Gen 7- Chapter 5 Part 1: Tranquil Truffle

“No no no. A thousands time NO!”

I knew convincing Fir to be my escort to the venue was going to be no easy task, but even still, his utter opposition threw me a little off guard. I guess it was easy on my end, all I needed was a ride, his end was a slightly more complicated. If someone found out, he would be the bad guy.

Being this was my only option though, I had pull out all the stops.

“Fir Please? I…we really need your help. I wish there was another way, but there isn’t.”

“Why don’t you just tell everyone? That would fix things right?”

“No. I have tried a few times, they just don’t want to hear it. They think they all know whats best for me, and to them, he is no where in the cards.”

“Please please please?”

“You really are not going to give up on this until I agree are you?”

“Probably not.”

“…This is the last time. You hear me? No more favors after this, my guilty conscience can’t take much more.”

My heart fluttered with joy. “Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!” I will make it up to somehow, I promise.”

“Ya you better.”

After taking my leave, I headed back to the lunch table with Blush and Pear. I had to make it look official, so I announced to everyone that I had another date with Fir. I played into the excitement by thinking about being with Granite and I must say, I was turning into quite the little actress, but I also knew I could not keep up the charade forever. At that time, I was still trying think up a proper plan of attack that would ensure Granite and I would be together, so far there was none, but I knew I would probably have to do something soon since I no longer had Fir to fall back on.

After school, I headed home and prepared for my “date.” My mom had recently gotten me a couple new outfits for going out, a nice gesture towards her “I am supporting you” thing and I of course had no clue what they actually looked like, but according to Blush they were absolutely adorable on me. I would just have to take their word for it and hope for the best.

I tried to do my own hair, I know it wasn’t nearly as fancy as what Blush had done, when she did it, I could feel the little curly whisps floating around my face, but still it felt pretty good, and I was quite pleased with my attempt.

“Oh sweetheart you look so beautiful.”

“Thanks Mom.”

There it was, that small twinge of guilt. It killed me to have to lie to her, but she just didn’t understand. No one did. How could she be so supportive of a boy I didn’t even like and shun the one I loved. Of course in her defense, she never had the chance to know him, but I knew her well enough to know, that his first impression and Blush’s insight would be a powerful combo fighting against me and us.

“Would you like me to help you with some make up? I am not as hip as Blush, but I think I can do a nice job for you.”

“Sure, but please no lipstick.”

Mom took me into the bathroom for her make up kit and better lighting, and then got right to work. My guilt only grew as she and I stood there on the cold tiles, bonding under false pretenses.

“You know I never really went on many dates. I guess I was never really the dating type.”

“Really?”

“Yup. I had one serious boyfriend before your father, and we went on a few dates, but I never really saw the need. I was the kinda girl that either liked someone or didn’t. No dating required to figure it out.”

Heh like mother like daughter. I thought to myself.

This Fir boy seems so nice though, its really wonderful to see you so happy. I swear you have been floating around here for several months now. I think letting you go to that school was the best thing we could have done. I’m sorry I was so hard on you. You are such a beautiful and genuine soul and I always knew you were. I am so proud of you.”

Oh Berry Mom just make this even harder…

“Thanks Mom.” I smiled back trying my best to keep the guiltiness at bay. Maybe I should just tell her. Right now. I considered to myself. Maybe she would understand. *Ding Dong*

“Oh that must be for you.”

One thing about Fir, he was one punctual guy. Always on time and not a minute early or late. Mom welcomed him in inside as I prepared myself to leave. I grabbed my key off the counter and placed into the bottom of my shoe. Once I was ready, I grabbed the door knob and nodded to Fir that I was ready. I could tell by his voice, I was not the only one being plagued by the guilties. I only hoped my mother didn’t notice.

“You two have a great time! Bye!”

“Bye Mom!”

“…”

Excitement!! The moment the elevator doors closed. I could feel it bubbling up inside me like an overheated crock pot. I started bouncing around the elevator giggling and smiling. “Hehehehe.”

“I am so glad you are enjoying this, I feel like I am gonna throw up.”

I had been given the directions from Granite at school that day, but he also wrote them down for me so I had something physical to give to Fir to ensure I ended up at the right place. When we arrived, Fir parked the car and then helped me inside, we walked down a pretty long hallway till we stopped right near the elevator. The place was dead silent. I thought for sure I would hear music, but according to Granite and Fir, the venue was underground for that specific reason.

“Ok. This is it. You sure you don’t want me to go down with you?”

“No I will be ok. Granite said Wasabi will be waiting for me right at the elevator.”

“Ok. If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“Thank you again. I really appreciate it.”

*Sigh* “You’re welcome. Just be careful OK?”

“I will.”

With that I gave him a big hug and a small kiss on the cheek. “You are going to make a girl very happy one day. I just hope its your one.”

“Thanks. Bye Tranquil.”

I stepped inside the elevator and Fir pressed the button. “Enjoy the show!!” He called out as the doors shut. The elevator made its decent and soon I was at the basement floor.

As promised, Wasabi was waiting for me right near the elevator when I stepped out.

“Oh hey you made it!”

“Ya!” I smiled.

“Great. Lets get you back to the dressing room.”

“Ok.”

Now I would like to say that I made it safely to the dressing room and enjoyed the performance. I would like to say that, but sadly that was not the case. Licorice had something else in mind. Overhearing our conversation, she decided to make her way over to us and…offer up her services.

“Awww look its little Tranquility.”

“Actually its Tranquil.”

“Oh right. Silly me. How are you dear?”

“I’m fine.”

“Shes here to listen to performance.”

“Oh how delightful.”

“Ya I was just about to take her back to the dressing room.”

“Oh? Well I was just headed that way. I can take her.”

I had a gut feeling that it was probably not a good idea, and if I would have had any idea of how devious she actually was, I would have declined, unfortunately at that time I didn’t really have anything much to argue the contrary.

“Oh? That would be great thanks. I gotta go get warmed up.”

“Sure! No problem. Me and Tranquil will be just fine.”

Things seemed to be on the up and up at first, we conversed quietly as we went, and the further we got the more the sincerity in her voice started to grow. I was starting it feel as if I was really beginning to grow on her. Maybe she wasn’t as bad I had always perceived her to be.

All that changed when we got to the supposed dressing room.

“Here we are.” She cooed, her voice was as smooth as an eel.

I heard the door open and we both stepped inside.

“Where is Granite?”

‘Oh he will be along in a few. You just wait right here.”

“Ok.” Something in my brain started sending off danger alert signals, but before I had a chance react, she was gone and the door shut, but then there was another sound. A sound that will haunt me for the rest of my life. A clicking sound, just like when you lock…a door.

I ran to the door and tried to turn the knob. It wouldn’t turn. I tried a few more times frantically trying to manipulate the handle. No she actually did it. She locked me in. That evil berry hole! I started to pound on the door.

“Licorice let me out!” This isn’t funny!” There was no reply.

“Licorice!! Please!” The panic in my voice frightened even me. I could feel tears starting to run down my face. “Licorice please! I am begging you let me out!!”

To my utter dismay she was still on the other side of the door.

“Awww and why would I do that? This is way too much fun.”

“Licori- I couldn’t even get the rest of her name out. My shoulder began to heave as I sobbed and sobbed. I learned one of my greatest fears that night. Locked in an unfamiliar place with no way to get out. I guess anyone would be sacred of that, but for me I it was a little more so. I slumped to the floor and wrapped my arms around my knees in defeat.

“Enjoy the show dear! Oh no, I guess you won’t!! Hahahahahaha!”

When Licorice got back to the waiting room, her plan was almost complete. Luckily for her and unluckily for me, Wasabi and Azure were already warming up and had yet to see Granite. He was a still waiting patiently for me when Licorice walked in.

“Come on we gotta get on stage.”

“I know, but I am waiting for someone.”

“Oh you mean Tranquil?”

“Ya why? Did you see her?”

“No. I was talking to Wasabi, he said she never showed. Guess she couldn’t make it.”

“Oh… but she said she would be here.”

“Pretty long ways to go for a blind girl….”

“Ya but she is different.”

“Ya what ever. No time to worry about this now. We need to get out there.”

“I really should wait for her. Maybe I should go check the elevator again.”

“No time man. Come on!”

After another quick trip to the elevator and another good look around the audience, Granite finally had no other choice but to continue on with the show as planned. Their performance went on with out a hitch. Well there was one hitch…

The lonely petrified girl trapped in the closet. From what I could hear (which wasn’t much) they sounded amazing. Though it was hard to hear anything over the sound of my terrified heartbeat as it pounded on both sides of my brain. It started getting harder to breathe and I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. I had never had one before, but I guess there was a first time for everything. A panic attack the likes of nothing I had ever experienced soon took me over. I felt as if I was going to die. Thoughts of being found dead on the floor only made things worse. I tried to breathe deep, but it only made me feel more lightheaded. I dropped to the floor a second time and leaned my head against the door.

I had no idea how long I had been there, but if I had to guess, I would say an eternity.