Chapter 4:
Apathy is Okay
VIOLETTE AND YULAN weaved through the extravagant beauty of a campus that was more like a noble’s fantastic garden than school grounds, passing blooming flower beds and a stunning fountain to find a deserted corner of a large courtyard. Tanzanite Academy was a massive building, especially compared to the small student body, so it was easy to find secluded spots to talk. They found a spot hidden from view from the building, near enough to the fountain that the sound of running water would mask their voices.
“Around here should be fine,” said Violette.
“Sorry, I…” Yulan began.
“Don’t apologize. You were just worried about me, right?”
“Yeah…”
The way he hung his head when he was sad pulled at Violette’s heartstrings. That was why she doted on him like a younger brother no matter how big he grew. He folded in on himself, and Violette imagined dog ears flattening on top his head. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her; he was just concerned. Behavior aside, she couldn’t fault him for his compassion.
“In short, the rumor you heard is true. I don’t know all the details that are going around…but I do have a new mother and sister,” said Violette.
“So that new transfer student is really…your sister?” Yulan asked.
“Yes.”
“I see.”
She could tell he was choked by all the things he wanted to say. Yulan was Violette’s closest friend, and he knew better than anyone about her warped relationship with her mother. He knew she couldn’t be happy to have a new family so quickly and under such circumstances.
Nonetheless, Yulan had no right to talk openly about someone else’s family, especially in front of strangers. Good intentions aside, Yulan had crossed a line.
“Thanks for the concern,” said Violette. With a gentle smile on her face, she took Yulan’s hand, hoping to ease the crease off his brow. He’d been taller than her for a while now, and she had to use both of her hands to wrap around one of his. “I’m fine. The rumor is true, so it’ll probably be harder for my half sister than me,” she continued.
There was nothing illegal about having a mistress or getting remarried, but a new daughter just a year younger than the first daughter brought into the family under these circumstances…well, it was easy to draw conclusions from that.
And the teenage students were at a time of their life where this kind of scandal was particularly shocking. Puberty was an enigma, and cheating an unforgivable crime. Violette didn’t particularly like being treated delicately by her classmates, but she knew it was out of sympathy. If she ignored them, it would stop soon. If the rumors were going to damage someone’s reputation this time, it would be Maryjune’s.
It was unfortunate, but she couldn’t help her half sister, and she wouldn’t ask Yulan for help. The rumors were true, but from Violette’s perspective, they were ancient history. She’d gotten over them long ago. Staying out of Maryjune’s business meant putting them aside as quickly as possible.
“I…see,” he said.
Violette’s smile should have comforted Yulan. She was sure her expression and nonchalant attitude didn’t seem forced. He should be happy to find out that his worries were baseless.
But something wasn’t right. He scanned her face, like he was certain she was somehow different from the Violette he knew.
He was right, though he never could have guessed that his childhood friend was a criminal who’d been condemned to prison—or a time traveler, for that matter. That was the sort of miracle that required direct intervention from God.
“If you’re all right, then it’s fine,” he said. After one last long look, he seemed to accept it—though whether he gave up on the mystery, or just decided that if Violette was okay, that was the important part, she couldn’t tell. Either way, Yulan looked relieved, so Violette reciprocated with a smile. She didn’t want to worry her kindhearted friend.
“Then, shall we go home? I’ll feel bad if I make my chauffeur wait any longer,” she said.
“Oh…sorry I kept you so long. I wonder if he’s worried.”
“Ha ha, then let’s apologize together!”
“Okay!”
They’d only been talking for twenty minutes, but she was still later than usual—the academy had no after-school chores to delay students, so twenty minutes was enough to give a chauffeur entrusted with the precious sons and daughters of nobility a heart attack. If she’d been expected somewhere, she might have been lectured for lateness, but since she had no plans today, there was no way the chauffeur would complain to her father. Still, she should apologize for being late.
The chauffeur wasn’t even angry at them—he was only worried about Violette. He asked about her day at school on their way home, wondering if anything nasty had happened. Violette interrupted him halfway through a question with “I’m fine.” She fell quiet, planning how to arrange for her own, private dinner as soon as she got home.