Catching Up (Emmett)

[EMMETT HIKARU NAKAMURA]

Since Emmett got into the Academy, he never really fit in anywhere. Sure, he had his element, but they weren't tight knit nor did they feel the need to be, so he was alone from the get-go. Not that he minded, but he had been isolated and abandoned all his life. So when Kai and Isabella walked into his life, it was like an unspoken wish that was granted, but Emmett didn't make the journey easy. It was a natural reflex to push everyone away, as he was by his mother and father. Most of the effort was by Kai and Isabella; Emmett could not take any credit for this unlikely friendship, so doing something like admitting he was actually thankful for them or something mushy, well, that was below Emmett. He had too big of a pride for something like that. "Oh, totally," he said sarcastically, his own smile tugging at his lips. But it was easy to tell with Kai. His eyes told everything, so Emmett knew when to back off or keep pushing. It was like an unspoken communication between them, though Emmett really didn't make that easy. When it came to anything emotional, he was a stone wall. "In a cave," he replied, nonchalantly, though it wasn't far off.

As much as Emmett didn't want to admit it, what Kai said was true. He'd never intentionally try to hurt them--never in a million years. And so he smirked, leaning again the wall. "Wanna try me?" And the static electricity began lacing through his veins, though he meant no harm in it. Anything beyond a small static shock would be Emmett's limit. "Well, well, well. We have a blackmailer on our hands!" Emmett raised his eyebrows, though he was unable to keep a straight face. Which was like, the first time ever. Oh, the things Kai could do. "Nah, I'm good. I just have the image of her calling me at six o'clock in the morning to just...talk." Not that he had anything against Bella or anything, but she was a little ball of energy that Emmett couldn't control (and sometimes tolerate). She and Kai were perfect matches for each other.

Emmett realized how much of a shock this would be to his best friend. Emmett, the thunder who'd rather sleep the day away than to actually socialize? Who had no experience in the romance department? Who was annoyed my humankind in general? Ah, yeah, he'd probably be shocked if he was in Kai's shoes. But it couldn't be helped. "Fine, fine," Emmett sighed in defeat, looking away from Kai's puppy dog eyes. Yeesh. Those things were like Kryptonite for Superman. "Karlee. Fire. A year older than us. Know her?" He kept his sentences clipped and short, as if it wasn't a big deal, but as he talked about her, her image popped into his head and despite himself, Emmett smiled. It quickly faded though, as he took a side glance at Kai, trying to go back into the "cool, I don't care" demeanor. "I'm starting to think you're more excited than I am."

[KAI LEE JACKSON]

Kai's first year of the Academy had gone rather smoothly, most. Winds didn't have a set alliance and since their personalities varied greatly, like the wind, they weren't necessarily the most tight knit in the world. Kai had made friends easily because of his friendly and outgoing personality. Being kind was something he had picked up on from his parents. It was something that came natural to Kai. Of course it had not been an easy task when it came to Emmett. With Isabella it hadn't been hard because they shared slightly similar personalities so it was easier for them to click. The same couldn't be said for Emmett. They were rather opposites and in the beginning the thunder pushed more than trying to accept. Some people would have given up or not try at all but for whatever reason Kai nor Isabella did. They kept at it until Emmett couldn't resist them. They may not have broken down the wall completely but they were able to chip away at it enough that Emmett had given them his trust. Kai chuckled at Emmett's response. "Probably. And not that a cave doesn't sound oh so appealing but I think Bella and I would rather you see the sun once in a while." he said teasingly. He was not about to let his best friend turn into a hermit.

When Emmett produced a sound of static Kai eyes lit up a bit with awe. Kai was very fascinated by the elements. He just thought it was truly amazing how certain people could control certain elements and each power truly did amaze him. Kai looked at Emmett innocently. "I have no idea by what you mean." before a smile crossed his face. The idea of holding that over his head was slightly appealing. He doubt he would ever need to use something like that but that didn't mean it was funny to think off. "Oh I can just see waking up that early to have a heart to heart with Bella." he said teasingly. Kai was fairly certain that Emmett wasn't really a morning person so the thought of him actually answering the phone that early was not something that sounded like it would pretty.

Kai was just happy that Emmett finally began talking a little. Now Emmett wasn't one to really go into details. He was definitely a straight to the point kind of guy. So Kai wasn't surprised by the way Emmett gave up the details. "Hmmm, can't say that I have. Then again I don't exactly click with many fires." he said thinking about Karlee. Kai didn't befriend fires that very often. He knew Isabella and there was also the college student Josh that he had met but Karlee wasn't ringing any bells but it seemed like for Emmett it was when Kai had caught the smile that had for on the thunder's face for a moment. "Your smile begs to differ my dear element." he said with a slight giggled and then pretended to be serious. "Okay, I'll be serious now, but you guys must have hit it off pretty good if you're actually smiling when thinking about her. I think I'm jealous. I mean I know I'm getting ahead of myself but this is exciting." he said taking a seat near the window and Emmett.

[EMMETT HIKARU NAKAMURA]

Staring up at the sky, Emmett faintly wondered what his life would be like if he was different. Or rather, what his life would be like without his phobia. Different, no doubt. Would he even be isolated in the first place? If he didn't have his phobia, that meant his mother stuck around, right? Didn't abandon him. Didn't stick him in the hell hole of a orphanage. Emmett would still have one piece of family to hold onto. He wasn't always like this--the sarcastic, cynical thunder he was. No. Emmett had been a bright, cheerful kid--just as his Japanese name, Hikaru, implied--but that was over a decade ago, when things were different and simple. When he was a child and didn't know of the harsh reality that surrounded him in his little bubble of pure ignorance. But when that day came, being left in a sea of strangers--he was forced to grow up. To pop the bubble and face the world he liked to call hell; because it was just that. Hell. At least Kai and Isabella shed some light onto his cynical views. Emmett wouldn't know where he'd be without them. "Sunlight is overrated." Course, that showed on his pale skin. He preferred to sleep the day away and awake at night--where everyone was gone from the world.

That was not the reaction he was hoping for. Emmett rolled his eyes, the static instantly fading. Really. He at least hoped for a small flicker of fear--not in amazement. Kai really was something. Or he just trusted the thunder that much. "You're dangerous." With that face, Kai could almost get away with anything, even with the thunder. An amazing feat in itself. But Kai and Isabella just had that effect on him. A soft spot? Big time. "Gee. Then we can three-way you in--because I totally don't want to leave you out of that bonding experience," he said sarcastically, his tone flat from amusement. Emmett didn't function well without sleep, so...let's just say, he'd have to apologize on his knees to Bella or something if she saw that side of him.

Emmett didn't know why, but he felt kind of thankful when Kai said he didn't know who Karlee was. He would've felt embarrassed if he did--because that whole mutual thing was just...ugh. He didn't know how to explain it, but it sent shivers down his spine at the thought of Kai actually knowing her. They'd probably end up talking about Emmett and that just didn't sit well with him. The smile on the thunder's face faded just as fast as it had spread on his face, and he looked at Kai with a deadpanned expression. "Jealous? Ha." That thought amused the thunder. "And why is that?" Emmett was sort of scared for the answer. He knew he wasn't the "romantic" type, let alone sociable. An interpretation from a friend was somewhat terrifying, especially since Kai knew almost everything about him. "If all goes well, you can ask Bella if she wants to double date." Okay, that was mostly a joke, but Emmett couldn't deny how hilarious he found it.

[KAI LEE JACKSON]

"Then again this is you I'm talking to. I'm sure you prefer cloudy days and thunderstorms. Or better yet. The dark." he said teasingly. Kai knew that with some people, their preferences on certain things like the weather sometimes varied on their element. Kai himself liked days when you could feel the breeze when it wasn't too bad. Just enough that it kept things cool, especially on hot days. Of course Kai wasn't the kind of guy that like thunder or lightning storms. Quite the opposite actually. He was completely afraid of them. He had some not so great experiences when he was younger and kind of like how Emmett had a sort of phobia of being around people Kai had a huge fear of thunderstorms. He literally froze up at the sight and sound of thunder and lightning storms. Quite ironic when his best friend was a thunder. when he saw Emmett using his powers he was much more fascinated by the element but when it came to the loud crashes in the sky that was a whole different story. He had tried on numerous occasions to get over this fear but to no avail. Someone like Emmett would never know unless they actually witnessed his reaction first hand and thankfully he wasn't around his friends when storms came in. If he happened to be with them then he tried hard to put on a brave fast until he was in the comforts of his room.

When the static disappeared Emmett had a bit of an unsatisfied look on his face. Perhaps Kai hadn't given him the reaction that he had been hoping for. If Emmett was looking for a more fearful look then the thunder would have to try harder. It was going to take a bit more than that for Kai to be terrified of his best friend. "What are you talking about? I'm as dangerous as a newborn puppy." he said innocently. In reality it was probably true. Kai wasn't one to go getting into fights and he wasn't exactly one to get easily provoked or anything. He tried hard to avoid such things and not many were exactly looking to pick fights with him. Being a wind helped with that. That's not to say he's a push over he's just not going to spring into action without cause. "All for one and one for all huh?" he said with a smile. In reality the three of them were quite close of course in different ways but close none the less.

It didn't make much difference that Kai didn't know Karlee. It probably worked out better that way. It didn't take away from that fact that this turn of events was exciting none the less. He turned to look at Emmett warmly before answering his question. "Why would I be jealous? Because I'm your best friend but it's not like that happened overnight. It took a bit longer than that if we remember. And here you are smiling over a girl you just met." he said with a smile. He was happy for his friend because this was obviously a good thing but he would have to admit that there was slight pang of jealousy at how fast Karlee was able to warm up Emmett. When Emmett made his comment about Isabella Kai just rolled his eyes. "And who exactly are you trying to make things awkward for in that scenario, you and Karlee or me and Isabella?"

[EMMETT HIKARU NAKAMURA]

Emmett grinned, letting out a small laugh. "Oh, you know me too well." And that was probably true. It was natural, as they were best friends after all. If the wind knew about his ochlaphobia then he definitely knew about every other irrelevant detail about Emmett. Him and Bella both, and he was fine with it. It felt nice spilling every detail about yourself to people who you know won't judge you, no matter how bad or unsettling it was. Maybe that's why Emmett acted so different when he was with his best friends. He wasn't the usual cynical and quiet person he was with others--okay, so maybe his sarcasm hadn't changed, but at least it was reduced. By like, a lot. And nor was he insensitive--Emmett tried to keep that to a minimum. People had left his life before, he wasn't going to let Kai or Bella leave him when he had the power to control it in the first place. "At least you'll know where to find me," he pointed out. Cloudy days, thunderstorms, even rain--Emmett loved those days. Sure, it was probably the most typical thunder stereotype he carried, but that was the least of his problems. It was as if the sky was rebelling with him, letting the anger and sorrow out onto the world. That was probably a morbid and emo way of thinking about it, but that's what Emmett truly thought. Like he wasn't alone in his own little world. Besides, the lightning and thunder calmed him.

Emmett rolled his eyes. A smirk tugged on his lips, pointing at Kai's face. "This is what I'm talking about." And he poked the wind's forehead. It wasn't too harsh or too forceful, but enough for Kai to take a step backwards. He suddenly had an image of Kai with ears and whiskers with his tongue hanging out, and Emmett shuddered at the image. Ugh. The whole "cute-ness" thing...he couldn't stand it nor could he deal with it. How people found it endearing, he'd never know. But then again this was the same guy who thought thunderstorms were relaxing."Exactly," he said, his own smile tugging on his lips. How they all were able to become friends was beyond him, but Emmett would take it. He didn't have anyone else in the world.

Now that Kai explained it, he was probably right. An unwanted wave of guilt washed over him, but he quickly composed his face, turning his head away from the wind. Geez, this was embarrassing. Why did he let this slip? Even though they were best friends, guys at that, it didn't shake the fact that Emmett had no romantic history. "This is totally different though." Was it? Emmett wasn't sure. But there was the fact that Kai pretty much knew everything there was to know about Emmett. That had to be a plus. Karlee didn't. Not even close. "You and Bella," he replied nonchalantly, smirking. "Think of it as...a friendly gathering. What you always wanted," Emmett pointed out, his eyebrows raised. Okay, maybe that wasn't exactly what it'd be, but it was pretty close. Faintly he wondered if Isabella knew who Karlee was, as they were both fires...and well, girls. Not that Emmett was being sexist or stereotypical or anything. "Ugh, whatever. I don't want to talk about this anymore." His tone was slightly edgy, implying that if Kai tried to bring up this whole "date" and "meeting Karlee" thing again, he'd have an irritated thunder beside him. And that was not a situation anyone wanted to be in.

[hey era, want to end this thread?<3]