When Blood Divides | 18+ | Mattheo Riddle.

Chapter 18 | Bound by Fate

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Chapter 18 | Bound by Fate

THE GLOW OF THE MORNING LIGHT CREPT THROUGH THE windows, casting gentle beams across the dorm room, painting everything in warm golds and silvers.

I wrapped the soft warm blankets around myself, and shifted over in my bed. "Lenora, you've got presents to open, and you aren't sleeping through it all." Pansy peaked around the corner of the opened door that led inside of our dorm.

I sighed, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. There was no escaping it now. Christmas was here and the girls were far too excited to let me sleep through it.

"Come on, i want to see the look on your face when you open the presents, we spent hours picking out!" Astoria chimed in.

"I'm coming, i'm coming!" I called, throwing off the covers and dragging myself out of the bed. The cold air hitting my skin making me shiver as i quickly threw on a sweatshirt. At least it'd cover most of the marks.

As i opened the door, the three of them were sat on the couches of the common room. Whatever was on my mind could wait. I could enjoy this moment as it lasted.

Gina handed me a green wrapped box. "Here, open this one first." She grinned.

I took the box in hand and unwrapped the gift wrapper, opening the box—it was a pair of red earrings that suited everything about me. "Oh, these are beautiful, Gina!" I said with a smile.

Gina beamed, her eyes lighting up with excitement as i admired the earrings. "I saw them and immediately thought of you."

I held them up to the light, watching how the red stones shimmered. They were bold, and would stand out against any outfit i wore.

Pansy had scooted toward me with another box in hand, "Here," she said, her voice soft. "open this one next."

I took the box into my hands, and opened it carefully. Inside, nestled against soft velvet, was four different promise rings. Simple, yet meaningful, its design for each of us unique, Pansy's design was carvings of elegant a crown, Gina's was laced with leaves around the carved around the edges, Astoria's design was small feathers, and mine, was paw prints carved, wolf prints to be exact.

These stood as a stark contrast to our friendship, a promise to which we'd always be friends throughout everything. "Thank you, Pans." I admired the ring, slipping it on my finger, before handing the rest over to Gina to hand out.

I decided to take in the warmth and comfort of this lasting moment, i was sure i'd cherish it forever.

Astoria, whose gift was left for last, had a deep grin on her lips. Clearly, she was eager for me to open whatever she'd picked out. She handed it to me, it wasn't wrapped like the others—nor was it a box. It was wrapped in brown paper, tied together with twine.

I carefully untwisted the twine bindings, gently pulling back the paper, only to reveal a thick leather-bound journal. I ran my fingers across the leather, feeling the texture of it, i gazed up at Astoria.

"I know you don't always say what's on your mind, you bottle things up, keep them hidden. And maybe.. you don't need to keep everything inside anymore." She said, gazing at me with a look that spoke to me with an acknowledgment that nobody else could share.

I glanced down to the journal, flipping to the first page, there was something written in neat, flowing handwriting.

"This is yours to fill however you want. Let your thoughts, your fears, and your triumphs live in here. And when you're ready to let them go, just write them down."