(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part One

Chapter Twenty Three: Work

"Do I not destroy my enemies by making them my friends?" - Abraham Lincoln
PRESENT DAY
CELESTE

We all got dismissed early, and the school was going to be closed for a week–possibly two–so people could repair the damages. Mama was not happy. As soon as we got home, she began receiving angry calls from parents which caused her to give the construction workers and the county school's superintendent angry phone calls. The teachers still assigned us homework, and I was having trouble with the assignment obviously. I'm not that good of a student. I don't understand most of the work anyways. Maybe I should pay more attention in class.

Fed up with staring blankly at my math homework, I close my book and walk downstairs where my mom has been calling people since 10:00 a.m. I want to sympathize with her, but this isn't the first time that this had happened before. Not the school being destroyed, but working for hours upon hours without taking a break.

"Mama...?" I say.

She doesn't look up at me. She's still busy.

"Mama...? Mama...? Mama!" I shout.

Mama looks up at me, clearly annoyed.

"I'm on a call," she mouths.

"I need help," I respond.

"Hold on," she says to someone on the phone. She presses a few keys on the computer and then finally turns to me.

"What do you need help with, Celeste?"

"I don't understand my homework."

"Baby, I'm sorry, but I'm really busy right now."

"But, Mama!-"

She goes right back to her call. I sigh sadly and turn to Silver who is walking downstairs, trying to put in her earrings.

"Silver, can you help me with my homework please?"

"I'm going out with my friends. I'm already late as it is. Can't you get Mama to help you?"

"No, she's working."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you." She grabs her purse by the door and leaves the house. "Bye, Mama." She waves, but Mama never notices.

I wave my hands, trying to get her to see me again. All I was asking was for her to take a small break to teach me ancient ruins. I don't feel like I'm asking too much of her, but apparently I am. I groan exasperatedly and storm off.

I slam my door shut. For a second, I think that Mama would respond by asking what that loud noise was, but I don't hear anything. I throw myself onto the bed and regrettably begin crying. Why was she always like this? Always ignoring us and attending some meeting. Eventually, I notice the sun is beginning to set, and I can't spend all day moping. I have homework that I don't want to do, but I didn't know how to do it.

I went through my contacts, trying to find someone to call who could help me. Terry is really good with ancient ruins. I call him, but he doesn't answer. I wasn't close to anyone else except for...Lucifer. I don't want to call him. Not only is it humiliating, but Lucifer and I aren't friends. We have just gone to the same school for most of our lives, and we have just adjusted to each other's presence. Eventually, I give in and call him. Surprisingly, he answers.

"Hello? Ach! Celeste, what do you want?"

My face goes bright red when I hear his voice, and I simply remain quiet.

"Are you even there, or did you just prank call me for the satisfaction of it?"

"No...I'm here."

"What happened? Why did you call?"

"I...look, I wouldn't call you if it wasn't important to me."

"I know."

"But I need your help."

"With what?"

I hesitate. "Homework. My mom is busy, and she can't help me. My older sister just left, and I don't understand ancient ruins concepts. I'm failing my class. And I don't want to stay in school over the summer. So can you just please help me instead of hanging up?"

Lucifer goes silent for a few seconds. I know he's thinking about hanging up. He and I have been at war with each other since we were eight. Why would he want to help me now?

"Sure."

"Wait...really?" I say, sniffing. Had I been crying again?

"Yeah, sure. I'll help. I'm still getting used to the hustle and bustle of 9th grade as well. Maybe we can both assist each other."

I smile. "That would be nice."

"I can help you tomorrow in the afternoon at King's Plaza if you're fine with it."

I nod. "Yeah, I'll be there. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Bye, I guess."

"Bis morgen."

Lucifer hangs up, and I smile. But as soon as I get back to my work, I get a text message from Gia asking to meet at noon tomorrow and go to the mall. She sends a bunch of emojis. I want to go to the mall, but do I really want to leave Lucifer? I sigh and send Gia a text refusing her offer and saying I'll be there next time. She doesn't respond, and I turn off my phone and get back to work.