CHAPTER 2: Secrets

Nora was writing something on her pad when she heard someone pulling the chair beside her.

Kyle sat down and took out his own notebook. Nora glanced at its cover. She recognized the brand.

Both Kyle and William hailed from the most powerful families of Lossell. William’s father was the head of the island. The Foresters on the other hand were the one who controlled every business of the country.

“You are early,” she remarked, “It’s only fifteen O’clock!”

Kyle gave her a bored expression, “Basketball practice got cancelled!”

“Why?” She asked as she continued her work.

“Coach Sanders had an emergency.”

“Coach Sanders?” Nora still remembered the terrible glower that he gave her after the first defeat of the Blue Rebels.

Since that day he has made the boys work not double but triple harder. Ethan also formed part of the team and when he died, they lost a crucial member.

“His daughter sprained her ankle,” Kyle explained. “The rest of the team is also here to study.”

Nora looked around them. Mrs. Hale didn't spare the students from other classes. They all seemed on edge. They guarded their tables as if their lives depended on them. Nora relaxed; for once their attentions were not focused on her.

She turned back towards Kyle and held her breath.

“Why are you giving me such an intense gaze?” She asked with a self-conscious voice.

“You seemed happy.”

“So? Is that a crime?”

“I have not seen you like this since-.” He stopped and continued, “Well, since last year.”

“Oh,” Nora looked at her knees. She did not have any reply to give him.

When she lifted her eyes, He had a dazzling smile on his handsome face.

Her heart softened, it was impossible to imagine a more beautiful sight. Kyle had short dark hair and captivating hazel eyes, he could charm anyone.

She gathered her courage to talk with him but stopped again when she realized something.

His smile was not destined for her.

His gaze has shifted towards another person.

Nora turned behind to see Dyris and William, coming towards their direction. She tried hard to control her disappointment.

It seemed too good to be true. Kyle will not do anything nice for me anymore. He only had a deep abhorrence towards her regard.

“Hey Babe,” Kyle said, “What are you doing here?”

“We are here for the project! Baby!” Dyris answered brightly. She sat on his lap and kissed him on his cheek. Nora looked away, embarrassed.

“So how is it going, Nora? Are you guys making any progress?”

“Actually, we didn't even start.” Nora complained. The two lovers were beginning to irritate her.

“Wow, I didn't think the library would be so crowded today.” William commented with a soft tone.

Nora jumped a little. She forgot about his presence.

He placed his hand on the top of her chair. “So Nora? How are you?”

“I am fine.” Nora answered him with a guarded voice. William was also her former friend, and he was the only one who continued to greet her after Ethan’s demise. Beside this they hardly had any contacts.

“It would have been nice if we could do the project together. Isn't it?” William asked her.

She did not expect him to utter those words and decided to give him a vague answer. Nora changed her mind when Kyle eyed his cousin with an angry face. “Oh, yes, it's too bad that it can't happen,” she said in an extra-sugar coated voice.

“I think we would have made a great team,” he continued.

“How cute!” Dyris exclaimed.

“Shut up!” Kyle and Nora screeched. William and Dyris jumped a little.

“You two should stop doing this!”

“Do what?” They both asked.

“You speak at the same time,” Dyris answered. “Earlier, you guys also behave like this in class.”

“It's creepy,” William added.

“We don't speak at the same time,” they protested.

They stopped and looked at each other with identical expressions. They stayed silent when they realized that Dyris and William were telling the truth.

“You have the same backpack too,” Dyris pointed out, and she pouted. “I am getting jealous,” she said, grabbing Kyle’s collar.

Kyle lightly caressed her back. “Oh come on Dyris, it does not matter if I have a few things common with her. I am all yours.” He became satisfied when Nora appeared uncomfortable.

Nora desperately wanted to flee from there. Watching Kyle and Dyris so close was pure agony for her. Fortunately, William saved her by interrupting them.

“Listen, guys I don't want to barge in your happy lovers’ conversation. But, don't forget we need to go somewhere before heading home today. Dyris it's high time we should start looking for a title and a table.”

“Okay, no problem,” Dyris said, getting down. She turned towards her boyfriend “Don't leave without us.”

“Sure,” Kyle answered. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Bye, Nora.”

Nora only gave her a curt nod. They were left alone again.

“You don't like her, don't you?”

She didn't reply.

“You should be grateful. There is at least one person in this school who treats you with kindness, even if you are not worth it!”

She ensnared her pen with a tight grip, “Well, I am not thankful Kyle! Like you said I don't deserve it and I never ask for anyone’s pity!”

“What kind of person have you become? Sometimes I think you were always like this, you have a heart full with sins. You just wore a mask of deceit in front of everyone during all these years.”

Nora gave him a disturbing smirk. “You still don't get it Kyle! Dyris is the nicest girl in Lossell High and I am the most evil one. She is the princess and I am the wicked witch.”

Nora said those words with much conviction and he almost believed her.

“Are you serious?”

She did not answer.

“Then I must be the prince charming,” he replied with a sarcastic tone. “Anyways, I will always remain by Dyris's side to protect her from your evil intentions.”

“Will you give me poison till I die?” She asked with a sardonic grin.

Her question stunned him; he did not answer and looked down. Without any warning he snatched her notebook.

“Hey, give that back.” They began a tug of war and fought like two elementary kids.

“I want to see what you have written, partner!” He said the last word with a mocking emphasis.

He frowned and read the words aloud. “Manor, Forest, Journal, Mirror, Dagger! What none sense is this? We are supposed to create a project not write a fiction novel!”

“It’s just brainstorming.” She stood on her toes and finally managed to take her notebook back from him.

“So you have a topic?”

“Yes, but I don't think you'll like it.”

“Try me.”

“Can we investigate the death of Keil Lossell?”

For a moment, he pretended to think about it. Then he responded with a cold voice, “No.”

“But Kyle-”

“I said no. You are obsessed with this legend since you were little. And it gives me immense pleasure to crush your hopes.”

Nora took a deep breath and tried to convince him again. “Kyle, Keil Lossell is an important figure in the lsland's history. Your mother descends from Lossell's family. Your family's manor is also the previous domicile of Keil. With your help we can gather useful information. It will help us create an interesting project.”

“My answer is still the same.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“We are going to the newspaper’s archive center.” He said with fake enthusiasm, “I am sure we will find good mysteries over there.”

Nora gaped at him. He can’t be serious!

Still, she tried to remain calm. “Kyle, this will take a long time.”

“So? I don't care as long we are stuck together, I will make those moments the most miserable ones of your life.”

She had enough! He made her snap. Nora collected her stuffs and stood up. “Well, in that case, listen with open ears! I am not here to be your personal entertainer Lord Forester.”

She started to walk; however, he caught her wrist and gently pulled her face near his lips.

“Why are you afraid?” He whispered in her ear, “Are you scared to read your previous records?”

Nora turned to face him. They were too close, and she almost got lost in his eyes. She managed to restrain herself before it became too intense. Kyle was going too far. She wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine.

“Perhaps I am not the only one who should be afraid of past incidents.”

Her words felt like a scorpion’s sting. He released her at once. She did not waste time and exited the library, leaving a very bewildered Kyle behind her.

“It looks they have already finished,” William stated. They found a seat at the far end of the library.

“Who?” Dyris asked.

“Kyle and Nora. She is leaving.”

“I can't believe it.” Dyris exclaimed, shaking her head. “Maybe they had a fight! I hope Kyle did not make any cruel actions towards her.”

“Why are you so protective about Nora?” He inquired with real curiosity.

“Well, as one of Athanasia's closest friends, I believe it's my duty to shield her sister. Besides, I was a social outcast myself.”

“Really? It's a bit hard to believe! You are quite popular here.”

“People did not accept me in my previous school.” She admitted with a sad face.

“Why? Did you act like a diva?” He asked in a teasing tone.

“Actually, I was shy around people and it caused a misunderstanding. I appeared as an arrogant person.”

“It must have been very hard.”

“Yes, life is not always easy.” She answered with an honest smile. “That's the reason I pity Nora.” She put her hand over his. “But it's in the past now. Let's forget about this and concentrate to find the perfect subject! Shall we?”

“Sure. You can count on me.”

When they looked at Kyle again, his seat was empty.

Nora walked with swift steps towards her locker to collect her required books. Contrary to this morning the hallway was deserted.

Why did I say those words to Kyle? Her inner voice berated. Now he would definitely guess that something is wrong!

She closed the locker with haste and twirled behind. Kyle stood in front of her.

He did not say anything, and he slowly came closer and placed both his hands near her shoulders to trap her. He had a menacing posture, and it made Nora's heart pound.

“Back in the library, why did you say I should be afraid of previous newspaper articles?”

This is bad. She panicked. He is having doubts! She decided to sidetrack him.

“Why? Are you hiding someone in your closet?” She asked with an innocent voice.

He parted her hair with his long fingers and touched both of her cheeks. Nora knew it was not a sign of affection.

“I am asking the questions here. Are you aware something? Or are you just bluffing?”

He managed to corner her. She made a big mistake by hinting about his undisclosed affair.

“I am waiting, Nora!” He uttered her name as if he spitted venom.

She mustered some audacity and retorted, “Is this a new way to torture me? Kyle?”

“Just tell me what I want to know!”

“First of all, stay away from me.” She glided down to escape his grasp and deliberately took a few steps away from him.

“And secondly, I don't find it necessary to answer any of your questions.” She said with an infuriated voice.

Nora looked around and without thinking she started to run.

Kyle stayed there trying to register what had happened. He never witnessed her running with so much speed before.

She ran as if a ghost was chasing her. Her strange behavior confirmed that she was indeed hiding something from him.

“I hope it’s not my secret!”

If this matter got discovered his family would have to deal with deadly consequences.

Nora breathed a sigh of relief when she finally got out of Lossell High.

“How can I be so stupid?” She said, cursing herself as she walked towards the bus stand. “This day has been too exhausting.”

A part of her longed to tell him the truth however, she knew she could not act selfishly.

“There were too many lives at stake. My father, Kyle and my sister Athanasia.”

She went inside the bus when it arrived. It took fifteen minutes to reach her bus stop. She stepped down and watch it leave.

Nora adjusted her bag and walked towards her house.

Before opening the front door, she gave a look at the neighbour’s residence. The house seemed ordinary, but Nora knew what was hidden behind its dark curtains.

Mrs. Fletcher; her neighbour was observing each of her every move. Ever since she was little Nora found this woman weird. A small old lady and she studied people as if she could read their souls. Her behaviour started to deteriorate when her grandson Blake Fletcher disappeared two years ago. She stopped socializing and spent her time locked in her house.

Nora had caught her several times, peeking at the Trima’s house. Each time the older woman would seem unfazed and would stare right back at her. Shaking her head, she turned back in front.

She opened her door and finally entered her dwelling the only place where she felt safe.

“I am home!”

“Oh Nora, you are back!” Mrs. Trima said as she stepped out of the kitchen.

“How was your day?”

Somebody spat on me. Nora gave her a weak smile. “It was great.”

“Okay dear, go upstairs and freshen up. I have prepared some porridge. You can eat it after you finished.”

“Sure.” Nora quickly climbed the stairs. She did not have any intention of coming back.

She took out a fresh pair of clothes and went inside her bathroom to take a shower. The cold water appeased both her mind and her body.

Afterwards, she walked towards her dresser and opened the first drawer. It contained a fake bottom. Nora used this secret section to hide her two memoirs.

One was big and had a dark blue cover, it was her personal diary. The other journal was light brown, less bulky and looked ancient. This one belonged to her ancestor Nemitria Trima.

Nora found it last January when she was putting some old objects in the attic. She took both out and positioned the wood plaque back in its place.

She jumped on her bed and opened her diary and wrote a few lines.

Dear Diary,

1. Today was Ethan's death anniversary.

2. Mrs. Scott spat on me.

3. I am forced to do a project with Kyle

Nora closed the diary and lay back on her bed. Before, she used to spend at least one hour to describe her life, but it was not the case anymore. Her life became a living hell, and she felt gloomier when she had to relive her miserable days. Nothing in her existence could provide her with joy.

As for her parents, they were striving themselves to pay for Athanasia's treatment.

“I can’t even complain.” Her loved ones thought she was responsible for their miseries. The only thing which could save her was the truth.

However, if she revealed what happen to Ethan, she would end up causing more disasters.

“I have to walk on this solitary and difficult path alone. I am protecting my family and the person whom I held close to my heart. Even if this choice is causing my downfall.”

She tried to sleep but she could not close her eyes.

“I have to see Athanasia!” She said standing up.

Taking small steps Nora carefully, approached the room and slowly pushed the door open.

Her sister was on the bed.

“Athanasia,” she whispered.

Mrs. Trima was preparing dinner when her eyes fell on the bowl of porridge. It was getting cold.

“I wondered why Nora is not back yet,” she said aloud, “Maybe I should bring her down myself.”

She was about to leave when she heard the buzz of the doorbell. “It’s five o’clock. Who will come at this time?”

She walked towards the door and pushed it open. Kyle and Dyris stood outside.

“Oh, it's you. What a pleasant surprise!”

“Hello, we came to visit Athanasia,” Dyris said with a cheerful voice. She gripped Kyle’s arm with a possessive hold.

“Oh, please come in!”

“Actually, we are not alone.”

A puzzled look crossed her face. They stepped aside, and she saw her daughters' closest friends. Will, Stella and Rose.

Mrs. Trima was overwhelmed. Seeing those kids united like this filled her heart with hope. It almost convinced her that Athanasia will recover from her infirmity.

“So you all came, huh?”

They nodded. “Athanasia is a fighter!” Stella declared.

“She is the strongest girl we have ever known!” Rose added.

“She will not get rid of us that easily!” William declared.

The older woman gave them a weak smile and let them enter.

“Wait right here. I am going to call Nora.”

However, Kyle stopped her, “Mrs. Jane we only came to see Athanasia and no one else.”

She stopped on her tracks and muttered softly. “Sure, I understand.”

The atmosphere became tense. Dyris decided to break the ice, “Come on, guys! We didn't come to stand here all day we came to visit Athanasia. Let's go upstairs!”

“Yes, let's go!” William repeated. He took the lead and, the rest followed him.

Nora looked at her sister with a sad face. Athanasia and Ethan were boyfriend and girlfriend and they had a steady relationship. Everyone said that they complemented each other. When Ethan died, Athanasia had a hard time to accept it and she sank into a severe depression.

On the day of Ethan's funeral, she did not watch the service till the end and ran away from the cemetery.

She had disappeared for four hours and never returned home. Nora was the one who find her. Her sister got viciously assaulted.

“Those bastards left you in a deplorable condition.” Her head had suffered a deep injury.

Nora remembered every gruesome detail. She closed her eyes and shivered when the memory of that night came to her mind.

“You lost so much blood. I really thought you were going to die.”

Her attacker or attackers were never caught. “Some people even suspected I performed this horrendous act.”

The doctors stated there was a very slim chance that Athanasia would survive. After her operation she went into a coma for ten days. She managed to wake up, however, it hardly made any difference.

Most of her body parts were paralyzed. The doctors warned that she might remain bedridden for the rest of her life.

Nora's father didn't accept their judgment. He engaged a private doctor to take care of his daughter. He had to work harder to arrange the money for the expensive treatment. The doctor was a man named Peter Farwell and was doing his best to make Athanasia normal again. With his help Athanasia managed to move her eyes and occasionally lifted her left arm.

“I am sorry Athanasia. I wished I could change our fate.”

The door opened, and she turned behind.

“Oh, Nora you are here! Look your friends came to see your sister.”

“They are not my friends,” Nora said, folding her arms, “Not anymore.” The five of them stood outside the room. Stella and William avoided her eyes. Only Kyle was openly defying her.

Rose was observing their confrontation.

The gang did not make any movement and stood still.

They won’t enter unless I leave first.

Nora gathered her courage and started to walk towards them. On her way out her hand accidentally brushed Kyle's fingers and a warm feeling spread in her whole body. She looked at his face for a moment. He acted like as if a spider stroked him.

Even if he did not say anything; his disgust expressions managed to pierce her heart once again. She did not stay there any longer and walked in her own room and shut the door with a loud band behind her.

She jumped on her bed. The diaries were still there. She reached for her personal diary again and flipped the previous page. Slowly Leonora stumbled back into the pages of her past . . .

#Romance #Mystery #Crime #Horror #Supernatural #Friendship #Pain