anemonestory

[anemonestory]

Chapter Three; Lunch And Such

“I’ll be back in a few minutes to get your drink orders.” The waitress spoke and left the group of five. “Osaka Cafe. It looks like a Japanese Cafe I’ve seen online.” Clover hummed, glancing at Camellia who was entranced by the menu. “You really do like sweets, huh?” Camellia looked up at Clover, a small blush forming on her cheeks before looking back down at the menu. “She’s always really been into sweets.” Jax started. “I remember the first time she had mochi she almost died from happiness.” Jax jokes.

¨So Ezra, Clover, you guys skipped a grade?¨ Matthew asked once they made their drink order. ¨Yep! Ezra is really smart so I got a lot of help growing up to be just as smart as him. It's really an excuse to get out of the house earlier.¨ Clover admitted. ¨Too many siblings.¨ Ezra added. ¨Man I wish I had siblings.¨ Jax huffed. ¨I'm an only child and it sucks when there´s nothing to do and I´m alone.¨ ¨But if you don't get along with your siblings then you´re screwed.¨ Matthew added. ¨Do you have any siblings Camellia?¨ Clover asked. The brunette shook her head in response. ¨Matthew?¨ Ezra asked this time trying to join in on the conversation. ¨I have a brother who is twenty-two but we don't get along. I only see him at holidays.¨ He sighed. ¨Do you guys not get along?¨ Clover asked. Camellia snorted at the statement. The table looked at her as Jax hit the back of her head. ¨My brother didn't like me being bisexual. He used to make remarks and even outed me to my grandparents before I was ready. Overall, he's a dick.¨

“Camellia your phone went off.¨ “Are you going answer back?” Clover asked interrupting Ezra. Shaking her head Camellia then kicked Jax’s shin ´I´ll be back.´ She mouthed so only Jax would see. ´Meet me in a few minutes outside.´ Nodding as he lowly signed, ´I will meet you outside in two minutes.´ Standing up Camellia went towards the restroom but went out the door instead.

She took a deep breath and leaned against the light exterior of the restaurant. Her head was pounding for an unknown reason. A few minutes later Jax made an excuse he had to take a call and went outside. ¨You okay?¨ He asked. ¨My head is pounding. Clover is too eccentric for me. This is way too much socialization.¨ She groaned. Jax placed his hand on her forehead. ¨Your forehead is warm. When we get back from lunch let Mrs. Mills know and then go rest in your room for the rest of the night. I'll bring you dinner.¨ She nodded. ¨Let's just get through lunch.¨

Jax went in and straight towards the table while Camellia to the restroom. She came back to the table just a few seconds later. ¨You took a little bit Camellia, you okay?¨ Clover asked, concern lacing her voice. ´Just a small headache.´ She smiled lightly. Camellia’s phone started to buzz on the table. “Your phone is going off again, Camellia,” Ezra said. Everyone glanced at her. Jax gave her the ‘who was it’ look. She declined the call and shook her head. ‘Just my mom. It’s fine.’ Camellia spoke. Jax knew she was lying. She had a sign whenever she lied. Her hands immediately flew to her lap and pulled her lip between her teeth.

She quickly grabbed her phone and texted whoever called. “It’s nice that you text your mom instead of ignoring her,” Clover commented.

They placed their orders and continued chatting. Well, Camellia didn’t. She remained quiet and just listened to the conversations giving a smile when needed. Jax nudged her knee gently and reassured her that whatever that call was about, it would be alright. She smiled lightly so grateful that Jax wasn’t pushing the subject.

Lunch continued normally and they started their walk back to the lodge. “I figured you’ll stay in the room the rest of the night so I’ll bring you dinner if that’s alright? Jax can always bring it.” Clover spoke, concerning lacing her voice. ‘It’s alright if you bring it.’ Camellia mouthed. “Great! I’ll make sure to ask Jax what you like.” A smile spread across Jax’s face as he overheard the conversation from the two girls. “What are you smiling about?” Matthew nudged his friend. “Nothing. Just happy to be away from home.” He hummed. “You don’t like home?” Ezra asked. “It’s not that, just got a lot of extended family that visits around this time so it’s good to have some peace and quiet.” “Jax may have no siblings but he has a ton of cousins. Trust me, I’ve been to his house.

The group arrived at the lodge and Camellia immediately went to her room. “Is something wrong with Miss Grey? ” Mr. Iken asked. “She has a headache sir. She’s going to stay in the room for the rest of the night.” Clover explained. “Okay, thank you for letting me know Miss Collins. Will Miss Grey come to get dinner?” Mr. Iken asked. “Ah, no. I’ll bring her some dinner.” “That’s nice of you Miss Collins. Well tell her I hope she’s better tomorrow. I’d hate for Miss Grey to miss the fun part of the trip.” With that Clover turned on her heels and left. Why do I feel weird? Mr. Iken wasn’t always this weird right? Clover shook at the thought and shrugged it off. She didn’t have any classes that Mr. Iken taught so she doesn’t really know how’s he acts normally.

Clover made her way up to the room she shared with Clover. She opened the door and noticed Camellia fast asleep. Clover smiled gently and quickly grabbed her charger before leaving.

[anemonestory]

Chapter Two; Dungeons And Dragons

“There’s going to be a big storm. Perfect time to attack.”

A good group of eight students gathered around the coffee table, surrounded by books. Students sat on the floor beside Ezra and another student sat in the chairs. Matthew, as the dungeon master, sat at the end of the table. Jax handed Clover and Ezra extra dice as the others already had their own. “I assume everyone knows how to play?” Matthew spoke. Camellia was spacing out listening to the storm. Only rain was coming down currently but it was said to lighten up and get worse the next night. “Camellia, ready to start?” Matthew asked. She nodded lightly and the game started.

“You were hired by a Mage to find and capture a renegade wizard who was been breaking Guild laws. They’ve assassinated the previous Guild Master and attempted assassinating the current Guild Master’s.” Matthew started. He cleared his voice and gave his mage impression. “I’ll give you a big reward if you manage to find him! But, if he comes back dead the reward will be halved.” They were led to a dark, worn down castle. “The storm that was almost calm shifts into a dramatic pour down.” Matthew makes whooshing rain sounds as the group laughed. “Don’t ever become a voice actor.” Jax laughed and the glasses brunette shoved him a little. “Do you, check around the building or go inside,” Matthew asked. Camellia mouthed, ‘go around’. “Okay Camellia, roll a d-twenty,” Matthew spoke. Camellia rolled her rainbow metal dice (bought by Matthew last year for her birthday). “It’s a natural twenty,” Jax spoke. “You look around the building and at first spot nothing until lightning strikes!” As if on cue, lighting strikes outside, thunder echoing outside. “Okay, that was creepy cool,” Clover commented. The group gave a small laugh. “Once the lighting struck you were able to hear a small ‘tink’. Camellia searches where the lighting hit to find a small white crystal.” A small ooo came from Jax. “You announce your finding to your group.” “We should have a warlock check for magic.” Mya, a girl from their government class, spoke. “Ezra, you’re a warlock, right?” The twin nodded. “Role a d-ten, Ezra,” Matthew spoke.

“An eight.” Matthew hummed. “Nothing magical has been found on the white crystal, though it does radiate a weird aura.” He announced. “Wouldn’t a weird aura be considered magic?” Clover asked. “Not always. Sometimes an object can be affected by whose holding it.” Jax replied. “So Camellia has some kind of effect on it?” Ezra asked. “That is a possibility.” “For a not-so-nerd kind of guy Jax, you are very nerdy,” Clover spoke. “Why thank you, Miss Rogue,” Jax says. “Your group finally enters the castle, making sure not to hit worn down spots and risk getting injured. “There’s a set of stairs to your left and two locked rooms to your right, what do you do?” “Doors, obviously.” Clover states. “Just like in video games you must scout the entire first area before moving to the next.” She explains. “Wow. You’re actually kind of smart. No wonder you skipped a year.” Jax commented.

“Ezra, you should use a glamour spell in case enemies are trying to keep themselves hidden,” Jax spoke to the twin. Ezra rolled the dice. They all looked to Matthew. “There’s seemingly nothing.” The group decided upon checking the doors in two groups.

“I don’t understand what those kids see in that game?” Mr. Iken spoke. “I think it’s the idea of the story creating that’s fun.” Mrs. Mills replied. “It’s surprising to see Camellia joining in on the game. She isn’t very sociable in class.” “It is very peculiar. This is what students think is fun? They’re at a ski trip yet they’re playing a role-playing game.” He trailed. “Interesting.”

The game went on for another hour. The storm eventually lightened up as it got a little past one in the afternoon. “Why did Camellia get more gold?” Clover pouted. “Maybe cause we were all knocked out and she did all the work,” Jax spoke. “Ah, no fair. I didn’t die first like you.” Clover spoke sticking her tongue out at Jax. “Jax wasn’t made for these types of missions, chaotic evil.” Matthew snickered. “Oh shut up.” Jax smacked the back of his brunette friends head. “Hey let’s go into town and get lunch,” Clover commented. “I’m in,” Jax spoke. “Camellia?” He asked with a smirk. She gave the emerald-eyed male a glare. “That’s a yes but we’re gonna have to go somewhere with sweets.” “How can you tell that?” Ezra asked. “I’ve known her for a few years now. Sweets are the only thing to tame her in a social environment.” “Jax also wants sweets,” Matthew spoke dipping into his room to get his wallet. “Jax likes sweets? He’s like the angsty main character to any anime.” Clover commented, shutting the room door as everyone grabbed their wallets and phones. “Being compared to an anime main character? Doesn’t that mean my mom needs to be dead?” Camellia snickered and Jax hit her on top of her head.

“And you also need some colored hair. It’s main character syndrome!” Matthew chimed in and Jax only rolled his eyes. “I’m glad the storm let up though.” The rum eyed colored boy added. “Yeah. We should probably keep track of the weather in case. We have activities every morning but after lunch were free so we’ll need to plan accordingly.” Ezra explained. “Are you always so formal?” Jax asked. “Normally he is but there’s on occasions where he’s exactly like me.” Clover hummed, catching up to stand next to Camellia. ‘Can we just go?’ Camellia mouthed to Jax. “Come on. Camellia is getting grumpy.” The girl stuck her tongue out and they left the lodge.

[anemonestory]

Chapter One; Meeting The Seniors

The Seniors of Ruby High School boarded the train at approximately four am, way too early in Camellia’s opinion. No one should be up before the sun, it’s unholy. Originally her plan was not to go on this stupid senior trip but her adopted parents thought it would be a good chance for her to make friends before college. So far, that was not happening. She was the first on the train and forced into the back, not that she minded. It was darker than the rest of the train which wasn’t a bother, in fact, she prefers it. No one is talking to her and the most she can hear is a few students from physics class playing Dungeon and Dragons, mostly tiny yells and impressions of mythical creatures. She hummed lightly as she tossed her backpack next to her as she plopped into the seat. “Who’s the fucking weirdo in the back.”

Mason snarled, glancing back at the coffee haired girl in the back of the train. “Don’t say that about someone,” Ezra mumbled. The raven wasn’t one to step in and speak but something about the fact that they had to bully the one kid who literally hasn’t done anything to them. “Oh, is little Ezra standing up for the weird girl?” Elijah asked throwing his arm around his younger brother. “Don’t pick on your own brother, Elijah,” Noah spoke. Ezra shrugged his older brother’s arm off of him. “Okay, the three biggest idiots of known history, Ezra and I are leaving far away from you,” Clover commented, nudging her twin. “We’re both going to avoid you three like the plague until this trip is over.” She nudged Ezra along to the back of the train, two seats behind the Dungeon and Dragons group and about seven seats ahead of the mysterious girl.

While Ezra and Clover had a small conversation, nothing really in detail or all that important, Clover overheard the Dungeon and Dragons group talking about the girl in the back. “Ezra I know this is rare, but can you be quiet for a second? I am trying to eavesdrop here,” Clover whispered and gave her twin a small glare. Ezra looked at her and shook his head before pulling out his Clockwork Prince book. Though, out of pure curiosity, he listened to the conversation of seniors in front of them.

“I wish that Camellia would notice us. I bet she would like this game.” Mathew fawned while adjusting his shifted glasses. Clover then looked over at Ezra and mouthed ‘what’. Ezra just looked back at his book nodding. He looked up at his sister only for her to whisper “Sibling alert, hide.” “It’s not my fucking fault that you said that. Now the twins are mad.” Noah said, pointing towards the twins. Mason, who was leading them, stopped and looked back at his two brothers “Where the hell did they go?” He asked. “Are you serious and it looks like they’re not in the back with the weirdo,” Elijah said.  

The triplets glanced around the train. Once out of view, the twins sat back up. “Why do we have to be related to them?” Ezra mumbled while shoving his face into his book. “Because we were cursed, that’s why.’ Clover retorted, her dark green hair falling back onto her shoulders, messily. “Then how the hell do we break this cursed?” He chuckled lightly. ”Going to the back of the train and go talk to the girl…” Clover started saying then looking back to look at Camellia that seem to be upside down in a chair reading a book “Who seems to be reading a book upside down.” “What?” Ezra said in a confused voice “And we can’t because we don’t even know her name.” Ezra said as if Clover wouldn’t know or wouldn’t find out. “I’m pretty sure it’s Camellia,” Clover said. “We don’t know that,” Ezra said, knowing he already lost due to the fact that when Clover wants something, she goes after it. “Okay, then I will ask, even though I pretty sure it’s Camellia.”

“Hey, Mathew! What’s the girl’s name in the back of the train?” Clover asked in a flirty voice. Ezra looked at her displeased that she did that. “Umm, you're asking me? Well, I-” Mathew started but then Jack McCall finished his sentence. “Her name is Camellia and if she doesn’t talk to you, don’t take it offensively. She’s mute.” “Thank you,” Clover spoke and turned back to Ezra. “I told you so.” She smiled.  “Come on let's go, Ezra,” Clover said. “No, we need to wait to make sure that no one knows we go back there, especially our brothers.” Whispered Ezra, pointing back and forth between him and Clover. “It doesn’t matter what they think. I want to make a new friend!” Clover whispered happily. “It looks like she doesn’t want friends. Why pry?” Ezra whined. “Because I’m persistent! Let’s go!” Clover spoke grabbing her older twin’s arm and dragging him along.

Clover plopped down next to Camellia. That caused the girl to move away a little bit. “I’m Clover and this is my older brother, Ezra.” The dark haired girl introduced. Camellia gave a forced smile. Before Clover could force another question on her, the intercom went off. “We’ll be at the lodge shortly. Please clean up your mess. Thank you.”  When the intercom turned off Camellia tossed her trashed and packed up what little things she had brought out. She grabbed her things, most noticeable her black suitcase with a fake anemone hanging off her bag. Going to go sit down in a new seat farther in the back, she pushed up her thick black rimmed glasses and sat with her bag next to her, finishing off her water. “See she doesn't want to even sit by us.” Ezra mouthed to Clover thinking Camellia couldn’t see him mouthing words. “Well, I don’t care. She seems like a nice person and maybe… just forget it we will talk later.” Clover mouthed back.  

     “It doesn't matter we will get her to talk.”  “But sir she only a little kid-” “I don’t care if she’s a kid. She doesn’t know anything and we'll use that to make her into our best agent”

Camellia shook at the thought of her getting kidnapped.  

“Hey, I like your shoes,” Clover stated looking in Camellias direction. Giving a slight smile then looking down at her Alice in Wonderland themed heeled boots that had the Cheshire cat on it. “We are here please get off the train in an orderly fashion.” As the intercom spoke, Camellia waited till the two twins got off the train to get off before getting off herself.

Greeted by her music teacher Mrs.Mills. “I saw the two twins in the back of the train with you.”

Camellia grunted in response.”You know, you can’t be like this all the time. I know you can speak so please do so.” “Okay, now I regret letting you know that I can speak. Also, I have done this most my life why I can’t continue until college where I can speak again?” ”And let’s not start on the twins. I mean do they always talk that much?” But before Ms.Mills could talk again, Camellia interrupted her, “and the girl twin commented on my shoes? Like, who does that?” “Normal people sweetie. But we have to remember you’re not normal.” Camellia went back to being silent as they went into the ski lodge. Students filled the lounge talking obnoxiously loud (according to Camellia). Mr. Iken approached Camellia and Mrs. Mills. “Good of you to join us, Miss Grey.” He spoke. Mr. Iken was considered the popular teacher. He was young and good looking, to most high school girls, and he was the acting teacher. He was like the best friend of teachers.

Mr. Iken clapped his hands together, “okay students, pay attention.” He spoke. The lounge quieted down. “Now this wouldn’t be a school-related event if you get to choose your roommate so we’re doing a drawing. You’re separated by boys and girls.” A groan washed over the students and filled the lounge. “Come on, Mr. Iken! We’re not little kids.” Elijah shouted. “Says the one who quotes Spongebob in the middle of class.” The whole student body made comments like ‘burned’, ‘oh!’, and ‘he called you out!’. “Come up and look at the lists created by Mrs. Mills and I. Mrs. Mills has the girls, I have the boys.”

Students went up and looked at the list. “I got Camellia! Hell yeah!” Clover spoke to her twin. “I got Matthew Cook?” Ezra spoke. “That would be me.” He turned to be met with a tall brunette male who had almost rum colored eyes. “You’re the head of Dungeons And Dragons, right?” Clover asked. “I am.” “You don’t look nerdy at all,” Ezra mumbled. “Yeah, you kind of look like one of those Tumblr boys. I approve.” Clover spoke bluntly. “Thanks, I think?” He laughs lightly. So we’re roommates, cool.”

Clover left her brother and Matthew to run over to Camellia. Camellia sighed at the sight. “We’re roommates! It’s gonna be a fun week!” Before the greenette could speak she was interrupted by Mr. Iken. “You all have this afternoon free but tomorrow we’ll have planned activities. I was informed by one of the workers that a storm is moving in either tonight or tomorrow so if you do head out, please be careful.” With that, he dismissed the students. Everyone went to their rooms to put their stuff away. Camellia tried her best to ignore Clover.

“Knock, knock,” Jax said lightly tapping on the open door. Both girls looked at him. “Hey, Camellia, we’re starting a DnD session in the corner of the lounge where the books are.” He spoke. She nodded sending a thumbs up his way. “Can I join?” Clover asked happily. Camellia looked to Jax with a pleading look. Jax gave a cocky smile. “Absolutely. you’re Clover, right? The Smith siblings sister?” “Yup!” She replied. She hopped over to Jax. “Jax McCall, right?” He nodded. “Coming Camellia?” Jax asked, raven hair shifting against the door frame, emerald eyes darting around the room. She nods and grabs her cellphone before following the two out.

Clover darted ahead to her twin and Matthew’s room to get them. “So, Clover, huh?” Jax hums. Camellia’s face heated up lightly. She kicked his leg lightly. “Alright, alright. Sensitive subject.” He spoke. “She is cute though.” He commented. Camellia looks around to make sure no one can hear them. “Matthew, huh?” Camellia retorted. “How dare you!” Jax babbles, face turning redder than a ruby. “You guys coming or are you going to stand in the hallway glaring at each other?” Matthew laughed gently. Jax’s face kept the red tint. “Yeah! I heard Camellia’s the DnD queen!” Clover cheered. “Who knew she was so cool!” Red flooded back to Camellia’s face again. Ezra spoke, “let’s go.”