Deptheless: Under the Library

by Tiffany Tay

  Please vote and comment, so I could tell if you're actually liking what you are reading... and do feel free to drop a message!

  Once school starts on the 12th of Jan, I might not be able to be so active in updating. Please forgive me and I hope you'll be understanding!!

  Anyway... it's New Year's Eve, people!!! Hoorayyy for a new year, and a great one behind us! I wish you all the best in a wondrous year ahead of you! May your wishes come trueeee!!! How wonderful to say:

  "See you next year!"

  on December 31st!!!

  Byee

  ~Tiffany :)

  Chapter Seven// Skye

  Skye's POV

  Love is in the air, everywhere I look around. Okay, not everywhere. But, enough to want to cause me to feel light headed and annoyed. Do I have a problem with love? I guess some people would think that I am as romantic as a scientific calculator. But then, even the words :Me+U could be typed out on the screen of a scientific calculator, so I guess I am worse than a mathematical programmed genius.

  My whole life had been spent pushing love away. Love... what good does it do to you? First, it creeps around your heart like cold fingers, seducing you... pulling you closer towards temptation, and finally, you're too mesmerized to pull back, and you end up falling into a bottomless pit of everlasting vows. Assuming you could last it out. Pain, suffering, hardships...

  If only mom and dad had been able to make sacrifices... we wouldn't end up this way---

  "Aren't they just the most romantic couple we know?" Beside me, Nikki sighs dramatically, leaning her body against my shoulder. I huff and push her off. "More romantic than Tony and Lelia? How could that be, Nikki?" I tease, sarcasm rolling out of my mouth. Nikki giggles. "Well...the most romantic couple whom we know personally! Tony and Lelia are still the most beautiful romantic..."

  I roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. We get it. They are your favourite fictional couple, hooray. You do know that in real life, romance doesn't ever turn out in a fairy-tale ending?" I yawn. Tony and Lelia, according to Nikki, are the new IT couple--- fictional, of course. Her infactuation is not surrounded around those characters in some sappy romance novel. "Not every life is beautiful."

  I receive a light punch for that. "Hey! A girl can dream, you know." Nikki declares. I smile at my friend's enthusiasm. Over the years, countless people had questioned our friendship. How ever could a hopeless romantic befriend a romance crusher? I stare fondly at my friend's indignant face, her almond eyes large, pleading with me to see her side of the argument, her eyebrows lifted, shocked that I never allow myself a moment to dream self-satisfying, but hopelessly wasteful nonsense, like she did almost every second of the day.

  Next to me, her darker skin glows healthily, the product of her spending about an hour each day, pampering her skin with beauty products, assured by whatever commercials she watches. (As long as she doesn't get me caught up in all that gunk, I don't mind her using it.) Sitting beside her, I feel like expired milk. Pale, disgusting and chalky. No--- I can't be a rich cream like Holly, or an intoxicating mocha like Nikki... I had to be stale milk. Urghh.

  Nikki sighs. "Honey, a little love would do so much to boost your optimism! You spend your days mooching around in your dark little cloud, rejecting all of those cute little boys who absolutely fall at your feet..." She giggles and I whip around to glare at her.

  "Excuse me?" I raise an eyebrow.

  "Hey, like you don't know." She smirks knowingly. I roll my eyes and turn my back on my best friend, who is also one big airhead. She claims to be all-knowing when it comes to love, but really, all she has to judge by are a few hundred of those iddlesome romance novels...

  "Come on, darling." I feel her cool fingers on my neck, coaxing me. I sigh and face her, Saying no to Nikki is like refusing a giant double helping of ice cream fudge, topped with chocolate sprinkles... the works. "Jarrod... Kierran..."

  "Will you quit it with those...boy?" I hiss. "I want nothing to do with them."

  "Aw, come on, Skye!" Nikki whinnes in my ear. "You are so in need of a guy..."

  "Not one of the juniors, for Aphrodite's sake!" I squirm under Nikki's glare.

  "Please, Skye. If I were you, I'd gladly take into account every guy who are in the least remotely interested in you! You need to get out with them more! With your attitude... hey, as your friend, I worry about you, you know!"

  "You should worry about yourself." I toss. I immediately regret my words. A shadow crosses over Nikki's face, and her lips form a tiny pout. Oops. When it comes to her relationship, Nikki's incredibly touchy.

  "It's not my fault that guys ignore me all the time... especially if they could have you!" She says, dejected. I sigh and put an arm around her.

  "I don't want any of them, and you know it, Nikki! You will find your prince charming soon, don't you worry!" I encourage her, even though I know it is all ridicule and nonsense. I mean... Prince Charming? Who the heck even believes in true love, let alone love at first sight?

  As fast as she could go into a pout, Nikki immediately cheers up. Well... if sweet words like those are what revives her... whatever helps her live her live, I need touch up on my Disney princess talk. I don't want any tears split over any potential boyfriends. Nikki... devastated? I hope to never ever live to see the day. Ever.

  Nikki starts chatting animatedly as Holly and Theo, flustered from their morning make-out session, return to their places. I jam my head up from all that talk, oozing with enough sweetness to kill a diabetic patient in one earful.

  I let my gaze wonder. Kale, as usual, sits at the furthest corner of the table, absorbed in his latest sci-fi novel. I suppress a yawn and look at my watch. It is almost time to start duty hours. So... where's David? I never knew him to skip a session, let alone be late. Something must've kept him preoccupied for so long, or he'd never take this long to show his face.

  I fidget with the collar of my red blouse. I know I shouldn't be wearing it up, and unbuttoned, but that's how I like it. I feel a sense of fascinated giddiness, every time someone passes me by, a weird look on their faces.

  I know what people are saying behind my back. Does it give me thrills to be the centre of attention? Does it make me feel a special uniqueness, given my ah... loud sense of taste? Why do I love to downplay my natural beauty, and fade into the shadows?

  I try to shrug it off. Hey, those cheesy encouraging lines, like, You are special! BE yourself! Everyone is unique and different!--- those are right, in a twisted sense of truth. Sure, want to comfort and assure someone out of their self-hate? They'll dislike you for giving them such cliche one liners. People toss them about all the time, barely acknowledging their true meaning. But there is one.

  Everyone is an individual. No one should be accepted into society just because they are perfect, or beautiful, or intelligent. The library is filled with all of those people, with every perfect trait. My parents... they escaped all that. They took one oath, and they left behind endless perfection, and stepped out into the cruel world to begin a new life.

  Not knowing what life could do to the Dreamers...

  I hadn't wanted to become a Librarian... after what had happened to mom and dad... after all those stories... But one does not have a choice to call their own. Sure, I hated it. Mom and dad must've hated the idea of sending their only daughter, and heir, back to the place where they wanted to end their chapter in life. But it wasn't my choice. I was out of options. And out of time...

  I made myself a silent vow. I would never succumb to the normal rites and lives of the Librarians, however carefree, beautiful and welcoming they turn out to be. I would turn their every rule, and twist them around, just like how like had twisted mom and dad...

  I started my resolution by joining Group Nine.

  A/N: Hellooo!!! Happy new year, folks!

  Would you mind telling me how you felt about this new chapter and new character?

  PS: This chapter is not to offend, and is not to direct at anyone. It is all fictional!! So vote an
d comment if you enjoyed it, please! ^^

  ~Tiffany :)

  Chapter Eight// Skye

  Skye's POV

  It's amazing how easily people fall into schedule. As soon as I hear footsteps approaching, my lips curl up in a smile. I wait, taking my time. Finally, I glance up as David pulls to a stop.

  "Alright. Where the heck is he?" He demands, a crease in his forehead.

  I stifle a giggle. Nikki rolls her eyes and pulls out a mirror. To our amusement, instead of checking her reflection, she hands it to David, who accepts it with a frown.

  "For you to check your back." Nikki informs him. I can't tell whether she is kidding. Shrugging, David holds out the mirror, as I try to keep my insides put. God... when will he ever stop falling for this? Even Kale is interested enough to put his book down for a second.

  David frowns and snaps the mirror shut. "I see nothing wrong." Wrinkling up his forehead, he questions: "What are you all doing lounging around? Duty's beginning in two minutes."

  "See... he sees nothing wrong!" Nikki falls over with laughter.

  David sighs. "So is he just going to pop up like this everyday?" He spins around, almost colliding with a girl behind him. I hadn't noticed her before. I see her stumble, and David immediately reaches out to steady her, apologizing profusely, his face an abnormal shade of red.

  "Hmm... that's interesting." Nikki muses in a low tone. I assume she doesn't mean the girl.

  I study her. Her skin tone would balance out Nikk's and mine perfectly. Then I feel annoyed that the first thing I notice when I meet someone new is their skin tone. I need to get over this obsession as soon as I can. So... hair. She has light gold brown hair, falling comfortable on her shoulders. Her dark chocolate eyes skip over Nikki, Holly, Theo and I, and comes to a rest on Kale.

  I follow her gaze and raise my eyebrows. I'm kind of surprised to see Kale actually studying the girl an intense look I only saw in him when he was busily absorbed in one of those horrifyingly boring book on astronomy.

  Wait a minute. I narrow my eyes, staring at first Kale, then at the new girl. Kale, with his chocolate eyes and golden hair... then I make the connection.

  "Everyone, this is Stella--- Stella Starre. She's the newest member of Group Nine..."

  I couldn't help it. "Are you related to Kale?" I blurt out.

  All of a sudden, I feel the temperature drop. For some reason, Stella drops her gaze. Kale freezes, and stares hard at me. Holly and Theo, as if just realized the resemblance, glances back and forth at Kale and Stella, puzzled expressions on their innocent faces. Besides me, Nikki stiffens.

  Oops. Bad idea, Skye. I mentally chide myself for being so impulsive. For all I know... I may have triggered some mental bomb. I didn't want to wait for the explosion.

  "Well... uh, it's just, they look so much alike, I couldn't help wondering---"

  "Save it." Kale picks up his book and pretends to read it, but I can really sense more to his actions than he lets known. For the first time that morning, Kale spoke. He hardly ever makes a sound, every time I hear his low, deep voice, I feel cold shivers down my spine. Not of excitement, but of misguided fear. That guy could walk into a sunny room and the atmosphere would immediately cloud over.

  David tries for a cheerful laugh. "Ha,ha. Well... I guess so." His gaze never leaves Stella. Stella herself stands frozen, watching Kale's every move, eyeing him without expression on her face. Well... another guarded member of the nine.

  Since I feel bad about starting the cold war, I pipe up in as breezy a voice as I could manage. "So... Stella? What brings you here?"

  I see her cringe. Now what did I say wrong? People have called me a ticking time bomb, but here's Stella herself, acting so mysterious about everything... everything I say.

  To my surprise, it was David who leapt to the rescue, "President brought her in. Don't worry--- we are in desperate need of a new recruit for GNine, aren't we?" He gives us a pointed smile. I nod my head vigorously, relieved that David had helped clear the tension. Holly and Theo had leapt out of their seats, and were now welcoming Stella with such warmth that she starts to look a little too faint. I suppose, those two had felt the need to extend a gigantic warm welcome to the newbies, since they themselves hadn't been offered the pleasure. But two people flocking over you? Again, David comes to her rescue, telling the couple to give her some space.

  In all the midst of Stella's arrival, our attention had been drawn away from the initial person in mind...

  "So... I take it that no one missed me?" A masculine voice drawls from the far end of the library.

  I back up so fast in my chair that I almost caused a scene once more. Then, realizing everyone's eyes on me, I feel the familiar tinge of redness on my cheeks. "Sorry, it's nothing." I mumble.

  The guy strides over, casually flexing his muscled arms. I gulp and try to keep myself in one place. Whoa, Skye...

  But it's hard to calm down whenever he is around...

  David straightens and crossed his arms. "So, finally, Nikolay, you arrive. Late as usual."

  Niko threw David a don't-carish smile and strays up to the table. Pulling out a seat, he plops himself down... right next to me.

  "Well... some people have to make statements." He smirks into my face. I flush and push my chair further from him, eyes blazing.

  "Sometimes, statements stand out as one of a kind. You can't coax it out of yourself." I retort, having no clue as to what I'm even telling him.

  Once in my life, I'd made the mistake of dyeing my hair. Of all colours, I did my newly dyed raven black hair up in spikes. Of course I had to spray parts of it bright red. For awhile... okay, for a long while, everywhere I went, I couldn't escape the weird stares, the whispered gossips...

  Must've been the hair. Every time someone wrinkled their nose at me, I ruffled up my red spiked hair and looked at them with a smug look. Well, of course it was the hair.

  Then Nikolay came along. Niko--- with his raven black hair, perfect build, so humorous, so understanding...

  I still can't believe how I could fall for all of that---

  The next thing I knew, my everything dissolved like essence. He took my life, turned it and twisted it and smashed it... What's worse is: once he was through with it, he just left without a word of apology.

  Nikolay always guffaws. "Come on, Skye! What happened to you?" He would always tell me.

  "Change took me. I don't want to be like everyone else." I always answer back.

  Niko would tilt his head just slightly... "But were you ever like every one else to begin with?"

  The answer, sadly, leaves me with a feeling of a cold bucket of ice in the very bottom of my stomach.

  At this moment, Niko pushes back his chair and eases himself by leaning back and crossing a leg over his thigh. Oblivious to the stares thrown his way, he smirks. "Well? Aren't we going to begin?" He stares at me with those crazy wild emerald eyes of his.

  I force myself out of my chair. I'm not going to have anything to do with that guy. I won't even allow myself to look at him...

  I ignore my friend's calls and just keep on walking. Their voices just buzz around in my head like annoying little insects. If I have a fly swatter, I would gladly bring it down upon that guy's irritable egoistic voice...

  I hear someone's footsteps echoing behind me and I take up speed. I zip around bookshelves, feeling the wind catch around me. I am light and small in size. Soon, I'm able to tear apart from the library... the horror filled boy who brings out the worst in me...

  I practically fly straight into a wall. At the last moment, I swerve to the left and end up hitting myself smack into something soft. I glance up sharply, and sure enough, it's none other than Nikolay himself. He brushes his mop of tangled black hair, a glint in his eyes. "Knew you'd be here." He places a strong arm around my shoulders, steadying me.

  I squirm and wriggle off. "Leave me alone!" I scream, venting all my anger in three furious words, hoping that they'd stab him in his heart for once and for
all, leaving behind long, brutal, garish scars... as deep as the ones he'd inflicted upon me.

  Unluckily, this guy doesn't break easily, or I'd be joyously picking up his shattered remains long ago.

  He twinkles down at me, the slightly amused look in his eyes flickering as he stares right into me.

  "Some things you cannot hide forever, Skye. Running away will not solve your problems. The only way is acceptance." He says lightly, as if everything that happened didn't matter any longer. As if each and every event could be as easily forgiven and forgotten with a few simple words.

  At moments like this, I wish I could do everything, be anything. I wanted to scream. To push Niko far, far away from me. To simply open up a portal and dismiss myself into nothingness. To sweep my memory clean of the painful past.

  As if reading straight from my mind like an open book, Niko looked straight into my eyes, those wild emerald eyes of his breaking something inside me with a tremendous shatter.

  "You aren't everything, Skye. Just who you chose to be. And you know what you wanted.This is what you get. Are you really that bent on changing it? Hiding from it? Cuz last time I checked, there's no running away from yourself, Skye."

  My next movements happened so swiftly, I surprised even myself.

  I reached out wildly and grabbed Niko by his green polo shirt, anger burning throughout me like wildfire spreading through a dark forest. "None of this could've happened, Nikolay... if it wasn't for your interference. Who are you to tell me what to do?" I scream hysterically, but I don't care. There wasn't anyone else in close enough proximity to hear me.

  "I could've chosen a better path. I could be normal... like everybody else. But I was destined to be unlucky enough to meet you! And you know what? Well... just your luck to be saddled with a total drop out like me! So why do you care? Why still bother? The past is long over. I changed, Niko. I moved along with the flow. So why'd you still care?"

  My voice wobbles dangerously. I hate crying. The slightest teardrop leaves me fuming. I don't want to shed any tears, especially over Nikolay. My days of crying over him are over.