LITHIUSLaney: I woke up at 3am, dripping with sweat. I walked quietly through the beach apartment I share with my best friend, Lithius. “She can handle more heat than anyone I know.” I whispered as I fixed the thermostat. Lithius and I are complete opposites in many ways. Even if I'm quiet, she's spontaneous, often disappears at random and never tells me where she's gone. I've never met anyone as determined as Lithius. She finished medical school a year ago and works hard every day to treat depression and mania. Everything about her is unique, from the soft, metallic-looking pale gray streak in her otherwise thick crimson hair, to her sassy personality, to her fear of water. Lithius refuses to go near the water. For what? I don't know either. I've asked her several times, but all she says is that the water makes her skin feel like it's been set on fire. This can be a big problem…we live at the beach. She will never go near the ocean. Aside from her phobia, she's great. Lithius has an electric personality. I feel like she stores her “energy” and releases it in large quantities to many people. I find it weird, she says it's electrochemical. I learned not to question her, because after all, she is the one with the medical degree. (She constantly uses that one against me) I'm just Laney, her best friend/roommate and also, believe it or not, in the same family. We are cousins, both members of the receptive Alkali family. We grew up together, almost like sisters, and we have always been close until now. I feel like Lithius is hiding something from me. lithius: I felt my iPhone vibrate early this morning, with the text I was waiting for. He's back. I scribbled a little note to Laney explaining that I was heading to the cafe where...... middle of paper ...... started. Horrible pain. It was unbearable and I collapsed onto the old wood. I gasped. My eyelids fluttered. Then I felt a trembling hand on my arm. Laney! The relief outweighed the pain. I jumped to my feet. "Are you doing well !!" I cried. Laney: It was a major shock to be rescued by Lithius. She has… powers?! I didn't have time to think. I had to help Lithius!! Malcolm- or the Masked Marine as Lithius said. I was going to help Lithius. I don't care if she hides this from me. She is my cousin, my roommate and my best friend. Lithius waved his hand and fire roared towards the Masked Marine. She is incredible. And also rare, I know. Lithium is not found free in nature. She is the one and only. The fire enveloped Mask and he collapsed onto the pier. Discovering the powers doesn't change what I think of Lithius. I'm here for her, no matter what. We have moved forward. Together.