Chapter Text
June, 2000-
With both of my shoes in my hands, I stepped into the rushing water. Abe Sapien was already splashing around near the middle; too deep for me to go in my clothes. Wearing a blue skirt with a pink t-shirt, I was able to go up to about my knee caps. But for the most part, I just dipped my feet in and out playfully. Ah, a grand smile bloomed across my lips as I drew in a long breath. This was glorious; the cool water with the warm sun. Definitely worth the wait in my humble opinion.
“Not too deep, Lizzy!” My eyes reopened as I gazed over my shoulder to Professor Bruttenholm. He was sitting on the riverbank with Red, who was currently fiddling with some blades of grass in his left hand. I waved back to let him know I heard him; I don’t think he was expecting me to be as obedient as I was, particularly as something with pyrokinetic abilities. But my powers only activated now when I got really mad or scared for someone else’s life. This didn’t happen often; not since the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense legally adopted me. I was still able to visit my parents every weekend, so I didn’t mind living at the facility so much. Only……
To be honest, I don’t think Red liked me very much. Me and Abe got on just fine from the start, and Professor Bruttenholm took very good care of me. Tom Manning called me a liability but ignored me other than that. It’s just…… Red. He didn’t talk to me at all, and if he had to it was usually something insulting. Professor Bruttenholm urged us to become friends, to keep the peace and what not. Wanting to obey the professor like always, I was more than willing to try. Too bad Red didn’t seem to feel the same.
Red wasn’t watching me in particular; too busy plucking up grass blades and flinging them away. With another wave to Professor Bruttenholm, I turned to face Red. Who knows? He might actually like stepping into the water if he gave it a chance. “Hey HB!” I called out in my loudest yet sweetest girly voice. With a slight scoff, he moved his head like he forced himself to look over at me. He clearly wasn’t impressed- and before I had a chance to ask, I might add. “Come into the water! It’s so nice!” I could practically feel his eyeroll from where I was standing. “Pass.” “Awe, come on! Please! It’d be more fun with you!” “I don’t do cold anything,” he spat back, adding another unimpressed glare for emphasis.
“Now, Red. Why don’t you go play with Lizzy? It’ll be fun,” Professor Bruttenholm gave his right shoulder a light shove. “I doubt that,” Red muttered under his breath; although I couldn’t hear it, I could tell what he said. A sigh fell from my lips when the professor sent me a shrug. Well, I think it’s official: Red hates me. Turning back to see Abe, my mouth shut and my eyes lowered softly. I didn’t know how to feel in that moment; I guess a piece of me wanted, hoped for Red to like me. Or at least learn to like me. But that wasn’t going to happen; he just plain old wanted nothing to do with me, and I doubt that was going to change anytime soon. Letting another sigh fall, I begun humming Moon River to myself as I stepped through the water. Oh well, I’ll get over it eventually. Eventually……..
“I don’t believe in magic”
The young boy said.
The old man smiled.
“You will, when you see her.”
-Atticus