Diary of Ivory Black

Chapter 11: A Disappointment

    Olive was practically shaking in her bed. There are a time where the nightmares were bearable enough to let her have a peace of mind every now and again, but this was most certainly not the time.

    The screams seemed to become more prominent, even when she’s conscious. And the lack of attention from her parents could only make it worse than ever.

    “Flowers grow back. Seasons change, so must you.” She thought once more of her father’s words, accentuating each word as she repeated the sentence in her mind like a broken cassette.

    At this point she just wanted the voice to stop, she wanted everything to stop. She wanted everyone to stop being as miserable as she is, she wanted the voice to stop, she wanted her parents would stop, she wanted the whole world to stop. For just a moment.

    But nothing would ever stop. Nothing stops.

    Everything just kept going without her, and now she’s distant from it all. She’s a mile away from comfort, yet she’s currently at home. At home, in her bed, alone with her own thoughts.

    Which made everything far worse than it should be.

    “I’m avoiding myself,” Olive said to herself, as she pried herself off of her bed. No use in staying in it anyway, so decided that she should make better use of her time.

    She pulled up her phone to check for a time, “03.00” The number on the bright screen says.

    “Well, no time to go back to sleep now.” She remarked with a chuckle, her voice echoing idly in the cold and lonely house. House once more, not home.

    She can’t keep over exert herself like this much longer, she needs to sleep. But how? Olive shuffled back and forth on the side of her bed, trying to jog up some brilliant idea out of her insomnia. Well, insomnia isn’t quite the case for her. She could sleep right now if she wanted to, but she’s too scared to do that. The nightmares would make her jolt awake in a matter of minutes after she closes her wary eyes.

    What she needs now, a comfort zone.

    Sure she finds solace in her room, it has privacy and some level of comfort at the very least. Though a room is still just a room, nothing more. It was still cold and lifeless, despite her own life taking in some of its space.

    So she needs someone to sleep with? Yes, more or less. She needs someone to wake up to and tell her that the nightmares were just nightmares. Or better, someone to make the nightmares go away altogether.

    And if it doesn’t work, at least it’d be nice to find some level of comfort from a living being. But then again, who would have time to put up with her? Especially at this hour.

    “Mei.” She said to herself as she slowly stopped shuffling, and sat on the side of the bed.

    Of course, she’s the first name to come up on her mind. Ivory’s dead, Violet’s horrible at comforting other people (no offense), and Mei have nothing better to do. It was the perfect scenario for a possibly comforting/disastrous sleepover.

    At this point, she would usually say something along the lines of, “Why the f**k not?”. But this time, her actions actually have consequences. She would either cause Mei a huge amount of discomfort and fear, or at least a minor inconvenience. Both possibilities have a very drastic amount of harm.

    “Well, the f**k am I supposed to do?” She grunted at herself as she grabbed a random bag and stuffed some light snacks and other important things for a quick sleepover.

    “I’m not gonna stay here and be miserable.” She grunted once more as she head for the window and slid down to the grown. Heading right towards the main gate.

    Time to visit Mei again.

    “Sore wa doko ni aru!?” Mei grunted as she trashes every single cabinet and container in her room. Searching every single nook and cranny of her room to find the object she’s been looking for the past hour.

    “Calm down Mei, I’m sure we’ll find it somewhere.” Her father reassured as they both continue to search every square inch of the dim room.

    “Doko?” She grunted impatiently to herself, repeating the word over and over. Every time her voice echoed louder and louder, as her patient starts to stretch thin. And after a few more minutes of desperation and anxiety, she finally gave up.

    “KOKO NI WANAI!” She shouted at the top of her lungs as she slowly breaks into tears. Hot tears of frustration and disappointment start to trail down her soft pale cheeks, her feet already gave up on her moments ago. Her hands were shaking violently, one touching the floor and the other crunching up her untamed dark hair, pulling and scratching the scalp of her delicate skin.

    Her father, who was helping her search for the object, hastily approached her in an attempt to comfort her. He asked permission if he could hug her, in fear of startling her and possibly escalate the situation further. Mei allows him to do so.

    They stayed in that position for a couple of minutes, just enough for Mei to compose herself. Not as calm and collected as she’d like, but good enough for the time being.

    The dark haired girl took a deep and calming breath, and think. That’s what she does best. Thinking.

    She broke away from her father's hug and sat on the side of her bed. Her father took the hint that she needed space, and proceeded to use the best of his time to clean up Mei’s room after their frantic search. At least by doing so, it’s not quiet anymore.

    Mei observed her father’s movements for a while, getting used to the sound of shifting objects and crumpled papers. She mentally thanked her father for understanding her current condition. She then proceeded to focus on the sound outside her walls, it seemed that it was starting to rain outside, though it was only just a drizzle. Perfect background noise to compliment her father’s current background noise.

    Now, time to focus.

    Now for the matter at hand, where would Ivory’s diary be right now? Mei closed her eyes, focusing on every bit of memory she had involving the diary. Every moment, every location, every touch and sight of it, every word that she’d ever read from it...

    It’s all coming back together.

    Location? First under the bed, then in her own room, then at Violet’s house, then at Olive’s, then back in her room, then again at Violet’s, then back to Ivory’s house.

    She remembers whenever she opens the diary, so that would leave only two options for the places it could be in. Violet’s house, or Ivory’s. Considering she’s already checked her room countless of times.

    Company? None (presumably), none, Violet, Olive, then no one again, then back with Violet, then alone once more (presumably). So, the potential thieves might be Adriane, or...Violet.

    Was that correct?

    Did she really just thought of that? Her, blaming her own friend for her mistake. How pathetic! How desperate! How low of her to sink that deep into thinking that Violet, of all people, could take something so important to her with no sense of guilt. Violet, her friend. Her friend who’s brave enough to have a mental break down right in front of her, and brave enough to let her comfort her without fear of rejection. Violet, her friend!

    Though, it’s also Violet, the liar.

    No no no. It has to be Adriane! There was no one else that could’ve possibly have the nerve to do that.

    Mei winces at her own thought, her father had seemed to take notice of her sudden flinch. Though, he was smart enough as to not disturb her thoughts.

    Mei concentrated her thought, rewinding to the last time she visited Violet. Taking note of every detail, every emotion that she sees across her dear friend’s face.

    “C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C!”

    That was all that stuck in her head. That tune, that song...It kept replaying itself in her head, distracting her from her thoughts. Though she could not deny, that it was soothing. Violet’s voice, it was soothing.

    She took a deep breath and shook off the melodic thought. Now, time to focus.

    “Mei! Please open the door!” Olive shouted from outside the front door. She’s shivering and she’s desperate for sleep.

    “Rain, at five in the morning!” She shouted angrily at the sky, presumably as a protest to whatever was currently controlling the weather. Which was apparently not the smartest idea, as the sky suddenly turned dark and a lightning shot from the sky.

    It was not a drizzle anymore.

    Olive was more than terrified. Her current physical condition was already made worse by her running on her own in the very early morning into Mei’s very distant house, she cannot handle any more restraint on her health.

    Her head was spinning and her body felt numb. She placed her back on the front door and slumped down, her legs were already on their limit. She could feel her hands shaking and numbing at the same time.

    “Mei! Open the door!” She called out one last time, as she cursed herself for not bothering to change from her night attire before she ran to the damned place.

    The thunder crackled from the sky, it’s sound loud and echoed through the whole house. Penetrating Mei’s mind, disrupting her from her thoughts. Mei snapped from her focus, startled by the loud booming noise. Only to soon recognize it as a mere thunder.

    She glanced at her father, who was still cleaning up her mess. Her father took notice and proceeded to walk slowly to Mei.

    “You okay, cat?” He asked, his voice low and hushed.

    “I’m fine, just startled,” Mei replied as she attempts to tune back into her thoughts. Which was quite ironic on its own, considering that she’s been trying to get rid of them for the past few weeks.

    Another thunder bursts from the sky, the father, and daughter listen intently as they rock their legs back and forth. Waiting.

    “Hey Mei?” Her father spoke again.

    “Yeah?”

    “Is it just me, or was there someone shouting somewhere?” He asked, his face genuinely confused.

    Mei listened intently to her surroundings, trying to locate the voice her father had addressed. And before she could react, she heard something.

    “Mei! Open the door!” The voice echoed softly, surprised by the heavy rain and constant thunder. Mei caught heard of it, but she couldn’t quite make up who it was.

    There was a follow up banging on what seemed to be their front door. Mei took a deep breath and steadily walked to the front door, her father following from behind.

    And low and behold, Olive McKenzie. Wet, cold, and shaking previously.

    “She did what now!?” Olive shouted as she bangs the table with her mug of hot chocolate. Though the force was not nearly enough to make any noticeable damage, considering her current conditions.

    “Yeah, I know,” Mei replied weakly as she sips once more from her hot cup of tea.

    “Okay, I know you’ve explained this to me,” Olive retorted, “But I still think it’s Adriane.”

    “It’s impossible.” Mei sighed, “If Adriane ever goes anywhere near my bag, Anna would’ve warned me.”

    “So you must’ve left it at Violet’s place.” Olive reasoned, “I mean, why would she steal it from you of all people?”

    “I have no idea,” Mei admitted, her voice a bit raspy. Still somewhat refusing to admit to her own conclusions.

    “Look, I’m sure it’s all just a big misunderstanding,” Olive said, her tone still cheerful despite it all.

    “I hope so,” Mei replied, her eyes fixated on her cup. Watching the heat start to form a haze on her glasses. She’s once again lost in her thoughts, very unlikely and doubtful thoughts.

    As Mei was never quite oblivious to Violet’s ability to lie like second nature, though she knew that Violet was wise enough as to not use her ability on any of them. And that thought alone renders Mei indecisive and confused.

    Mei glanced back at her father, who was sitting with them the whole time. Not saying a word. Though she could tell by his expression that he felt very much the same as her.

    “I suggest you two confront her.” He advised, pointing his index finger towards the two girls.

    “I agree.” Olive chimed in.

    “Well, I don’t.” Mei retorted, her voice slightly raised. “What the hell is she gonna think of me?” She spoke as she fidgets her hands.

    “Well, there’s only one way to find out,” Olive replied as she smirks at Mei, beckoning her to be on board with the plan.

    “You think too lowly of her, I’m sure that she’ll understand your accusations.” Mei’s father reasoned. “By the way, what were we looking for again?” He suddenly asked.

    “Wait, you didn’t tell him?” Olive pipped.

    “Well she did tell me we’re looking for a red book, I just don’t know what that book is.” He clarified.

    Olive soon gave Mei a look, her eyes somewhat disappointed. Though they also tell that they somewhat understand. Mei sighed, there’s no possible way she’s wasn’t going to confront Violet about this. This was important, and she needs to know.

    Camilla’s petite body was slammed at the wall, Violet soon pinned her down, both of their bodies were shaking from the recent physical hit. Violet pinned the blonde’s wrists to the wall, making the smaller female unable to move. The quiet sound of heavy breathing, accompanied by the heavy storm outside fuels their hunger.

    “I can’t believe you’re enjoying this.” Violet retorted in frustration, her breath heavy and restraint. Though her face was still as emotionless as when she first arrived in this hell of a house.

    “I can’t believe you still managed to spend the night.” Camilla shot back, burying her knee to Violet’s stomach. The blonde hair smiled viciously as she watches Violet winces in pain, though still unsatisfied on how the Latino still manages to keep hold of her lack of emotions on her face.

    Violet let go of her and quickly clench her abdomen in both frustration and pain, but Camilla attacked her almost immediately and quickly managed to pin the larger of the two to the floor. Violet flinched at the pain on her back, though showing no major signs of pain.

    “Well, you should’ve killed me when you had the chance,” Violet remarked, her voice as sweet as Camilla’s shattered facade.

    Camilla was more than annoyed at this “gold ticket” of hers, as the damned latina hasn’t been giving her any useful information for approximately the past twenty-four hours. Though this was nothing new to her, she’s handled worse. Though it has been quite a while.

    Violet felt Camilla loosened her grip on her wrists, she took the opportunity and quickly flipped their position. Violet is the one on top.

    “Look, maybe we could negotiate on this,” Camilla reasoned, “In a more civil that is.”

    “Like what?” Violet quickly asked, as she tightened her grip on the other’s wrists as well as burying her knee on her abdomen, emitting more pain to the blonde.

    “Fine, you can keep the diary!” Camilla shouted.

    “Heh, finally,” Violet remarked slyly, a smirk going across her tired face.

    “Although,” She interrupted, “You ought to give to me, any information that I need regarding this friend of yours.”

    “Then what’s the point of me getting me to keep the damn diary?” Violet grunted as she drives her knee deeper into the blonde’s stomach. Camilla could feel her kidneys and ovaries twisting in pain already, though she still manages to keep on her psychotic smile still as a brick.

    “Relax, the information would be very much disposable to your friends.” Camilla insisted. “Especially that precious Mei of yours.” She added.

    “Wait, how’d you know?” Violet grunted, her voice low and cautious.

    “Oh trust me, dear, you’re an open book to me,” Camilla remarked as she suddenly stopped struggling. It appears that Violet wouldn’t be submitting to her usual tactics anytime soon. So it seems like she’ll have to resort to a new approach.

    “I can tell that you were definitely not the one who found Ivory’s diary,” Camilla said, her tone teasing Violet to the brink of her limit. “Ivory wouldn’t trust someone like you to find her diary.”

    “You wouldn’t know.” Violet hissed back.

    “Oh yes, I very much would, in fact, I think that you aren’t the only one who’s seen the diary before.” Camilla chimed.

    “Oh yeah,” Violet said, her voice still somewhat cocky. “And why is that?”

    “You stole it didn’t you?” Camilla suddenly stated, completely catching her opponent off-guard.

    “No, I didn’t.” Violet insisted, her voice cracking slightly. A sign of something breaking from inside.

    “You stole it from Mei didn’t you?” Camilla beckoned, her twisted smile becoming more apparent.

    “No, I didn’t!” Violet shot back, a sign of emotion finally surfaces. Which to her foe, a satisfaction in of its own.

    “You stole from your friend? Your best friend?” Camilla beckoned, “How disappointing.”

    Camilla stared at Violet’s breaking facade, taking note of every single emotion that passes through the Latino's face. Anger, frustration, stubbornness, guilt...All very expected to emerge, sooner or later. One emotion that the blonde didn’t expect, however, was hurt. She saw very clearly that Violet had flinched at one of the words she said, the problem being, which word was it?

    “Why would this b***h felt hurt of all emotions?” Camilla thought to herself as Violet suddenly punched her face, quickly snapping her out of her thoughts.

    “We aren’t finished yet,” Violet grunted, her expressions becoming more and more apparent.

    “What’s wrong?” Camilla teased, “Afraid of the facts?”

    “Those are not facts and we both know it.” Violet shot back, as she punched the petite girl once more.

    “Just admit it,” Camilla teased once more, paying attention to Violet’s response to each word.

    “No.”

    “You stole it.”

    “No.”

    “You stole Ivory’s diary from your best friend.”

    “No!” Violet shouted as she punched Camilla in the gut.

     Bingo.

    “Ah, I see now,” Camilla smirked, as Violet’s facade finally breaks away.

    “You don’t see s**t!” Violet hissed as she punched Camilla once more in the face.

    “You’re in love with her.” Camilla finally coming to her conclusions. Her smile was maddening, twisted, and more than enough to describe her current ecstatic emotions, as every word she just uttered had managed to strip down Violet of every wall of armor she’d managed to make.

    “Stealing from someone you loved?” Camilla teased, “Even I’m not crazy enough to do that.”

    “You’re wrong.” Violet denied bluntly, still refusing to give in. Though having no arguments to defend herself with whatsoever.

    “Am I?” Camilla taunted, her voice intoxicating. “Then why are you crying?”

    “No, I need to see her now!” Mei roared as she kept pushing the front door. Her vision blurry from the rain drops on her glasses.

    “No, miss you have to understand,” The raven haired woman insisted as she pushed the other side of the door to prevent Mei and Olive from entering, “Violet specifically told me to not let anyone in!”

    “Look, Isabelle,” Olive chimed in as she continues to help Mei pry open the door, “Just let us through and we’ll be done with it, besides, we’re her friends.”

    “Yeah, like, really close friends.” Mei retorted as she gave the door one last push before realizing that Isabelle had suddenly stopped pushing the other side of it, though it was quite too late for her to realize that, same goes for Olive. The action resulted in both of them falling inside, head first.

    “Oh! In that case, Violet told me to specifically let let you girls in.” Isabelle chirped as she quickly helped the two teenagers up, and lead them to Violet’s room.

    Mei and Olive followed Isabelle intently, though still quite confused as to what had happened to the diary. And observing from what the housekeeper had told to them before, Violet’s not in the house right now. And to be realistic, she might’ve taken the diary with her to wherever she’d intended to go.

    “Violet also told me that you two would most likely want to go to her room, so here you go.” The housekeeper disclosed as she tossed a pair of keys to Mei, and head to the kitchen. And that renders Mei and Olive free to investigate the scene, which was awfully convenient for them.

    Mei quickly opened the familiar door and rushed inside, Olive hastily following her tail. And there it was, the blood-red book they’ve been looking for. It was laid plainly on Violet’s desk, no such regard of hiding it as observed. Though one thing to take note of is a letter next to it, written by Violet Miller herself.

     To Mei & Olive,

    Mei, I can’t believe you left the diary in my house! I sort of panicked and I didn’t know how I should return it to you, so if someone hasn’t stolen it yet, it’s right next to this letter.

    Also, I’m guessing Olive is in my room with you by the time you’re reading this, and I understand why. You’re all probably guessed that I stole it or something, so it makes sense. But hey! At least I didn’t!

    Oh, and if you’re wondering where I am now, don’t bother looking for me. Just going to stay out of my parents for some time, need room to breathe. You know, the usual.

    With regret, Violet.

    “Well, that solves the mystery,” Olive remarked with a chuckle. “Told you it was nothing.”

    “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Mei sighed as she set down the letter and picked up the diary, observing to see if anything got damaged while she wasn’t with it. Nothing seems of any different, miraculously.

    “Well, no use staying here know,” Violet voiced. “Besides, your poor dad is waiting outside.” She reminded as the thunder and rain haven't stopped yet, and they most likely won’t be stopping anytime soon.

    “Yeah, I think we should probably get going now.” Mei agreed as they both slowly walk out of the room, taking the diary with them.

    “Wait! You haven’t eaten anything yet!” Isabelle exclaimed from the kitchen, as she quickly approached Mei and Olive with a tray of freshly baked cookies.

    “Oh, um, thanks, I guess,” Mei replied awkwardly as she slowly took a piece cookie from the tray, careful as to not burn her fingers. Olive soon followed her gesture, and with that, they both headed for the door.

    But they didn’t quite go outside, as they quickly saw Mei’s father standing right outside the front door.

    “Hi.” He greeted with a goofy smile.

    “Hi?” Mei replied as she glanced back to her friend, who was giggling uncontrollably at the awkward interaction.

    “Would you like to come inside?” Isabelle chirped from behind them, still holding the tray of hot cookies. They all secretly wondered how she manages to do that without any protection on her skin. The answer to which is probably magic or experience.

    “Oh, I would.” He responded, still smiling. “But someone else needs to come inside first.” He chimed as he stepped aside from the door, to reveal someone who was standing behind him this whole time.

    “Violet?”