The weekend left just as quickly as it came. Which wasn't really a problem, considering it sucked so much.
Artemis took a sip of her bitter coffee, but it didn't make her feel anymore alert. She yawned, turning to her partner in crime. "Is there a reason why we're at the library three hours before school?"
"Lose even an hour in the morning and you'll spend all day looking for it," Olive assured her, typing on her laptop. In all honesty, the quietness of the hall was actually quite soothing. And Sister Francesca, who was apparently also a librarian, actually smiled at them.
"I'm not looking for anything," Artemis replied almost defensively. The only thing she was really looking for was her dignity. After all, she was sure that trying to get useful information from this nurse Caldwell person was the farthest of far stretches. Still, she saw no immediate harm in humoring her. Even if it would lead to her inevitable disappointment.
Olive just shrugged as she resumed her typing. "I interviewed Chara for the documentary, but she wasn't very helpful. Just repeated that Miren was her tutor a million times. I mean, she designed her tombstone for Queen's sake. You'd think she'd be more phased by me bringing up her death."
"Theodora designed it too and I don't see her in volunteering with the video," Artemis offered, rubbing her temple. "Maybe Chara's just tired." She was tired too.
"I don't know. Before I talked to her, I was confident she had nothing to hide." Olive pulled her notebook from her messenger bag. "But I can't say that for sure now."
"What do you think she's hiding?" Artemis said, her eyes slightly more alert. She knew what secrets she was hiding. And although some of them coincided with the sophomore's, it didn't seem possible for Chara to be anymore involved than she already was.
"Well, she told me that Penelope enslaved her due to her figuring out a secret or something." Olive scratched her head before scribbling something on the pad. "You think it has to do with Miren?"
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Shit." Somehow Sister Francesca heard her and shushed obnoxiously. Olive rolled her eyes, crossing something out with her pen. "Why is it the further I pry, the more confusing everything gets?"
"Because this all revolves around Penelope, and she's as insane as she is baffling." Artemis rose to her feet. Not because this was getting nowhere fast, but because she could sense what Olive was going to ask next.
"Has she always been this way?" Earnest eyes feel on her. "Maybe we need to look into her pastâMiren too." Fuck.
"We should also interview Jemma. She must know something," Olive continued, recalling that girl Jemma was looking at the party. She closed her eyes in a squint. It wasn't even seven and her journalistically inclined part of her brain had already been pushed to the limit.
But some things were straightforward. They would seek the nurse. Delve into Penelope's and Miren's past. Then finish the documentary. It was so simple.
In theory.
***
In theory, Levi had everything figured out. It was just a matter of piecing everything together. Which was difficult as fuck because NOTHING MADE SENSE ANYMORE/EVER.
As the glow of another Monday morning shined against his dorm window, he contemplated why he was so interested in this conspiracy. The only thing he knew for sure was that Soren wasn't directly responsible for the musical incident. But even then, he was still involved with people (Artemis and Penelope immediately came to mind) that could have done it. And even though he failed to see their motivations, maybe you didn't need a motivation when you were crazy.
Speaking of unmotivated culprits, for some reason Miles and Jeno also came to mind. Maybe it was just the fact that Miles was still nowhere to be found. And grandfather's funeral or not, he did leave right after his little spat with Jeno. And he did transfer to the school right when all this Miren-related hell broke loose...
But none of that explained anything. Like how connected everything was, or if they were truly isolated incidents. Or if that rando Jeno was kissing was somehow related to something. His eyes widened.
Maybe Miles was gay and thought Jeno was leaving Theodora for him. Or maybe Jeno was cheating on Theodora with Penelope and Miles was giving him a hard time about it... He shook his head, realizing how stupid that thought was. He saw Miles kiss Penelope, and he didn't look like he hated it. Rather, it just seemed like he was embarrassed that it happened in between her and Parker. But Parker said he wasn't mad. In fact, after the whole sex video thing, his and Pen's relationship basically went to hell.
"Then who's responsible for the sex tape?" Levi scratched his chin. Naturally, Jemma came to mind. She was the Chaos Queen, and she embraced the title with open arms. So why not start with her?
At least until Miles showed up?
Still, he couldn't shake the sensation that the girl in the photo was the key. Even if he was still trying to find what door she would unlock.
***
Unfortunately, the girl in the photo was now a boy.
To be fair, in the two weeks Miren had faded into further oblivion, she had considered at least a million ways to return back to St. Rosemunde in something beyond her former unglory. But the damage was doneâbeyond irreparable. And to make matters worse, Penelope's reputation was practically impenetrable now.
So what purpose did she have to do anything now? Going back to class at Rinzen would just be a reminder of how permanent all of this was. She had hurt too many people, and somehow lost even more respect for herself.
She sighed before splashing some cold water on her face. She was running out of time...and places to hide. And she knew she was just prolonging the inevitable...but still! When she heard a knock on her door, it was as if the universe was trying to make a point or something.
"You know, I didn't say anything before because you're probably ahead of your classes, and the last thing you need is someone nagging you, but you can't do this forever," the voice behind the door told her, as if she didn't realize this. She gritted her teeth.
"And you can't see what's in front of you." Only she didn't' say that. Instead, her eyes found her mostly androgynous reflection. "I'm clinically depressed, and it happens to be the third anniversary of my brother's death," she replied instead. "My meds should be recalibrated this week. For now, social contact will make me genocidal."
"Why do I get the sense that you're lying?" He chuckled lightly, which seemed like an inappropriate move toward a (self-diagnosed) mentally ill person. "Besides, you're the most emotionally stable person I know."
Miren scoffed, but took the initiative to actually brush her teeth this morning, anything block out the voice of unnecessary reason (VOUR). But VOUR was a bitch of boy, so the door opened before she could even think of screaming. Which she wouldn't do...considering the obvious.
She spat out the touthpaste, eying Parker through the mirror the same way he was eying her. Which was hard, considering the fact he had the habit of sleeping shirtless, and his abs were on display right now.
"You lied about your own grandfather dying," Parker said through folded arms. Miren didn't know whether to curse because he lecturing her or because he was blocking his chiseled chest. "I don't know what Jeno did, but he obviously did something horrible for you to want to get away from him so badly."
"Jeno's hardly a problem," she shook her head. "Sure, we had a spat and I moved out. Theodora came onto me and he got pissed. It was a toxic environment. But I didn't lie about the funeral. My parents couldn't make it, and I saw no need going since he was my step-grandfather that my grandmother remarried two years ago that I've never actually met," she lied on the spot. "And since I was already excused and ahead in school work, I just took a much needed R&R." Her eyes narrowed against his. "There are worse things I could do, you know."
"If you say so."
"I did."
She rinsed her mouth, wondering if she was being a hypocrite, or if she was just desperate. Parker wasn't better than Jeno, and it wasn't fair (or wise) to be living with him. But maybe that was itâdespite whatever romantic ties she had severed with Jeno, she could still see herself falling for him. Since Parker still couldn't tell who she was, he was a neutral presence. And she needed neutrality right now. She needed Switzerland.
"You'll be late for class," she told him, hopefully changing the subject. "Why don't you worry about Penelope or that Olive girl? Sounds like she has the hots for you."
"I think the only person she honestly has the hots for is Miren," Parker said, pulling on his blazer. Miren blinked. Naturally, she was honored that some stranger actually cared about her, but she could smell trouble. And it wasn't particularly pleasant. "But fine. I still don't think hiding out here is good for you."
"Thanks, dad."
With a small wave, the senior vacated the space, leaving Miren with her relentless thoughts. But she had learned to stop feeling feelings weeks ago. She couldn't return to Rinzenâno, not like she was before. Her eyes fell to her suitcase. Somehow running away (for real) felt like the safest option, but she knew how stupid that sounded.
Then again, she no longer praised herself for being smart.