-Okay guys, keep in mind that this story is set in 1997. The diary was of the year 1980, and Alex is 17 years old so it makes the year 1997. Anything which gave you a hint that the story is set in modern times is a mistake by me. (For example, I wrote a few chapters ago that Alex and Violet listened to Taylor Swift and I doubt that she used to sing back in the 90's :3) , so I'll change the singer now.

Alex woke up outside the Emergency Theater. It had been two days since Violet's incident. For an odd reason, Alex found peace close to her. Even though he hadn't met her physically, but knowing that she's somewhere close gave him a deep sense of calm.

He walked to the Emergency Theater door and peeked in through the window. Several pipes wound through her chest as she lay with her eyes shut softly. It hurt him to see her that way, to know that it's all his fault. Yet, the thought that she'd be discharged today made him feel better.

"You're still here dear!" Alex turned around to face the ever bright, Mrs. Brown.

"Uh yeah! I'll leave once she's discharged."

"Now there, I think she'd like to meet you once they let her leave. We talked to her yesterday when the doctors let us in. She thinks she owes you an apology for what happened."

Alex gave half a smile.

She thinks it's her fault. Idiot.

"Sorry Mrs. Brown, but I think I should be going." Alex said. He had seen the side-effects of his love for that girl. He hurt her, even without letting her know about his feelings. No wonder what he'll stir once he tells her. This relation was by no means compatible. This relation would end up the way his parents' did. It'll come crashing down when they least expect it to. He needed to maintain distance now. He had stayed until he knew that she's fine, but he needn't do that any longer. The farther away they happened to be, the faster they'd forget they ever knew each other.

Alex walked to his seat in the waiting room and pulled his jacket up in one swift motion. Then, hanging it over his shoulder, he turned around one last time to face Mrs. Brown.

"She's lucky to have a mother." Mrs. Brown stared at him, clearly not understanding. "A mother like you." Alex clarified as Mrs. Brown's expressions softened.

"See you soon dear!" Mrs. Brown extended her warm smile.

I doubt that!

*******************

A week passed by after she was discharged. A sluggish week of faking smiles, failing tests and feigning practices. Alex had been working hard at school. He had never in his entire life worked this hard for his tests, and never had he got grades as bad as these.

The only way to get his mind off Violet was to read, but he just couldn't do that after reading his father's diary. It haunted him. The thought of killing his mother. Obviously it hadn't been his choice, but he was the reason behind her death, nonetheless. And he was the reason that Violet had to be hospitalized. He had simply concluded, specially after the latest proceedings, that he was a bad presence.

Then one day, while he was staring at the walls in his room, Edward burst through the door.

"Where 'ave you been? I've been looking for ya all 'round school." Edward inquired.

"I've been practicing lately... Y'know we've got the Inter-regional championship coming up in two weeks. Just got to know I'm leading the Central Region team." It was the next big thing after the Intra-regional tournament. Players from around the region were selected for the Regional teams, and this year, Alex and Max had been chosen for Central Region from their school.

"Don't'cha lie with me dog. I'm two steps 'head ov'ya. I asked Max and he's like 'Not seen him in ages.' And then Mr. Shafiq goes like,"

Edward stood up and pulled his trousers as high as he could and made the most convincing Mr. Shafiq face that Alex had ever seen. Then, he stooped to one side and started pointing his finger frantically at Alex. "You tell Alex that whatever super-star shit that he's got rollin' in his mind, he needs to come to practice. And you know I don't spare people who think they're superstars." He really did sound like Mr. Shafiq.

Alex sighed.

"Okay what's the problem Al?" It had been ages since Edward called him by that name. And for reasons unknown to Alex, it made him feel weak. He wanted to give away his secrets. Besides, he couldn't lie from him.

"I just... I just can't concentrate Ed. It's getting in my head. I think I'm a killer."

"Oh that you are. Them ladies dyin' every single day."

"Ed, I am serious."

"Okay what's the problem? Y'know yu'can tell me." Alex could see Edward's concern through his eyes. He was almost never serious, but he could see how mature he was at that very moment. And he spilled all his secrets. He told him all about the Buddha and how it's his fault, and he couldn't contain the diary. He told about it too. He made Edward read it and once Edward was done, he looked up.

"Y'know what's'ya problem Al?" Edward stared Alex down. "You always think that everything's about ya'. That you can change the world if ya' want. That everything is about how hard ya' work or how neglecting ya' are. But y'know what? You're wrong. You're just another human who just made a simple mistake by just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I know, and I know you know that'cha didn't want this, and ya' wouldn't have done it if ya' knew about her. And your mother, your complete existence, it was her choice. Not yours. None of this could have been any different than what it is right now even if ya' wan'ed it to be. Cos' it was meant to be, Al. Now go to that girl and tell her how much you're in love with her."

Alex opened his mouth to say something when Edward cut him off.

"-And don' give me that 'I don't love'er shit.' I can see it in your eyes... I am sure she can, too."

"Ed I can't man! You saw this. You read how my parents ended. You know we would end that way too. We're not made for each other."

"NO GODDAMN PERSON IS ALEX! I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING THAT'CHA DID AND THE TRUTH IS THAT EVERYONE WOULD'VE." He broke off. "Stop. Blaming. Yourself."

"I need time." Alex couldn't bring himself to look in Edward's eyes.

Edward stood up from Alex's bed and stormed to the door. Just before leaving, he stopped. While still facing the door, he said.

"Her mother called all her friends to come at her house yesterday."

"I know. I told her I'm sick."

"Nobody came, Al. Not a single, goddamn freakin' friend ov'hers. Only I was there while she cried on'er bed. She told me not to tell'ya, but you deserve it." Alex looked up at him after a long time. Edward opened the door to leave and then stuffed his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper and threw it on the floor. "Thought'cha would like to have a'look." And he stormed away.

Alex stood up and held the paper. It was a chit, folded twice very neatly. Alex opened it:

                     "Dear Alex,

                                 I heard you're sick. Are you alright? I really hope you are... cuz I need someone to play the songs of my choice for me and encourage me to stand up and walk.

                                 I guess I am just being stupid. You don't need to. I understand how great a burden I've been to you. Edward came today. Elizabeth said she's out of city. Taylor sent a GWS card, while Max and Jess were simply out of reach. I am glad though that Edward was here. He made me smile a lot... But I kept thinking how I need you. Are you mad at me Alex? I am sorry. I should have never gone with you. You kept asking me if I'd be able to manage and I was just being stubborn. I thought... I thought I become invincible once I am with you. I thought I always win with you around. I am sorry. Please don't be mad at me Alex.

                                                                                                                                                                -With love

                                                                                                                                                                  Violet.

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Tentative date for next update: 8th August, 2016.