"I Joke Around Not Because I Don't Take Seriously But Because I'm Scared Of Admitting That It's Real

"I joke around not because I don't take seriously but because I'm scared of admitting that it's real and it's serious and that we could all die. I don't want that, so I laugh and I joke but never think that I don't care, because I do. I always have."

— Behind my jokes

"THE WORLD EXPECTED HER TO BE THE DAMSEL, so she went up and showed them how to be a Queen."

— A woman's motto

"We're kids expected to act like adults. Treated as a kid yet scolded when we act like one. We're not adults but we can't act like kids so what do you want us to be?"

— Life as a kid

Enigma || Original Series Masterlist

E N I G M A

out of all the things that could have happened that school year, meeting a boy from a higher grade and going on small adventures that would prove to be too dangerous for her and everyone she knew was the last thing mckenzie snow thought she would do. that school year would prove to be the most hectic year yet for the young girl. that school year would make the ever so clever girl test her knowledge and her skills in a way she hoped it would be enough. it might as well make her question all that she knows about her town for you see, the small town of salem, emerald hides a secret. a secret that's been hidden for a long, long time. a secret that should have stayed a secret. but fate was against that. instead, it lead two highschool students to a house where they'll discover something that they shouldn't have. something dangerous. something that shouldn't have existed. can she even deal with the weight of her discovery? but mckenzie would do all that it takes to make sure everyone she loves would be safe. she might be selfish but for her loved ones, she'd gladly die for them. she just didn't expect that a boy would come in and steal her heart along the way.

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e·nig·ma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

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[Original Story]

{OC x OC}

The Prologue

The Cast

Year 1

1 | The Beginning

Unexpected Turn of Events

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Bored. Supremely bored. That was what she was feeling as of that moment as she watched the rain fall from her window seat, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. She watched the rain fall and stared at the raindrops on her window. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned her eyes from the window and to the hot chocolate in her hands. Blowing it slightly, she took a sip before leaning her head back to the wall behind her.

It had been raining for quite a while now which dampened the girl's mood. While she wasn't the most outgoing of the bunch, she did, however, wanted to go outside particularly on that day but fate wasn't on her side it seems as the rain fell right asleep she was about to leave. A few minutes later, she found herself in her current position. Curled up in her window seat, a cup of hot chocolate in hand, and a blanket around her to shield herself from the cold that came with the rain. Not to mention she was bored out of her mind. Her eyes flickered over to where her vast collection of books were and was tempted to read or re-read a book or two but she knew she'd probably give up on it halfway. Yeah, that's right. The bookworm, also known as the girl is so bored, not even books can help her. Oh the horror!

Her thought process made her crack a smile before she shook her head at herself. Boredom and Isolation really made her weird. She wondered what she could do. Her eyes raked her entire apartment as she tried to find a way to keep herself entertained, all the while taking a sip from her mug. What to do? What to do?

As she was finding something to entertain herself, padded footsteps can be heard coming from the hallway making her perk up with a smile. Whatever it is, it clearly wasn't a threat as the girl seemed relaxed despite hearing the footsteps. "Hey, baby. Slept well?" She cooed at the seemingly jogging pup once the pup was near her. The pup was a black and white Havanese pup and was a cutie as well. The pup smiled at the sight of her owner before jumping up and landing on the girl's laps making said girl laugh. "I missed you too."

The girl — a blonde of average beauty, if she does say so herself — smiled at her pup before finishing her mug of hot chocolate. She placed it down the small table she had near her before readjusting her sitting position so that she was no longer slouching and rather sitting up. The blanket moved and we finally caught a glimpse of what she was wearing. The blonde wore a baggy sweatshirt and a short to go with it. Her hair was in a messy bun as she nuzzled her face on her pup's exposed stomach. "Cute baby," She cooed as she smiled at her pup who smiled back, her tongue sticking out. Her pup then sat up and licked her face making her laugh and lean back, holding her pup in place so the pet doesn't fall. "Stop it!" She exclaimed through her giggles which made her pup stop licking her face and tilt her head. Before the blonde could even comprehend what was happening, her puppy ran off somewhere. A sigh escaped her lips as she sat up from her window seat. The blonde began to stretch and yawn as she realized how long she had been curling up for.

Blinking the tiredness away from her stunning crystal blue eyes, she put on her flip flops before walking off to follow her puppy. Who knows what would happen if she left her puppy alone for long? "Cookie? Where you, baby girl?" She called out for her pup, momentarily smiling as she called out the name of her pup, Cookie. It was childish, she knew but the moment she saw her pup, cookies were the first to come in mind which then led to her name. She walked around her apartment to try and find her pup but to no avail. Where could have Cookie ran off to? The blonde furrowed her eyebrows as she began to worry about her pup. Yet, she need not worry any longer for instead of finding Cookie, the pup found her.

A sigh escaped her lips as she stared at her mischievous, nearly a year old, pup who simply tilted her head, not knowing that she had basically almost made the blonde panic. "Don't scare me like that," She spoke softly as she began walking over to Cookie but the ever so mischievous pup only smiled before running off somewhere. Not really in the mood to run, the blonde owner merely just followed her pup, not bothering to run. She wondered where Cookie was going to as normally the pup doesn't run off...unless she wanted to show her something. The thought made the blonde curious as she quickened her footsteps.

Her crystal blue eyes caught sight of Cookie's furry leg turning around a corner to — wait, that's the storage room. Why was Cookie going to the storage room? Even more curious, the blonde followed the pup and put a hand on her hips as she watched Cookie put up her paw on the storage room's door as if to will it to open. Mentally melting at the cute sight of her baby, the blonde snapped out of her trance before going over and opening the door for her pup. Cookie was obviously overjoyed at this and she immediately dashed inside the moment she was able to. "At least wait for me." A laugh escaped her lips as she followed her pup. Looking around the room, the blonde was suddenly hit with a rush of nostalgia as she looked over the many "trash" inside the storage room, all of which she didn't have the guts to throw away. After all, each and every one of these so-called trash held great value in the blonde's heart and she simply couldn't let them go.

Her amused eyes slowly began to haze as she recalled all of the meanings behind all of the items. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she forgot that her pup was there as well. She only ever remembered when her feet felt something furry hit her. Looking down, she saw Cookie look at her making the blonde smile sheepishly in awkwardness. "Sorry, baby." It was also in that moment that she noticed that Cookie was standing in front of a box filled with yet another set of items she didn't have the courage to throw away.

"What do you have there?" She asked softly as if Cookie would be able to answer, all the while she slowly began to crouch down to get a better look at the box. Cookie didn't respond as jshe merely put up her paw on the box as if to tell her to look inside. Sighing, the blonde crossed her legs underneath her so she was sitting in a more comfortable position. She then gestured to her lap and Cookie immediately obliged, moving to sit on her lap yet again as the blonde began to look into the box. It didn't take long for the blonde to realize that all the items in the box were her "souvenirs" from her school that she stayed in since the start of middle school to the end of highschool before she transferred away for college. The school has always been close to her heart, closer than her college school had been, for she had met many people and made friends. In that school, she learned to open up and let people in which greatly helped in the making of the woman she was today. She rummaged through the box, finding things that made her wish she was young again but was careful not to hurt Cookie.

The blonde smiled brightly as she looked at the elegant black necklace box. She opened them only to grin even wider than before as she saw the necklace inside. The necklace wasn't anything fancy. It was just a simple necklace with a blue heart in the middle. She lifted the necklace in the air as she stared at it in awe. "I forgot I had this," She muttered to herself before looking down at her pup who stared right back at her. "What do you think? Should I?" Seemingly already knowing what her owner was asking, Cookie merely licked her face in agreement which made the blonde laugh. "Okay, okay," She spoke as Cookie stopped licking her. The blonde sighed before putting the necklace around her neck. She marvelled at the simple beauty of the necklace before looking at the box only to furrow when she saw a note inside the necklace box. Grabbing the note with great delicacy, she put down the necklace box before opening the note and smiling at what was written in an ever so familiar scribble.

I thought you'd like the unnecessary gift.

~ E. C.

Tears gather up in her eyes as she continued to smile. He actually went out of his way to buy her a gift when it wasn't an occasion. How sweet. She put the note on her lips and kissed it as the tears fell from her eyes. Guilt swallowed her whole when she remembered how she only merely grabbed the gift years from his hands and didn't even open it until now. All because she was petty and jealous... Just how foolish had she been?

Looking down, the blonde put the note back in the necklace box before snuggling to Cookie. "You made me cry. Why did you bring me here?" She asked her pup through her furs but was never the less grateful Cookie led her here. It just reminded her of something she had to do... Something she had to fix...

Cookie obviously wasn't done yet as she got out of the blonde's hold before nudging the box again and turning to look at the blonde in the eye. The blonde merely stared back with her still teary eyes before sighing and looking at the box again. This time, the one that caught her attention was a worn down photograph. Still feeling numb, the blonde slowly but surely grabbed the photograph and held it with so much care as if it would break if she didn't.

The picture was of two children. Possibly teenagers, around 15. Both of them were wearing uniforms. The girl of the two wore a beautiful light blue button up classic above the knee length dress with a light blue blazer with a dark blue trimming and the school's emblem embroidered on the left pocket. She also wore dark blue stockings and a lightly blue shoe with a small heel. She was a beauty. Even as a teenager, or so it seemed, the girl could be considered gorgeous. She had light hair, blonde it seemed and stunning blue eyes. The girl was standing near a boy with her posture straight and hands behind her back. Her face wasn't all that expressive but anyone can tell she was happy from the glint in her eyes and the quirk on her lips. The blonde who stared at the photograph knew exactly who the girl was. After all, how could anyone forget what they looked like back then?

She then looked at the boy and she felt like she couldn't breathe. Unlike the girl, unlike her, the boy had no problem with showing emotions as he smiled brightly in the photo. Yet the bot wasn't smiling at the photo, she was smiling at the girl, fondness and excitement clear in his face. The boy wore the same blazer as the girl but instead of a dress underneath, the boy had light blue pants and probably a random shirt inside the blazer. Though, the boy also had the same shoes as the girl, minus the heel of course. The young blonde woman who stared at the photograph almost wanted to cry right then and there yet she didn't as she turned the photo around to see two different handwriting, one was a scribble and the other a beautiful cursive writing.

“No matter what.”

Éric and Amélie

5th year and 6th year, respectively

The writing had the blonde, now known as Amélie, cry silently as she put her head down, her tears landing on the photograph her somehow, it wasn't ruined. How? She didn't have the time to think about it as she put the photograph aside and hug Cookie who didn't complain one bit. Everything came rushing back to her as she remembered her so called Highschool sweetheart, Éric. The were one of the school's power couples despite Éric being a year younger so it was a surprise when they found out they broke up. If only they knew that the reason for their breakup was because Amélie got jealous over Éric's friends which promptly led to the two arguing and breaking up... Tears fell ever faster from her eyes as she cursed her young self. A sob escaped her lips as she pressed her face on Cookie's fur. The breakup, despite being years ago, still hurt for Amélie as Éric was the one who convinced her to open up... To be the woman she was today... And she ruined her chance of happily ever after just because she got too insecure. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Éric probably hated her now for being too clingy, too needy, too insecure but it wasn't as if she could help it. After all, her childhood bullies did make it so she'd always doubt herself... Amélie took a deep breath as she finally removed her face from Cookie's fur. "I'm sorry, baby," She cooed softly as she ran her hands through Cookie's fur. The pup merely shook her head and left. Cookie's actions confused and hurt Amélie but didn't bother to follow the pup as she stared at all the old school items around her, her hand subconsciously clasped around the necklace. She noticed how all of the school items around her were mostly form Éric and if not from him then it's an item that holds a memory with him in it. A broken chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head. "How foolish of me," She spoke to herself, referring to her old self before getting ready to store all of it and leave it alone like she had done all those years ago. But, before she could do that, Cookie came running in with something in her mouth. She ran over to Amélie and placed down the item only to reveal it's a phone before nudging Amélie and nodding to the phone. Confused, the blonde slowly picked up the phone and looked at Cookie in confusion. The pup seemed to roll her eyes, if that was even possible, before putting her paw on the photograph and more specifically, on Éric.

Understanding what Cookie wants her to do, Amélie shook her head. "No. Besides, he probably changed his number since then. It has been years," She immediately denied only to fall silent at Cookie's stare. Defeated, she sighed. "Fine, I'll call but he might not answer anyways," She spoke as she began dialing the number she hadn't failed for years.

Hearing the familiar ringing, she placed the phone to her ear and stared at Cookie as the seconds passed. The blonde seemed to be saying that she knew that he wouldn't pick up to her pup through the use of her eyes yet the pup stood strong. Rolling her eyes, Amélie took a note of how Cookie could be so stubborn sometimes before realizing the the phone has been ringing for quite a while now. As it reached it's final ring, Amélie slowly began to pull the phone from her ears, trying to hide her disappointment despite the fact she expressed that she didn't want to call him a few moments ago but then—

"Hello?"

The familiar voice made Amélie's eyes widen as it registered in her mind. Despite it being years, Amélie knew that voice. It was definitely Éric. She also noticed how his voice grew deeper but didn't dwell on it that much. No, rather she was too busy panicking that Éric actually answered her phone call. Sure, she wanted to talk but what was she supposed to say? What if he heard her voice and knew who she was before just hanging up? Or worse, what if he began yelling at her the moment she revealed who she was? What if?—

"Look, if this is a prank, I'm not in the mood right now, I'm too—"

Amélie glanced at her triumphant looking pup, momentarily rolling her eyes before responding to Éric, not really think much about it.

"Éric?"

Silence came from the other line which made Amélie nervous. Oh great. Now he knew who she was. She shouldn't have said anything! But then again, if she didn't, Éric would have hung up...yet he is silent. Too silent. Her eyes widened. What if he's too shocked right now and once he realizes it's her, he'll start yelling? She had to hung up. But she can't leave without a small goodbye...

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called I—"

"Amélie?"

The way he spoke her name so tenderly like all those years ago made her almost want to cry. Tears already in her eyes at the mere sound of her name coming from his lips, she nodded but then she remembered that he couldn't see her.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Why are you calling?"

Because I miss and still in love with you.

Those were what she wanted to say but she didn't dare utter any of that as she stayed silent. Sure, what she thought was the truth but not the entire truth. After all, she had been practically forced by her pup to call him. Not that she'd tell him though. She'd rather not have him think her as crazy.

"Amélie?"

"Uhm..."

It was one of those times that Amélie hated herself. Really? You're calling your ex and the only answer you can think of to his question is uhm? Wow, Amélie. Just wow. Just great. Fantastic. You're doing great, honey.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. I just— I should go—"

"Wait!"

His voice stopped her from hanging up as she waited for him to continue. Yet he never did. A sigh escaped her lips.

"Look, I'm sorry to bother you, I'll just—"

"Do you want to meet up?"

Amélie swore she stopped breathing as she heard the offer her ex gave her. Sure, she heard it was bad to go back together with your ex but they were only meeting up. It wasn't as if they'd immediately get together. No matter how much she wanted to. While Amélie still love Éric, she's more cautious now. She didn't want to feel the pain of heartbreak again. Not when she wasn't even fully over the first one yet. Realizing she had yet to answer, Amélie smiled as she does so.

"If I say yes, are you going to stop cutting me off?"

A laugh resounded from the other line making her heat soar. It's been too long since she'd heard his laugh. Too long.

"That's a yes."

"Then I agree."

Her immediate answer caused Éric to smile in relief, not that Amélie knew. Like Amélie, Éric was also still not over their breakup and meeting up with her might just fix all their ties. Even if they won't go back together, at least they'd have each other back in their lives and that was all they needed.

"I'll pick you up at 8 tomorrow then."

"You don't even know where I live."

"Trust me, Amélie. I know."

"Have you been stalking me, Éric?"

"I thought it was romantic."

A laugh escaped Amélie's lips as she shook her head, not knowing how her laugh caused Éric to smile widely from the other end of the line.

"I'll just see you tomorrow at 8, you dork."

"See you then."

With that, their phone call ended with the two young adults smiling widely as if they were still teenagers. Amélie glanced at her pup and ruffled Cookie's fur. "Thanks for that, baby," She spoke as she slowly stood up. Amélie looked at Cookie before looking around the storage room, an idea in the making. Her crystal blue eyes glanced at the door and smiled. They still had plenty of time before they go to sleep. "What do you say we redecorate our apartment?"

A bark followed by laughter can be heard coming from their apartment as the pair began to grab the items in the storage room to use for their redecorating.

Who knew that was started out to be a boring day would have such an unexpected turn of events?

“I want to thank every single one of you for coming out. This is very important, this is very vital. Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded, regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting! I AIN’T WAITING! I’ve been born in this country. I am 28 years old. Born and raised in London. Every black person understands and realizes the first time you are reminded that you are black. You remember. Every black person in here remembers when another person reminded you that you were black. I need you guys to understand- I need you to understand how painful this shit is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing and that isn’t the case anymore, that is never the case anymore. We’re going to try today. We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation on our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation on our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence. For Mark Duggan. It is very very important that we keep control of this movement, and we make it as peaceful as possible. We make this as peaceful and as organized as possible. Because you know what, guys? They want us to mess up. They want us to be disorganized. But not today! NOT TODAY! Not today! This message is specifically for black men: black men, black men we need to take care of our black women. We need to take care of- They are our hearts! THEY ARE OUR HEARTS! They are our future. We cannot demonize our own. We are the pillars of the family. Imagine this, a nation that is set up with individual families that are thriving, that are healthy, that communicate, that raise their children in love have a better rate of becoming better human beings. And that’s what we need to create. Black men, it starts with you. It’s done man, we can’t be trash no more. We have to be better. You don’t understand? I’m speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f**k that! Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process. We don’t know what George Floyd could have achieved, we don’t know what Sandra Bland could have achieved, but today we’re going to make sure that that won’t be an alien thought to our young ones. You lot came today, you left your kids, and when you see your kids they’re aimlessly playing, they don’t understand what’s going on. Today is the day that we remind them that we are dedicated and this is a lifelong dedication. Guys, we don’t leave them stop you now. This is longevity. Some of you are artists, some of you are bankers, some of you are lawyers, some of you own shop stores. You are important, your individual power, your individual right is very, very important. We can all join together to make this a better world.

Thank you for coming out today. Thank you for your support. To us. Black people I love you. I appreciate you. Today is an important day, we are fighting for our rights. We are fighting for our ability to live in freedom. We are fighting for our ability to achieve. We are fighting for equality. And you are the physical representation of that. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE! Today is the day that we stand. We walk. It’s not about career, it’s not about money, it’s about your right to live as a human being.”

— John Boyega’s full speech during the Black Lives Matter protest at Hyde Park in London, England (June 3, 2020)