Voices drifted from the front of the house as Layne approached the screen door. He caught sight of his dad, who leaned against the staircase, staring across the room. When his father noticed Layne, relief covered his face. Layne opened the screen, ready to greet him just as something barreled toward him.
A frigid blast of air cut through Layne, kicking in his instincts. He thrust his hand up near his face and caught the object whizzing past. Much like the air he felt, the object cooled his skin. Its iciness bit harder, but he generated enough heat to form a flame in his palm. Then the object in his hand liquefied.
As the water dripped onto his shirt, he glared across the room to the blond chick beside Dylan. She flashed Layne a mischievous grin then blurted, “Oops.”
Dylan snickered. He
