▸ Unravelled Plans: Chapter 19
The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting gentle blue hues across Ivy's room. Outside, the world was beginning to awaken, but Ivy was already up. She moved through her morning rituals with ease—pulling on her uniform, raking her fingers through her messy purple hair, and casually slinging her bag over her shoulder. The house was still, with only the faint creaking of the floorboards accompanying her steps.
In the kitchen, she poured two bowls of cereal, one for herself and one for Violet. It had become second nature by now. She wasn't sure when exactly she'd started doing it, but it felt strange not to. Each morning, the ritual unfolded like clockwork, a comforting rhythm that anchored her day. The comforting scent of the cereal blended with the lingering traces of yesterday's coffee, forming an oddly inviting ambiance that enveloped her like a cosy blanket. As she poured cereal into the bowls, the small pieces tumbled down, producing a gentle rustling sound that filled the serene kitchen. The rhythmic clinking of cereal against the bowl's sides resonated in the stillness, creating a comforting backdrop to the soft morning light streaming through the window.
With each tap of her spoon against the ceramic, she glanced at the untouched bowl, which awaited eagerly, its surface shimmering with a thin layer of milk. After finishing her own cereal and savouring the last few bites, a gentle sigh escaped her lips. Ivy set her empty bowl in the sink, then picked up the other bowl and headed back to her room.
Violet lay curled up under the blankets, her breathing slow and steady. Setting the bowl down on the bedside table, Ivy leaned down, pressing a firm yet careful nudge to her shoulder.
"Rise and shine. Time for breakfast," Ivy whispered gently.
Violet let out a soft groan, turning slightly to catch a glimpse of Ivy with her weary eyes.
"I'm off now," Ivy announced, straightening up. "Don't forget to lock up if you leave."
"Mmm… okay," Violet replied drowsily, already snuggling deeper into the cosy embrace of her blankets.
Ivy lingered a moment, her gaze fixed on Violet, a playful smirk dancing on her lips before she turned away and exited the room. With a swift motion, she secured the front door, adjusting her bag snugly on her shoulder as she set off down the street toward school. The morning air nipped at her skin, yet the familiar rhythm of her daily routine propelled her forward.
Once the bedroom door clicked into place, Violet's eyes flew wide open. The sleepiness that had enveloped her just moments before vanished in an instant. She sprang upright, snatched the bowl of cereal, and wolfed it down with urgency, hardly savouring a single bite as she hurriedly ate.
She had to move fast.
Violet set the empty bowl aside and leaped off the bed, dashing toward the closet. The wooden door creaked slightly as she flung it open, revealing a neatly organized array of clothes, but her eyes were immediately drawn to the crisp, neatly folded uniform she had tucked away the previous day. The fabric glimmered in the gentle morning light streaming through the window, igniting a rush of excitement within her. After all the anticipation, her heart raced as she slipped into the fresh fabric, feeling the coolness of the material against her skin. She paused to relish the feeling, the uniform representing more than just a dress code; it marked a new start, a fresh chapter in her life. With nimble fingers, she fastened the buttons of the shirt, each click echoing in her mind like a countdown to something monumental. Straightening the pleated skirt, she admired how it fell just above her knees, the fabric swaying gently as she moved.
After getting fully dressed, Violet faced Ivy's damaged full-length mirror. The uneven cracks in the glass warped parts of her reflection, but that was of no concern to her. She shifted slightly in front of the mirror, straightening her collar and flattening any creases.
She looked… right.
The heaviness in her chest lifted slightly, like a weight being slowly released from her shoulders. It had been ages since she experienced this feeling of belonging, of recognizing herself as she wished to be instead of how she had been compelled to exist. Memories of past struggles flickered through her mind, but they were quickly overshadowed by the warmth of hope that blossomed within her. A lump rose in her throat, but she swallowed it down. No time to get emotional.
Grabbing her bag, she swiftly climbed out of Ivy's bedroom window, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. She landed softly on the pavement below, her heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and anticipation. The world around her buzzed with life, the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the air as students made their way to school, each one wrapped in their own stories and struggles. Blending into the crowd of students heading toward the school, she felt a sense of anonymity that was both comforting and liberating.
⋯
The contrast between Ivy and Violet's morning walks was striking, as though two distinct realms had converged in a singular space.
Ivy ambled along with her gaze fixed downward, her eyes tracing the cracks in the pavement. She moved with a deliberate slowness, her footsteps soft and hesitant, as if she were trying to avoid drawing attention to herself. The whispers of gossip floated around her like a swarm of gnats, irritating yet somewhat tolerable. The occasional derisive comments directed at her—snickers about her face, her hair, her very presence—had become mere background noise, devoid of any real power to hurt her. She had learned to build walls around her heart, fortifying herself against the barbs of cruelty that had once pierced her deeply. However, the piercing stares of onlookers still unsettled her; their eyes felt like daggers, sharp and unyielding, scrutinizing her every move. The weight of their judgment pressed down on her shoulders, making her skin prickle with discomfort, as if she were wearing a coat of thorns. Each glance felt like an invasion, a reminder of her isolation, and she longed for the comfort of invisibility.
In stark contrast, Violet radiated warmth and openness as she walked, her very presence a beacon of light in the otherwise muted atmosphere. She greeted every student who glanced her way with a cheerful wave, her smile infectious and genuine. It was as if she carried a pocketful of sunshine, ready to share it with anyone who crossed her path. Her laughter rang out like a melody, drawing people in and sparking a buzz among her peers. Some recognized her from a previous visit, their faces lighting up with familiarity, while others were simply captivated by her effortless charm. Now, dressed in her crisp uniform, she blended seamlessly into the crowd, yet stood out in a way that was impossible to ignore. Her confidence was palpable, a magnetic force that seemed to pull others toward her. As she walked, her head held high and her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, she exuded an air of self-assuredness that was both inspiring and enviable. It was as if she had the ability to transform the mundane into something extraordinary, and those around her couldn't help but be drawn into her orbit, eager to bask in the warmth of her presence.
"Who's she?"
"She looks familiar… wasn't she with Ivy before?"
"She's new, right?"
Before she knew it, a crowd had formed around her, a whirlwind of eager students firing off questions.
"What's your name?"
"Are you in Year 11?"
"Where are you from?"
Violet chuckled awkwardly but maintained a courteous and warm demeanour, doing her best to navigate the whirlwind of introductions and questions.
"Violet. That's such a pretty name!"
Suddenly, others started to join in, sharing the same feelings, and for the first time, Violet found herself feeling completely overwhelmed. This was… a lot. The attention, although it felt nice, was almost too much to handle.
Then, she spotted her.
Ivy came to a halt in the bustling schoolyard, her keen eyes scanning the throng of students. The air was thick with laughter, shouts, and the occasional clatter of backpacks. She hadn't intended to linger, nor was she particularly interested in the source of the excitement—until Violet's name pierced through the noise. A flicker of bewilderment crossed Ivy's face as she turned to investigate the ruckus. In the heart of the chaos stood Violet, clad in the identical school uniform that Ivy wore.
Violet beamed and hurried toward her, her heart skipping at Ivy's intense gaze. Ivy, however, found herself swept away by the surge of attention surrounding her. Countless gazes were fixed upon her, too many to ignore. Driven by an instinctive urge, she reached out and seized Violet's wrist, drawing her closer with a steady yet gentle hold.
"Come on," Ivy muttered under her breath, leading them both away from the courtyard before more questions could follow. Ivy pressed on relentlessly until they arrived at the deserted hallway adjacent to the library, a serene nook of the school rarely frequented by other students. It was only at that moment that Ivy released Violet's hand, pivoting sharply to confront her. "What the hell are you doing here?" Ivy demanded, her voice edged with frustration, but beneath it was an undeniable layer of concern.
Violet hesitated before sighing. "I enrolled."
Ivy blinked. "You… what?"
Violet looked away sheepishly. "I asked the Whitehorse Agency for help. They got me a place here."
Ivy felt a sharp pang of disbelief settle in her gut. "You went to them?" Her voice was quieter now, but no less intense. "You know that means you owe them something, right?"
"I know," Violet admitted, meeting Ivy's gaze again. "But I don't regret it."
Ivy's frown deepened. "Why?"
"Because I was tired of being alone," Violet said simply. "You leave every morning, and I'm stuck waiting for you to get back. I wanted to be with you more, to see what your world is like."
Ivy studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "You're unbelievable."
Violet grinned. "I know."
Shaking her head, Ivy let out a reluctant chuckle before fixing Violet with a stern look. "Just… be careful."
Violet nodded, her smile softening. "I will."
⋯
The morning rush at Whitewater Charter School was unlike anything Violet had ever experienced. The sheer volume of students, the structured chaos of uniformed bodies moving in different directions, and the sharp chime of the school bell ringing above all the chatter made her heart pound with both excitement and nerves. It had been years since she had last attended a traditional school, and now, as she traversed the campus of Whitewater, it felt as though she was entering an entirely different world.
Violet clutched the strap of her bag tightly as she glanced down at the neatly printed schedule in her hand. Her first stop was the front office, where she needed to finalise her enrolment. Although the Whitehorse Agency had managed the majority of the paperwork, a few remaining tasks stood between her and her official status as a student.
Ivy strolled alongside her, her hands buried deep in the pockets of her blazer. Since their earlier chat that morning, she had hardly uttered a word, stealing only the occasional glance at Violet, as if she were still trying to wrap her mind around everything. After their rushed escape from the crowd at the entrance, she had begrudgingly agreed to show Violet where she needed to go before heading to her own morning tutor.
"Are you absolutely certain you've got everything under control?" Ivy inquired, her tone laced with a familiar hint of worry.
Violet responded with a swift nod. "Yeah, I think so. Just need to confirm some final details with the office, get my locker assignment, and then find my morning tutor room."
Ivy exhaled sharply, swinging the door to the administration building open for her. "Great. The last thing I want is for you to wander off and become a walking target on your first day."
Violet rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she stepped inside. A receptionist greeted her, checking over her paperwork before handing her a small plastic card with her student ID and locker details.
"You'll need to see Mr. Alden for your tutor group assignment. Room 3B," the receptionist informed her.
Violet took the note with a polite nod. "Thank you!"
She then turned back to Ivy, expecting some last-minute piece of advice, but instead, Ivy's eyes were narrowed slightly, scanning her neck.
"Your mark—it's gone."
Violet tensed for a moment before realizing what she meant. Her fingers instinctively brushed against the spot where her Semi-Immortal marking had always been. Thanks to a thick layer of makeup, it was now invisible.
"Oh, yeah," Violet said with a small shrug. "Figured it'd be better if no one saw it."
Ivy visibly eased at her words. "Nice move. Trust me, you don't want to get caught up in the mess I have to deal with around here."
Violet bit her lip but said nothing. She knew exactly what Ivy meant. If anyone found out about her status, she'd be subjected to the same relentless scrutiny that Ivy endured. This school was tough enough without the added burden of being labelled an anomaly.
As they exited the office, they split near the stairs. "You'll be okay," Ivy reassured her, her voice gentler this time. "Just don't do anything stupid."
"No promises," Violet shot back with a grin before making her way to Room 3B.
⋯
The morning tutoring session was quite the spectacle. Unlike the usual rigid classes, this gathering was a delightful mishmash of students from various academic sets, all huddled together under the watchful eye of a designated teacher before the day kicked off.
Violet took a seat toward the middle of the classroom, trying to blend in. She noticed students throwing curious glances her way, whispering among themselves. Some of them recognized her from when she had visited the school with Ivy, though no one directly approached her. Not yet, at least.
"Alright, quiet down!" Mr. Alden, a wiry man with a perpetually dishevelled appearance, clapped his hands to get the group's attention. "We have a new student joining us today. Go on, introduce yourself."
Violet stood awkwardly. "Uh, hi. I'm Violet. Just transferred in."
A few students muttered greetings in response before returning to their conversations. Mr. Alden didn't press further, merely marking her name down before diving into the usual morning announcements.
As soon as he moved on, a girl sitting diagonally from Violet turned in her seat, leaning in with an easy-going smile. "Hey there, Violet, right? I'm Chelsie."
Chelsie sported shoulder-length caramel brown hair that cascaded in gentle waves, a cute button nose, and a sprinkle of freckles dancing across her cheeks. Her uniform was casually unbuttoned at the collar, and her tie hung loosely, radiating an air of effortless charm. She exuded a vibe of someone who blended in seamlessly—self-assured yet not at all intimidating.
"Yeah," Violet replied, relieved someone had actually spoken to her first.
"Where'd you transfer from?" Chelsie inquired, propping her chin on her hand.
"Uh, I was home-schooled before this," Violet said, shifting slightly in her seat.
Chelsie's eyes practically popped out of her head. "No way! That sounds amazing! Way better than being cooped up here all day."
Violet laughed lightly. "I mean, I guess? But it's nice meeting new people."
"Well, you're in luck!" Chelsie beamed, beckoning two girls over. "Meet my pals, Mia and Tara."
Mia, her glossy black hair swept up into a high ponytail, gave a courteous nod, radiating a serene confidence in her impeccably tailored uniform. In contrast, Tara shimmered with playful energy, her ash blonde locks playfully decorated with vibrant clips. "Hey there! So you're the mysterious new girl, huh?" she said, her voice laced with playful intrigue.
Violet smiled. "I guess so."
"Mia's the brainiac, Tara's the chaos gremlin," Chelsie joked. "I'm the one who keeps them in check."
"Bold of you to assume that," Tara shot back, smirking.
Violet chuckled, feeling some of her tension ease. She hadn't expected to be welcomed so quickly, but she wasn't complaining. As the morning stretched on with a series of announcements, her attention kept drifting toward Chelsie and her group of friends. A flicker of hope sparked within her—maybe, just maybe, this experience wouldn't be as daunting as she initially feared.