The Diary Keeper ["The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 34: Between the lines

Sitting near Kaira in the cramped confines of Mrs. Coleman's office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling inside me. Mrs. Coleman had a reputation for being strict and it was not an easy task to earn her respect.

I glanced over at my "partner in crime", whose foot was tapping like a runaway percussionist. I couldn't resist teasing her a bit to lighten the tension.

"Kaira, calm down! You're turning that floor into a dance stage."

"Hmm, why not?" she chuckled.

The anticipation in the room was palpable, like the silent countdown before a roller coaster ride. Mrs. Coleman's reaction to Hazel's diary was the moment we had been waiting for. As we sat there, the minutes felt like hours, each tick of the clock amplifying the tension.

Would she see the truth within those pages? Would she be the hero in our story, or would she dismiss it like typical math homework?

Finally, the door creaked open, and Mrs. Coleman walked in with a serious expression, her eyes scanning us both. My heart skipped a beat as she picked up Hazel's diary, her gaze locked on its worn cover. This was it - the moment of truth.

"Hello, my dear investigators," she greeted, my the phrase "my dear" sounded rather sarcastically than welcoming.

"Hello!" we responded and it looked like students saw their teacher.

I and Kaira quickly told her about our adventures in the cave, interrupting each other. She just listened attentively.

"Liandra Di Flores," Grace looked at me as if I am guilty of a crime, "You can't read Hazel's diary, am I right?"

"Well, you are right," I replied boldly, "Actually, the problem is in the diary itself, I know how to read!"

She didn't appreciate my joke. Yeah, sometimes I am too specific to understand...

"Lia, show me please Mia's diary," Grace ordered, her tone firm.

"Sorry, Mrs. Coleman, but I think this thing is too personal to reveal to anyone," I insisted, my protective instincts kicking in.

"So, Hazel's diary is not a personal thing, that's your opinion?" she raised one eyebrow, challenging me.

"I know Mia personally, we talked face to face, she is like my friend!" I declared genuinely, "And I don't know almost anything about Hazel."

"Anyway, I won't be able to read it because you are the diary keeper, not me. It's just for some investigation," her voice was confident and calm.

"Mia's diary is not for investigation!" I almost screamed.

A heavy silence hung in the air, filling the office with tension. Mrs. Coleman seemed to be pondering her next move.

"So, you won't give me both diaries?" she finally asked.

"No!" I stubbornly refused, determined to protect the privacy.

Mrs. Coleman continued to contemplate, her expression thoughtful and measured. Oh, my God, why did we start dealing with all the stuff?..

"In this case, it seems we can no longer cooperate," she explained, her tone resolute.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Is it really worth it?

Mia's words were like precious treasures, locked away within the pages of her diary. Should they be left untouched, preserved as a testament to her struggles and triumphs? Or should they be unleashed, exposing the harsh reality we faced, in the hopes of bringing about change?

I pondered the consequences of my decision. Would Mia understand my choice? Would she feel betrayed or proud of my actions? It was an impossible question to answer, a silent plea for guidance that only she could answer.

The diary held a piece of Mia's soul, her hopes, dreams, and deepest thoughts. It was a sacred trust, an intimate bond between friends. Giving it away felt like betraying her trust, exposing her vulnerability to the world.

"Ok," I said doubtfully, "I will lend you the diaries only if you return them back once you finish your investigation."

She smirked, satisfied with her triumph.

"Perfect. I will keep them safe and sound for myself. Thank you for your cooperation. Wait for the next task."

***
As I sat alone in the quiet of my room, the weight of my decision hung heavy on my shoulders. Should I have handed over the diaries to Mrs. Coleman? Was it the right thing to do?

Mrs. Coleman, with her calm demeanor and dedication to justice, had convinced me that the diary was essential for her investigation. But what if it fell into the wrong hands? What if its contents were twisted and used against us? These thoughts played like a never-ending loop in my mind, fueling my uncertainty.

Ok, I have to forget about all this stuff. For now, I have one more idea. It should be discussed with Kaira.

***
I plopped down on Kaira's comfy sofa, surrounded by a sea of colorful pillows and stuffed animals. Stormy, our once tiny and adorable kitten, now resembled a mini-tiger, prowling around with mischief in her eyes.

Kaira waved the toy back and forth, tempting Stormy to pounce.

"Come on, Stormy! Show us your mighty hunting skills!"

Sitting there, surrounded by the chaos of a not-so-little kitten, I couldn't help but feel grateful for these moments of pure joy. In the midst of life's challenges and ups and downs, it's the simple pleasures and the company of a mischievous kitten that remind us to cherish the lighter side of things.

And so, we laughed, we played, and we embraced the silliness that Stormy brought into our lives. Because sometimes, all you need is a playful kitten and a friend by your side to make the world feel like a purrfectly wonderful place.

"Kaira, I have a crazy idea," I began.

"As crazy as you are yourself?" she chuckled.

"How about summoning Amos?" I just continued, "He has a lot to tell. We just have to gather some his things..."

"Lia, Amos was just an ordinary human. Only ghosts that were sorcerers during life can be summoned."

Well, it wasn't the best thing to hear. If only Amos lived now... He could help us in many ways.