Splinters In Time

As she came into the kitchen on the hunt for breakfast, Lydia spotted the newspaper open on the counter. "What's this?" She asked Lili, who was nearby eating cereal.

"A... newspaper?" Lili said. "The section on local housing?"

"You've got a bunch of the rentals circled."

"Well, since I'm gonna be sticking around for a while, I thought... You know, I could get my own place."

Lydia wrinkled her nose. "Why? You can just stay here with us."

"For a while. But, you know... With four people in the house, eventually it might be nice for everyone to have some more space."

"You want space from us, you mean."

"Lydia, that is not what I said."

Lydia just huffed, switching on the coffee machine.

Lili took a long draught of her tea. "So, do you still feel up for training today?"

Immediately Lydia perked up. "Yes, yes, yes!"

They regrouped in the den — Lydia was surprised it wasn't outside again, but was sure Lili had her reasons. A large space had been cleared on the floor, with a single candle sitting in the centre. After getting Lydia to sit crossed-legged on the wood laminate, Lili pulled out some matches and lit the candle.

"Don't you want me to do that?" Lydia asked.

"Not this time." Lili shook the match to extinguish it. "I've realised what you really need to know is how to put out fires. So," She sat crossed legged, opposite Lydia. "Look at the candle. Look at the flame. See it. Feel it."

Lydia stared at the flickering candle.

"Imagine yourself as one with the flame. It's as much a part of you as you are of it. Now, I want you to think back to what happened at the school — not to when it went wrong and everything caught on fire, but after that, when you calmed and managed to put out the flames."

"You did that."

"But the emotions came from you. And I won't always be around to help you out."

Yeah, because you're leaving.

"I want you to remember that feeling." Lili said, her eyes closed, in almost a meditative state. "Capture it. Use it."

Forcing her mind clear, Lydia focused on the candle, recalling the overwhelming sense of calm that had washed over her that day like an ocean. The fire wavered a little.

"Remember, the fire is yours. An extension of yourself — as much a part of you as your own hand. It will do what you want, just be clear with what you want."

It didn't exactly do what I wanted last time! Unbidden, the memory rose to the surface of fire leaping up the school curtains. Desperately, Lydia wrestled to get it back under control, only to wind up thinking about last time and how she had gotten wound up thinking of Eddie. That of course lead her to thinking of Eddie and their bands, and Battle of the Bands, and school, until it was all this great, overwhelmed loop and she could feel the panic rising in her chest. It's all too much and I can't do this, I can't do this on my own! And you want to leave and I DON'T WANT YOU TO GO!

"I can't do this!" Leaning forward, Lydia angrily blew the candle out, before leaping to her feet and stomping off.

"Lydia?" Concern creasing her brow, Lili followed after her.

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! Or Happy Holidays, if you prefer! I hope you're all having an excellent time.

Definitely think I ended up rushing at the end there. Oh well, hopefully it's okay. Please leave a like and a comment!