Forever Holding On

Chapter 4

My reflection, it was much better than before. As I brushed out my long hair, I continued to stare at my reflection in the mirror. Lenalee had dropped off a new pair of clothes for me, they looked alright. Though, they were pretty heavy on me. I guess this is what I am going to look like from now on. I tied my hair up in a tight ponytail, I put my hands on the rim of the sink and lean forward. This was my future now, this is what I am going to be doing from now on, being an exorcist. Risking my life to fight Akuma and protect and retrieve the innocence. I had a feeling this will take some getting used to.

A couple minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom. To come to my surprise, Allen was still here, but he was leaning against the wall, sleeping. I rolled my eyes at him amd kick his leg. "Get up." I shot at Allen. Allen jumped and snapped awake. "What? Oh, your done." He yawned and rubbed the back of his head. I slowly look away in annoyance and turn around. "Yeah, so let's go then." I mumbled and start walking. "And by the way..." I turn so my eyes catch Allen's. Allen flinched and held his hands up, I huff. "You owe me another tray of food..." I grumbled and feel my stomach growl. Allen let out a sigh. "Sure, it's the least I can do for a new member." He said, sounding friendly and forgiving. I felt my cheeks warm. "Tch..." I hiss a little. There was no WAY I was blushing from HIM.

Allen caught up beside me, my eyes stayed locked forward. "So uh..." Allen started. I shake my head a little, the poor sucker is so nervous to talk to me now. I think I might have scared him a little, I suddenly stop in my tracks and turn to face Allen. Allen jerked back and stopped. "Look." I start. "I'm sorry if I scared you too much, I got off to a bad start here." I rub the back of my head. My voice sounded calm and cool. Allen breathed out. "That's fine, I shouldn't have been playing football with Krory anyway." He looked at the ground. I sigh and look at the hall, then back to Allen. "Well I was mistaken for an Akuma..." I say, I sounded like I was getting into competition. Allen rose his head and gave a small smile, I looked at his smile, then suddenly back to the ground. "So was I at first..." He says. "Then Kanda got on my nerves..." He said afterwards. I look up, we seemed to have started off the same. "Yeah me too, he called me a shorty." I grumbled. Allen's small smile turned into a smirk. "Well you do look-" I look up and shoot a glare, making his smirk fall. "Sorry." He cringed.

We stayed there in silence. It could not have gotten more awkward than this. "I should introduce myself properly." He mumbled a bit. I look up at him, seeming interested, surprisingly. What had made me change my thought, he was supposed to be annoying. My thoughts were cut off when I saw a hand reach out to me, I look up at Allen. "My name is Allen Walker." He smiled at me. A friendly smile. I look at his hand and back at him, I extended my hand to his and clasped mine around his, giving it a shake. "Ivory Louise Bookman." I nod. Allen looked at me. "Bookman? Wait, you mean...Lavi's sister?" He asked me. The name struck me in the heart harshly and I suddenly dropped his hand. Looking away I hide a wave of tears that had suddenly rushed to my eyes. Allen's eyes widened and he facepalmed. "Good job Allen." He whispered to himself. I look at the ground before nodding. "Yes, I am Lavi's younger sister." I say in a half whisper.

Allen looked at me, he trailed over to me, I could feel a hand linger over my shoulder, then fall again. "Hey, I'm sorry if I offended you." He said behind me. I shake my head and straighten myself up. "No, it's fine" I sniff a little. "It's just been a while." I whisper after, then trail off to the cafeteria. Allen followed behind me and we stayed silent the whole way there.

The cafeteria was cleared out a little, it was less hectic than before. Which was a relief for me. I walk over to an empty seat, closest to the counter where Jerry took everyone's order. Allen looked at me before walking up to the counter. "Ah, hey Jerry." He said quietly. "What's troubling you Walker?" Jerry said loudly. Allen cringed a little and looked back at me, then back at Jerry. "I'm here to repay someone." He gestures towards me. I wave a little. "Ahhh, I saw what happened. That's smart of you." Jerry said. Allen shrugged. "Yeah, I guess it is." Jerry walked away to prepare all of the food I previously asked for. Surprised how he remembered.

Allen walked back over to my table and sat down across from me. We sat in silence for a bit, he folded his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands. "It'll be ready soon" He finally broke the awkward silence. I nod a bit and cross my leg over the other and fold my arms together. "Alright...well, now what?" I ask. I was clearly bored, no one was around to bother me, thank god. Allen shrugged. "Well, now that we have the time, we can get to know each other." He said. I wiggle my fingers at him. "My past is veeeerry scaaaaaary." I say over dramatically. Allen blinked and rolled his eyes. "Okay." He leaned back crossing his arms. I try not to laugh, but I can't help it. I let a small giggle burst from my throat, it felt good to laugh. Allen looked at me and then gave me a small smile.

A bell rang across the cafeteria. "Order up!" Jerry yelled. Allen stood up. "I'll get it." He nodded at me and walks towards the counter, taking the over sized tray and waddling over to me again. Sitting the tray infront of me. I could've sworn my eyes sparkled, the food was fresh. I let out a sigh and I dug into my food, Allen stared at me in silence, he crossed his arms and leaned back. "You eat as much as I do." He snickered. I raise my head and tip it to the side. "Huh, I guess." I shrugged and went back to eating.

I had finished half of my meal when I started to become full. "Oh my god." I held my stomach. Allen laughed at me a little. I glare slightly. "What?" I ask with my mouth full. Allen covered his mouth. "Sorry, you just look like me." He said. I stare at him in silence. "..." I looked at my food again.

I nearly choked on my turkey when the door to the cafeteria burst open and slammed against the wall. I shoot up and fall back onto the floor. Allen jumped and stood up. "What?!" Was all that came out of his mouth. I heard the sound of footsteps, coming towards our table. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I scare you?" A voice said between laughter. An arm was thrown around Allen, causing a choke from him. "Whoa, careful Lavi." Allen wheezed out.

I slap my hands on the table when I heard his voice, and his name. "Lavi?" I squeak as I lift myself up to my feet. I turn around and that's when I saw him. Brick red hair, held up by a green headband, the large hammer that hung on his shoulder. The grin, that same grin I used to get all the time when we were kids. My eyes watered. He looked at me and his grin disappeared. "I-Ivory?" He choked out, his voice was strained. Like he was hit in the throat. My thoughts disappeared when I climbed over the table, pushing past Allen, and tackling my older brother in a hug. "LAVI!" I cried out, my tears welling down my face.

And at that moment in time. I felt at home