CHAPTER TWO: FRIENDSHIP

Flame Speed treaded slowly down the pathway, eyes glued to his shoes, his aunt’s words echoing through his mind repeatedly. 

“Make some friends. It’s not that hard.” 

His aunt had scolded him about his reserved attitude at school and told him to make new friends. 

He drew a long breath and turned his gaze to the sky. 

He’d always had a hard time socialising – unlike his cousin, Blaze. 

Blaze Speed was one of the most popular girls in their school; constantly making new friends and setting new trends. 

He breathed out a chuckle. Funny how the loudest and most extroverted girl in school grew up with two of the quietest boys; him and Tim. 

He knitted his brows thoughtfully. 
When Blaze burst into his room with the news of the Garnet Fire, they’d read through the paper together, but– 
Something didn’t seem right. 

He crossed his arms and breathed in slowly. 
The Garnet mansion was a fortress – just like the Speeds’. 
Guards at every entrance. Cameras in every corner. 
It was impossible to break in – and harder to break out. 
How could it just burn down? 
By accident? 

He rubbed his temples. 
Something wasn’t adding up... 

Suddenly, a dog barked. The sound was getting closer when– 
A golden retriever puppy pounced on him, knocking him backwards onto the ground. 

It continued barking happily, placing its front paws on his chest and licking his face triumphantly as he struggled beneath it. 

“Prince! I told you to stop running away!” A girl’s voice called. 

She ran up to them and bent down, her face beaming. 
“I’m sorry about my dog, he can be a little mischievous.” 

Flame shut his eyes briefly, recoiling slightly as confusion clouded his thoughts, taking his mind miles away from the Garnet fire and to the girl before him. 

Her eyes were like calm, cerulean pools, barely concealing the unrelenting storm of fire behind them. Her skin shone like glass under the merciless rays of the sun and her strawberry lips were curved into a radiant smile. Her dark hair fell to her shoulders, its scarlet tips glowing faintly like embers. 

He was brought back to reality when Prince yapped excitedly, trotting over and nuzzling into her neck. 

“Prince!” She giggled. “That tickles!” 

She turned her gaze back to Flame, stretching out a welcoming hand and tipping her head slightly. 
“My name’s Scarlet – Scarlet Garnet. I’m one of the six kids the Garnets adopted!” 

He blinked. Scarlet... one of the– 
Oh. 

He nervously returned her smile. 
“I’m As– uhm... you can call me Flame.” 

Her eyes lit up – the fire beneath them flaring brighter. 

“The mayor’s nephew...” he added slowly, wondering if it would make a difference. 

“It’s so nice to meet you Flame!” 

He reluctantly took her hand as she pulled them both to their feet. He patted down his shirt and jeans, glancing down at Prince, who was looking up at Scarlet and barking happily. 
“Your dog’s pretty cute.” 

“He is.” She crossed her arms and glared at the puppy. “But he can be annoying.” 

Prince continued to yap, blatantly unaware of his owner’s annoyance. 

Flame chuckled, observing Prince’s energetic behaviour. 
“I’m sure he means well.” 

She let out a soft breath, shaking her head playfully. 
“I suppose you’re right.” 

She peered at Flame, studying his expression as he watched Prince run circles around her feet. Why was he so anxious? 

He looked up at her. 
“Well, it was nice to meet you Scar–” 

He paused. 
Their eyes locked – and for a moment, neither of them moved. 

They continued to gaze at each other when– 

“Scarlet!” 
James called as he ran over to them, clutching onto a leash. 

Flame’s eyes widened as his cheeks turned red. 
“Sorry...” he whispered, his eyes darting to his feet. 

“Don’t be sorry Flame–” 
But then James reached them. 

He kneeled, attaching the leash to Prince’s collar. 
“It’s time to go home, Scar.” 

“But–” Scarlet pleaded. 

“Scarlet.” 
His tone sharpened as he observed Flame, who was avoiding eye contact. 
“Now.” 

He grabbed his little sister’s arm, dragging her away as she called, “I’ll see you later Flame!” 

“See you...” Flame muttered, unsure if she heard him or not, as he turned around. “I should probably go home...” 

Just then, something caught his eye. 
Giovanni Green. 

He sat alone on one of the park benches, wearing his hood up and his headphones in, staring off into space. He was one of Flame’s classmates – another quiet kid in school who sat at the back of the class. 

Flame's lips curved into the ghost of a smile as he echoed his aunt's words. 
“Make some friends...” 
Maybe it’d be worth it. 

*** 

James let go of Prince’s leash, letting the puppy to race towards other siblings as they walked up the driveway, pulling Scarlet aside. 
“Who was that?” 

Scarlet batted her eyes innocently. 
“Who?” 

“That boy you were talking to.” 

“Oh!” Scarlet giggled. “Flame!” 

James narrowed his eyes. 
“Who names their son Flame?” 

“Seriously?” Scarlet groaned, glancing up with exasperation. “Our parents named us after their favourite rocks.” 

“You know what I mean!” James muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Who was he?” 

Scarlet curled her lips smugly. 
“Flame Speed. He told me he’s the mayor’s nephew.” 

James' jaw tightened. 
“Why were you talking to the mayor’s nephew?” 

Scarlet looked away, her voice growing quieter. 
“I wanted to make new friends.” 

“So, you picked him?” James hissed. 

“I didn’t know he was the mayor’s nephew...” Scarlet whispered softly. “I just wanted a friend.” 

James sighed, guilt taking over. 
“Come on.” 

He led her to the Gemstones and motioned them to go inside the house. 

As he watched his younger sisters hike up the driveway and make their way indoors, he turned to Cherry. 
“Scarlet wants friends.” 

“Okay?” Cherry folded her arms over her chest, arching an eyebrow. “What do you want me to do?” 

James bit his lip. 
“Maybe we could talk to Silver and Tim and get some recommendations?” 

She scoffed. 
“I thought you wanted us to leave them alone. Why the sudden change of heart?” 

He glanced sideways and mumbled incoherently. 

“What did you say?” 

James rolled his eyes, inhaling sharply. 
“She was talking to a boy, Cherry. I don’t want her to talk to boys.” 

Cherry stared at her brother for a moment, then burst out laughing. 
“Oh my – oh God!” 

He flashed her an unimpressed stare. 
“What now?” 

Cherry wiped a tear from her eyes as she clutched her stomach, trying to catch her breath. 
“You expect our little sisters – the twelve-year-olds that are just discovering the world – to avoid guys?” 

“It’s improper...” he grumbled. 

“That’s what you’re concerned about?” Cherry stared at her brother in disbelief. “They’re not princesses anymore, James – you said so. They’ll want friends, they’ll have crushes, they’ll talk to boys. This is their chance to finally be normal kids!” 

She closed her eyes. 
“Let them have this, James – the life we never got. The life Rose will never get...” 

*** 

Gio fixed his gaze to the floor, fiddling with his fingers – struggling to make the memories go away. 

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over him. 
“Hey...” a voice greeted him. 

His glanced up. Flame Speed? 

“Hey...” he mumbled. “What’s up?” 

Flame gestured to the empty space next to Gio. 
“This seat taken?” 

Gio smiled half-heartedly. 
“Not really.”