Preparations for OACs
The next week was a bustle of activity of the 12th Grade students of Stamford High. Everyone was getting ready for the upcoming OAC (Ontario Academic Course). Aly, who was just adjusting her daily activities, was also studying very hard. The girls hold back their band practice to only three days a week. Lizzie, Alex and Keira who were taking more subjects (they took the business orientation elective) than Violet and Aly was pushing their studies to the limit so hard that sometimes Aly could see the bags under their eyes or the sound of Lizzie’s mp3 player well past over midnight indicating she’s studying.
She herself had 8 subjects to study for; English, French, Mathematics, Chemistry, Canadian History, Canadian Geography, Physical Education and Social Studies. Who wouldn’t have butterflies in their stomach when they were a week away from the examination that could determine your future?
Everyday, the teachers drilled them and gave them exercises a mountain high. Most notes ranging from the 9th grade till 12th was read every night, memorised and carved into their minds. Aly was sometimes so busy that she forgot all together about Harry and his drawings. Except when she saw him in classes. Or when she sees his drawing on the wall of her many pictures taped in the middle of everything. Violet, Alex and Lizzie had already known about him by now, thanks to Keira.
Aly herself couldn’t understand her own feelings. She was sometimes shy to talk to him. Sometimes, she’s not and enjoyed a conversation with him. Though she was sure it wasn’t a crush. Was she? She herself doesn’t know. Maybe it was. Maybe it’s not. After all, exams were coming up and she still hasn’t gotten over last week. How could she be crushing on someone now? Anyway, every time she looked at the drawing, she would smile. For the drawing reflected her. Her sadness. Her evanescence from the world.
Though not all of her time revolves around studies, eating, sleep, friends, books and daydreams. She was currently writing her uncompleted novel to pass the boredom of reading too many of her revision books. The manuscript was called Light Of The Larel and it was about a girl named Tenna who lived in a magical realm in a small village in the mountains. She was neither experienced in magical abilities nor any kind of swordsmanship. All she could was read, which is a rare ability and one that could be more respected if more people could do it. Instead the younger generation often jeered at her when she was reading under her favourite tree or writing and practising her runes. One miraculous day, she saved their lives.
Goblins, wraiths, and all other kinds of evil entered the village with intentions of pillaging it and killing every occupant of the village. Just as the goblins (the ones in charge of the evil) started to raise their swords over their heads, Tenna spoke a word she had just read in her book, which was entitled ‘The Ways Of The Larel; An Extinct Race’, the word which is one of the most powerful spells in the book. All the invaders dropped dead. As she would find out later in the book, was that she is actually a Larel, the last occupant of the nearly extinct race. Larels are relatives to the elves and was often sent to the Oracle in the city of Osilon for training because they are usually the guardians of the magical realm (named Iline). Now the queen’s younger brother, Prince or now, King Raet, usurped the realm a few years ago. He thrown his sister into the dungeons and Aly was hoping to write the journey from the village where Tenna would leave to find Oracle and the Rebels to oppose Raet and hopefully return Iline to its former glory. Aly was hoping that she could make a whole series out of Tenna. She was already thinking of what might happen in the next book. These are some of the ideas she made in her little notebook of ideas.
First Book - The Light Of The Larel
-A girl named Tenna embarks from her mountain village to save one of the most oldest and powerful magic realms in the galaxy, Iline. On the way, she met the Oracle and his apprentice, Gareth (an elf with the gift to see the future) and the three of them tries to bring back peace to the realm. After months of journeying and fighting, they finally defeat King Raet from his throne and free the rightful heir to the throne, Queen Eladriel. It turns out that Tenna is the daughter of Eladriel and she finally helps her mother to run Iline. She marries Gareth and gives birth to Iminirilie (who follows his father the most and is an elf) with Sabine and Damien, a pair of twins. Sabine follows her grandmother blood who is a half-siren and a witch. Damien is a powerful alchemist as he grows up. Iminirilie grows up to follow in his father's footsteps and is a proud swordsman and archer.
Second Book – Iline’s Sunrise
-Sabine and Damien grow up in the capital of Iline, Lafel. Very bright and well nurtured in the life of monarchy, they started to help Eladriel and Tenna in the politics and matters of Iline. Suddenly Raet (Eladriel's brother) escapes in the middle of the night from the dungeons and takes Damien with him to the Outerlands. He taught the young boy (16 years old) in the ways of necromancy and darkness. Soon after, he made a full-scale war with Iline but in the midst of it all, Sabine manages to bring her brother to the light but not completely. On their mother's orders, they escaped to another new realm with most of the villagers that they can find which Sabine and Tenna with Ora and Iminirilie only created a few months ago.
Sabine escaped with Iminirilie, and Damien with promises that they WILL come back for Eladriel and Tenna. Gareth died in battle.
Third Book - Sunset of the Siblings
-Sabine (Kyra), Damien and Iminirilie brought up Frion with the help of Ora. They divided the land into 3 pieces for each of their own. Damien continued to learn the ways of darkness without the knowledge of his sister but the condition of his country told much enough. After a few years of peace, Sabine marries and have 7 children of her own; Raella, Aidella, Ainella, Rubye, Ayrilne, and Natilyne. But a year before the arrival of Raella, Ora had a vision of the destruction of Alegardia' (Sabine's realm) so he told Sabine/Kyra bout' this and told her that the safest way is that she choose her group of Larels soon. One of the gifted warriors in Fenroh (Alegardia’s capital), Tarx who is a friend of Kin and Craiyla, betrayed them to Damien. Her daughters were hidden away to Earth when Raella was only 6 and Alegardia' was under attack by Damien. They were the new Larels.
Fourth Book - Dim Light
-After Damien overthrown his sister, his nieces were sent to Earth with the help of Kyra's agents from The Circle (Kin, Craiyla, Mayril, Aine and Ora). They again repeat history of the Larels and marches to Fenroh and Bemor to save Alegardia and their mother.
Night and day Aly has been working on her novel whenever she has the free time. Harry very much complied when Aly asked him to draw certain scenes in her story filled her manuscript in her Apple laptop alongside the thousands of words.
Finally it was Friday, the last day of school that week and a relief to most of the 12th graders. The girls entered Vi’s, Lizzie’s and Aly’s apartment and flopped on the various chairs there at 4.00 pm.
“Can you guys believe it’s finally Friday? I felt like a whole year has passed,” exclaimed Keira.
“I wished a whole year did pass, then I don’t have to worry about this stupid test. Who invented tests in the world anyway? If he’s not dead, I’m going to kill him,” Alex said.
Aly, Lizzie, Violet and Keira laughed.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
Aly moved to the kitchen, “Well, before you kill him, whoever he is, I wanna eat something. I’m starving!”
“You’re always starving,” Vi said, “For the last two nights you were up, you ransacked the fridge till it was empty. Thank god I remembered to do the groceries,”
“Yes, thank you, oh mighty Violet!” Lizzie said in a sarcastic voice, “ Through your thoughtfulness and kindness, we would be able to eat today,” she laughed. Later, she was pinned on the floor after running from Violet, being tickled to madness.
“What do you say?”
“Ok! Ok! I’m sorry!”
Violet released her to fits of laughter.
Aly who was making the table only laughed at her friends, “Instead of fooling around, why don’t you guys help me?”
Lizzie started to open her mouth to say something but closed it when she saw Violet. Everyone laughed. She went to the table with Violet and helped Aly to prepare for tea.
Sunday, the last day of freedom for four days came. The girls panicked the moment they woke up and it wasn’t even Monday. Aly got out of bed and made it up. She decided to dedicate the whole to studying so she didn’t want a messy bed to get in her way. Especially when ‘Mom’ or Violet come and demand for the bed to be made. She chuckled at the thought. She guessed Violet couldn’t help not being a ‘mom’ since she has two other orphans in her home.
“Morning, darlings! What’s up?” Violet chorused.
“Nothing. I’m just going to turn in and study for tomorrow,” Aly said, eating her toast.
“Me too,” Lizzie said.
Violet flipped the pan. She was making some pancakes.
“Okay then. I’ll be at the library today,”
Lizzie looked up, “Hey, I’ll follow!”
Vi nodded and turned to Aly, as if asking if she wanted to follow.
“I don’t think I’ll go. I need noise,” she said, laughing. But it’s actually very true. Unlike most people who prefer peace and quiet when they’re studying, Aly prefers the opposite. She often turns on her radio or Mp3 player and sang loudly when she hits the books. She said that it keeps out the noise of the outside world. Violet said it could also make you deaf.
Aly finished her pancakes and went into the fresher’ for a bath. Inside she could hear the distinct shout from Violet saying, “Aly! We’re going!” 15 minutes later when she got out of the bathroom, she had the apartment all to herself. She turned on her radio to its maximum volume and took out her Canadian History book.
She was bored out of herself. Flipping through every page, the words skimmed through her eyes. She had already memorized everything, every word, and every page for the upcoming OAC’s. So she decided to get some fresh air and continue studying at her favourite place in Niagara Falls, the Baskin Robbins ice-cream shop. She took her blue sling bag and put in her Mp3 player, her book, which has ‘Tenna’ (her story) in it, and her French and Canadian History books. Taking her keys, she locked the door and went of towards the parking lot for her car.
She drove through Cardinal Street out of Forest Glen, passing tourists and classmates here and there who she waved to. She drove past the Niagara Falls, the sight that always made her proud to be a Canadian. Finally after driving past Main Street, she arrived at the shop. She walked towards the counter and ordered some chocolate chip ice cream. Taking the ice cream from one of the workers, she went towards one of the available (the only available) booth and settled in there. What she didn’t notice was that the occupant of the booth in front of her was actually Harry. But he did notice her.
She took out her Mp3 player and played the song, A Long Way To Go by Cassie, one of her many favourites. Eating the ice cream, she took out her book and continued to write about Tenna. Immersed in her story, she was at where the goblins and ghouls were about to attack the village when she felt a tap at her shoulder.
“I’ll pay later,” she said when she thought it was the waitress. A second tap.
“What is it?” she demanded and looked up to stare into the azure eyes of Harry Raite.
“Hi, is this seat free?” he said with that accent of his. Aly took out her headphones and gestured him to seat in front of her.
“Sorry for just now. I was… busy,” she said, eating her chocolate chip ice cream before it melts.
“What are you doing? Is that the story, what’s the name, Light Of The Larel or something? The one you’re working on?” he asked, taking the book from my hands.
“Yea, I’m at the point where she was finding out her powers. When I was interrupted,” she said sarcastically. He laughed.
‘So, how long have you been doing this? Writing, I mean,” Harry asked her.
“Umm…let me think,” she said, “Since I was 10 years old, I think,”
“Hey, me too! But I also had a bit of liking towards drawing so I included both. Here, this is another of my drawings maybe you’ll like it,” he said. He opened his rucksack and took out a stack of papers. He flipped trough them and took one out of its pile. He handed it to her.
It was another drawing but set in the morning, when the sun was still rising in the borders. A girl stood outside of her balcony, gazing at open space. She looked very much like Aly, with the sunlight in her face. Her wavy dirty blonde hair was flying all over the place by the morning breeze. Like every drawing, her green eyes were reflecting her feelings, always sad and alone. She was wearing a necklace also like the one around Aly’s neck. She squinted her eyes at the words.
Evanescence.
She looked shocked. Aly has always worn her ‘Evanescence’ necklace around her neck ever since she was 15 years old. Evanescence was and still is her favourite band of all time so her mother hunted for the necklace for her 15th birthday and she will cherish it for the rest of her life. The girl looked just like her, her clothes, her necklace, her eyes, and her face. She looked at the date when it was drawn. 16th June 2006.
Harry saw that she knew the drawing, “I drew that in Science when we first met,”
“Why are the eyes always… so sad?”
“I draw them the way I see them,” he simply said. She didn’t say anything and he was afraid that she was hurt by his words.
“I’m sorry if it offended you,” he said again.
She paid for her ice cream and took the book back from him.
“Aly,”
She looked back at him.
“Would you like to go on The Maid with me?” he asked. She only walked towards her car where he followed her and he drove them towards The Falls. Parking it alongside Niagara Parkway, they lined at the counter to buy a ticket. They didn’t talk to each other the whole time.
They were at the pier next to The Falls. After they bought their ticket, they boarded the ship together. They both walked towards the starboard where the view of The Falls was magnificent.
Aly still didn’t look at him, “I’m sorry. The drawing is very beautiful,” she suddenly mumbled. What was wrong with her? She barely knew the guy! But she felt so open with him, as if she had known him her whole life.
She knew lately she has been acting selfish, avoiding everyone and wallowing in her own misery. Only now she understand that doing that won’t make Mom come back or Dad change his traits. She must only live on.
“Aly?” Harry’s voice cut through her thoughts.
She looked at him, glassy-eyed. She pressed the drawing at his chest. Harry sub-consciously put his hand behind her back, making her put her head on his chest where she was weeping silently.
“Aly, what happened?” he asked in a caring voice.
“Your drawing made me realize something, that’s all,” she said, “It’s nice,”
Harry pulled her face up, meeting her eyes, brimming with tears, “No, there have to be something else,”
Aly fell silent.
“My mother died a week ago,”
“I’m sorry,”
“Don’t be,”
Silence.
Harry only looked at her. Slowly, he moved his head towards her face and they kissed.
It was nice and sweet. When they meet each other’s eyes again, both of them were smiling slightly.
“It’s okay to cry about it but the past will remain the past. Your mother is proud of you, Aly wherever she is, for having you as a daughter,” he said softly. She leaned on his chest again, hugging him tightly as if he was her last protection on Earth.
11:53 PM;
<3
3
Harry Raite
Aly walked down the hallway with her suede boots clicking on the floor. She came up towards her one-week abandoned locker and twisted her combination on the lock. As she was taking her Chemistry and French books, someone tapped her shoulder. Aly turned her head to find her friend, Keira. She looked superb even by only wearing a simple white tank top over a pair of brown cargo pants.
“Hey, Aly,” she said.
Aly slammed her locker, “Hey, what’s up?”
Violet and Lizzie had Canadian History and Alex just went for English. Thank god their lockers were only next to each other. Only Keira remained because she too had Chemistry with Aly, “Nothing,” Keira replied, “Wait! I just remembered something, a new guy entered our class yesterday,”
“Who is it?”
“Let me remember first…Harry or something like that from UK, I think and I also think he’s also in Chemistry today!”
Aly quickly made a shocked face but she actually didn’t care anymore about boys or school or anything else. She just wants to pass finals, go to Cambridge and live out her god-forsaken life.
Both of them entered the chemistry lab and settled down just as Prof. McGinnis came in the class.
“I would like all of you turn to our last chapter this year at page 137. Read it. Understand it. Memorise it. I would like to say these upcoming OACs would affect your final grades. Please be serious about that, Mr. Finch,” he said. Several people sniggered at Pete (Finch) who often failed in Chemistry, which is his weakest subject. He groaned theatrically. More people laughed.
“I also would like if all of you keep amusements to yourself.”
Aly opened her Advanced Chemistry book and started to read the (purple!) highlighted words she noted a few weeks ago but the words only drifted out of her mind towards the corner of her eye. She saw Keira trying to nudge her without being seen.
“What is it?” Aly whispered.
“That’s him, two seats across from you,”
Aly turned her head towards the direction Keira indicated. A guy with brown hair and wearing a brown t-shirt over baggy blue jeans sat there. He was reading the over-sized textbook intently, holding his pen and writing on its pages as if doing notes.
She peered at the book closer to read what’s he’s writing despite herself and actually saw a sketchbook inside it, filled with words and drawings. A picture of a girl wearing a plain white long dress that was almost the same colour with her skin was drawn on one of the pages. Around her neck was a long necklace, which its amulet was round and black with the writings ‘Snow White’ on it. The girl was staring into the open skies, the stars glittering above her and her eyes was a deep green, illuminating but hollow as if she was expressionless and alone. Her pale skin was drawn to shine in the moonlight and her reflection could be found in the sea below her as she sat on the pier. Her golden hair shone. There were many clouds in the skies, covering the moon. The sea was calm and magnificent looking in its vastness. It was a lovely drawing, she thought, sad but beautiful. She couldn’t help but to be interested in the picture that she forgot that she was even looking. She felt herself drawn into it.
Harry felt like he was being stared at. He could feel eyes on him as if someone was nudging him. He looked up from his work and glanced around. He immediately saw Aly. She quickly looked away from the drawing and made it looked as if she was reading the book perched in front of her. Harry looked back and forth from his picture to her and continued his drawings.
The bell rang, indicating that it was time for break.
“Ok, class. Remember, page 155 for the exercises. I would like all of you to hand them in tomorrow,” Professor McGinnis said. The class groaned.
The students started to pack their stuffs. They filed out of the classroom in groups of twos or threes, chattering and discussing of anything that came into their minds.
“Aly, sorry, I gotta go. Nate is waiting for me at the fountain. I’ll meet you later, ok?” Keira said, shouldering her brown sling bag. Nate was her boyfriend since 2 years ago where they met at England when Keira was on holiday. Nate was this guy from South Hampshire who was her age, working at the theatre there. Fortunately one year after they met, his father had to move the family to Canada because of work.
“Ok,” Aly said.
Aly took her notebook and small bag of stationery and shoved it into her blue jeans bag. She started to take her Science textbook when a piece of paper was put on it. She looked up to stare into the face of the guy who sat two seats away from her.
“You can keep it if you like it,” he said.
Aly turned it over to see the drawing that she had admired earlier. A poem was written in perfect cursive writing beside it.
Dark Clouds
Dark clouds are coming,
To darken my world,
The skies are booming,
Making my hair curl,
The rain may wash me away,
Come and try to keep me at bay,
When will you come?
To keep me calm,
I’m screaming with recognition and fear,
Wishing to throw myself off the pier,
When I found no one is there,
To protect me with care,
I felt so alone,
All by my own,
And that is why dark clouds are coming,
And my soul is also asking,
Where will be my silver lining?
“Thank you. I’m sorry if I was bothering… I mean, it’s…” Aly started to stutter. Stop it, Aly, you’re embarrassing yourself, she scolded herself. It was weird. She never stuttered or felt shy in front of a guy before. She was the one in her group that can speak to guys without being so…scared, silly or petrified. Whatever you call it. Maybe its because sometimes she acted so tomboyish.
“My name’s Harry. Harry Raite,” he said with a thick British accent. He extended his hand towards her.
Aly took his hand and shook it, “I’m Aly, Alyson Parker,”
8:12 PM;
<3
2
Facing The Truth
Name: Alexandra Gates, 18…
Entry: 20
Date: 18th June 2007
[Mood: Worried and Confused]
[Music: Translyvannia by McFly]
Dear Diary,
I am a little worried about Aly. It’s been a week since her mother died and she’s been having these crazy and uncontrolled mood swings. Once, she’s up and about, very happy and outgoing. The next, she’s moody and keeps to herself. I can’t help to feel worried, can’t I? And she’s cutting school. Do you know Aly? She’s not the type to do that. She’s one of the model students for God’s sake.
School Update: Today, Lizzie stopped these b****es in school from being over in love with themselves and from taunting me. You should have seen their faces. Trust me, you don’t want to be there when Elizabeth Smith is in a bad mood. Oh, and our Ontario Academic Course (OAC) are in a week. Violet and Aly are taking the basic subjects but Liz, Keira and I are taking the extra business elective. So, more studying!!!
Anyway, Aly's father is sentenced to a lifetime of prison so she sold the house in Stamford Green. She is now living with Violet and Lizzie in the apartment next door.
My story; Agents is half finished. I showed it to the gang and they all approved of it! I have writing it for a year already and the words and plots just rolled out of my mind. Maybe I do have a writing talent after all.
I’m a little bit afraid now. I mean, it’s been two years. I often thought that he would find me in the streets or something. Maybe I’m being paranoid. I don’t know. The girls said I should have con-front him and get my rights. God, Keira sounds like her father sometimes. Maybe she should have been a politician instead of a guitarist. L.O.L (laughs out loud) Anyway, I think I should be careful these days. Who knows? Maybe the lunatic may find me and trust me, I don’t want to know what he’ll do to me when that day comes. I’m so afraid, diary. I don’t know what to do.
Aly entered her new room in Vi and Lizzie’s apartment. She placed her two big suitcases and boxes in a corner and flopped on her bed. She stared at the creamy paint of the ceiling in recognition. It’s been a week. A week since her mother died. A week since her father was charged guilty in high court and put to federal prison for murder. A week since she went to the school. And, the thing that made her stomach lurch and her heart full of guilt was that it has been a week since she sold her house, her HOME where she once lived in for 17 years and 69 days in, her home she had once lived in peacefully with two loving parents at her side, her home she spent her childhood in, her home in Stamford Green.
She decided to sell the 2-storey house and most of its furniture except a few of her own, all because she was afraid. For once in her life, the fearless, stubborn and independent Aly was afraid. Afraid of the haunting happy memories of her mother and father. So like Violet, she sold the house and now is staying with Violet and Lizzie, close to her other three favourite people in the world. One big broken but happy family. Yes, that is what she would call them. Her only family left in the world. All have dark pasts but they are all felt safe and peaceful in each other’s presences.
The lavender scents of the whole apartment made her unsettled soul relax. She took deep breaths to calm herself. Yes, she was happy to be with her friends.
Well, that’s fate. It will always turn your life around, she said to herself. Aly turned over to the direction of her suitcases and boxes and gave a groan. Her head fell on one of the pillows with thoughts saying she would unpack tomorrow.
Aly woke up to the smell of coffee. She gave a groan and groped her hands on the bedside table to find her alarm clock, only to find the table empty. Oops, forgot to unpack yesterday, she said to herself, making a mental note to do it after breakfast. Still not opening her eyes, she staggered in her dressing robe towards the kitchen.
“Wake up properly, Aly! Open those windows of brown! Get in some sunshine, you’re going to school today!” Vi said in a singsong voice, putting Aly’s cup of coffee in front of her.
“I’m not going,” Aly drank the cup.
“Again?!”
“Yes, is there a problem?” Aly said sarcastically.
“I don’t think your mom would like it if you’re cutting school because of her,” Lizzie said, entering the kitchen, “By the way, OACs are next week,”
Silence.
Aly stood up, “She never liked anything about me anyway, Liz,” she said and entered her room.
Vi glared at Lizzie who was sipping her coffee in recognition and as if nothing happened.
“What!? I have to tell her sooner or later,”
“You didn’t have to do it harshly,”
“Well, the truth is harsh,”
“I don’t know WHAT to do with you,” Vi said to herself.
They continued to eat their breakfast when suddenly Aly came out of her room, with her hair wet in a towel and wearing a red bohemian spaghetti-strap blouse with her blue jeans. Vi just stared at her. Lizzie just continued drinking her coffee as if knowing it would happen and stood up to get ready.
“Well? Aren’t you going today?” Aly said.
Violet hurriedly walks to her room to prepare for school.
8:10 PM;
<3
1
Troubled Times
“I’m so sorry, darling, how do you feel?” Keira asked Alyson. Aly’s mom had just died that afternoon, killed by her father and now she was at Keira’s apartment with Lizzie, Alex and Vi at her side.
“My mom just died, Keira, how do you think that would make you feel if your mother died?!” Aly spat at her best friend. She didn’t want all this; she just needed to think this all over. But she saw her best friend’s fallen face, “Gosh, I’m sorry. I’m just too tired, it’s been a long day and…”
“It’s okay, babe. You could crash in my place with Lizzie for tonight,” Violet suggested and Aly only nodded. She just had the longest day of her life. After returning home from school and on her way to her friends’ house when she heard a big BANG! In the neighbourhood and rushed home to find her dad unconscious on the porch with a gun in his hands and her mother nearly dying in their bedroom. She died at 4.15 pm. But Aly handled it as an adult.
She brushed her tears away and attended to the situation. Seeing that her late mother was in the hospital morgue for the police investigations (they took it as a homicide case and the house was off-limits for the moment), she then went to the police station with Violet and Lizzie to speak with the officers. Walking towards one of the prison cells in the miniscule station, she (in her rage) slapped her father hard across his face. He only had a sad look. The nerve of that man! She felt like she was going to pick up the gun he used and pulled the trigger right towards his face but she remained stable. She never let her temper run away with her and she wouldn’t start now. Violet and Alex had a pitying and sad expression on their face as they heard the news. They immediately took a cab over to the hospital and comforted her. Vi and Lizzie had always felt close to her mother since Violet’s own parents died in a plane crash and Lizzie and Alex always looked at Mrs Parker as a second mother. Then, they took a taxi together towards downtown and went to Keira’s next-door apartment and here they are, sipping hot chocolate and trying to take the sour look that has once again took over Aly’s facial expression.
Mr. William Riley opened the door, looking very tired from his daily job at Drummond Road (a lawyer), “Hello, girls. Aly, I'm so sorry. I just heard the news,” he gushed as he saw her face and patted her hand gently, “Would you like to sleep here tonight and have dinner?” he asked politely, putting his briefcase on the sofa. He divorced with Mrs. Karen Riley 5 years ago and took the custody of Keira. 3 years after that little incident, he took Lizzie as a surrogate daughter too but she decided to live next door with Violet. He is very kind and never raise his voice, except in rare occasions such as when Keira used too much money on shopping till his credit card was ‘un-usable’ He is also a highly accomplished lawyer and often spoken highly of in his circles. His spaghetti meatball is to die for.
“Thank you for the invite, Mr. Riley but I’ll just stay for dinner. I’ll be staying at Violet’s next door,” she said.
“Okay, your choice. You girls go do whatever you like and I’ll just prepare some spaghetti then since you’re here. I know it’s your favourite!” he said in a high voice. Aly snickered despite knowing he was trying to lighten up everyone. She really liked Mr. Riley. He’s like her father before he started taking the Chardonnay and brandy as if its water.
“How about we go to Vi’s place? We could still study,” Alex suggested. The others nodded. They knew that Violet’s apartment is the only place that Aly can relax with its lavender scent and the feel of being in the Victorian times.
The girls trooped out of the apartment to the right door at the hallway. Violet took out her set of keys and opened the door. Violet is a rich girl with two parents to be loved by till 2 years ago. Her parents were best friends with Lizzie’s parents and they took them to an all expense paid trip to Paris, the four of them. It was like a second double honeymoon (instead of a double date). They died on the return home when the plane crashed in the middle of the ocean. None of the passengers survived. So, Violet’s lawyers read her parents’ will and she found out she was the heir to their rich heritage, and unlimited riches (which wasn’t much of a surprise because she was their only child). So she sold the estate and bought an apartment and stayed with Lizzie. So, Violet let her stay with her in Forest Glen.
Lizzie was also given a substantial amount of money but it was paid to pay her parents’ debts. Almost broke and with no home (she sold it because she had no money) Mr. Riley took her in. She lived in Violet’s apartment who lived next door after she read her parents’ will.
Alex stayed with the Riley’s next door. She turned up at the airport from New York just after the girls waved good-bye to Lizzie and Violet’s parents. She moved there from Canada 5 years ago with her parents but she ran away from her abusing father and had just enough money to come back to Niagara Falls. But Mr. Riley doesn’t know about this and thought that her parents died and she went back her to her hometown. Alex didn’t want to make a big case out of it though everyone disagrees. But you can’t argue with a girl like Alex. You’ll never succeed.
Everyone looked exasperated. The sixth parent in their group to die in the last two years. Violet wished she could say something to break the silence but nothing came. So, Violet kept her mouth shut and went to the kitchen to make tea. All of them surely needed it.
8:01 PM;
<3
PROLOGUE
Name: Alyson Parker, 17 years old
Entry: 1
Date: 16th June 2007
[Mood: …]
[Music: When You're Gone by Avril Lavigne]
Dear Diary,
A turmoil of feelings hit me today. What do I feel, you ask? I feel…exhausted. Sad. Anger. Pain. Love. Like I said, a turmoil of feelings. My mom gave me this diary on my birthday last 1st of December and I never thought of ever writing in it actually. I was never a big fan of writing. But today, my hands wanted to do something useful. Something to take the mind of things.
Today was the longest day of my life. My mother gave me this diary as her last words came to me, “Write, love. Never stop,” and she died. Just like that. She took a last breath and a second later, her lungs stopped. Her heart ceased beating. My mother, named Allison Jane Watson Parker died in my arms at 4.15 pm on 16th June 2007 in her bedroom, murdered by my drunken father. Everything happened too fast. There was nothing I could do. I still couldn’t bring myself to confess the whole truth. Let me tell you (or maybe write in this case) how it happened, maybe taking it off my chest will make me feel better…
I entered my house as usual at 3.15 pm to hear voices rising from the other end of the hall. Tired day at school. Opened door to hear shouts and found parental units are fighting. The average school day from the life of Aly Parker. I helped myself to lunch and took a quick bath. They’re still at it. Fine. “Mom! Dad! I’m going to Keira’s to study. I won’t be home till 6!” I shouted at the door. Answering me was a couple more shouts. Like you guys would care, I thought. It’s been like this for a year already. Mom was sick and tired of Dad’s uncontrolled drinking and late nights visits to the bar. Then, she found out that he had an affair with his secretary at work. I think, it would be seconds for my mother to call her lawyers and draw up a divorce letter. I think she already did.
Anyway back to the event.
So, I slammed the door and walked down the street towards the bus stop to take a bus that will lead me from Stamford Green towards Forest Glen where my best friends; Keira Riley, Elizabeth Smith, Alexandra Gates and Violet Dare lives. Usually I would have driven my car but I was too lazy today.
Anyway, about my friends, here’s a little something something. Violet Dare, a teenager who lives with Lizzie in an apartment she bought from her rich heritage from her late parents. Both of their parents were killed in an aeroplane en route back home from Paris. Lizzie has lived with Vi for almost two years now since her mother died. Keira’s father, Mr William Riley took the custody of the both of them after the incident so that they could escape the orphanage. Alex however was a runaway. She bumped into us at the airport where we just received the news of Violet and Lizzie’s parents’ deaths. She came here from New York where she moved to 2 years before. We knew her since seventh grade but she moved away. She was running away from her father, who started to abuse her after her mother died. She has been living with Keira ever since. Her father didn’t care a bit about his daughters’ best friends; he also cared for us as if we were his own daughters. And we loved him for that.
I was five minutes out of the house when I heard a big BANG!! from the direction of our house. I had no idea how my life changed at that apparent moment. I sprinted like mad towards my house. My front door was open and out staggered my dad, walking like he usually does after every swing of Chardonnay. On his hand was a pistol. “Dad…what, what did you do!?” I yelped at the sight of the gun but he fainted. Afraid of what is to come, I ran towards my mother in her bedroom.
She was on the floor, writhing in agony. Her belly was flowing with blood.
“MOM!! WHAT HAPPENED?!”
I was frozen, rooted to the spot. Imagine if you were I, Diary. The women who had cared for you, nurtured you, brought you up from a baby to an infant to the person you are now was dying, killed by your own father. The right thing to do was to call the ambulance. My mind was screaming at my vital nerves to move my feet and reach out my hand towards the phone. It was only inches away but my eyes were fixed on my mother. I laid down next to her and held her hand.
“Mom, I’m here,”
Her eyes opened. I was so afraid of what might happen. I reached out to call the ambulance and told my address and that there is an emergency. I never stopped holding her hand. But all she did was looked at me through calm peaceful eyes, not even revealing that she was hurt.
She held you (Diary) out and thrust it in my hands and said her last words. I cried. The ambulance came too late. She was gone. So, now I’m at Keira’s house with her dad and my best friends at my side, trying to comfort me with a few (okay, a lot) of supposedly soothing words and a cup of hot chocolate.
My name is Alyson Parker and I will keep on writing. Forever and never stopping.
9:31 AM;
<3
For My Mom, the Virgo perfectionist and my best friends; Syawalina, the computer addict, Karin, the friendly and blur ghost, LX Ho, the lemang + rendang eating wombat, and Farah, the JC paranormal fanatic, and Allison, the girl next door, all who had encouraged me to be the writer I am today.
Also for the inspiring music in my music player that inspired me to write this story.
I love them all.
9:27 AM;
<3
ola....
this is basically the blog for my story... silver lining...
stay tuned for more updates, kay?
9:03 AM;
<3
Preparations for OACs
The next week was a bustle of activity of the 12th Grade students of Stamford High. Everyone was getting ready for the upcoming OAC (Ontario Academic Course). Aly, who was just adjusting her daily activities, was also studying very hard. The girls hold back their band practice to only three days a week. Lizzie, Alex and Keira who were taking more subjects (they took the business orientation elective) than Violet and Aly was pushing their studies to the limit so hard that sometimes Aly could see the bags under their eyes or the sound of Lizzie’s mp3 player well past over midnight indicating she’s studying.
She herself had 8 subjects to study for; English, French, Mathematics, Chemistry, Canadian History, Canadian Geography, Physical Education and Social Studies. Who wouldn’t have butterflies in their stomach when they were a week away from the examination that could determine your future?
Everyday, the teachers drilled them and gave them exercises a mountain high. Most notes ranging from the 9th grade till 12th was read every night, memorised and carved into their minds. Aly was sometimes so busy that she forgot all together about Harry and his drawings. Except when she saw him in classes. Or when she sees his drawing on the wall of her many pictures taped in the middle of everything. Violet, Alex and Lizzie had already known about him by now, thanks to Keira.
Aly herself couldn’t understand her own feelings. She was sometimes shy to talk to him. Sometimes, she’s not and enjoyed a conversation with him. Though she was sure it wasn’t a crush. Was she? She herself doesn’t know. Maybe it was. Maybe it’s not. After all, exams were coming up and she still hasn’t gotten over last week. How could she be crushing on someone now? Anyway, every time she looked at the drawing, she would smile. For the drawing reflected her. Her sadness. Her evanescence from the world.
Though not all of her time revolves around studies, eating, sleep, friends, books and daydreams. She was currently writing her uncompleted novel to pass the boredom of reading too many of her revision books. The manuscript was called Light Of The Larel and it was about a girl named Tenna who lived in a magical realm in a small village in the mountains. She was neither experienced in magical abilities nor any kind of swordsmanship. All she could was read, which is a rare ability and one that could be more respected if more people could do it. Instead the younger generation often jeered at her when she was reading under her favourite tree or writing and practising her runes. One miraculous day, she saved their lives.
Goblins, wraiths, and all other kinds of evil entered the village with intentions of pillaging it and killing every occupant of the village. Just as the goblins (the ones in charge of the evil) started to raise their swords over their heads, Tenna spoke a word she had just read in her book, which was entitled ‘The Ways Of The Larel; An Extinct Race’, the word which is one of the most powerful spells in the book. All the invaders dropped dead. As she would find out later in the book, was that she is actually a Larel, the last occupant of the nearly extinct race. Larels are relatives to the elves and was often sent to the Oracle in the city of Osilon for training because they are usually the guardians of the magical realm (named Iline). Now the queen’s younger brother, Prince or now, King Raet, usurped the realm a few years ago. He thrown his sister into the dungeons and Aly was hoping to write the journey from the village where Tenna would leave to find Oracle and the Rebels to oppose Raet and hopefully return Iline to its former glory. Aly was hoping that she could make a whole series out of Tenna. She was already thinking of what might happen in the next book. These are some of the ideas she made in her little notebook of ideas.
First Book - The Light Of The Larel
-A girl named Tenna embarks from her mountain village to save one of the most oldest and powerful magic realms in the galaxy, Iline. On the way, she met the Oracle and his apprentice, Gareth (an elf with the gift to see the future) and the three of them tries to bring back peace to the realm. After months of journeying and fighting, they finally defeat King Raet from his throne and free the rightful heir to the throne, Queen Eladriel. It turns out that Tenna is the daughter of Eladriel and she finally helps her mother to run Iline. She marries Gareth and gives birth to Iminirilie (who follows his father the most and is an elf) with Sabine and Damien, a pair of twins. Sabine follows her grandmother blood who is a half-siren and a witch. Damien is a powerful alchemist as he grows up. Iminirilie grows up to follow in his father's footsteps and is a proud swordsman and archer.
Second Book – Iline’s Sunrise
-Sabine and Damien grow up in the capital of Iline, Lafel. Very bright and well nurtured in the life of monarchy, they started to help Eladriel and Tenna in the politics and matters of Iline. Suddenly Raet (Eladriel's brother) escapes in the middle of the night from the dungeons and takes Damien with him to the Outerlands. He taught the young boy (16 years old) in the ways of necromancy and darkness. Soon after, he made a full-scale war with Iline but in the midst of it all, Sabine manages to bring her brother to the light but not completely. On their mother's orders, they escaped to another new realm with most of the villagers that they can find which Sabine and Tenna with Ora and Iminirilie only created a few months ago.
Sabine escaped with Iminirilie, and Damien with promises that they WILL come back for Eladriel and Tenna. Gareth died in battle.
Third Book - Sunset of the Siblings
-Sabine (Kyra), Damien and Iminirilie brought up Frion with the help of Ora. They divided the land into 3 pieces for each of their own. Damien continued to learn the ways of darkness without the knowledge of his sister but the condition of his country told much enough. After a few years of peace, Sabine marries and have 7 children of her own; Raella, Aidella, Ainella, Rubye, Ayrilne, and Natilyne. But a year before the arrival of Raella, Ora had a vision of the destruction of Alegardia' (Sabine's realm) so he told Sabine/Kyra bout' this and told her that the safest way is that she choose her group of Larels soon. One of the gifted warriors in Fenroh (Alegardia’s capital), Tarx who is a friend of Kin and Craiyla, betrayed them to Damien. Her daughters were hidden away to Earth when Raella was only 6 and Alegardia' was under attack by Damien. They were the new Larels.
Fourth Book - Dim Light
-After Damien overthrown his sister, his nieces were sent to Earth with the help of Kyra's agents from The Circle (Kin, Craiyla, Mayril, Aine and Ora). They again repeat history of the Larels and marches to Fenroh and Bemor to save Alegardia and their mother.
Night and day Aly has been working on her novel whenever she has the free time. Harry very much complied when Aly asked him to draw certain scenes in her story filled her manuscript in her Apple laptop alongside the thousands of words.
Finally it was Friday, the last day of school that week and a relief to most of the 12th graders. The girls entered Vi’s, Lizzie’s and Aly’s apartment and flopped on the various chairs there at 4.00 pm.
“Can you guys believe it’s finally Friday? I felt like a whole year has passed,” exclaimed Keira.
“I wished a whole year did pass, then I don’t have to worry about this stupid test. Who invented tests in the world anyway? If he’s not dead, I’m going to kill him,” Alex said.
Aly, Lizzie, Violet and Keira laughed.
“What? You don’t believe me?”
Aly moved to the kitchen, “Well, before you kill him, whoever he is, I wanna eat something. I’m starving!”
“You’re always starving,” Vi said, “For the last two nights you were up, you ransacked the fridge till it was empty. Thank god I remembered to do the groceries,”
“Yes, thank you, oh mighty Violet!” Lizzie said in a sarcastic voice, “ Through your thoughtfulness and kindness, we would be able to eat today,” she laughed. Later, she was pinned on the floor after running from Violet, being tickled to madness.
“What do you say?”
“Ok! Ok! I’m sorry!”
Violet released her to fits of laughter.
Aly who was making the table only laughed at her friends, “Instead of fooling around, why don’t you guys help me?”
Lizzie started to open her mouth to say something but closed it when she saw Violet. Everyone laughed. She went to the table with Violet and helped Aly to prepare for tea.
Sunday, the last day of freedom for four days came. The girls panicked the moment they woke up and it wasn’t even Monday. Aly got out of bed and made it up. She decided to dedicate the whole to studying so she didn’t want a messy bed to get in her way. Especially when ‘Mom’ or Violet come and demand for the bed to be made. She chuckled at the thought. She guessed Violet couldn’t help not being a ‘mom’ since she has two other orphans in her home.
“Morning, darlings! What’s up?” Violet chorused.
“Nothing. I’m just going to turn in and study for tomorrow,” Aly said, eating her toast.
“Me too,” Lizzie said.
Violet flipped the pan. She was making some pancakes.
“Okay then. I’ll be at the library today,”
Lizzie looked up, “Hey, I’ll follow!”
Vi nodded and turned to Aly, as if asking if she wanted to follow.
“I don’t think I’ll go. I need noise,” she said, laughing. But it’s actually very true. Unlike most people who prefer peace and quiet when they’re studying, Aly prefers the opposite. She often turns on her radio or Mp3 player and sang loudly when she hits the books. She said that it keeps out the noise of the outside world. Violet said it could also make you deaf.
Aly finished her pancakes and went into the fresher’ for a bath. Inside she could hear the distinct shout from Violet saying, “Aly! We’re going!” 15 minutes later when she got out of the bathroom, she had the apartment all to herself. She turned on her radio to its maximum volume and took out her Canadian History book.
She was bored out of herself. Flipping through every page, the words skimmed through her eyes. She had already memorized everything, every word, and every page for the upcoming OAC’s. So she decided to get some fresh air and continue studying at her favourite place in Niagara Falls, the Baskin Robbins ice-cream shop. She took her blue sling bag and put in her Mp3 player, her book, which has ‘Tenna’ (her story) in it, and her French and Canadian History books. Taking her keys, she locked the door and went of towards the parking lot for her car.
She drove through Cardinal Street out of Forest Glen, passing tourists and classmates here and there who she waved to. She drove past the Niagara Falls, the sight that always made her proud to be a Canadian. Finally after driving past Main Street, she arrived at the shop. She walked towards the counter and ordered some chocolate chip ice cream. Taking the ice cream from one of the workers, she went towards one of the available (the only available) booth and settled in there. What she didn’t notice was that the occupant of the booth in front of her was actually Harry. But he did notice her.
She took out her Mp3 player and played the song, A Long Way To Go by Cassie, one of her many favourites. Eating the ice cream, she took out her book and continued to write about Tenna. Immersed in her story, she was at where the goblins and ghouls were about to attack the village when she felt a tap at her shoulder.
“I’ll pay later,” she said when she thought it was the waitress. A second tap.
“What is it?” she demanded and looked up to stare into the azure eyes of Harry Raite.
“Hi, is this seat free?” he said with that accent of his. Aly took out her headphones and gestured him to seat in front of her.
“Sorry for just now. I was… busy,” she said, eating her chocolate chip ice cream before it melts.
“What are you doing? Is that the story, what’s the name, Light Of The Larel or something? The one you’re working on?” he asked, taking the book from my hands.
“Yea, I’m at the point where she was finding out her powers. When I was interrupted,” she said sarcastically. He laughed.
‘So, how long have you been doing this? Writing, I mean,” Harry asked her.
“Umm…let me think,” she said, “Since I was 10 years old, I think,”
“Hey, me too! But I also had a bit of liking towards drawing so I included both. Here, this is another of my drawings maybe you’ll like it,” he said. He opened his rucksack and took out a stack of papers. He flipped trough them and took one out of its pile. He handed it to her.
It was another drawing but set in the morning, when the sun was still rising in the borders. A girl stood outside of her balcony, gazing at open space. She looked very much like Aly, with the sunlight in her face. Her wavy dirty blonde hair was flying all over the place by the morning breeze. Like every drawing, her green eyes were reflecting her feelings, always sad and alone. She was wearing a necklace also like the one around Aly’s neck. She squinted her eyes at the words.
Evanescence.
She looked shocked. Aly has always worn her ‘Evanescence’ necklace around her neck ever since she was 15 years old. Evanescence was and still is her favourite band of all time so her mother hunted for the necklace for her 15th birthday and she will cherish it for the rest of her life. The girl looked just like her, her clothes, her necklace, her eyes, and her face. She looked at the date when it was drawn. 16th June 2006.
Harry saw that she knew the drawing, “I drew that in Science when we first met,”
“Why are the eyes always… so sad?”
“I draw them the way I see them,” he simply said. She didn’t say anything and he was afraid that she was hurt by his words.
“I’m sorry if it offended you,” he said again.
She paid for her ice cream and took the book back from him.
“Aly,”
She looked back at him.
“Would you like to go on The Maid with me?” he asked. She only walked towards her car where he followed her and he drove them towards The Falls. Parking it alongside Niagara Parkway, they lined at the counter to buy a ticket. They didn’t talk to each other the whole time.
They were at the pier next to The Falls. After they bought their ticket, they boarded the ship together. They both walked towards the starboard where the view of The Falls was magnificent.
Aly still didn’t look at him, “I’m sorry. The drawing is very beautiful,” she suddenly mumbled. What was wrong with her? She barely knew the guy! But she felt so open with him, as if she had known him her whole life.
She knew lately she has been acting selfish, avoiding everyone and wallowing in her own misery. Only now she understand that doing that won’t make Mom come back or Dad change his traits. She must only live on.
“Aly?” Harry’s voice cut through her thoughts.
She looked at him, glassy-eyed. She pressed the drawing at his chest. Harry sub-consciously put his hand behind her back, making her put her head on his chest where she was weeping silently.
“Aly, what happened?” he asked in a caring voice.
“Your drawing made me realize something, that’s all,” she said, “It’s nice,”
Harry pulled her face up, meeting her eyes, brimming with tears, “No, there have to be something else,”
Aly fell silent.
“My mother died a week ago,”
“I’m sorry,”
“Don’t be,”
Silence.
Harry only looked at her. Slowly, he moved his head towards her face and they kissed.
It was nice and sweet. When they meet each other’s eyes again, both of them were smiling slightly.
“It’s okay to cry about it but the past will remain the past. Your mother is proud of you, Aly wherever she is, for having you as a daughter,” he said softly. She leaned on his chest again, hugging him tightly as if he was her last protection on Earth.
11:53 PM;
<3
3
Harry Raite
Aly walked down the hallway with her suede boots clicking on the floor. She came up towards her one-week abandoned locker and twisted her combination on the lock. As she was taking her Chemistry and French books, someone tapped her shoulder. Aly turned her head to find her friend, Keira. She looked superb even by only wearing a simple white tank top over a pair of brown cargo pants.
“Hey, Aly,” she said.
Aly slammed her locker, “Hey, what’s up?”
Violet and Lizzie had Canadian History and Alex just went for English. Thank god their lockers were only next to each other. Only Keira remained because she too had Chemistry with Aly, “Nothing,” Keira replied, “Wait! I just remembered something, a new guy entered our class yesterday,”
“Who is it?”
“Let me remember first…Harry or something like that from UK, I think and I also think he’s also in Chemistry today!”
Aly quickly made a shocked face but she actually didn’t care anymore about boys or school or anything else. She just wants to pass finals, go to Cambridge and live out her god-forsaken life.
Both of them entered the chemistry lab and settled down just as Prof. McGinnis came in the class.
“I would like all of you turn to our last chapter this year at page 137. Read it. Understand it. Memorise it. I would like to say these upcoming OACs would affect your final grades. Please be serious about that, Mr. Finch,” he said. Several people sniggered at Pete (Finch) who often failed in Chemistry, which is his weakest subject. He groaned theatrically. More people laughed.
“I also would like if all of you keep amusements to yourself.”
Aly opened her Advanced Chemistry book and started to read the (purple!) highlighted words she noted a few weeks ago but the words only drifted out of her mind towards the corner of her eye. She saw Keira trying to nudge her without being seen.
“What is it?” Aly whispered.
“That’s him, two seats across from you,”
Aly turned her head towards the direction Keira indicated. A guy with brown hair and wearing a brown t-shirt over baggy blue jeans sat there. He was reading the over-sized textbook intently, holding his pen and writing on its pages as if doing notes.
She peered at the book closer to read what’s he’s writing despite herself and actually saw a sketchbook inside it, filled with words and drawings. A picture of a girl wearing a plain white long dress that was almost the same colour with her skin was drawn on one of the pages. Around her neck was a long necklace, which its amulet was round and black with the writings ‘Snow White’ on it. The girl was staring into the open skies, the stars glittering above her and her eyes was a deep green, illuminating but hollow as if she was expressionless and alone. Her pale skin was drawn to shine in the moonlight and her reflection could be found in the sea below her as she sat on the pier. Her golden hair shone. There were many clouds in the skies, covering the moon. The sea was calm and magnificent looking in its vastness. It was a lovely drawing, she thought, sad but beautiful. She couldn’t help but to be interested in the picture that she forgot that she was even looking. She felt herself drawn into it.
Harry felt like he was being stared at. He could feel eyes on him as if someone was nudging him. He looked up from his work and glanced around. He immediately saw Aly. She quickly looked away from the drawing and made it looked as if she was reading the book perched in front of her. Harry looked back and forth from his picture to her and continued his drawings.
The bell rang, indicating that it was time for break.
“Ok, class. Remember, page 155 for the exercises. I would like all of you to hand them in tomorrow,” Professor McGinnis said. The class groaned.
The students started to pack their stuffs. They filed out of the classroom in groups of twos or threes, chattering and discussing of anything that came into their minds.
“Aly, sorry, I gotta go. Nate is waiting for me at the fountain. I’ll meet you later, ok?” Keira said, shouldering her brown sling bag. Nate was her boyfriend since 2 years ago where they met at England when Keira was on holiday. Nate was this guy from South Hampshire who was her age, working at the theatre there. Fortunately one year after they met, his father had to move the family to Canada because of work.
“Ok,” Aly said.
Aly took her notebook and small bag of stationery and shoved it into her blue jeans bag. She started to take her Science textbook when a piece of paper was put on it. She looked up to stare into the face of the guy who sat two seats away from her.
“You can keep it if you like it,” he said.
Aly turned it over to see the drawing that she had admired earlier. A poem was written in perfect cursive writing beside it.
Dark Clouds
Dark clouds are coming,
To darken my world,
The skies are booming,
Making my hair curl,
The rain may wash me away,
Come and try to keep me at bay,
When will you come?
To keep me calm,
I’m screaming with recognition and fear,
Wishing to throw myself off the pier,
When I found no one is there,
To protect me with care,
I felt so alone,
All by my own,
And that is why dark clouds are coming,
And my soul is also asking,
Where will be my silver lining?
“Thank you. I’m sorry if I was bothering… I mean, it’s…” Aly started to stutter. Stop it, Aly, you’re embarrassing yourself, she scolded herself. It was weird. She never stuttered or felt shy in front of a guy before. She was the one in her group that can speak to guys without being so…scared, silly or petrified. Whatever you call it. Maybe its because sometimes she acted so tomboyish.
“My name’s Harry. Harry Raite,” he said with a thick British accent. He extended his hand towards her.
Aly took his hand and shook it, “I’m Aly, Alyson Parker,”
8:12 PM;
<3
2
Facing The Truth
Name: Alexandra Gates, 18…
Entry: 20
Date: 18th June 2007
[Mood: Worried and Confused]
[Music: Translyvannia by McFly]
Dear Diary,
I am a little worried about Aly. It’s been a week since her mother died and she’s been having these crazy and uncontrolled mood swings. Once, she’s up and about, very happy and outgoing. The next, she’s moody and keeps to herself. I can’t help to feel worried, can’t I? And she’s cutting school. Do you know Aly? She’s not the type to do that. She’s one of the model students for God’s sake.
School Update: Today, Lizzie stopped these b****es in school from being over in love with themselves and from taunting me. You should have seen their faces. Trust me, you don’t want to be there when Elizabeth Smith is in a bad mood. Oh, and our Ontario Academic Course (OAC) are in a week. Violet and Aly are taking the basic subjects but Liz, Keira and I are taking the extra business elective. So, more studying!!!
Anyway, Aly's father is sentenced to a lifetime of prison so she sold the house in Stamford Green. She is now living with Violet and Lizzie in the apartment next door.
My story; Agents is half finished. I showed it to the gang and they all approved of it! I have writing it for a year already and the words and plots just rolled out of my mind. Maybe I do have a writing talent after all.
I’m a little bit afraid now. I mean, it’s been two years. I often thought that he would find me in the streets or something. Maybe I’m being paranoid. I don’t know. The girls said I should have con-front him and get my rights. God, Keira sounds like her father sometimes. Maybe she should have been a politician instead of a guitarist. L.O.L (laughs out loud) Anyway, I think I should be careful these days. Who knows? Maybe the lunatic may find me and trust me, I don’t want to know what he’ll do to me when that day comes. I’m so afraid, diary. I don’t know what to do.
Aly entered her new room in Vi and Lizzie’s apartment. She placed her two big suitcases and boxes in a corner and flopped on her bed. She stared at the creamy paint of the ceiling in recognition. It’s been a week. A week since her mother died. A week since her father was charged guilty in high court and put to federal prison for murder. A week since she went to the school. And, the thing that made her stomach lurch and her heart full of guilt was that it has been a week since she sold her house, her HOME where she once lived in for 17 years and 69 days in, her home she had once lived in peacefully with two loving parents at her side, her home she spent her childhood in, her home in Stamford Green.
She decided to sell the 2-storey house and most of its furniture except a few of her own, all because she was afraid. For once in her life, the fearless, stubborn and independent Aly was afraid. Afraid of the haunting happy memories of her mother and father. So like Violet, she sold the house and now is staying with Violet and Lizzie, close to her other three favourite people in the world. One big broken but happy family. Yes, that is what she would call them. Her only family left in the world. All have dark pasts but they are all felt safe and peaceful in each other’s presences.
The lavender scents of the whole apartment made her unsettled soul relax. She took deep breaths to calm herself. Yes, she was happy to be with her friends.
Well, that’s fate. It will always turn your life around, she said to herself. Aly turned over to the direction of her suitcases and boxes and gave a groan. Her head fell on one of the pillows with thoughts saying she would unpack tomorrow.
Aly woke up to the smell of coffee. She gave a groan and groped her hands on the bedside table to find her alarm clock, only to find the table empty. Oops, forgot to unpack yesterday, she said to herself, making a mental note to do it after breakfast. Still not opening her eyes, she staggered in her dressing robe towards the kitchen.
“Wake up properly, Aly! Open those windows of brown! Get in some sunshine, you’re going to school today!” Vi said in a singsong voice, putting Aly’s cup of coffee in front of her.
“I’m not going,” Aly drank the cup.
“Again?!”
“Yes, is there a problem?” Aly said sarcastically.
“I don’t think your mom would like it if you’re cutting school because of her,” Lizzie said, entering the kitchen, “By the way, OACs are next week,”
Silence.
Aly stood up, “She never liked anything about me anyway, Liz,” she said and entered her room.
Vi glared at Lizzie who was sipping her coffee in recognition and as if nothing happened.
“What!? I have to tell her sooner or later,”
“You didn’t have to do it harshly,”
“Well, the truth is harsh,”
“I don’t know WHAT to do with you,” Vi said to herself.
They continued to eat their breakfast when suddenly Aly came out of her room, with her hair wet in a towel and wearing a red bohemian spaghetti-strap blouse with her blue jeans. Vi just stared at her. Lizzie just continued drinking her coffee as if knowing it would happen and stood up to get ready.
“Well? Aren’t you going today?” Aly said.
Violet hurriedly walks to her room to prepare for school.
8:10 PM;
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1
Troubled Times
“I’m so sorry, darling, how do you feel?” Keira asked Alyson. Aly’s mom had just died that afternoon, killed by her father and now she was at Keira’s apartment with Lizzie, Alex and Vi at her side.
“My mom just died, Keira, how do you think that would make you feel if your mother died?!” Aly spat at her best friend. She didn’t want all this; she just needed to think this all over. But she saw her best friend’s fallen face, “Gosh, I’m sorry. I’m just too tired, it’s been a long day and…”
“It’s okay, babe. You could crash in my place with Lizzie for tonight,” Violet suggested and Aly only nodded. She just had the longest day of her life. After returning home from school and on her way to her friends’ house when she heard a big BANG! In the neighbourhood and rushed home to find her dad unconscious on the porch with a gun in his hands and her mother nearly dying in their bedroom. She died at 4.15 pm. But Aly handled it as an adult.
She brushed her tears away and attended to the situation. Seeing that her late mother was in the hospital morgue for the police investigations (they took it as a homicide case and the house was off-limits for the moment), she then went to the police station with Violet and Lizzie to speak with the officers. Walking towards one of the prison cells in the miniscule station, she (in her rage) slapped her father hard across his face. He only had a sad look. The nerve of that man! She felt like she was going to pick up the gun he used and pulled the trigger right towards his face but she remained stable. She never let her temper run away with her and she wouldn’t start now. Violet and Alex had a pitying and sad expression on their face as they heard the news. They immediately took a cab over to the hospital and comforted her. Vi and Lizzie had always felt close to her mother since Violet’s own parents died in a plane crash and Lizzie and Alex always looked at Mrs Parker as a second mother. Then, they took a taxi together towards downtown and went to Keira’s next-door apartment and here they are, sipping hot chocolate and trying to take the sour look that has once again took over Aly’s facial expression.
Mr. William Riley opened the door, looking very tired from his daily job at Drummond Road (a lawyer), “Hello, girls. Aly, I'm so sorry. I just heard the news,” he gushed as he saw her face and patted her hand gently, “Would you like to sleep here tonight and have dinner?” he asked politely, putting his briefcase on the sofa. He divorced with Mrs. Karen Riley 5 years ago and took the custody of Keira. 3 years after that little incident, he took Lizzie as a surrogate daughter too but she decided to live next door with Violet. He is very kind and never raise his voice, except in rare occasions such as when Keira used too much money on shopping till his credit card was ‘un-usable’ He is also a highly accomplished lawyer and often spoken highly of in his circles. His spaghetti meatball is to die for.
“Thank you for the invite, Mr. Riley but I’ll just stay for dinner. I’ll be staying at Violet’s next door,” she said.
“Okay, your choice. You girls go do whatever you like and I’ll just prepare some spaghetti then since you’re here. I know it’s your favourite!” he said in a high voice. Aly snickered despite knowing he was trying to lighten up everyone. She really liked Mr. Riley. He’s like her father before he started taking the Chardonnay and brandy as if its water.
“How about we go to Vi’s place? We could still study,” Alex suggested. The others nodded. They knew that Violet’s apartment is the only place that Aly can relax with its lavender scent and the feel of being in the Victorian times.
The girls trooped out of the apartment to the right door at the hallway. Violet took out her set of keys and opened the door. Violet is a rich girl with two parents to be loved by till 2 years ago. Her parents were best friends with Lizzie’s parents and they took them to an all expense paid trip to Paris, the four of them. It was like a second double honeymoon (instead of a double date). They died on the return home when the plane crashed in the middle of the ocean. None of the passengers survived. So, Violet’s lawyers read her parents’ will and she found out she was the heir to their rich heritage, and unlimited riches (which wasn’t much of a surprise because she was their only child). So she sold the estate and bought an apartment and stayed with Lizzie. So, Violet let her stay with her in Forest Glen.
Lizzie was also given a substantial amount of money but it was paid to pay her parents’ debts. Almost broke and with no home (she sold it because she had no money) Mr. Riley took her in. She lived in Violet’s apartment who lived next door after she read her parents’ will.
Alex stayed with the Riley’s next door. She turned up at the airport from New York just after the girls waved good-bye to Lizzie and Violet’s parents. She moved there from Canada 5 years ago with her parents but she ran away from her abusing father and had just enough money to come back to Niagara Falls. But Mr. Riley doesn’t know about this and thought that her parents died and she went back her to her hometown. Alex didn’t want to make a big case out of it though everyone disagrees. But you can’t argue with a girl like Alex. You’ll never succeed.
Everyone looked exasperated. The sixth parent in their group to die in the last two years. Violet wished she could say something to break the silence but nothing came. So, Violet kept her mouth shut and went to the kitchen to make tea. All of them surely needed it.
8:01 PM;
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PROLOGUE
Name: Alyson Parker, 17 years old
Entry: 1
Date: 16th June 2007
[Mood: …]
[Music: When You're Gone by Avril Lavigne]
Dear Diary,
A turmoil of feelings hit me today. What do I feel, you ask? I feel…exhausted. Sad. Anger. Pain. Love. Like I said, a turmoil of feelings. My mom gave me this diary on my birthday last 1st of December and I never thought of ever writing in it actually. I was never a big fan of writing. But today, my hands wanted to do something useful. Something to take the mind of things.
Today was the longest day of my life. My mother gave me this diary as her last words came to me, “Write, love. Never stop,” and she died. Just like that. She took a last breath and a second later, her lungs stopped. Her heart ceased beating. My mother, named Allison Jane Watson Parker died in my arms at 4.15 pm on 16th June 2007 in her bedroom, murdered by my drunken father. Everything happened too fast. There was nothing I could do. I still couldn’t bring myself to confess the whole truth. Let me tell you (or maybe write in this case) how it happened, maybe taking it off my chest will make me feel better…
I entered my house as usual at 3.15 pm to hear voices rising from the other end of the hall. Tired day at school. Opened door to hear shouts and found parental units are fighting. The average school day from the life of Aly Parker. I helped myself to lunch and took a quick bath. They’re still at it. Fine. “Mom! Dad! I’m going to Keira’s to study. I won’t be home till 6!” I shouted at the door. Answering me was a couple more shouts. Like you guys would care, I thought. It’s been like this for a year already. Mom was sick and tired of Dad’s uncontrolled drinking and late nights visits to the bar. Then, she found out that he had an affair with his secretary at work. I think, it would be seconds for my mother to call her lawyers and draw up a divorce letter. I think she already did.
Anyway back to the event.
So, I slammed the door and walked down the street towards the bus stop to take a bus that will lead me from Stamford Green towards Forest Glen where my best friends; Keira Riley, Elizabeth Smith, Alexandra Gates and Violet Dare lives. Usually I would have driven my car but I was too lazy today.
Anyway, about my friends, here’s a little something something. Violet Dare, a teenager who lives with Lizzie in an apartment she bought from her rich heritage from her late parents. Both of their parents were killed in an aeroplane en route back home from Paris. Lizzie has lived with Vi for almost two years now since her mother died. Keira’s father, Mr William Riley took the custody of the both of them after the incident so that they could escape the orphanage. Alex however was a runaway. She bumped into us at the airport where we just received the news of Violet and Lizzie’s parents’ deaths. She came here from New York where she moved to 2 years before. We knew her since seventh grade but she moved away. She was running away from her father, who started to abuse her after her mother died. She has been living with Keira ever since. Her father didn’t care a bit about his daughters’ best friends; he also cared for us as if we were his own daughters. And we loved him for that.
I was five minutes out of the house when I heard a big BANG!! from the direction of our house. I had no idea how my life changed at that apparent moment. I sprinted like mad towards my house. My front door was open and out staggered my dad, walking like he usually does after every swing of Chardonnay. On his hand was a pistol. “Dad…what, what did you do!?” I yelped at the sight of the gun but he fainted. Afraid of what is to come, I ran towards my mother in her bedroom.
She was on the floor, writhing in agony. Her belly was flowing with blood.
“MOM!! WHAT HAPPENED?!”
I was frozen, rooted to the spot. Imagine if you were I, Diary. The women who had cared for you, nurtured you, brought you up from a baby to an infant to the person you are now was dying, killed by your own father. The right thing to do was to call the ambulance. My mind was screaming at my vital nerves to move my feet and reach out my hand towards the phone. It was only inches away but my eyes were fixed on my mother. I laid down next to her and held her hand.
“Mom, I’m here,”
Her eyes opened. I was so afraid of what might happen. I reached out to call the ambulance and told my address and that there is an emergency. I never stopped holding her hand. But all she did was looked at me through calm peaceful eyes, not even revealing that she was hurt.
She held you (Diary) out and thrust it in my hands and said her last words. I cried. The ambulance came too late. She was gone. So, now I’m at Keira’s house with her dad and my best friends at my side, trying to comfort me with a few (okay, a lot) of supposedly soothing words and a cup of hot chocolate.
My name is Alyson Parker and I will keep on writing. Forever and never stopping.
9:31 AM;
<3
For My Mom, the Virgo perfectionist and my best friends; Syawalina, the computer addict, Karin, the friendly and blur ghost, LX Ho, the lemang + rendang eating wombat, and Farah, the JC paranormal fanatic, and Allison, the girl next door, all who had encouraged me to be the writer I am today.
Also for the inspiring music in my music player that inspired me to write this story.
I love them all.
9:27 AM;
<3
ola....
this is basically the blog for my story... silver lining...
stay tuned for more updates, kay?
9:03 AM;
<3
