Friday had passed quickly. Well, there had been plenty of classes: History, Physics, Philosophy… As expected, they didn’t get a dedicated teacher. Instead, Mrs. Harshwhinny had been assigned as their philosophy educator.

Vinyl and Lyra had passed the entire History class talking about Octavia’s situation, and their plans concerning Saturday’s events, and how could they get Octavia to come with. When Bon-Bon had finally arrived, she announced that she had searched all evening, and that she might have found just the right idea.

“But it is risky. Very risky.” She had said.

“Worse than impersonating an officer, stealing a car and destroying then abandoning it?” Lyra had answered with a sarcastic smirk.

The discussion had stopped here. It was indeed a strong argument.

“But Bon-Bon’s idea was risky, that was a fact. And illegal. Probably more than the whole affair with the limo. Shit, how are we gonna-”

“Is everything alright Vinyl? You look pale…”

Vinyl looked at her pure white skin, and smiled at Octavia.

“Well, I mean… Even paler than you already… Uhm, sorry.”

Vinyl took out her phone, and typed a few words as she continued walking. Octavia had to stop to look at her screen. After all, she wasn’t used to using a cellphone, especially while walking.

“I know what you mean, Tavi, don’t worry. Also yeah, I was thinking about… a lot of shit.”

“Yes, a lot of… things. I understand. We had quite a busy first week. But I’m glad things are this way. I was afraid CHS was going to be too… tranquil at first, but I was positively surprised to realize that they give us a decent amount of work.”

“Oh God, if only it was only that. Man, I wish.”

As she started typing back, she looked at Octavia: her friend was looking through the window, her long grey hair reflecting the sunlight, and her nose turning red by the cold air passing through the flaps of the large window. The DJ couldn’t help but feel a bit of guilt in her stomach: lying to Octavia about her intentions like this… Making her come to this party… Was this really the right call? Wasn’t she just damaging the trust Octavia had placed in her?

“No. Nonono. She didn’t like this driver. She wants to go to this party. She told us. She’s just so pressured by her parents all the time that she forgot what’s good or bad for her.. Jeez, I’m starting to sound like a cheap psychiatrist.”

“Admiring the view, I see!” Lyra yelled from the other side of the hallway. She had been gone for a couple of minutes, talking with Pinkie Pie about what they should bring to the party.

“Yes.” Octavia answered, “The park is beautiful from up here, especially with this slight fog.”

“Actually, I was talking to Vinyl.” Lyra chuckled, interrupting both girls contemplations.

She was met with a discreet blush from the cellist, as well as a slap on the back of the head by the DJ.

“So” Octavia asked, “What do you two need to bring to this celebration?”

“Nothing! You believe that?! It appears Pinkie Pie already has everything planned! So I’ll just help Vinyl with packing her speakers and other stuff.”

“Oh. That is nice… Well I certainly hope you two and Bon-Bon have fun!”

Her voice was sincere, but tainted with sadness and disappointment. She wanted to come, and everyone could see that. But she had given up a long time ago.

Vinyl put her hand on her friend’s shoulder, looking her deep in the eyes. Instead of taking out her notepad or typing on her phone, she just used her remaining hand to slowly perform a few signs for Octavia:

You’re sure you don’t want to come with us?

“I do want to come with you, Vinyl. I really do. But I can’t. You already know why…”

He eyes got wetter as she tried to hide her feelings from the DJ and her friend.

“Trust me, if there was a way I could come, without provoking my parent’s wrath, I would. But it is fine, you know. I’m… really used to this.”

These last words shattered Vinyl’s heart in a million pieces. She was used to this? Used to living alone, forced by her motherfucking parents to stay away from everybody else? Used to staying in her room while her new friends have fun?

“We really cannot get you to come?” Lyra asked.

“I’m afraid not…”

“Shit. It was the first party of the year, after all…”

“...”

“Well, let’s accompany you to the bus, girl!”

“Thank you Lyra, that’s really nice of you two.”

Vinyl smiled, grabbed Octavia’s arm, and guided her through the hallway alongside Lyra. Behind her back, her fingers were crossed.

“Let’s hope that will work.”

Dana closed the door, stretched her arms and sat on her favorite chair. It was 5pm, and there was nothing left to do or to supervise in the manor. She had one or two hours of rest ahead of her. In half an hour, Octavia would probably come back, and she would press her a few oranges, and maybe teach her some more sign language afterwards.

Learning a whole new language to communicate with just one person… She was a good girl. Almost anybody knew that. Too bad the only people who didn’t were the ones in charge of her education… Dana left her mind to wander across the room. Sometimes, she wished she had a daughter, or a son, a child to raise, to love. Many people saw the complications in having a child, but she had taken care of enough to know that these flaws were nothing compared to the joy of watching a kid grow and learn.

She leaned her back against the chair, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the third floor.

For twenty seconds.

Then her phone rang.

“Oh dang it! Really!”

She rolled her eyes, and reached for the small cellphone on the nearby table. She didn’t use it often, but they had been provided by the manor, and all the staff members were required to carry them at all times.

“Yes?” She answered with a rather annoyed voice. It wasn’t really her style, but she had been looking forward to her break. Hopefully it was nothing of importance.

“Hello…” The voice of a young girl, probably the age of Octavia, uttered hesitantly.

“Hello?”

“Is this… Dana? From the Melody Manor?”

That was certainly surprising. Nobody had this number except for the rest of the staff, Octavia’s parents and Dana’s few close friends. This voice didn’t sound like any of them.

“I am Dana, yes. Who is calling?”

“Hello, yes, my name is Bon-Bon, I’m a friend of Octavia… She gave me your number.”

Bon-Bon, yes, this name was ringing a bell. Octavia had talked about her, amongst the new friends she had made. She was a good girl, apparently.

“Yes. Yes Bon-Bon, Octavia told me about you. You girls are taking care of her, right?”

“We are trying our best. And if I’m calling, it’s about Octavia.”

Dana raised an eyebrow, and let the girl on the other side of the phone continue.

“We need your help.”

Author's Notes:

Hello everyone!

A small chapter, a bit late but not too much.
The next one will start at the beginning of Saturday (in the story I mean), so I didn't want to continue the writing in this one.
I'm going to write some more during the upcoming week, so maybe you won't have to wait for too long!

Finally, THANK YOU! The story has reached a total of 10k views! It may not be that big of a number, but it means a lot to me, so thank you thank you!!

Bisous,

Saga.