The Shifters: Katrina

Music came from within the trees, filling the air of the forest. Chloe, Talia and I walked hand in hand, the tiger reluctantly letting us swing our arms back and forth. We could see a bonfire up ahead, which was probably shifter-made considering it was extremely tall and bright. Silhouettes danced around, voices joining the music. Some of them were singing, others were laughing.

My own layer of warmth kept me at a decent temperature even in a dress during February. Chloe had her jacket, Talia subtly snuggling closer to me because she too refused proper clothing. Eventually I gave in, spreading some of my fire over to her just as we strode through the trees to the bonfire. Earth shifters had used their abilities to clear a decent amount of space, and rocks were spread out like chairs all around. A table someone must've brought was covered with snacks, both from the compound and from outside.

"Katrina!" Someone called, a shorter figure skipping over to us. Dani slammed into me, hugging me as if she meant to squeeze my soul out.

"Hi?"

"You didn't tell us!"

"Tell you what?"

Oh god, did I figure out something super important and not tell anyone?

Too much is going on, you'd think I'm the hero of a cheesy story.

"That February is your birthday! Well, ish!"

I choked, stepping back. "How the hell did you find that out?!"

Dani laughed, pointing over her shoulder. At first glance, the three of us hadn't noticed the six elites hanging out with everyone else, partying just like teenagers.

"Koren said your mom had mentioned it during an interrogation."

But... Why?

Why does she still care?

Does she hate me or not?!

"Wow, Katrina," Talia grumbled, breaking me out of my thoughts, "keeping your birthday from your friends? Party pooper."

"What? I'm not--"

"Birthday girl!"

The four of us looked up to see several shifters in the trees, balancing on branches as they drank and ate, watching the bonfire. Most of them seemed to be drinking pop or juice, while there were a select few that seemed to have broken some rules and snuck in something wilder. Above us, Cory was saluting me with his red solo cup, grinning down at me.

"Happy eighteenth!" The party host yelled, downing the last of his drink in one go. He then jumped from the tree, landing with surprising grace. "We've decided that this is partially a little birthday party too."

I rolled my eyes. "Great."

"It is!" Chloe insisted. "Everyone's stressed --this is a perfect reason to let loose!"

"The artsy one's right," Talia commented, acting nonchalant. "An eighteenth birthday should be well spent."

But... Why am I the center of attention again?

This compound had nothing to do with me.

Now they're all worried about me.

This party had nothing to do with me.

Now it's for my birthday.

I opened my mouth to protest when I flinched, feeling someone pat my head.

Tyree, who always seemed like the wise old woman of the group, who could read me like a book, smiled at me as I looked back.

"It's nothing big," she reassured. "Just take it, okay?"

"But--"

"I can and will force you to dance with me all night if you act like a stick in the mud."

I pouted.

They laughed.

"You heard the lady!" Cory cheered. "Come on, let's get everyone gathered up. Time to sing for our birthday girl!"

You over-the-top mother trucker, I thought with a rueful smile, getting pushed by my roommate toward the bonfire. Talia and Cory made a bet on who could get more people back the fastest, both of them speeding off. Tyree cheered for them, eventually getting attention as well. Shifters from all around gathered back around the fire, and somehow I got my hands on a drink as well.

After a flat-sounding rendition of the happy birthday song, we all chugged our drinks, even the elites.

And as I burped like a true lady, which means I burped like the devil was trying to escape through my mouth but played it off like it was nothing, I found myself relaxed once again.

I was slowly building a real life in Iluita.

And now, I knew I was ready to fight for that life.

"Can I steal the birthday girl for a second?"

Our group of shifters playing hot potato with a literal flaming ball of dirt all paused, looking up at the elite who leaned over us.

Kami's pink hair fell over one shoulder as she smiled, tapping my head. I excused myself from the game, letting someone else take over to control the fire. An earth shifter kept the ball intact as they tossed it around, a water shifter keeping an eye on the fire that was created by me originally.

"So, what's up?" I asked, sitting on one of the rocks with Kami. She plopped down, watching the bonfire. The other elites were still dancing with some of my friends, the party split in two. Those who were tired played hot potato, while those who were energized or drunk danced.

"I just... Wanted to ask about you," Kami said gently. "This is the first time you're away from home for a birthday. Plus, we all know that a lot has been going on lately."

I smiled knowingly. Like always, Kami reminded me of the female version of Ray, my older brother.

She glanced my way, the flames reflecting off her green eyes. "So? How are you?"

Pursing my lips, I frowned.

How can I say it all? What do I say?

"Hey. Don't doubt yourself," she said firmly, "just... Talk."

"I'm worried," I blurted. "About that girl in my dream. About being a Guardian. Sometimes I wonder if I'm even good at being a friend. It's hard to be relaxed these days -- I always feel like something is after, waiting just around the corner. I don't know if I'll be able to help Coraline follow the clues, hell I haven't even looked at a clue. I'm out of my element, I've never had friends before, I'm worried that one day I'm going to realize I never did anything right and I--"

I stopped short, spotting the wistful smile on Kami's face.

It was calm. Attentive. Unbothered.

And it made me calm. Kami was real, just like every single loud, rowdy teen at this party. And they were all there for me.

"...Sometimes I freak out and feel alone," I whispered, my eyes trailing to the fire. She looked at it as well, taking my hand and squeezing it tight. "But then... I see one of you, and I feel like I belong, even though I'm still different... I'm at least meant to be here."

Silence followed my rant, and I let out a huff of air. It felt like a brick building had been taken off my shoulders, or even like I was the titan Atlas and the world had been lifted off my back.

Kami leaned over, lips pressing against my temple. It was a motherly gesture, and my heart swelled.

"Oh, troublesome Katrina," she muttered, leaning her head on mine. I giggled, squeezing her hand.

"...Do you really think I'll have to kill Xavier?"

She hesitated, her thumb rubbing across the back of my hand.

"I've been thinking about that impromptu conversation a lot," I admitted, "and I'm just... Amazed. I could never picture myself actually doing... That."

She hummed, watching flames dance through the air.

"If you need to avoid it, then don't do it. If you beat him, it'll be enough. Someone else can finish it if he's weak enough. The point is that Coraline will never have the guts to -- we don't think. Don't stress, Katrina."

"But what if everyone sees me as a coward, then?" I countered, my head tilting back. I watched the stars, more and more appearing in the dark sky as it got later.

"We didn't even know about 'Guardians' until a couple months ago," Kami said with a snort. "I don't think anyone can pressure you right now, especially since you're new to this."

She tapped my cheek, getting me to look back at her.

"Live your life. Make your decisions. You will be able to make these decisions for yourself. No one else can order you around."

Kami, who was practically my older sister, grinned.

"Not even Coraline."