Chapter

Kyle's POV

As I held Violet in my arms, I couldn't help but stare at her lips. They looked so small and pink yet so luscious. It took everything in me to keep from crashing my lips against hers but I knew that wouldn't help at all so instead I took a different approach.

"K-Kyle!" She'd stuttered indicating her surprise.

"Like what you see, honey?" I answered with a smirk.

Regaining herself, she said "Actually, no! Let me go now?"

"Of course." I answered placing her on her feet.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt to say thank you." I said when she began walking off.

"Oh really? And why would I do that?" She asked, turning around.

"Because I just saved you?"

"Well forgive my impudence, Mr. Tanner but with everything you've done since I arrived here, I'd say we're even now, don't you think?"

"Okay okay. I guess you're right. Truce then?" I asked stretching my hand forward for an handshake while sporting my best smile.

She stared at my hand for a while before she sighed and said "Truce."

Damn! Her hands felt so soft... I could imagine it already, wrapped around my torso as I thrust endlessly into her...

"Remember Kyle, play it cool!" I reminded myself, brushing the thoughts from my head.

"So...now that we have a truce, how about we start all over and get to know each other over dinner? My treat!"

"I would love to Kyle but... Actually I wouldn't. The thought of having dinner with you makes me sick. Tell me, how many girls have fallen for that line?"

"None... Probably because I haven't used it yet. You're the first."

"Oh wow! I feel sooo special." She said sarcastically, with a roll of her eyes.

"Come on Violet! What's one dinner? Please!"

"Read my lips, Kyle! NO!... Bye!" She said already on her way out.

"You can play hard to get all you want, pretty Violet but at the end of the day, you'll be mine." I thought with a smirk on my face.

Violet's POV

"Really? He asked you out to lunch? What'd you say?"

"No, of course." I said in a 'duh' tone.

"Of course you did."

"What I don't get though is the sudden change in behavior. I was literally in his arms and he didn't use the opportunity to grope me. So unlike him." I said closing my locker.

"He's up to something." Anna said, after reflecting on it.

"You're right. The only question is what is it?"

"No idea but I'll just suggest that you be careful."

"Of course." I replied with a smile.

I looked in front just as I bumped right into somebody. All my books went on the floor and I was about falling as well when someone suddenly caught me.

I looked up and found myself staring into very familiar dark brown eyes.

"Dylan!?" I muttered, surprised that it was really him.

"Violet! Is it really you?" He asked and I couldn't stop the smile that lit my face as I hugged him tight.

"I've missed you...so much, Dyl."

"Same here, Vee." He replied, hugging me back.

I was still reveling in the hug when we were suddenly interrupted by the clearing of a throat. Dylan and I pulled apart to see a very angry blonde staring at us with a not-so-good expression on her face.

"What is going on here?" She asked, almost red in the face.

"Kacey, look at me...look at me! This is not what it looks like okay? Violet and I are only friends okay? F-R-I-E-N-D-S! Got that?"

"Well it didn't look like it," she murmured but sighed and said sweetly, "but I believe you, Dylan."

"You're the best, Kace." Dylan answered as he hugged her.

I didn't miss the quick glare “Kacey” gave me before replacing the look as she and Dylan separated.

"So... who's your friend?"

"Hi Kacey. I'm Violet. Nice to meet you." I asked stretching my hand forward for a handshake.

"Hi." She answered with a fake smile as she barely touched my hand before pulling away.

"So Dylan, don't you have other stuff to do?" Kacey asked meaningfully.

"Uh no. I was actually planning on catching up with Violet here."

"Well do that later. I have something I need your help with...now!"

"But Kacey..."

"Now Dylan!" She yelled, grabbing his hand and pulling him away.

"What's her deal?" I asked Anna as I watched them walk away, returning Kacey's “stink-eye”.

"Oh Kacey! She's just...like that. She's always been like...that."

"You mean mean, jealous, rude and overprotective of her boyfriend?"

"Yes. That!"

"Well he could do better!" I murmured.

"Yeah, he definitely could. Speaking of which, how do you two know each other?"

"Oh! Dylan and I were best friends in Missouri. That's where I grew up. He left a few years ago."

"So...were you just best friends or did you, you know, “experiment”?"

"Eww, gross Anna and no, we did not “experiment”."

"Did you like him?"

"Dylan? No! Not really."

"Okay. If you say so... And if you did, you shouldn't think about it. Kacey has him on a tight leash."

"Yeah yeah. I know..." I answered as I began thinking. "I still think he could do better."

"Mm-hmm."

Later that day, as I sat binge watching SpongeBob SquarePants, my mind went back to Missouri. It was the last place I wanted to think about but seeing Dylan today just rekindled some old memories, memories I wanted to stay buried.

The more I tried to push them away, the more they flooded back... The whispers. The yells. The laughter... The sobs... Everything...

I could feel it building up in me until...

"Ding-dong!"

I let out a sigh of relief as I opened my eyes thankful for the doorbell.

"I'll get it!" I yelled as I made my way to the door.

I opened it, only to come face to face with literally the last person I was expecting to see.

"What are you doing here!?"

"Can I come in? I need your help!"

.

T B C