Sorry guys. It always seems something has to come up when I want to post. This weekend my computer was acting strange and wouldn't let me log in, no matter how many times I tried. Regardless, the good news is that I'm finally able to post. And just to tell you, we're finally starting to pick up. Nothing too heart clenching, but it'll be there by next week. :) Thank you guys for all the reviews, favorites, followers, and views(it's nearly at 1500! I may do something special for when it reaches that number, not telling though ;3). It makes me feel awesome to know Ib has so much love haha. I don't own Ib, everything Ib related belongs to Kouri. I only own my OC's.

Now without further ado, I present, Chapter 10!

*SOUND EFFECTS*

'Thoughts/Writing'

"Speech"

~o~time change

Chapter 10

The next two days were simple enough. True to his word, Garret kept his distance. Their interaction wasn't cut, Garret refused to do so. Instead, it was limited. He would greet her in the halls with a wink or bright smile, or quickly chat with her when he could. Nothing too attention grabbing. They had agreed that Eve would show him around the school grounds after school Friday. Since mostly everyone left as soon as school was out, they wouldn't really have to worry about being spied on or followed.

As for Iris' interview, Eve was thankful it had been put on hold. Iris had been assigned a major paper, and any free time she had, she spent on perfecting it. But Eve knew it would only last so long. As soon as she would finish it, Iris would have her cornered, and she would be forced to spill everything. Not that she minded as much now.

~~~o~~~

Eve took her usual seat in class Wednesday morning. Her usual rushing thoughts kept her oblivious to the buzz around her.

"Did anyone see our newest student?"

"Another student already?"

"Yes, I saw her! She's really cute."

"She seemed really shy."

"Did anyone catch her name?"

"Yeah, I heard her name was Mary."

At the mention of the name, Eve's thought process was completely halted and turned to focus on Mary. 'Mary? What…That's right; she told me she was starting today…' Eve mentally scolded herself for forgetting 'What are the odds though that both of them would have this class with me...'

"Another student you've previously met Ib?" Eve heard Emily say. Her friend let out a small chuckle.

"You could say that. How did you guess?" Eve gave a small smile.

Emily shrugged. "You don't give me enough credit Ib. I've known you for too long to not be able to read you."

Before Eve could reply, a shrill cry was heard from the door. "IB! I was looking everywhere for you! I'm finally here!" Eve only saw a flash of blonde before she was pulled into a bone crushing hug.

"M-Mary…it's so…nice to see you. Could you please…allow me to breathe?" Eve said between shallow breaths. Mary quickly released Eve and blushed.

"I'm sorry Ib, I'm just real excited to see you!" Mary gave a big smile.

"You wouldn't be the first one." Emily murmured focused on her present reading material. Eve gave her a slight shove. She looked back towards Mary, who seemingly hadn't heard the comment, but had turned her attention to her friend.

Mary's smile grew bigger as she talked to Emily. "Oh, Hello! Are you one of Ib's friends?"

Emily's eyes grew wide. She nervously shifted in her seat and returned a distressing smile, "Uh, y-yeah. I'm friends with Ib. My name is Emily Taylor, nice to me-."

Mary gave her a quick hug, cutting her off. Emily seemed highly uncomfortable. "Hello Emily! My name is Mary Blaine. It's such a pleasure meet one of Ib's friends!"

"Yes…it is. Um, Mary, have we perhaps, met before? Forgive me but you seem real familiar." Emily stated.

Mary kept her smile plastered to her face and gave her a playful stare, "No, I don't believe we have. I recently moved to this town. And I think I would remember that beautiful fiery red hair of yours. It doesn't seem like something that's easy to forget. It's natural, isn't it?"

Emily twitched. "Y-yes, it is. And, I-I guess you're right."

Mary turned her attention back towards Eve, "Do you have any other friends? I would absolutely love to meet them!"

"Well, not exactly. I have a few acquaintances…but I mostly like to keep to myself." Eve said, slightly embarrassed. Mary nodded.

"I understand Ib. We'll just have to change that. We'll make you the most popular person in the school! How about it?" Mary winked.

"W-what? I-I don't think I-I mean, d-do we really? Is it n-necessary?" Eve stuttered.

Mary gave a small laugh, "I'm just kidding Ib. Say, does anyone sit in the desk next to you?"

"Um, no. Feel free to take it I guess. We do have assigned seats though…so I would check with Ms. Abbott first. Just in case."

Mary nodded. "Fair enough, I'll be right back" She turned on her heel and walked towards Ms. Abbott's desk.

"Interesting friend you got there. Almost…too bubbly" Emily noted.

"You learn to like the bubbliness." Eve smiled. Emily snickered in response. She still seemed uncomfortable about something, but Eve dismissed it. The two went back to starting work for the daily lesson, barely noticing when Mary returned to take her seat next to Eve.

Just as the late bell went off, Garret strolled in, making his way straight to Eve and Mary. "Why, Good Morning dearies." He grabbed Eve's hand, and shook it mirthfully.

"Good Morning Garret." Eve said nonchalantly. Garret pouted and gently released her hand.

"Yeah, Good Morning Prince Charming Reject." Emily mumbled. Garret gave her an annoyed look. Emily jokingly stuck out her tongue.

Just as he was about to react, "Oh, if it isn't the wonderful Garry! I didn't know this was the school you would be attending. And it seems that we've both become acquainted with Eve. What luck!" Mary's face was bright, but her tone said otherwise.

Garret turned his attention towards her, his eyes growing wide for the slightest second. "Why, hello Mary. What a…pleasure it is to see you. I didn't know you were to attended Guertena Academy as well." His playboy facade had surfaced, but his tone had hinted nervousness.

"Do…you both happen to know each other?" Eve asked.

"Yes, actually we do. Believe it or not, we're kind of childhood friends." Garret said, almost reluctantly.

"Indeed we are. We've known each other about 8 years…right Garry?" Mary fluttered her eyelashes.

Garret gulped, a nervous chuckle escaped his lips. "Y-yeah. Just about."

"I'm just playing with you Garbear. We both know that's a road we'll never travel down together." Mary gave a sweet laugh.

'Garbear? Is…she suggesting something?' Eve began feeling uncomfortable. She felt her face grow hot, and badly wanted their conversation to end. Eve was quite surprised with this new emotion and wasn't sure how to catalogue this feeling manifesting inside her.

As if sensing her friend's inner turmoil, Emily intervened. "Real interesting you two. Now, if you wouldn't mind, could you sit down Garret? You're not invisible you know." She kept her tone mono.

Instead of being annoyed, Garret seemed relieved at Emily's intervention. He nodded and made his way to take his usual seat in the class just as the morning announcements came on over the intercom.

~~~o~~~

Ms. Abbott had assigned the class to write a quick one-page essay on the meaning or message they thought of with the specific Guertena piece assigned to them. An individual assignment; Eve couldn't feel more relieved. All feelings of unease had disappeared completely. She turned the pages in her book to her appointed work, 'Fabricated World'. Once there, she began to read the information on the piece.

'A visual array of vibrant and dark colors beautifully combined. It depicts a specious and mysterious world. It's not certain when it was painted, but it is known to be one of Guertena's earlier works.

Upon close inspection, three major pigments are found in the piece. They are: red, blue, and yellow. Many viewers note feeling uneasy when viewing the piece, and prefer not to be alone when around it…'

'Interesting…' Eve thought. When she was about to continue reading, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Mary handing her a folded sheet of paper. Eve took it hesitantly. Mary gave her a reassuring smile.

When she turned back around, Eve glanced up towards Ms. Abbott's desk to see if she had seen anything. She seemed too preoccupied with the work on her laptop, and Eve gave a sigh of relief. She cautiously opened the folded note, and read its contents.

'I saw that my conversation with Garry made you feel slightly…uncomfortable. Forgive me Ib, I didn't know it was like that between you two.'

Eve felt her cheeks grow hot. She quickly scribbled a reply,

'No! It's not like that at all. I was just surprised by the fact that you two had known each other for so long.'

She discreetly placed it on the corner of Mary's desk. A few seconds later, the note was passed back.

'Oh, I see. Sorry for jumping to conclusions. But for what it's worth, there really is nothing between us. Again, I'm sorry'

Right below the sentence, Mary had drawn a small character with a flower in its outstretched hand. It appeared to be a doll of some kind. Eve smiled, she found it cute...and a bit disturbing.

'It's okay Mary, nothing to worry about. Cute drawing by the way, but I think it needs a friend.'

Beside the doll, she drew a small fluffy rabbit, then handed the note back. She was kind of enjoying the experience of passing notes with a new friend. When she received it again, she felt as if she couldn't open it quickly enough.

'Yours is too adorable! It's better than mines. And I'm glad there's nothing wrong. Sorry if I sounded strange, it's just, you're my friend Ib, and I care about my friends a lot…

p.s. Don't pass the note back; I believe I saw Ms. Abbott giving us strange looks. We can talk during lunch or after school. : )'

Eve folded the note up once more and tucked it into her backpack. She then saw Emily handing her another note. Eve glanced back towards Ms. Abbtot, and seeing that it was safe, she took the note from Emily. She looked at it and saw her friend had hastily written,

'Don't let ANYONE see this. Please, it's very important.'

Eve positioned her body to where she was sure no one could read over her shoulder or glance at it. She unfolded the note and read it.

'I normally don't do this, but I need to talk to you. It's real urgent. I don't trust talking about this at school, so do you mind if I come to your house after school to discuss it? I'd feel more comfortable there. Sorry if this is vague, but I promise I'll explain everything later. I just need someone else's opinion on this…'

Eve was baffled by the note. Nonetheless, she turned her head and gave Emily a nod. She tucked that note into her bag as well. Her easiness was now replaced with worry. What did Emily want to discuss? Was it something that serious?

The rest of the class period was silent. But Eve's thoughts were a whirling tornado, showing no signs of unrest.

Dun dun duun. Mary and Garry have a past together? Why is Emily so uneasy around Mary? Could she be hiding something malicious behind that sweet smile of hers? What does Emily want to discuss so urgently? o.o We'll have to see. Hopefully everything works out this Saturday. ^_^'...Well, see you guys next week. Don't forget your smiley face \( ・∀・)/ Only two more weeks of school!