Generation One - Amethyst White - Chapter Four

A few weeks later my phone rang with a call from Tanner.

"Amethyst." He said sadly.

"Tanner." I mumbled.

"Please give me another chance. A real chance." He pleaded. Tanner sounded so desperate that I couldn't help but say yes to him.

"Okay. Do you - do you want to meet somewhere?" I replied. That's how I found myself a year later, Tanner had moved in, and we were steadily a couple.

We'd been dating for around 11 months, and Tanner couldn't have been happier. I had also grown closer to Coal, despite Tanner's protests. To say the truth, I felt no spark with Tanner. Sure he was handsome, sure he was charming, but I felt absolutely nothing.

"Amethyst, have you ever thought about kids?" Tanner asked one day. I was so startled I nearly choked on my own breath. Turning to him I said,

"K-Kids?" I asked shakily. We'd never gone farther than a few kisses, my reasons of course.

"Not right now of course, you look like you're about to have a heart-attack." Tanner laughed, standing up for lunch.

"Oh. Right." I mumbled, following him to the table.

"Amethyst White," He said, clasping our hands together. "You are the most amazing girl I've ever met, and I've never felt this way before but," I inhaled sharply, was he asking what I think he was?!

"Will you marry me Amethyst White, and be my wife?" He asked. I froze momentarily. Spend the rest of my life, loveless with him? Maybe I'd grow to love him.

"Yes." I said quickly. He swept me out of the chair and kissed me.

"This is perfect." Tanner whispered in my ear. Before I could say anything, a car horn honked from outside. 

"Oh my Berry, I'm going to be late! I love you Amethyst, see you tonight!" He called as he raced from the house. As soon as the car was off the street I called for Coal.

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"You're here." I breathed a sigh of relief as he hugged me.

"So what's with the urgency?" He asked with a small smile. I led him over to the living room, sitting down on the couch.

"I'm engaged. To Tanner." I said quickly. Coal's face darkened, his eyes narrowed.

"Why." Was all he said.

"Because he-"

"No, why him?" Coal snapped. I stood up.

"Do you have a problem?" I snapped.

"Actually yes." Coal spat back. "Tanner is a berry-hole, why would you trust him?"

"Because he's the only person willing to love me." I whimpered, sinking back into my shy self.

"How could you even say that? He's shady. He goes from this horrible angry person to this 'sweet' charming guy in about 3 seconds flat!" Coal shouted.

"He can control his anger." I said, defending him.

"No, he's an actor. He's playing you and I know it." Coal snapped, taking a step towards the door. I didn't respond.

"You're going to get hurt Amethyst."

He turned and stalked out of my house.

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Agh I am SO sorry for the time in between these chapters. But I'm  back now! And I noticed that Amethyst's hair is too bright, so I'll fix that before the next chapter.

Generation One - Amethyst White - Chapter Three

It's been about three months since I first met Tanner and our friendship has blossomed. I've never been so comfortable around someone else, and he's always there when I need him. We go out together but nothing romantic, he's my first real friend I don't know if I can go that far just yet. Tanner also doesn't care about being seen with me in public.

Even when Honey and Sylvia are taunting me he's there for support. I'm unsure if he has feeling for me but, Tanner always tells me that I'm beautiful and how I deserve a better town than this.

"So you don't have any brothers or sisters right?" He asked one day while we were sitting by the fountain at the art gallery.

"No. Just me." I said. "What about you?"

"Well Sylvia's my sister." Tanner replied with a shrug.

"Oh. Wait what?" Had I heard that right? I thought, Tanner, the nicest berry ever is related to Sylvia?!

 I spotted a red man stop by the door way to the courtyard. Tanner turned to see what I was looking at, but swung his head back around sharply, a scowl slapped on his face.

"Great, him." 

"What's wrong with him? Who is he?" I asked as he turned a corner and disappeared.
"Coal Flame, don't associate yourself with him." He grumbled.
"Why?" I asked, staring at the spot where the red berry was a few moment ago.
"Just don't!" Tanner spat, directing his anger onto me. I flinched and stood up on the lip of the fountain. He jumped up as well.
"Hey I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put that on you." He reached forward, placing a hand on my arm just above my elbow. I took a half step back, not meeting his gaze. Tanner took hold of my other wrist and pulled me closer.

"Tanner stop." I said sharply, jerking myself out of his grasp. I suddenly felt very frightened of him. Who was this forceful and rude person and what happened to my Tanner? Backing away, I jumped off the fountain.

"Amethyst!" Tanner cried as I raced away. I hurried up the stairs and into the gallery. Luckily it was a very slow day so no one was there to see me. I hurled open the door to the women's restroom and let the tears fall.

What did I just do?! Why did he do that and why didn't I kiss him? I stared into the mirror, I looked the same as I always did, purple skin, curly teal hair with purple tips. But I felt so different. I no longer had a longing to be with Tanner. But he's teal! And the only one who will accept you! A voice in the back of my mind screamed.  I wiped my eyes and decided to sneak away. I opened the door...

And walked right into Coal.
"I'm sorry." I squeaked. Not waiting for his answer I moved around him and began to hurry towards the door.

 "Hey wait." I felt his hand grasp my wrist. Not the forceful way Tanner had but gentler. Coal's touch sent a small shiver up my arm, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I stopped and turned to face him.

Oh my Berry he's handsome. I thought, raking my eyes over his features. Messy red hair combed back, a slight stubble, and very...soft looking lips.
"Hey, he messing with you?" His voice was husky and very very sexy.

 "I-no-um." I stuttered, trying to pull myself together. I always felt so weak in these situations. Like I was falling apart and there was no one to pick up the pieces. My hands felt clammy and my heart beat pounded in my ears, I wobbled slightly before falling into his arms.

He flinched at first but then wrapped his arms lightly around me, his hands resting on my back. Thank Berry no one was at the gallery that day.
"M'Sorry." I mumbled.
"No problem Amethyst." He replied softly.
"You..know my name?" I said as I stepped back. Coal snorted and grinned.
"White we've been in school together since junior high." He explained, calling me by my last name.
"Amethyst!" A voice called, causing us both to turn around.

"Berry Am, I'm sorry." Tanner cried before turning to Coal and pushing him away. "And you, get your hands off her."
"Sorry Ocean, a bit protective today aren't you?" Coal said with a sneer, not at all threatened by Tanner. I moved towards Coal but Tanner thrust his arm out, catching me.
"Trying to play nice eh?" He spat back.
"Watch yourself White." Coal grumbled before pushing between us and stalking out of the gallery. I cast a nervous glance at Tanner before hurrying out the door as well.

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That night I sat on the couch thinking about the days events. What had gotten into Tanner? Does he...does he have a thing for me? I thought nervously. My muscles ached in protest as I stood up and switched off the TV. Yawning, I headed towards the bedroom, flicking off the lights as I went. I hesitated by the door as a thought crossed my mind, Did I have a thing for Coal?

Generation One - Amethyst White - Chapter Two

I sat at the front desk of the town's library. Checking over the list of check-outs and overdues. The door jingled as it opened, the loud giggles of a group of girls flooded into the quiet room.

Not surprisingly it was Honey and her followers. Holly pointed to something in a far room and Honey nodded. The headed off, leaving Sylvia behind. I looked down at my paper hoping she wouldn't look straight at me.

Instead she called out a name.

"Tan! Come on!" Sylvia's shrill voice bounced off the walls. A pink berry shot her an annoyed glare, which Sylvia gladly returned.

Oh great, I thought. Another one.

Not another girl, but a young man walked in. His teal hair lay messily on his head. He looked over at me with a smile.

"Hey." He said. I could feel the heat rushing up my face.

"H-Hi." I stuttered, I wasn't used to people talking to me, let alone nicely.

"Ugh, you don't have to be nice to her. She's just a mixed." Sylvia sneered. She shot a glance my way, her expression especially snarky today.

"Berry Syl, you don't have to be so mean." He said. I couldn't see Sylvia's face but I could tell she was mad, the way she stalked off.

He moved closer to the desk.

"Sorry about her. She can be a bit of a berry-hole." The teal man said with a half-grin. I blinked.

"Yeah, I know." The words slipped out before I could hold them back. He snickered.

"I'm Tanner Ocean." He said, holding out his hand. I stared down at it. 

"A-Amethyst White." I mumbled, tentatively slipping my hand into his.

"So how do you know Syl?" Tanner asked. Well this should be awkward.

"She's...um. I've known her since High School." It was only half a lie. I stood up and walked around the counter.

"So Amethyst, you been in town long?"

"My whole life." I answered. This was the longest conversation I'd had in a long time.

I cast a nervous glance out the window at the darkening sky. Night made me especially nervous.

"Well, I uh...I have to go." I said hastily, darting past him.

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I was back at my house in no time. Hurrying up the steps and inside, I bolted the door behind me.

Just as I was about to enter the living room, the doorbell rang. I froze. People don't visit me. People definitely don't visit me at night.

It rang again. I glanced to see who was there.

Tanner stood outside the door looking worried. I unlocked it and stepped outside, shutting it behind me.

"Hi Tanner." I said quietly.

"Hey. You ran off so fast I was worried I'd frightened you off." He smiled.

"Oh it wasn't you it was just..." I trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

"I can leave if you want."

"No, stay." I don't know what made me say it but I did. Tanner smiled again, the porch light reflecting off his bright eyes.

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And that's how twenty minutes later we were in my living room talking. Talking about everything, our parents, our lives, almost everything. He was wonderful to talk to, he listened well.

"I should be going. Thanks for having me." Tanner said, standing up. I too stood up and followed him to the front door, closely behind.

"Thanks for listening."

He gave one last grin before disappearing out the door and into the night. I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness swell in my chest.

I'd never really met another berry, let alone a man, who didn't even seem to notice that I was mixed. It was refreshing, and it felt nice to have a friend. Needless to say, for the first time in a long time, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.