1.Fizzling Out

1. Fizzling Out

I regret everything.

As I sit in the lecture hall, the anxiety gnaws at my insides. When the TA passes my paper back face down, I already have a bad feeling.

Flipping the page over, the red letter looks so large and glaring as it judges me . D+.

College is a new challenge for me. I’ve never even been in school before, not unless you count a school of fish… that doesn't count. Fish don’t ambush you with pop quizzes or assign grades.

The professor’s voice cuts through my reverie. "Alright, everyone, finish up your assigned reading and try not to drool onto your textbooks. We'll decipher the material next time."

With a resigned sigh, I shove the paper into my backpack as Solis dismisses the class.

Being a new student at Primrose University is tough. Most people don’t start their education in college. But I’m not most people. In fact, I’m only half human. The other half is water nymph.

I may be the most non-traditional student Primrose University has ever had. I enrolled at age 42, after spending my formative years beneath the waves in a community of water spirits tucked away in a secluded bay.

Now I'm here and I’d like to help people with my magic. If I can survive college.

I gather my things and head towards the classroom door when a familiar voice calls out to me. “Argyle, can I have a word?”

It’s my Medical Ethics and Law professor, Professor Solis. I walk over to him, trying to keep the disappointment off my face.

Solis must be in his mid-fifties, and the lines on his brown skin are more obvious up close. “Don’t get too discouraged. You are improving and I think you’re going to get the material eventually.”

I force a small smile. “Thanks for the encouragement, Professor. Is there anything I can do to improve my grade?”

“I’ll think about it and let you know. In the meantime, don’t give up.” He claps me on the back, wishing me luck before turning to attend to the students in his next class.

I have come a long way in a short time.

Back when I was just starting to figure out humanity, I thought a D was a good grade. After all, there are 26 letters in the human alphabet. I thought a D meant a D out of Z. If A was the highest, D was only a few places away.

But I’m under no illusions about what D means now. Not good enough. Just shy of failing.

I've come far, but not far enough.

As I step outside, my thoughts are interrupted by a passing student who does a double-take at the sight of my partially scaled forearm. "Whoa! Killer scales!"

I follow her gaze down to where blue iridescent scales sparkle as they catch the afternoon light.

"You should join the drama department’s makeup crew," she suggests with a grin.

I tell her I’ll think about it so I can go on my way. However, my blue scaly skin comes from genetics, not make up.

Starting at my shoulders and swirling down, shimmering blue scales spread across my body. Scaled areas trade off with my tan human skin, forming a unique pattern.

I yawn, feeling tired as I walk across the campus. Do I need to spend less time studying and more time sleeping? I have felt worn out lately. Maybe what I need right now is a break. I head to my favorite spot on campus.

Rumor has it an earth caster-in-training went rogue one night and created a garden. Students loved the garden so much that it became a permanent part of the grounds. Magical students tend to the plants and the more financially challenged casters get their ingredients from the garden free of charge.

My favorite place lies behind the garden, tucked away behind a layer of tall grass.

"As beautiful as ever," I whisper to the serene pond nestled among lush greenery.

A majestic willow tree drapes gracefully over the pond, its long branches dipping into the blue-green water. Vibrant lily pads and delicate aquatic flowers create a colorful mosaic on the surface.

Breathing in the fresh air, I try to remind myself that my goals aren’t impossible. I can do this. I gave up so much to be here.

Water magic holds infinite potential for healing and restoration, and as a nymph, it's a gift that flows through my veins like a raging river. But unlike other water nymphs, I’m half human and not bound to one body of water.

I’d like to use my talents to become a medical assistant. First, I must take classes and become licensed like any medical healer.

My eyes are on a nearby lily pad while I urge myself to snap out of this funk. A sudden spark erupts from it. In seconds, the lily pad catches fire.

Bright orange flames dance on the green plant’s surface.

Fire? Yes, that’s fire. Oh my god, fire!

"Wha—?!" My eyes widen in panic as flames lick at the pad’s dry areas.

I instinctively raise my arm, swiping towards the water. The water responds to my command. A wave of cool water splashes up and douses the flames.

Water magic sure comes in handy sometimes. The danger has passed... until the fire reignites.

"Again?!"

Like it’s taunting me, the flames grow and intensify, burning faster while I watch in stunned disbelief.

“Stop that.” I submerge the whole lily pad underwater.

Bubbles rise to the surface before the water stills. A few tattered green pieces float back up, all that remains of the charred lily pad. What in the world was that?

"Do I smell smoke?" A deep voice rumbles from behind the tall grass.

Oh, here’s the responsible party. The figure that emerges is Samson, the firebrand wizard in training. I've been trying to douse my inconvenient crush on him, but it’s not as easy as putting out a simple fire.

Is it hot out here or is it just him?

~

With the lily pad safely soaked and the fire out, a grinning Samson stands over me at the pond. Should have known he was to blame. The firebrand in training knows how to bring the heat, in more ways than one.

"You scared me!"

"What? What did I do?" He knows. Samson looks supremely proud of himself as the smoke rises from the pond after extinguishing the lily pad.

I put my hands on my hips and summon a stern expression. “Should have known you were to blame.”

“Me?” he gasps, feigning innocence. “How do you know you weren’t staring so hard you started a fire with your mind?”

"Because you’re always starting fires."

He grins. "Got me there."

Unable to keep up the tough act while he keeps looking at me with that gorgeous smile on his face, I huff out a laugh and sit back down.

Samson joins me at the edge of the pond. The sunlight peeks through the trees and highlights his bronze skin. I need to avert my eyes.

Samson and I are friends. Only friends.

He’s a gigantic flirt, and pretty gigantic in his own right. He's tall, 6'4”, and his muscular arms are always on full display. He wears tank tops that highlight the intricate tattoos covering his thick arms.

Samson and I share an easy friendship. We chat and hang out whenever we cross paths on campus. Sure, he flirts, a lot, but it’s probably nothing serious. After all, he’s 26 and I’m over 15 years older than him.

“So tell me, what did the lily pad do to piss you off so badly that you were trying to set it on fire with your mind?”

I sigh. “The lily pad was collateral damage. I was just thinking about… I don’t know what I’m doing here, if I’m learning anything... If I’m doing the right thing.”

“So, nothing serious.”

I huff out a laugh. “Exactly.”

We sit in companionable silence for a few moments, watching the dragonflies dart along the surface of the water, their iridescent wings catching the sunlight as they flit from flower to flower.

I share what’s on my mind. "When deciding to live in the human world, I went through supernatural channels and received a magical equivalence."

"Yeah, I've heard of that," he says. "Sort of like a GED, it counts as your high school experience so people will employ you."

"It was much easier than this." I sigh, finding myself gazing into the pond again. "I knew classes would be a new experience, that I’d be challenged... I tried to prepare myself, but I still feel unprepared. Are magical classes easier?"

He shrugs. “The classes are manageable. But it isn’t the grade that matters. You can ace every class but how much does that matter if you don’t get a brand?"

"Does that really happen?"

“Yeah. Skills and comprehension are important, but they can't help you if the elements think you're missing something else. Teachers help you identify weaknesses, but you still have to figure out what's holding you back most and correct it. And if the elements see something in you that they don’t like, you’re doomed."

It sounds like he's wondering if he falls into that category. The doomed. There’s only a certain amount of time any caster has to achieve an elemental partnership and gain a mark called a brand.

Nymphs are among the supernatural creatures who have an inherent connection to magic. Casters are different. They need to seek out a partnership with the elements since an excess of magic can harm them. A bond with one element focuses their magic, providing the protection necessary for safe practice.

It isn’t like him to be pessimistic, so I have to try cheering him up. “There’s no need for doom and gloom. You're going to become a firebrand someday."

"Wow, good looks, water magic, and he's psychic too?" Samsons waves his hand near his face like he's feeling faint and needs some air. "Help me before I swoon and fall into this pond."

"Shut up. Just trust me. I may not be psychic, but I know you're going to become a real wizard."

"Are you aware that it takes more than just starting a ton of fires?"

"Yes," I say. While not a traditional caster myself, most of my friends on land are magical. I've been through this with a few of them over the years. My best friend is still going through it, just like Samson. "And I also know you’re a long way from being ineligible. You have plenty of time.”

“Yep, definitely,” he agrees without feeling. I thought my reassurances were working but now he doesn’t seem cheered up at all.

“Bad day?” I guess after a moment.

“Yeah.”

“Me too.” I nudge him. “Sorry about that.”

Samson nudges me back. “Me too.”

It's easier to take a breath and find perspective as we sit together and enjoy the nice day. For a grown man doing school for the first time, only one class is really giving me trouble. It's no D out of Z, but that's still pretty damn good.

Maybe perspective is easier to find because the pond is a safe haven, still on campus but away from all the pressures of school… or maybe the man next to me deserves most of the credit. I like having him here with me.

While the lily pad catching fire alarmed me for a moment, it was actually pretty funny. Exactly what I needed to get out of my head. Now it’s my turn to do the same for him.

“Hey Samson. Would you like to see something cool?”

Samson glances over at me and nods.

All I need to do is reach out to the pond, coax it forward. The water rises, seemingly on its own, a sudden wave that extends towards Samson and splashes him, showering him with glittering droplets.

"Hey!" Water droplets trickle down his tanned skin and soak his tank top.

I grin at his shocked face. "Cool, right?"

The water from the pond sure looks cool enough, though I bet the liquid heated up quite a bit from meeting with him. The fire in his eyes as he puts together what happens looks hot enough to scorch me.

"You’re dead," he vows. "You're so dead."

Samson leaps into action as I jump up and flee.

"Truce!" I shout.

"No way!"

"I'm innocent!"

"Bullshit." He sounds much too close as he chases me.

I quickly duck behind the tall grass that separates the pond from the garden. The grass rustles mightily as he charges in. I dart to the side and sprint back towards the pond.

But before I get far, Samson's arms wrap around me from behind.

Near the willow tree, Samson spins us until my back is pressed against its trunk as he pins me down with his weight.

"Gotcha." His deep brown eyes burn with intensity, smoldering like embers from a fire, and his triumphant grin makes being caught easier to bear.

"Go easy on me,” I plead. “Don’t set me on fire."

"No, of course not,” he smirks. “Why ruin that pretty face?"

"Shut up." My face heats and I want to put distance between us, but he’s blocking me, so I stay put.

Okay, I also want to stay put if he’s serious. The problem is that I’m never quite sure of his intentions. All the compliments and come-ons fall from his lips so easily, but he's surprisingly hard to read.

He’s a flirt. Does he mean anything he says? He can’t. That’s what I keep telling myself. We may be friends, but there’s no way he’d be interested in me. In every possible way, he's one of the hottest men on campus. Why would he go for a man in his 40s who's starting his life over and crashing on a friend's couch?

Samson doesn’t budge. There isn’t much space between us. The heat of his body feels nice against mine.

I’m struck by a sudden urge to find out…

"Hey, Samson."

"What?"

"What’s your first name?"

He laughs and backs up. "Nope."

“Nope Samson? Pretty weird.” And I know weird names. No other water nymph goes by 'Argyle.'

Almost thought he’d tell me. All anyone knows is that his last name is Samson. Granted, I only have one name: Argyle. But he has a first name, and no one knows what it is. When we were in a semi-intimate position, I found myself wanting to know who exactly I was pressed against.

“Nice try,” he elaborates. “But nope. That's not information I just give away.”

"It's just a name!"

"You know the name I go by."

"Is it something really embarrassing?"

"Why would I tell you if it was?"

“Please?” I try, adopting my most pleading puppy dog eyes.

Am I imagining the amusement in his eyes? The more I try, the more it looks like he’s considering telling me the answer. And it almost seems like he really is interested in me. If he tells me his first name, that must mean he is.

Then the moment ends.

“Hurry up!” someone shouts from the other side of the grass. “The professor will set you on fire if you’re late again.”

Another student grumbles in the distance, and Samson realizes he needs to go too.

“Oh, I have that professor too. He probably won’t use his magic to burn tardy students, but it’s best not to test him.”

After saying our goodbyes, I’m left alone at the pond once again. If I were just a bit braver, could I have found out whether he was really interested in me?

When I walk back to the edge of the water, a wave of exhaustion crashes over me. I sink to my knees unsteadily. Pale and shaky, I stare at my reflection in the pond’s surface. I don’t look good. What in the world is going on?

This isn't simple fatigue. Something isn't right.

The world sways when I stand and stumbling through campus takes great effort. Panting and sweating, the surroundings blur around me. Just need to reach the right destination. It feels like it takes forever until I finally get there, and I burst through the door of Professor Liam Monroe’s office. Fortunately, he’s there, though he's in the middle of a meeting with another student.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing—Argyle, are you okay?”

The protest on Liam’s lips dies as he realizes something is wrong. Opening my mouth to respond, only a slurred incomprehensible sound escapes my lips as I fall to the floor.

When I wake up, there’s a pillow under my head. I stare up at a cheap tile ceiling. With some effort, I manage to sit up and see only me and Liam are in the office now.

“What, what’s going on?”

“Argyle, stay there." Liam's face appears over me, looking worried. "Have you been tired lately? Do you get exhausted using magic?”

“Huh? I guess so—I was doing magic earlier. Wait, do you know what’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Liam says. “You need a brand.”