After I was born and old enough to remember my mom told me,
"You were born because your brother is Fire, like him this element chose you... but only because he's your brother." Her voice was harsh and detached. Maybe because of her tense living situation "Smoke can not exist without fire and impurity... But fire can burn without creating smoke, keep that in mind. You are the impurity that the fire has cleansed."
Years later I was in school, I had a lot to live up to, my brother had excelled in every aspect of school, both physically and in academics, no matter how well I did, I would only be his equal, a shadow. Creating social connections was easy, figuring out what people wanted to hear didn't take long and this was the only way I could stand out from my brother.
"Are you coming to my birthday party?" Ibij asked (My classmate since my third year of school).
"That depends... do I have to bring a gift?"
"Don't be a bum," He answered and I sighed,
