Violet Betrays [Completed]

Chapter 5

Beatrice is sitting next to me at the breakfast table, spinning tales of times long ago. I had never heard of such bravery; the things that people in her village in Fiona had done for each other.

"He had eyes just like yours, Violet," Beatrice mutters, continuing to stitch up the rest of my broken petticoat. Someone... Not going to name names, ripped it completely open the other night. I claimed that I had tripped while making a run to my father's office.

The experience was much more than just a trip to my father's office.

It's been days since the last time I've seen IJ, but the last time we saw each other was completely worth every second I'm without him now. The way he touched me... I fear I will never experience something as beautiful or as passionate or as loving as that again.

The whole room spun when he touched me.

We had been able to go into the Platform. The secret door that seemed to be sealed off was broken and ready for our use.

I had used my long finger nails to chip open the door that stood way above IJ's six foot height. We entered with only a candle and an extra container of matches.

I lit the way down the cedar stairwell that is glossed over in some of the finest wax the Areas have to offer. The stairway lead to a huge library, filled with thousands upon thousands of books, all published before the first Era. Some are melting away, becoming one with the dust. Others are in such great condition that I was able to take them off of the shelf and show IJ.

IJ was completely astounded by the whole ideal. His whole attitude changed when I showed him my baby grand piano.

I am a young woman of many talents. I know how to draw and use color to my advantage. I can sew and knit better than any seamstress in the world. I have also been playing the piano since I was five.

Before we left Area 5, I had had a keyboard in the dining room. My mother taught me how to play, explaining each note and chord. The piano that sits in my library was crafted in Area 3 and sent over by boat. The ship only comes near the end of November and stops after Christmas. I received it as a gift when I turned ten for my birthday, which happens to be December 24th.

I sat down and played for IJ. I played a long, slow melody that reminded me of him. I believe it may have been the same song that my mother played for my father when she was still alive. In that case, it makes it ironic.

IJ stood in front of the piano, watching my fingers stroke the keys. He listened so closely, so intensely, that I was almost scared of what he thought.

I realized the depth of my terror when I saw a fat tear roll down his cheek.

"What's wrong?" I had said. He stared at me, shoving a clenched fist into his pantsuit pocket.

"It's so beautiful," IJ replied when I stood up, taking his face into my hands. We kissed in that moment. I knew then that's what love was. Kissing the tears away, whether they were happy or sad.

"You're beautiful," I whispered. "I love you, IJ."

IJ took my hips into his hands and gripped me tight. My memory bleeds together after that. Nonetheless, whatever happened last night was a phenomenon I will never experience again.

Beatrice tries to shake me back to real life, but my life has become a fantasy. My legacy might as well be streaked with unreal people and events, because remembering last night is now my default state.

"Violet, you've been acting weird lately. Is everything okay?" Beatrice's pleading eyes finally make me come back to earth. I stare back at her, the purple colliding with the blue.