The next morning, I wake up staring at the scruffy book lying open next to me. I stayed up last night reading it and I must've fallen asleep.
"Come on! Wake up!" Pacifica sounds panicked.
"Wha-?"
"We slept in! Come on!"
I blink a few times and jump out of bed. Pacifica pushes my school bag into my arms and rushes out of the bedroom. I go to follow but on a whim stop and grab the book, quickly shoving it in my bag. I then sprint after her.
We barely make it to school with enough time for our lockers, when I remember I need a lock!
"Crap!" I mutter, sliding my hand down the metal door.
"What's up?" Pacifica comes up to me, breathing heavily.
"Forgot to get a lock." I respond.
"No time anyway, first period's about to start! Madame Devilliers hates it when kids are late!" She grabs my wrist and we sprint to French class, barely arriving in time. We make our way to our seats, everyone staring at us.
Madame Devilliers glares at us, but says nothing and continues with the lesson.
"Why are you late, Paz? You're never late." Clara sneers under her breath.
"We slept in." Pacifica answers, breathing heavily.
Clara rolls her eyes.
I try to concentrate, but my mind keeps wandering back to Cherry and the book.
I wonder what my first story will be...maybe it'll be a-
"Shadow!" Pacifica hisses, poking me.
"Wha-?"
"I asked you what 'cat' is in French." Madame Devilliers says, annoyed.
"Uh...." I start to panic a bit. I should've practiced my French yesterday, but I got so caught up with Cherry I forgot.
"......Cochon?"
The whole class sighs, Clara making sure to be especially loud and dramatic.
"That would be 'pig'. Does anyone know the correct answer?"
Clara immediately puts her hand up.
"The correct answer is chat." she says, throwing a smug look my way.
I sigh. Maybe this author thing isn't a good idea, after all...
~~~~~
French finally ends after what feels like eons, and once again Maria and Pacifica head off to their respective classes, leaving me with Clara. Clara glares at me and flounces off. I try to follow, after all, I still don't know my way around, but she notices and speeds up until I've lost her.
I'm left stranded in the hallway, feverishly searching for the classroom.
Wonderful.
~ Time squip because writer's block ~
I see Clara at lunch again. She's quiet, watching me read the book. Maybe she thinks I can't sense her penetrating stare. She most likely doesn't know I've been stared at my whole life and I know when someone's watching me.
Pacifica and Maria are chatting about something or other. I can hear them but firstly I have no idea what they're on about, and secondly I'm invested in reading about seven tips to improve the quality of my bubbles. I do, however, notice them attempting to get Clara to join their conversation, and failing. Multiple times.
Lunch drags on in the same way French did, and despite having Social Studies next, I start to check the clock every five seconds, watching it tick closer to the end of fourth period.
The moment the bell rings, I stuff the book in my bag and start to head to the door, when someone grabs my arm. Pacifica and Maria walk by, and Pacifica stops.
"Clara, Shadow, you coming? You'll be late to class."
"Yeah, we're coming. Just give us a moment. There's something I'd like to discuss with Shadow."
I recognize the malicious undertone in Clara's voice, but apparently Pacifica doesn't as she just narrows her eyes slightly before going on. By now the cafeteria is nearly empty, as is the hall when Clara pulls me out.
"So what's this?" she hisses, pulling the book out of my half open bag.
"A book." I reply as she opens the book and flicks through it.
She scoffs. "You don't believe this stuff, do you?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. I say nothing. "Pathetic." she mutters. The bell rings, signalling the start of fifth period, and I go to take the book, but she holds it up, laughing.
"Awww, the wittle baby can't weach her stowybook!"
"Give. It. Back!" I growl.
Clara giggles maliciously and pushes me against the wall, hard, swiftly stuffs the book in her own book and runs away to her class. I slide down the wall in defeat. I want to chase her. I want to scream and shout. I want to punch her so, so badly - but I know if I do she'll fight back and that won't end well for either of us - but most of all I want, no, need, to know why she hates me so much.
~~~~~
"She did WHAT?! You- wha- why would you take it to school?!" Pacifica is pacing back and forth in despair.
"I don't know! I figured it wouldn't be a big deal if I lost it because it'd just reappear..." I say sheepishly.
"But then- Clara! She's gonna freak out! She always returns this stuff, she's not that evil!"
Are you sure? I think.
"And if she sees you've somehow gotten it back she'll- she'll- oh, what were you thinking?!"
"Pacifica, calm down. I get it's a big deal, but I wouldn't sweat it. We'll think of something!"
"But first, how are we gonna get it back?" Pacifica asks, sitting on her bed.
"I think I have an idea." I say dryly, getting up and opening the closet.
No book.
I try each drawer on the dresser.
No book.
I start to look everywhere I can think of. The book is nowhere to be found.
"That. Yeah. I can explain why it isn't here." Cherry says. I stifle a shriek. She must've appeared while I searching for the book.
"Sorry! Uh, well, Elite magic is pretty developed, but of course there are still loopholes. Fb or example....if someone steals your book, and they happen to be an Elite, it won't return to the original Elite. You have to get it back with your social skills."
"But...Clara isn't....oh. Ohhhhh." Realization dawns on me. "Oh no."
~ I'm sure you can guess what's up with Clara. Yeah. Uh huh. I'm really doing that. I'm sorry for la delay, but I'm balancing three books at once and I'm trying not to overwork myself. I was doing that at first with this and yeah....not a good idea. So less frequent updates, sorry. ~
YOU ARE READING
Cipher's Sister (Gravity Falls OC Backstory)
Fanfiction"We don't need you. This Realm doesn't need you. Nobody will miss you, and nobody will care." Bill Cipher, the infamous illuminacho. But this story isn't about him, it's about his sister, Shadow Cipher. Shadow always had to tread carefully, as ever...
