wouldn’t be surprisedif the whole class wasn’t plotting their revenge.”

“Well, you could at least stop,”Talbott looked directly at Kiran, but his tone was hopeless.

“Yes, you could stop,” I repeatedand gave him an irritated glance.

“Yes, I could stop, but then Iwouldn’t have any fun,” Kiran whined defensively. “If I left you alone, who isgoing to blow things up when they get nervous? Or nearly drown thirty people ina poor attempt at vengeance? I can’t count on any of them to do it.” He pointedhis chin towards the group of students walking in front of us.

“Very funny,” I responded dryly.

“Really though, you need to controlyour magic. You are out of control,” Talbott said seriously, although I knew hewas only mocking me.

“If only it was that simple,” Imuttered under my breath.

“Well you could at least try; Ithink the teachers are going to stop believing that it is all accidentalbehavior, especially when you involve them in your anecdotes,” Talbott wasalways the advice-giver, if only he had a solution as well.

“You’re right about that. But Ithink when that happens, when they finally stop believing it’s all on accident,they will finally send me where I belong,” I laughed bitterly.

“Oh yeah? And where is that?” Kiranasked.

“The loony bin,” everyone probablyassumed the worst now anyways; I couldn’t hide the fact that I was crazy anylonger.

“I told you, you’re not crazy,”Kiran put a protective hand on my shoulder, sending both butterflies andelectricity soaring inside of me. After today’s outburst and the strength ofenergy I felt in the river, at least the electricity had become easier tocontrol.