PYROKINESIS

Flames Beneath the Spotlight

The next morning at school, the atmosphere at Madeline’s table was tense.

Madeline sat in the center of her group like a queen on a throne, her arms folded while her friends whispered and giggled. One of the girls tried to hold back a laugh but failed.

“I still can’t believe you shoved your head into your locker yesterday… in front of everyone,” she said, covering her mouth.

Madeline’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Shut up.”

The table went silent instantly. The girls straightened in their seats.

“Don’t you dare make fun of me,” Madeline hissed. “Not if you still want to sit here.”

“We’re sorry,” one of them said quickly.

Another girl leaned forward nervously. “But… people are talking. They said if you keep doing things like that, you won’t stay the hottest queen in school.”

Madeline’s jaw tightened. Her nails dug into the table.

“That little nobody did something to me,” she muttered. “And I’m going to make her regret it.”

Then another girl added, “And guess what? Nathaniel was talking to her yesterday. Like… really talking. He even invited her to the party.”

Madeline’s eyes widened with fury.

“That is not going to happen,” she said coldly. “Nathaniel is mine.”

---

Meanwhile, Pyra and Lena walked together down the hallway after school.

The excitement of the party buzzed around the school like electricity. Everyone was talking about it.

That night, Pyra climbed quietly out of her bedroom window. She knew if she asked Ken and Louise for permission to go to a party, the answer would be a definite no.

So she snuck out.

When she arrived, the party was already exploding with music and laughter.

Pyra wore a stunning red silk gown that shimmered under the lights. Lena wore a fashionable blue dress that made her look like she belonged on a runway.

Inside, students danced, laughed, and shouted over the music.

Suddenly the doors opened again.

Madeline and her girls entered like celebrities walking a red carpet. Their heels clicked loudly against the floor as boys turned their heads.

“Wow…” someone whispered.

“Madeline looks amazing.”

Madeline smiled proudly as the attention followed her.

But only for a moment.

Because minutes later, the doors opened again.

Pyra and Lena stepped in.

Suddenly, heads turned again.

The attention shifted.

Madeline’s smile faded.

She walked straight toward Pyra.

“Oh,” she said loudly, pretending to sound surprised. “You like parties too? I thought you were more of a stay-at-home girl.”

Her friends laughed.

“You better not stay late,” Madeline continued mockingly. “Your mommy might scold you.”

More laughter.

Pyra tilted her head slightly.

“Well,” Pyra replied calmly, “that’s coming from someone who needs an entire audience just to feel important.”

Madeline froze.

Even her friends had nothing to say.

Behind Pyra, Lena whispered, “Whoa.”

Madeline rolled her eyes.

“Whatever.”

She flipped her hair and walked away with her girls.

---

Later on the dance floor, Madeline wrapped her arms around Nathaniel and began dancing with him.

Across the hall, Pyra didn’t notice.

She and Lena were laughing near a quiet corner.

Then Lena suddenly grew serious.

“Pyra,” she said slowly. “I know what you are.”

Pyra blinked.

“What are you talking about?”

Lena reached into her bag and pulled out an old book.

“This,” she said, handing it to her.

Pyra looked down at the title.

Ember Kingdom.

“You’re the Fire Princess,” Lena said softly. “Princess Pyra.”

Pyra’s heart skipped.

“That’s ridiculous,” she whispered.

But Lena suddenly dropped into a dramatic bow.

“Your Highness.”

Pyra quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed.

“Stop!” she whispered urgently. “What are you doing?!”

“I won’t stop until you admit it.”

Pyra sighed heavily and glanced at the crowd again.

“Okay, fine,” she whispered quickly. “Yes. I’m the princess. Now please stop before people stare.”

Lena stood up immediately with a huge grin.

“I can’t believe I’m best friends with the princess of the Emberlyn Kingdom.”

“Yeah,” Pyra muttered. “Me neither.”

“Come on,” Lena said excitedly. “Let’s dance, princess.”

“Don’t call me that,” Pyra warned.

“Okay, okay. Pyra.”

They ran to the dance floor laughing.

---

After dancing for a while, Pyra remembered something.

“Nathaniel invited me here,” she said. “I should probably say hi.”

Lena nodded. “Fine. I’m going to find a guy I spotted earlier anyway.”

Pyra searched the room.

Finally she found Nathaniel standing with his friends.

But her steps slowed.

Standing beside him…

Was Madeline.

Madeline leaned close to him possessively.

Nathaniel noticed Pyra immediately.

“Pyra—”

But Madeline cut in.

“Oh please,” she said smugly, sliding closer to him. “You thought he’d pick you? Girl… you’re not even close to his level.”

Pyra stared quietly.

Nathaniel looked uncomfortable but didn’t speak.

Pyra straightened her shoulders.

“Well,” she said calmly, “Nathaniel, I enjoyed the party. Thanks for inviting me.”

She paused.

“And next time you bring your girlfriend… make sure she comes with a muzzle.”

She smiled slightly.

“That would be proper.”

Then she walked away.

Nathaniel stared after her.

One of his friends whistled.

“Man… we like her.”

Nathaniel suddenly pushed Madeline away.

“This was your plan?” he snapped.

Madeline tried to grab his arm, but he shook her off and stormed out.

Madeline stood there in shock.

---

Outside, Pyra found Lena talking with a boy.

“Lincoln James,” he introduced himself with a polite smile.

Lena noticed Pyra and quickly excused herself.

“Hey,” she said softly. “What happened?”

Pyra told her everything.

“This is why I didn’t want to like anyone,” Pyra sighed.

Lena raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? So now you do have feelings?”

Pyra gave her a look.

Lena laughed.

“You know what? Forget Nathaniel and his popularity. I know someone better.”

She grabbed Pyra’s hand and led her back inside.

“There he is.”

A tall boy stood near the dance floor.

“Pyra,” Lena said proudly, “meet Derek Trey.”

Derek smiled warmly.

“May I have this dance?”

Pyra hesitated… then nodded.

“Yes.”

They stepped onto the dance floor as the music slowed.

Nearby, Lena joined Lincoln James, and they began dancing too.

Under the glowing lights, laughter, music, and hidden destinies swirled together.

And somewhere deep inside Pyra…

The flames of the Ember Kingdom were beginning to wake.