Violet Betrays [Completed]

Chapter 7

In the fall, the very few trees that are in Noah create enormous piles of leaves all around. My boots kick them up as I go towards the house where my life began.

I'm at the Mulik House by 7:45. I see that this is the first time that I've seen IJ where I wasn't scared. Where I wasn't fidgeting around while trying to figure out how to be the perfect girl.

IJ has seen me in a state even my father hasn't seen me. He saw my worst and earned my best.

I love him.

I see his tall, slender form climbing the stairs and opening the door. His cheeks are glowing from the chill that has started to strangle Noah. He smiles at me. "It's so good to see you."

"IJ!" I call, throwing my arms around him. We're embracing as he pushes me into the kitchen table, pressing his lips to mine. The electricity is still there, but it's dulled slightly. I thought it would be even more powerful...

Something rings in my head, a thought of which I can't seem to place. The wind takes the thought away, but I can almost hear it...

Beatrice?

"This is so bad," IJ says, taking my hands into his. His palms are clammy, but I couldn't care less. I'm so happy to see him, and hold him, and be completely and utterly his, no matter what happens to either of us.

"I know. But we'll live through it," I kiss his cheek and he continues to smile like the huge dork he is.

"You know how that one day you showed me that painting you made?" IJ sits down at the table but not before checking the durability of the chair. IJ is lean, so he is probably able to sit there. Sadly, I am not, so I stand.

"You mean the painting you took?" I snap back. My heart may have melted but my sarcasm is made of steel.

"Yes, the painting I took," IJ rolls his eyes. "You showed me your talent. So I want to show you mine." IJ takes out a piece of paper and a pen, and starts scribbling. Its take me a moment to realize it, but when I do it hits me like a lightning strike.

IJ is a writer.

I've always believed writing was a form of art. I love reading and I have been known to spit out a decent sounding haiku once in a while. I once heard that if you marry a writer, you'll never die.

My thoughts go to wedding dress colors when IJ finally finishes writing. He hands me the piece of paper and is grinning so hard that his cheeks might get stuck in their place. "Read it. You'll love it."

I squint at the paper, untrusting. But after a few minutes of his silent insisting, I take the paper from him and unfold its contracted creases. His handwriting is still miserable, but I manage to contemplate his message.

Deep like the sea I

Love her more than she will know;

She's my sun and moon

Everything changes

Because she is mine, the girl

With big violet eyes

By fate's design I

Love someone I will never

Have. God's will is strange.

My eyes wander across the page, IJ's thoughts filling my chest up. I feel as though I am drowning and I have no option but to be swallowed by the ocean. Everything hurts, and I am suffering.

I will never be allowed to marry IJ.

Interracial couples are forbidden throughout Area 1, yet some manage to exist without exploitation. However, these families hide away. They are forbidden from seeing the world as a friendly place. They are targeted and attacked, their children considered mutts and dogs because they were created from two different skin tones, despite being the product of love.