Generation Three - Chapter Nine

Note: The poll is still open, and can still be found to the right :) Just thought I could also update while I wait for results.. :3

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A few weeks had passed since Sunny and I had our argument. At first, I felt weird. For years I had been waiting for her to come over in the evening, now suddenly I had nothing to wait for. Suddenly, I could make other plans.

When I first realised this, it was exciting! I felt like I suddenly had all this freetime to fill with things I wanted to do. Then I realised that most people at school still hated me, and I still didn't really have any hobbies. The only thing I ever did was painting and drawing, and I was kinda bad at that.

So, after a while, I decided to become better friends with Viola. She was bubbly, easily excited, and always seemed happy, and we were already good friends. She didn't come over as often as Sunny had done, but I liked it that way. We often talked over the phone in the evening, and if we wanted to meet up we arranged it. She was reliable, I could count on her.

The argument had also made me a little more clingy. Every free second I spent with Viridian, constantly proving to myself that he was real. Not that I needed prove, I just simply wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. He was always there, always knew when to hug me, when I needed cheering up, and when to protect me from my nightmares.

I had two early childhood memories, which I thought of as the earliest things I could remember. One was playing outside with Sunny. The other was these nightmares.

They had been bad as a child, and often I had been terrified to fall asleep, knowing I would have the same bad dream again. Earthquakes, everyone I loved dying - and I was only four years old. Or was I even younger than that? I had no idea. Eventually, they stopped, and I never figured out what they meant, or why they just stopped like they did.

Then, a few years ago, roughly around the same time that Viridian appeared in our garden, different nightmares started. They were never the same, but left me wide awake most nights. Viridian was always there, holding me, stroking my hair, promising me that he'd let nothing touch me. He was the only reason I managed to calm down, and fall asleep again. He always knew what to say to make me feel better, and I was so grateful that I had him.

He made school bearable (even though he didn't attend himself), and my nightmares seem less terrifying.

Painting was the one other thing I enjoyed doing, besides riding my bike. It calmed me, and soothed my mind. Unfortunately, I was terrible at it.

With the bit of pocket money I had, I bought books on how to draw shapes, flowers, faces, and followed the tutorials. Shapes were harder than expected, but with a bit of practice I mentioned to draw a box and shade it properly. Flowers weren't too bad, either, but took a long time to do. Faces I was interested in drawing the most, but they were also hardest. It wasn't the actual face shape that was difficult, but proportions and shading.

Colour and how to combine certain colours to achieve certain moods also interested me. I had tried a face once with colours, but the result had been horrible. So for now I stuck with flowers and simple animal shapes. It didn't feel very rewarding, but it still felt calming, and I often found it to be the only thing that helped me after school, with the exception of Viridian.

Viridian, who was always with me. I didn't mind him being there all the time. In fact, I felt nervous when he wasn't. His presence soothed me even more than painting did, and I couldn't imagine being without him any longer. He had become a part of my life which I didn't want to be without, there was no doubt in my mind that he held all of my heart. Every night he held me, I couldn't sleep without him anymore. He made me happy during the day, and fought my nightmares at night.

I felt safe with him, because I knew that he would do whatever needed to be done to make sure I was happy and safe. Most of the time I didn't want anyone else around me. I wasn't upset about Sunny anymore, and didn't want Viola to replace her either. Or anyone. I didn't need anyone to be happy, Viridian was the only other being I wanted in my life. I didn't even care about my parents at those times.

These moments also had me feeling... different. Happy, yes, but... I couldn't describe it.  It was an odd feeling, a little unsettling whenever I thought about it, but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed by Viridian.

Then I would hang out with Viola, and I would feel different again. Happy as well, but a more... rich kind of happy. Which I thought was weird.

Viridian never left my side when I was around friends, but he never showed himself. We were worried they wouldn't understand, so we communicated mentally. He was powerful enough and easily knew how to read my thoughts, and speak within my mind, so we could still be together without them knowing.

It was one of those days when my painting was going nowhere. I had tried my luck at drawing a face again, using a photo as reference, but the proportions were awful on my canvas. So, for once, I was actually grateful when my Mum interrupted.

"Have you got a few hours, sweetheart?"

"A few hours? What for?" Usually she just asked me if I could bring out the rubbish, or make my bed.

"There's something I want to show you. Perhaps you have noticed that your father and I have been out occasionally over the last few years?" Of course I had noticed, how would I not have noticed them being out as often as they had been, without telling me where or why? So, naturally, I was curious.

"And you're going to tell me where you went?"

"I want to show you, but we'll be out for a few hours. Have you got some time to spare? If not we can do it tomorrow." Even if I wasn't free already, I would have made time. I was too curious to rather be doing something else.

"I've got time! I'll just need to be back by six, Jaffa and Viola are coming over." Mum gave me a smile.

"I know, sweetheart. I don't want to interfere with your sleepover, and I promise we won't be out that long."

I followed Mum outside, my curiosity growing as she headed towards the car and I got in after her. It was early in the morning, only just gone 10am, so the roads were quiet.

We got through traffic well, and Mum pulled up next to the science facility not half an hour later.

"What are we doing here? Are you part of an experiment or something?" Mum chuckled, which was annoying. It had been a guess, and since I had no idea where we were going, or what they had been up to, it was as good a guess as any.

"No, I assure you it's nothing along those lines."

"Then why are we parked here?"

"We have to walk the rest of the way. It's just down the path, you can see it from here."

"So what is it?"

"It's our family cemetery, sweetheart."

"The what now?" For a moment I seriously wondered if I had imagined her saying it. A family cemetery? We had a family cemetery? How had they kept that a secret?

"It's only a five minute walk away now, Ivy. Follow me?" I nodded, and walked down the narrow path with Mum. It was a nice day, it was warm and a light breeze was in the air, which calmed me a little and helped me understand what she had just said. We had a family cemetery.

"So? What do you think?" Truth was, I didn't know. How was I supposed to feel about something like this? Was I supposed to think that it was great? Or beautiful, or respectful? What was the right reaction to finding out that I had a family graveyard?

"It's... lovely?" I took a look around, from where I was standing. I noticed one thing right away - my grandparent's resting place. It actually was pretty, and the more I looked around the more I felt that way about the whole cemetery.

It was in a quiet, isolated place, surrounded by nature. No one else was there, it really was peaceful.

There were stairs leading up to the mausoleum and more... bays? I noticed how grandma and granddad were kinda in their own spot, isolated from the rest but still together since it was all on the same lot. There were nine other spots stretching across the graveyard, which I assumed were for future generations.

I also noticed one other thing. "Why is Conifer not here?"

Mum sighed. "On my wedding day, Mum - your grandma - told me about her parents. They both had the same jobs as me and your dad, but they were terribly unlucky people and never made it far. They both ended in depression."

"What does that have to do with my brother not being here?"

"I'm getting to that" she smiled, so I decided to be patient. "My mum ran away from home on her 18th birthday. She jumped into a taxi, came here and met my father. They got married, as you know. On my own wedding day, Mum told me this, and told me how her parent's ambitions and failed dreams had been the reason why she kept her name, instead of becoming Whisper Mayberry. It's one of the reasons why I kept our last name, as well. Your Grandma and I wanted to do what her own parents couldn't. Her Mum especially wanted our last name to be big and recognised, so my Mum made that dream her own."

"I still don't see what that's got to do with Conifer..." It was a nice story, but it didn't explain anything. Did it? Maybe I was just missing it.

"Your brother is... dead, Ivy. Pastel has different dreams, and she's moved out. We're getting old, your Dad and I. We would like to give you the house, Ivy, and our last name. Make it something you can be proud of."

"Gee, Mum, I don't know what to say." Inheriting the house? I loved it, I had grown up there and Viridian and I hadn't exactly talked about what we'd do once school was over. As for the name... Mum had been a busy business woman all her life, I hadn't seen that much of her when I was a child. Or after, in fact. But Dad and grandma had been artists. Grandma had been a well known painter, and Dad was a musician who wrote his own songs. They were both into artistic self expression.

Suddenly, a new feeling coursed from me. I was terribly excited, my heart was beating as fast as it had done when Viridian had first kissed me. So many ideas were rushing into my head, all of them fuzzy but existing.

Was this what it felt like when you realised what you were destined to do?

I knew in that moment that there was only one right answer I could give. Mum hadn't asked yet, but I had an idea where this was going.

"I would like you to inherit the house, as I said, and I would like you to give it to one of your own children. Give it to someone you feel can bring pride to our name, someone who has that spark. Mum must have seen it in me, and I see it in you. I know you can do well, Ivy."

"I would love to, Mum. I take it I inherit this cemetery as well?"

"You do. When your Dad and I die, we will rest here, just like you will one day. Just like your own child will. That is why Conifer isn't here. Before you ask, even if he was still alive it would have been yours. Your Dad and I decided on that many years ago."

"I don't know what to say..." I felt honoured by it. The more I heard about this cemetery, the more beautiful it became. My tummy did somersaults when Mum had talked about mine and Viridian's children, but I was still young, and could happily wait another ten or so years. It definitely wasn't something to worry about now.

"You don't have to say anything, sweetheart. You accepting your inheritance is enough. I know this place isn't finished yet, but we trust that you will make it more beautiful than it is now. Pine and I wanted to plant some flowers and trees, you could start there."

There was nothing much left to say after that. We went home but didn't talk much. The silence suited me, it allowed me to think about all these blurred ideas which were still entering my mind. There was so much I could do!

We got home around 12, so I had still had hours before Jaffa and Viola were meant to turn up. I spent my entire afternoon painting, and thinking of all the things I could do with my life. My painting was still rubbish, and I wasn't sure if it was the right way for me to go, but maybe if I put in more practice? Nothing I did at school helped me towards my new goal, but I knew for sure now that this was what I wanted. To be an artist, like Grandma and Dad. A sudden thought entered my mind. If I quit school... I could be self taught, and spend all day everyday practising! Maybe I could enrol in an art school, and really study for this! Could I do this? Go to college, or maybe even uni and study art?

I was still deep in thoughts and excitement, when my friends arrived. Mum had cooked us mac and cheese, Viola brought chocolate, and Jaffa brought a film for us to watch.

It was gone 10pm when Viola and I started a pillow fight.

We were both laughing so hard, and had such a girly night, that I started feeling bad for Viridian. He could not possibly be enjoying this, so I decided to let him know that he could leave, go somewhere else. I did this mentally, since we were still worried about my friends' reaction, like we had done so many times before.

But this time, for reasons I cannot explain, something was different. Something felt wrong.

Viridian didn't answer. I looked around the room, and he wasn't there.

That's when I realised something. Sunny had been right.

All these dreams I had that day, all those ambitions and ideas, they wouldn't - couldn't - work, if I continued this.

An unexplainable moment of clarity, and it changed everything.

"Ivy? Are you alright? You look terrible." Viola sounded concerned, but I didn't answer. I didn't know how to answer this. Was I alright? I didn't feel alright.

It felt like a thousand answers and questions sat in my mind. Suddenly, I saw everything that had happened over the last few years, and why it had been so ins- I couldn't possibly finish that.

And that was when I knew. I had to end this. I couldn't see Viridian again.

Ever.

New Poll!

Hi there, everyone!

It's voting time again! :D

This time I'd like you to vote for Ivy's future profession, since I can't decide ;) You've got two voices in this one, since the second placed choice might still become a hobby :) She's about to become a YA in my game, and the result will influence her next trait which is why I need to know now :)

You may either vote on here, or on the forum thread since I'll be putting up the poll on there as well :) It's open until Thursday afternoon.

New updates will still be out before the poll is closed, you can find it - even with new updates - to the right as before :)

Thank you!

MischiefTheKitten

Generation Three - Chapter Eight

It was weird seeing my Dad with grey hair, probably because he didn't seem that old. He was still running around the house, cleaning and tidying, and he was still playing his guitar in every free minute.

He and Mum still went out together at least once every week, although they never told me where they were going. I had a feeling they didn't just go on dates, that there was something more to it, but without them telling me I had no way of finding out.

I had thought about following them once, but I realised how stupid that idea had been when they got into their car. They were gone from sight much quicker than my bike could possibly have carried me.

However, as fit as he still seemed to be, the colour of his hair made it impossible to ignore his age. There were still some streaks of green running through it, and his eyes still had a spark in them, but there was no ignoring the truth.

He was getting old. And Mum wasn't far behind him.

His fingers never seemed to miss a note, everything he played always sounded flawless. I knew how much he loved his job, but it was also no secret that he was looking forward to retirement.

Although, to be honest, I had no idea what he would be doing with all his free time. I was sure that eventually, he would get bored with playing his guitar all day. He would be wanting a new hobby sooner or later, but I couldn't imagine what that would be. All he ever seemed to be doing was play his guitar. I wasn't even sure if he had other hobbies, let alone what he would start.

I had other problems to worry about, though. My grades were getting worse quickly, and I dreaded my next report card. Most of my teachers saw that I was trying, but there was only so much they could do. I had failed every history, chemistry, physics and maths test so far in this year, and some of my teachers had approached me about it.

They had asked me if I had problems at home, to which I had said no.

They had asked me if I had problems with people at school, to which I had also said no. I couldn't possibly tell them the truth. It wouldn't have made a difference anyway. I wasn't failing all these tests because the other students hated me, I was failing them because I really had no idea what I was doing.

I didn't think that my teachers had believed my answer to either question, but they didn't ask anymore and let it rest. Which annoyed me. If there really was a problem at home, they might have been able to help. Even worse, they clearly didn't believe that I didn't have problems with the other students, but they were happy to let it rest anyway. It disgusted me to think that they were happy to ignore obvious issues, simply because I had said that there were no issues.

My homework had turned into a joke. Every day I was trying to solve these maths equations, but I had no idea what I was looking at. Most of them didn't even have numbers in them. It was letters, and abbreviations - how that had anything to do with maths was beyond me.

It didn't help that I was constantly wondering about Sunny. Things had gotten really weird between us ever since I had told her about Viridian. She was absent, and hardly came over after school anymore.

The change hadn't been instant, her behaviour had changed slowly. At first she had come over as usual, but she never said much during those short visits.

The first evenings after I had introduced them she stayed for about an hour, but we didn't say much. When we were inside, she would stand by the window, play with her curls and stare outside. She looked so uncomfortable that I had suggested going into the garden, but it wasn't much different there, either.

Her visits had become shorter and shorter, until after one month she just didn't come around anymore. I had asked her why, and she had said that school was too stressful, she had too much homework, and she was too tired. I didn't believe her, I knew she was avoiding me for some reason.

Then one day, when I phoned her and asked if she wanted to come over, she agreed. Two hours later she eventually arrived, but not alone. She had brought a friend from her school, someone I didn't know. It annoyed me that she just brought someone else, without telling me, so next time I invited her over I asked her to come alone.

Sunny had a go at me for it. She was angry at me, saying how I couldn't tell her who to hang out with, and that I didn't own her. Of course she was right, but I had never actually said or believed anything along those lines. She could have as many other friends as she wanted for all I cared, I just didn't want her to lie to me. If I asked her to come over and she said yes, I expected her to come alone, right away, not two hours later with someone I didn't know.

It had been awkward with her friend, since none of us said much, and she ended up leaving again just an hour later.

One day I got lucky, or so I thought. Sunny was over almost immediately, and she was on her own.

She looked distant, though.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried that it was something I had done.

"Nothing." Her answer made me angry. Of course something was wrong, did she really think I was that stupid and didn't see it? Did she really think she couldn't tell me? We were supposed to be best friends, but best friends didn't lie like that.

"Look, I can tell something's wrong. I won't tell anyone, I promise." The change in her behaviour was driving me insane. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was losing my best friend, and she wouldn't even tell me why. We used to be so close, and I wanted that back.

"Nothing's wrong!" She sounded annoyed, and angry.

"If you don't want to be here..." It was obvious that she didn't. She was so uncomfortable, and had been ever since I had introduced her to Viridian. Why couldn't she be happy for me? I would have been happy for her, no matter who she had introduced me to. She was my best friend after all, of course I'd be happy.

She sighed, and even rolled her eyes in a very big, obvious way. "Gosh, if you want me to leave just say so!" Why was she doing this? She was the one who clearly didn't want to be here, but she thought I was the one who didn't want her here? She was either incedibly stupid and blind, or she was hiding what she really thought.

My bet was on the latter.

"So, erm... Did you want to do something?"

"Sure, what?"

"Erm.. Oh, I know, there's this lake where Viridian and I-"

"Hang on-" She took out her phone, and sighed. I knew what this was. She was lying to me again. Just to get away from me. "It's my Mum, I have to go home."

"I didn't hear your phone..."

"It's on vibrate." I frowned. Her phone had the loudest vibrate ever. There was no way I could have missed it.

"Okay..." I didn't want to call her a liar. She already felt distant enough as it was, and I didn't want to make anything worse. She was my best friend, I didn't want to push her away. Although, apparently I already had. And she wouldn't even tell me what I had done.

She left immediately, and suddenly I felt awful. I had never felt anything like it, it was such a strong, overwhelming feeling of complete emptiness. Like something had been ripped away from me.

I went to Viridian. I really needed a hug and some nice words, badly.

"Why is she doing this? What have I done?" I was so close to tears, but didn't want to cry. Instead, I swallowed them, which made me feel worse. I kind of wanted to cry, but I couldn't stand the thought of Viridian thinking that I was weak. I was strong, and I wanted to be strong for him.

I didn't want him to be disappointed in me.

"It's a lot for her to take in, Ivy." I knew he was right, but hadn't I given her enough time to get used to the idea? Hadn't it been long enough for her to at least fake a smile?

Luckily, my parents were too distracted to notice my mood.

My sister Pastel had returned from Boarding School, just in time for Mum's birthday. They were excited to have her back home, but somehow I couldn't share that excitement.

It had been ages since I had last seen her. Oddly enough, I remembered Conifer better than her, and my memory of him was fading. My best memory of her was when she put me to bed and tickled me, but there wasn't much besides that.

She was beautiful. Perfect genetics. Perfect smile, perfect hair, perfect sparkle in her eyes.

And me?

I wasn't anywhere near as gorgeous as she was. I was ugly. Every time I looked into the mirror, I wanted to cry. My skin was terribly uneven, my lips were horribly formed (compared to hers), my eyes were tiny and my nose looked like someone had beaten me up. I hated looking at myself every morning.

It was no miracle that everyone at school made fun of me. I was stupid, my failing grades were perfect prove of that, and I was ugly. My mirror proved that one.

Mum had suggested I could wear my hair open, and use make-up.

No way could I wear my hair open, that was something reserved for gorgeous girls like my sister, or cheerleaders. And I didn't want to wear make-up. Every single girl at school wore it. Most of them had started the moment they turned twelve, for no other reason than they were teenagers, so naturally they had to wear it. In their heads I couldn't be pretty, because I had my hair tied back, and because I didn't wear make-up. I hated them for being so narrow minded. I wasn't going to change anything about my looks just because everyone else did it. If I had to change who I was to fit it, I didn't want to fit in.

Besides, Viridian loved me no matter what. I had asked him if I should wear make-up, and he had told me that I was beautiful without it. He was the only one who didn't care what I looked like, and the only one who ever told me that I was beautiful.

Then one evening, I made a big mistake.

I was chatting with Viola, when Sunny came online. I had to know why she was avoiding me. I had to know why she couldn't be happy for me.

"Hey, Sunny! How are you?" I started, preparing myself for silence. I tried to ignore the nervous feeling in my stomach, and the nervous beating of my heart, but I couldn't concentrate on chatting with Viola.

"Hi. I'm good, how are you?" I realised that I had been holding my breath, and let it all out in one, long breath. She had answered, it was a good start.

"I meant to ask you something.." My palms were sweating, and my breath was unsteady. I really hoped she wouldn't just leave.

"Alright, and what?" I was already typing when I saw that she had added a bit more. "Oh, Brilliance and I are going swimming tomorrow, wanna come?" Immediately I felt my hopes dissipate.

"I want to know why you can't be happy for me? And you know I hate swimming." I hated this Brilliance as well. She was such a haughty thing, always thinking she was better than everyone else, always having her nose in things that didn't concern her. The worst thing was that she was turning Sunny into a clone of her. "And you know I don't like Brilliance!"

"Why don't you like her oO?" I felt anger stirring in me. Sunny was too nice, and so easily used! She wanted a friend so badly that she gladly followed Brilliance, not even noticing what a cow that girl was! Brilliance was using her, she was constantly borrowing money from her which Sunny never got back, and I knew she was talking behind Sunny's back! I would never have done that to her, but apparently I wasn't good enough anymore.

"She's talking behind your back, Sunny!"

"Nu-uh! She'd never do that! You're just jealous because I hang out with her more than you!" I felt as if she had hit me. How could she say that?

"Excuse me? I don't mind you hanging out with the others. Brilliance is using you, I can't believe you're falling for her crap!" So I was protective of her, but I wasn't jealous! Her other friends were alright, they didn't hurt her. But I was the only one who tried to get her away from Brilliance. I knew this was only going to end in tears, but Sunny didn't believe me. "And you haven't answered my question. Why can't you be happy for me? I love Viridian, I'd be happy for you if you had someone!"

"It's NOT crap! And you want to know why?"

"Yes!"

"He's not real, Ivy! When you introduced us? No one was there, you're crazy!"

I didn't just feel like she had slapped me. I felt like she had punched the air right out of me.

"WHAT? How can you say that?" How dare her say something like that? What on earth had gotten into her?

"Maybe you should fix your own issues before you're accusing my friends of anything!"

"I'm just wanting to help you, Sunny! Gosh, I can't believe you're being like this!"

"I don't want your help! You always think that you need to help me, but you know what? You're the one that needs help! Brilliance does not talk behind my back, you're just jealous and crazy!"

"Fine!" I felt so angry with her, that I saw no other way out. It wasn't my proudest moment, but she was just so stubborn! "You don't want my help? FINE! Maybe you think you're okay now, but trust me, Sunny, Brilliance is bad news! One day soon you'll be wishing for my help, but I won't be there!"

I went offline before she had a chance to say anything back. There was no more point, really, everything had been said.

I immediately went to Viridian and literally threw myself into his arms. I could touch him, I could smell him, and I could feel his arms close around me. I could feel his breath on my neck, and could almost even feel the surprised smile on his lips.

How dare her say he wasn't real? I could feel him, for Berry's sake!

"Is everything alright?" He always knew when something was wrong. And he always knew just the right thing to say or do to make me feel better.

Weirdly, I felt light, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I would never again need to spend hours waiting for Sunny because she was late. I would never again have to feel that disappointment, when she said her Mum had texted her but I knew she was lying.

"No, I'm fine. Just had a fight with Sunny, that's all."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I think I'll be alright." If Sunny had to make up lies just to get away from me, if she really thought she could call me insane, than I was better off without her. All I had done over the last few years was look out for her, but if she wanted to be disappointment by Brilliance, fine. Let her be disappointed. It wasn't my concern anymore.

"I love you" I smiled as I pulled away. It hadn't been the first time we had said it, but it still made me blush and nervous. Viridian had been so much better to me than anyone had ever been, I didn't know how I deserved him.

"I love you, too." We kissed, and I was happy. He made me happy.

There was nothing crazy or unreal about that.

I believe I promised cookies...

... if you took the time to vote for or against better pictures ;)

ENJOY!! :3

If you haven't guessed, larger pics won with all the votes but one ;) Technically the poll is still open until tomorrow, but I can't see the result changing overly much (and I really want to get the next chapter out), so I'll be taking it down now :)

Thanks again! You've earned those chocolate chip cookies ;)

MischiefTheKitten

Important, please read!

Hi there, everyone!

Lately I've been wondering about increasing the image size in my chapters from this

to this

I would have to widen the general layout for the images to fit properly, and am aware that some of you might have to scroll to the sides in order to still see all the sidebars if I did that. It's not a huge difference, but I want to be sure that you can all see okay nevertheless :3

So if you wouldn't mind voting real quick, so I can get an idea of what you think, I'd reward you with chocolate chip cookies :3 If the majority says no it won't happen :)

You'll find the poll to the side :)

Thank you, 

Mischief

Generation Three - Chapter Seven

Note: This chapter gets a little... adult towards the end, so if you feel uncomfortable with these themes skip the last five images (right after the scene with Ivy and Vir talking after the party - I'm sure you'll know it when you see it ^^) :) You have been warned -evil laugh-

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I had not exactly been looking forward to this day. Not because my Dad was actually a lot older than I had thought, but because of all the people who would be swarming into our house. Some of them were alright, for example my aunt Lil was coming and Mum had allowed me to invite Sunny since I hardly ever saw her anymore. I was really  looking forward to seeing her, it had been a few weeks since we had last spent time together. She often came around after school, but she had so many extra sports classes now that she never had the time to stay for long.

And there was no way in hell I was joining any extra sports classes, not even for Sunny. I already hated the ones I was forced to attend in school, no way was I adding even more.

"Are you ready?" Viridian asked as he took my hands into his. Things had been great with him, I was so grateful that he had somehow found his way into my garden that day a few years ago. I didn't even care anymore how it was possible, I just knew that it obviously was, and that he made me happier than I had ever been before.

Of course, he wasn't with me all the time, although sometimes I wished that he was. He didn't go to school with me, partly because he had already been roughly forty years ago, and also because he still hated humans. He had attended some magical school, being a vampire had easily qualified him.

He also didn't spend every night with me. I had no idea where he went when he wasn't with me, but I didn't think I wanted to know any details. I just assumed he was drinking some human dry when I was asleep, no idea if I was right, though.

"Ivy, Sunny's here!" I heard my Mum call from downstairs. I gave Viridian a quick kiss, and went to hug my best friend for the first time in much too long. There was something that I had been wanting to do, and I was hoping everything would go as planned.

Sunny didn't know about Viridian yet. Not that we were together, or even that he was here and had been for a few years. I had been meaning to tell her ever since that evening in my garden, but I hadn't been sure how she would react then, and then we saw each other less and less... It just hadn't seemed right to me to tell her over the phone, or when she was rushing to get somewhere else.

"OMB, Ivy! How are you? How's school?" Immediately my mood dropped a little, but I wasn't going to let this ruin anything. Not today. I just knew she'd be thrilled for me when I told her, I couldn't wait to see the look on her face!

"I'm brilliant, Sunny! I've got some big news!" I watched as her eyes lit up and went wide.

"Oh?" She tried to hide it, mimicking the series' characters she loved to watch by raising her eyebrows in exactly the same way. I loved my best friend to bits, but it really annoyed me when she did that. She even walked the same way. I didn't think she realised how much she tried to be like them by copying everything they did, but it didn't really matter anyway. I still loved her, I just wished she'd find out who she really was rather than copying someone else.

I took a deep breath in, trying to ignore the nervous beating in my chest. "I want you to meet my boyfriend!"

A loud, happy squee escaped her lungs. "That's awesome, Ivy! Who is he? Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?"

"Because I haven't seen you in ages, I didn't just want to tell you over the phone."

"I was here only a few days ago, you could have told me then." Did she actually sound insulted? It wasn't like I had been keeping a secret from her, no one else knew! And I was telling her now, wasn't I? Now that we had time, and didn't have to rush anything.

"You want to know who he is or what?" I wasn't sure if she rolled her eyes at me, but I chose to ignore it. This was my dad's big birthday, but it was my big announcement! I wouldn't let anything or anyone ruin this for me.

"Yeah, sure."

"Viridian, can you come over for a sec? I want to introduce you to someone!" I knew he had to head out again for something, but I hoped he'd have a second for this. I really hoped they'd get on alright!

"So?" asked Sunny, looking at me with wide questioning eyes. Not the reaction I had been expecting. I did think she'd be more excited than this.

"Sunny, this is Viridian, but you already know that. Viridian, this is my best friend, Sunny. You've probably seen her around in the evenings and weekends."

"What do you mean?" Her reaction really irritated me. What did I mean? Like I was the confusing one here!

"What do you mean "what do I mean"? I understand it's a little controversial what with him being a killer and all, but I thought you'd still be happy for me!" Or at least fake a smile. "He makes me happy, can't that be enough for you?"

"Erm..."

"You don't have to worry about me, he doesn't hurt me." That was probably it. Of course she was taken aback, I mean, how could she have been expecting him? And of course she'd be worried for my safety, she was my best friend after all! Of course, that had to be it!

"Listen... Erm..." Why did she look so uncomfortable? "I think your Mum just called us. We should go downstairs."

"I didn't hear anything."

"Well, she did. I'm gonna go watch your Dad blow out his candles." And that was that. Sunny turned around on her heels and went downstairs, giving me a really odd look before disappearing out of sight.

What the Berry had just happened? I could understand her reaction, kind of. He was dangerous, just not for me. Viridian would never hurt me.

Why couldn't she be happy for me? My best friend...

"Ivy, come downstairs, please!" This time my Mum had definitely called me. I sighed. Time to watch my Dad become an even older man and fake some smiles!

The other guests were already cheering and singing age-mocking birthday songs for him. They all waved me in and gave me welcoming smiles, as if they knew me. I had no idea who they were, but I assumed they were the other members of his band. I had never actually seen him live, and didn't give the CD covers much attention, so I wasn't sure.

I watched him grow old, ate my slice of cake to be polite and not to make anyone suspicious, and went back upstairs. Somehow, those few things had taken an entire hour.

I went straight into Conifer's old room, since that's where Viridian slept, really hoping he'd be back already.

Thankfully, he was. I really needed some moral support.

"I'm really sorry about Sunny, I had no idea she'd react like this!" I wanted an explanation from her, but not right away. First I wanted to spend some time with the love of my life, and feel better about what had happened.

"Her reaction is understandable, Ivy, as is yours. I am sorry she hurt you." Immediately I felt better. He always seemed to know what to say, and it brought a smile to my lips.

He pulled me in for a hug, and I realised something. I didn't want him sleeping in my brother's old room anymore. I wanted him in my bed, right next to me. Right now.

His kiss made my body shiver, his arms both calmed me and excited me.

I was sure, more sure than I had ever been.

Hesitantly I pulled away, if only for a second. I wanted to be able to look into his cold eyes for this.

With as seductive a voice as I could manage, I breathed: "I'm ready."

The words had been meant to come out as a whisper, but my heart was beating faster than I had realised. His reaction was just as I had imagined it. He studied my features for a short moment, to give me the chance to change my mind, and then he kissed me.

His arms tigthened around me, his body leading me through the doors and into my bedroom, locking the door just in case.

He watched me with starving eyes as I lay down on my bed, and I watched him just as desperately as he followed. Every single fibre of my body was yearning for him, every time his hand touched my skin it felt electrical.

He pulled me on my knees and took off my shirt with one hand, while the other was steading me. I watched as he threw his own shirt and trousers onto the floor, and thought I was going to pass out when his hands opened the zip on my own trousers.

I had never felt so nervous and alive at the same time ever before. Weirdly, I wasn't scared. I felt perfectly safe.

For several minutes we simply lay on the bed together, his kisses becoming more fiery everytime he touched my lips with his. Just like the first evening he had kissed me, he bit me. Ever so slightly at first, just like he had done at the lake, but quickly he became more fierce. I felt slight rushes of pain, but it didn't hurt me. It felt amazing and I was pressing myself against him, begging him to be more rough.

There was one more moment before I finally felt him inside me, where he looked into my eyes as one last chance for me to change my mind. The moment didn't last very long, because he knew the answer. It was written all over my eyes and my mind, which he had no doubt entered just like he entered me.

It was the most amazing night of my life, and I couldn't have been happier.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever get in the way of my happiness again.

I simply wouldn't allow it.