The Book of Fate

Chapter 2

    Diane opened her door and a feeling of dread went through her. She knew she would have to be around her parents; bathing in the awkward silences and passive-aggressive back-and-forth between her parents. Diane did not want to deal with them, but she did want to eat. Her stomach shoved her out the door and down the stairs, chasing after the delicious smell in the air.
    Diane found her way to the kitchen and saw the rest of the family there. Her mother had just given Bryan his plate of food when she saw Diane. She happily said, “Dinner’s done! We’re having spaghetti. Come and get your plate.”
    Diane obediently went up to her mother and got handed her food. She went to sit down when her father asked, “How was your day?”
    “It was okay,” Diane replied.
    “Well, is that it? Nothing more than that?”
    “Yep.”
    Just as that conversation goes every time. Her father would always ask how her day was and Diane would make a comment that was synonymous with it being average. He would always make a short quip about her thoughtless answer and it would end. It was standard routine for the two at that point.
    Diane finally sat down at the table between Bryan and where her mother usually sat down to eat. It was customary in the household to wait for all members to sit down to finally start eating, so her brother and father’s plates were still full on the table. When Diane’s mother finished putting together her plate of food and took her place at the table, the family began eating their dinner.
    The meal went exactly as Diane had seen before: the same conversations, the same actions, the same everything. It amazed Diane that the book had perfectly predicted what was currently happening. The dinner went like this:
    After Diane’s mother sat down, she asked, “So, how is the food so far, sweeties?”
    Both siblings told their mother that the spaghetti was “spectacular” and “wonderful”. The food really was amazing. Spaghetti was their mother’s specialty and its recipe was passed down by her mother, Diane’s grandmother. Diane’s mother likes cooking for her family and is proud of each of the dishes she makes. She also likes the compliments that go with the good cooking she does. Diane knew this and complimented her mother on her creations to make her happy.
    Diane’s father did not say anything and kept eating his portion. Her mother glanced over at him for a couple seconds, then looked away with a semblance of sadness on her face. Diane could tell that her mother was hurt by him not answering. It also made it obvious that things still hadn’t gotten better between the two.
    The short, nonverbal exchange affected the verbal one and made it become stale. No one knew what to say past the awkwardness that had passed. Only small talk like talking about the weather or school or work. It bored Diane so. She wanted her parents to get along with each other again, but Diane knew she couldn’t do anything about it. Her parents would have to figure it out themselves.
    The awful dinner ended and everyone went back to their respective rooms. From start to finish, it gave Diane deja vu. She still could hardly believe it, but she was seeing the events with her own eyes. Now, she knows what the book had shown her was all true. The whole thing just made her want to read more of the book, especially the section about herself. Diane raced up to her bedroom in anticipation.
    On her way up the stairs, Bryan followed up with her to his own room. He said in a whisper, “Those two didn’t seem too well, did they?”
    “No, I don’t think they are either.”
    Her brother paused for a bit and then he looked at Diane. She noticed this and locked eyes with him. Diane could recognize the expression that was on her happy-go-lucky brother’s face; it was one that she had before. She sympathized with him and felt that she should help. Diane said, “It’ll be alright. I bet everything will be well in the end.”
    Bryan gave her a small smile, but Diane knew it wasn’t genuine. Words couldn’t do anything in this situation and they don’t give much reassurance. Diane understood that well. The same method was used on her and it didn’t work for her either. She did appreciate that her brother acknowledged that she was trying. Hopefully, Diane thought, knowing I’m here might help him.
    The two broke off to their rooms in the wake of their chat. Her brother distracted her for a small amount of time, but now the book was the only thing on her mind. Diane felt like she needed to read more of the book. It was like it called to her, like a siren leading someone with their voice. The feeling was constantly in Diane’s head and she couldn’t help but want to open the book again. She felt like Pandora musing over whether to open her box or not.
    Diane slipped into her room and threw the book open. She wanted its mysteries to be unlocked for her and to go through the stories to her heart’s content. Diane wanted to know everything. I don’t know why I feel this way, Diane thought, but I feel like this deep feeling I have is partially responsible.
Swiftly, she glossed over the names in the index, mainly searching for her own. It seemed the names weren't in alphabetical order, but started from the people she recently met and backwards. Since this was so, Diane deduced that her name would be the last, like she had seen before, because she was the first person she met. Diane found the last of the names, but she didn't find her own anymore. It was like it had never been there, that it had been a figment of her imagination. This perturbed Diane and she wondered where her name had gone. Although, another name caught her eye: Karma.
Karma was one of Diane’s classmates in Mr. Phillips’s class. She liked him: he was smart, cool, and had this confidence that Diane admired. Karma wasn’t popular, more in the medium range of known. He had pretty good grades and usually did well all in subjects. Diane also thought he didn’t look half bad. In truth, she’s had a crush on him for a few months now but still hasn’t told him. Diane wanted to know if he was interested first before she would make a move. That has made her so encaptured by revealing the secrets of the future to see if things go her way. She turned to his page in the book.
The scenes began with the next day at school. Diane noticed that it was going to be a perfectly sunny day with no clouds. Kids flowed into the school like a water current. They all flew by and went to their classes. Diane was following Karma on his way and saw him talking with his friends as normal. They were talking mainly about tests and homework, but Diane yearned to hear if Karma had feelings for anyone. It was the only reason she did this in the first place.
Karma made it to class and sat down in his seat. The lesson went on (the subject was English) and Diane just observed him. Karma created the impression of being studious and obedient with only talking when supposed to and taking notes throughout the class. It didn’t seem like to Diane that he mingled much with others during school, unlike most. Diane was inquisitive of his behavior and felt a demand to find out more about Karma. He was a mystery to Diane that she strove to solve.
The school day went on and nothing big happened. There was a test in one class and lessons in the others. Karma finally got to the class the two shared: Mr. Phillip's class at the end of the day. Him and Diane sat near each other and conversed occasionally. The talks mainly consisted of whether one needed to borrow something or notes. Diane had wished for these to be more than they have been, but she has been too afraid to start that kind of conversation with Karma. She didn’t feel she was ready yet.
Mr. Phillips read the roll call and marked each person that was not there to answer. Diane heard herself and looked toward her. The other Diane was already staring at the place where Diane was. The look freaked her out and she wondered if it was a coincidence that the other Diane was scrutinizing the area she was at. She could have been peering over at Karma, Diane guessed. The stare was creepy to her, nonetheless. Diane put it out of her brain and continued surveying the class.
Mr. Phillips started the lesson and the hour went on. Karma was more interested in this than other subjects, which was kinda weird to Diane. She thought it was peculiar behavior for a person. Seems like there is more depth in him than I thought, Diane pondered.
The physical Diane hadn’t looked towards her again, Diane guessed it was a coincidence or a one-time thing. The book showed her so many different things on this trip, so Diane was processing so much all at once. The Diane she saw was slightly scary and unsettling, but Diane guessed she didn’t have any bad intentions toward her. Of all things, Diane liked seeing Karma the most, so she wasn’t against letting this game go on for longer. She was happy to indulge in the book.
The bell rang to end the day and cut off the class period. Students hopped up from their desks and out the door. Karma was still putting up his things once everyone else had already left. Mr. Phillips saw this and said, “What are you still doing here, Karma?”
“Sorry, just a little late getting my stuff together.”
“That’s fine. Take as long as you need,” Mr. Phillips replied with a smile to show that he cared.
“You know, I actually really like this class. It’s one of the only ones that I care about.” Karma had a smirk on after he said it, like he didn’t expect to say it but now that he had he thought it was funny. Diane saw a jump in his chest that she guessed was a laugh at what he had said.
“That’s good to know! I’m glad you enjoy my class.”
“Yeah, it’s weird to me. I don’t usually like school all too much, but this place is actually kinda cool. I don’t know, I just didn’t think any part of school would matter to me. I guess that I’m saying thanks for making me like being here.”
“Uh, well, I don’t know what to say to that. I am happy that I am able to help, though. It’s why I became a teacher, to teach people and help them better themselves. It’s great to hear that I have made a difference in at least one person’s life so far!” Mr. Phillips had a bright smile now, bigger than the one he had at the beginning of the conversation. “I’m guessing you’ll be making your way out now?”
“I am. Thanks for listening to my little rant and for being here like you always are.”
“Of course, I’m here for my students whenever and wherever they need me.”
“Goodbye, then.”
“Goodbye. I hope to see you in class again.”
The talk ended with both parties feeling happy and a bit fulfilled afterwards. The two went in separate ways and Karma floated along the empty halls. I never get used to how different it looks when the school doesn’t have many people in it, Diane pondered. It’s unsettling to say the least. Karma seemed to share that sentiment as he warily looked around. He looked like a ghost wandering around his old life, wondering where everything and everyone went.
Karma found his way out and met with one of his friends who was waiting for him. Diane watched as the duo meandered their way to a car together and got in. The person who Diane assumed was Karma’s mother was in the driver’s seat and let the kids in. They look like a cute family there, Diane evaluated. She adored the look of them and wished she could see this live action instead of just through the book.
The car started up and drove off with a small puff of white smoke behind them. Diane followed them, but as she was going, a small pond caught her eye. She saw some small ripples in the middle of the water. Diane considered this peculiar since there were no other ripples anywhere else in the pond. Though it may just be some fish, Diane reassured herself. She didn’t know why the pond caught her attention, so she put those thoughts aside and went back to observing Karma.
Diane refocused her sight on the car she was tailing and went inside. She saw the trio were quiet at the moment. They were all fixated on the things they were doing: Karma’s mother driving, Karma being on a phone, and his friend reading. It has a peaceful atmosphere here, Diane said in her head. It’s a moment in time where everything just feels right and complete. Diane’s musings kept her occupied during the long and uneventful drive.
After some time passed, they got to a highway. There was also rain now and it was beginning to pick up. The car drove on to get to their destination. The road became slick with water and was more precarious than previously. Lightning lit up the sky that was now becoming darkened. Thunder shook the land and could be heard all over with its low and powerful voice. The windshield was covered by rain and the wipers worked furiously to take care of the situation. There were a couple of bounces on the parts of the highway that had small divots that had not been fixed yet. Diane was terrified every time the car lurched to one side or the other and she could tell the passengers were afraid, too. Karma was wide-eyed and staring out at the desolate landscape outside. His mother was trying to stay calm and keep driving, but Diane saw how her hands and arms were trembling and shaking. Karma’s friend seemed ready to jump out of the automobile at any time to make their escape. The whole climate had changed dramatically from calm to downright horrifying. The pressure was pushing down and there was nothing anybody was able to do about it. They just had to keep driving. And they did. Until they couldn’t.
Diane heard crazy honking come out of nowhere and looked out the back window. There was a big truck that was going pretty quick for a rain-slick road. Their incessant honking finally got through to Karma’s mother and she looked in the mirror. Her face fell into shock as she realized why the trucker was honking: they couldn’t stop their vehicle. Diane also noticed it and was scared out of her mind. She didn’t want to see her crush die like this and so early. Diane wished for him to live and to see another day, even if it sounded pointless and stupid. She still wanted the best chances she could get.
The terror was palpable in the car as all inside got hold of the situation. Karma’s mother was shaking all over. She could still handle the wheel, but that was all. Karma was trying to talk to her, but she wouldn’t respond. He then looked back at his friend when he heard the back door fly open and rain come into the vehicle. His friend jumped out the door and their screaming was only heard for a couple of seconds before being muted out by the storm.
Karma was horrified at what just happened and began to cry. His mother only looked out the front and kept her hands on the wheel, letting nothing else distract her. There was a bump underneath the car that jumbled the whole automobile. Karma was holding onto his seat for dear life. I wish I could help, but there is nothing I can do here, Diane thought piteously. She didn’t want to lose him before they were even able to start anything between them. Diane wanted it so desperately.
Her thoughts were cut short when she heard a crash behind the vehicle. She recalled the truck being only a small distance away and knew that it must have caught up. Diane turned to look back, but the car flew up before she had the chance. It was in the air for a few seconds, the picture of utter horror shown in a time of silence before there was another crash as they hit the ground.
The only sounds now were that of the pouring rain outside. The car was caved in at where they landed. Diane got up immediately to check if Karma was alive. She looked over at the shotgun seat and only saw his hand, limp. The rest was covered by the giant dent in the car and most likely a good portion of it hit him. Diane didn’t want to look any further, but she saw blood pool below the seat. She started to tear up and hoped that what she was thinking right now was wrong. Diane wanted to know that he was alive, but she knew that the crash very likely killed him. Diane also saw his mother and her face was down on the wheel, the last place she touched beforehand. She did not want to get a closer look because she could tell what she was going to find.
Diane finally got the guts to look at Karma to see if he was actually dead. She slowly turned her head in jerky motions because her body kept telling to not look. Her head finally made it to where Karma was sitting and Diane made her way over to look beyond the metal protruding downwards in front of Karma. She got closer and closer, but she still couldn’t see. However, there was some blood on a part of the metal and it made Diane want to puke. She kept on and finally let herself see him without obstruction. Diane caught a glimpse of his still and pale body before she was sent out of the book once again.
Back on her bed in her room, Diane had tears leaking down her face. She just wanted to see if he liked her, not to see him in a tragic accident that would lead to his death. The tears pooled on the covers and left stains wherever they fell. She kept contemplating how that could happen and why it had to happen. Diane felt like she was stuck in an eternal loop of “why?”. She was at her limit on how much she could take. Diane could feel her brain turning to mush and the tears exploded out ever faster. It was a nightmare for her and she wanted it to end, to be done, to wake up alright in a happy existence. Guess that’s not how reality works, Diane thought sadly.
Diane wanted to stop letting her negative emotions take over, so she decided to make a plan on what to do based on the information she learned. Diane mulled it over for a bit and then went with the most obvious solution: to change things so they won’t happen like she had seen. Diane was determined to not let the present become the future she saw in the book.
That night, she stayed up to make a plan to change things. Diane thought about all the things that had happened that day and tried to figure out which part would help the most to make a difference. She had to pick a part that would get the job done and would cause the least amount of variation so as to not mess up the situation in other possible ways. It took her a while, but she found one that she thought was perfect. Diane went to sleep that night with a drive to save her crush from almost certain death.