BANG!

All three girls flinched and whirled around to look at the door. Terra stood with her head down, heavy breathing filling the silence of the room. There was a tremble to her shoulders.

On the door, a handprint smoldered.

“I don’t care if you don’t like me,” she growled.

Soledad took a half step forward. “Terra—”

“I don’t care if you think I’m annoying, or a brat, or a burden. I’ve been called worse by people more important to me than— than teammates.”

She ignored the lump in her throat that came from thinking of their relationship so lowly— but it was true, and she knew that now, didn’t she?

Sucking in a breath through her teeth, she clenched her fists. “But don’t… Don’t pretend to like me if it’s all a lie!”

“What? It’s not a lie, Terra, we—”

“Shut up!” she roared, finally looking up to glower at Chika. “I heard you! I heard everything you had to say, and saw how none of you even bothered to answer me!”

“No, honey,” Soledad said, “It was just a misunderstanding.”

“And all the other times?” she shot back. “Every time I’ve tried to end a fight? Tried to get us to talk, but you all just brush it off and act like I’m not there?!”

They stared at her with wide eyes. The rage in her chest only grew.

“I’ve only been leader for a week!” she screamed. “I’m doing what I can, but I can’t be perfect!” A couple of tears dripped down her cheeks, but she ignored them. “I-I know I’m the last choice you wanted; I’m everyone’s last choice! I know no one wants me! You don’t have to pretend to spare my feelings!”

Everyone stayed silent, only glancing at each other with pinched brows and frowns. There might have even been some tears reflecting in the—

Wait.

There was an extra glow in the room.

Terra realized with a start how hot her hands were; she snapped her gaze down just in time to see the flames die out, temperature dropping so quick she feared her bones would shatter. As frost began to grow on her fingertips, she looked back at the girls in front of her.

She was losing control.

Sucking in a shuddering breath, she turned, nearly slipping on the new sheet of ice beneath her, and sprinted out of the cabin.

“Wh—Terra, wait!”

Soledad ran towards the door, but her foot slid out from underneath her, and she tumbled to the floor. Chika used a crutch to help push her into a sitting position before turning to grab her leg.

“Was that… her Ability?” Adela breathed. “Fire and ice? Why did she feel the need to hide that…?”

“I don’t think now is the time to be worrying about that,” Chika answered. “We need to find her and fix this.”

Carefully getting to her feet, Soledad nodded. “I can look from the skies if we need, but I doubt she’s gotten too far yet.”

“Well, she’s getting further with every second we waste here.” As soon as her leg was properly on, Chika rushed for the door. She bumped into Soledad on the way, sending her sprawling to the ground again. “Come on!”

Adela helped Soledad to her feet, and they ran after her.