Chapter 5 COLE

Victoria chuckled as she watched Cole try to jiggle three objects and fail miserably. "Are you sure we shouldn't try something else?" She finally spoke. "no, I've got this under control" he bit back trying to impress her, she just smiled satisfactorily. This moment was more than enough. "It's getting late, Cole" Victoria began as she got off the swing.

She smiled before speaking again "Thanks.." she started as he inched closer "for everything" "I want to show you something," He said extending his hand out to her, she intertwined their hands as he led her to a bicycle that was parked for rent, "why don't you just take your car?" she asked, chuckling at his actions, "the most beautiful memories are gotten from the smallest things" he simply replied. Victoria had found herself smiling more than ever, Cole was like her rainbow in the rain, he was the glue that was slowly putting her pieces together and maybe he was just, he might just be the breath of fresh air she was desperately searching for. "c'mon" he urged, Victoria raised an eyebrow, "it's quite a late Cole and it's the highway, it's-" "Nope. No if's, it's or but's, trust me, Vee," he said as their eyes locked. "Do you trust me?" he asked just above a whisper, she inched closer so she could inhale his strong cologne - a scent that always brought a smile to her face, everything about Cole brought a smile to her face, it was like he was the drop of sweetness in her ocean of vinegar, she could refer to her past as "before" since she met him- that curly-haired lad, she never believed in fantasies now she dreamt of a fairytale. The irony. She always wanted to be loved but now when she has finally found someone who loves her she fears losing him, but she is already hooked, too attached and lost in his ocean blue eyes, he had caught her hook, line and sinker and that was the end of the story. Victoria spread her arms out, breathing in the fresh air as her eyes glossed, she rode on the bicycle with the rainbow of her life Cole, alas she could feel it, peace... The way the stars selflessly illuminated the sky and the ocean she could see from the railings of the bridge, the dew that came with no rain and the cool atmosphere, everything was just perfect and for the first time in thirteen years Victoria was genuinely happy She smiled, closing her eyes, allowing herself to be held by her beloved, closing her eyes and listening to his heartbeat, she felt free, like a bird that had been caged for years, finally taking the initiative to step out that opened the cage, she had finally let go, the stars were too beautiful for her to remain an ugly soul, she would forever cherish this tiny small moment when the stars And even though deep down she feared that this would all be a dream, that she would wake up and have to face the dawn of reality, she was going to make sure she cherished every moment of the night. And true to her word she did, that night would forever be an unforgettable one.

******* Victoria was awoken by a familiar sound, not the sound of the dreaded alarm clock that sat on her bedside table, but the sound of a pencil hitting the table. Eyes still closed, Victoria smiled,

"isn't it too early to be doing that Cole?" she whispered with her morning voice. The curly-haired lad chuckled,

that's odd "it's 9:00 are you know?" Victoria's eyes bolted awake, she knew what today was, irrespective of everything and anything, today was always a special day because of her special visitor. Cole chuckled. "it's just 7:45 am" Victoria rolled her eyes "one of these days I'll take away your window privileges" she playfully threatened "Oh no! Please don't I would die of sorrow" Cole replied not certain if it was a joke or not, but deciding to play it safe anyway. "You should get going, your mom's probably worried sick" Victoria advised as she sat up and stretched. "What time did we get back yesterday? I think I... zoned out?" she asked, staring at the person whom she considered her rainbow. "Zoned out? You slept through the whole ride back, I don't even want to recall how terrifying it was getting you into your room" "oh, how horrific! It's so hard to carry a girl to her room, you know you're a case right Rainbow?" Cole had begun laughing but stopped when he heard the name, "what did you call me?" Victoria furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "a case?" Cole rolled his eyes "no. The other one" he stated Completely flustered Victoria decided to deny the whole thing, standing up and deciding to take a quick shower she began to walk away. "I don't know what you're talking about," she stated matter of factly. "Really eh? Alright then" Cole said not wanting to push her too much, he proceeded to leave through the window when he heard the shower start, but before that he grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled a few things down before heading out. After her shower Victoria felt refreshed, she came out and frowned as she couldn't find Cole anywhere though his famous cologne was still quite perceivable. As she began to rub her lotion she caught sight of the piece of paper that laid on the bed. Curious, She picked it up and sat down on her bed pausing her earlier action. The first thing that caught her attention was the cursive handwriting, no doubt it was Cole's Hello there princess! I'll be back soon

With much love

Your Rainbow Victoria's eyes widened at the last part, she blushed a deep red, he wasn't supposed to know that. Her phone rang almost immediately. "Exaggerate much will you? it's just been a few minutes and you are already calling" she said with an eye roll . "I'm multi-tasked just so you know" "oh really? that's quite-" The sound footsteps cut her mid-sentence "Someone's coming" she whispered. "call you later" then she cut off the call. "Victoria?" A Voice called out. She recognized that voice it was... Her face lit up a bit. The enthusiasm had been dying away as the years went by and as he got old her hate grew slowly overpowering the love she felt. The man who had hurt her the most, the genesis of all her pain, and yet the one person she loved the most. Her father - Grey Dante. "Dad?" She said as wrapped her towel around herself, putting on her slippers she walked out of her room and sure enough, he was there in person, sat on the sitting room couch like he hadn't abandoned her for years with only a days visit each year Playing along she gave her famous fake smile. "Vee? come closer, aren't you happy to see me?" "oh I'm the happiest I've ever been dad" she replied dryly as he pulled her into a hug "How have you been?" he asked after she let go. "As rebellious as ever" Victoria's mom replied in a stern tone. She didn't like having him around for all she cared he could get lost or killed she didn't mind. She was probably in a more sane frame of mind or so Victoria thought "I'm not rebellious," Victoria said in her defense. "Well, the school's report says something else " Her mother replied. "school report?" Grey asked, Victoria rolled her eyes "she tried to kill her classmate!" Her mother said "What?!" her father yelled, shocked and confused "I know right? I should have killed the Bastard" Victoria said smoothly "Victoria-" She stopped him before he could begin the lecture she couldn't care less about "Don't just walk back into my life thirteen years later and start judging me dad that's low" she spat going off to her room "what you did was uncalled for!" Dante yelled after her. "what about what they did? And what Marianna does? Huh? Water under the bridge? Bullshit dad!" she yelled as he placed her hand on the door handle "I don't know what's gotten into you or what you have against Marianna but this has to stop! This is not how you're supposed to behave!" he yelled at Victoria and tears stung her eyes, She turned to face him before speaking "Tell That to your other daughter" With that, she shut the door in his face and collapsed on her bed, not in tears but just general sadness, reality was finally dawning on her, she was going back to that hell hole the day after tomorrow, and her father was the same ignorant man he was since the day he abandoned her, the only bright side was Cole - her rainbow Her loyal friend the blade sat on the table staring at her, she could hear her parents yelling trying to push the blame on each other without knowing the problem, Simple, plain pathetic Victoria. They never got along probably after she was born. Another tear fell on her cheek as she thought of what it would be like if she wasn't born, if she ceased to exist then came another and another and in no time she was crying profusely. She felt like everyone hated her except for her dad who was probably just enduring her presence.