Elliot focused and it took him many tries, but finally, he lit JUST the wick of the candle. He figured he would take away one of the components necessary for fire, so he cupped his hands around it and sucked all the oxygen out of the air near the candle, making it snuff itself out.
Melody was having more trouble. She couldn't seem to get the hang of the fire. It just wouldn't light no matter how hard she tried. She was seeing everyone else light their candles, and was starting to wonder why she couldn't just light hers.