Prey

Chapter 4

"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."
-Peter Marshall

The day after one’s birthday often felt strange. Just the day before, you were someone important. People crowded around you, wishing you well, showering you with gifts—and heaven forbid if someone dare say something mean to you on your birthday.

And yet, the day after would seem quite off. It was as if the previous day was forgotten, and everything melded back into its mundaneness. There was something so unsatisfying about it, and yet; gradually you too fell back into your regular routines, with the addition of the weight of another year settling down on your back. 

As Violette awakened, she thought of yesterday. There was a stirring in her stomach and she couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across her face when she recalled a certain blonde surfer.

She was amazed by how charismatic and charming he was in a live conversation—just as he was when they messaged each other. Only, conversing live with Dake was so much more fulfilling than just sending messages.

…Plus, his accent made everything he said sound infinitely more amazing.

Violette gazed at the clock and sighed. It was time to get out of the plush comfort of bed and prepare for a painfully dull day of school. Though, a dull day was the best that she could hope for—it was either that, or just a painful day full of Amber’s teasing.

Although, Violette could hardly imagine her spirits being crushed by that spoiled witch that day as she was still over the moon because of Dakota. She hoped that this new level of communication would become a daily commitment for the both of them.

Even if it did not, Dake had left her with another wonderful gift that would eradicate whatever was left of her loneliness.

Of course, that is, if she could find her phone!

‘Where did my phone go? I barely used it yesterday… where could it have gone?’ Violette stripped herself of the cosy covers and managed to get out of her bed. She was determined to find that pesky device that always seemed to be misplaced…

It was an incredibly important quest for Violette because before she had drifted off, she and Dakota had been talking more about… being able to talk more—with each other, that is.

The topic of texting and calling came up, and Violette came to the realisation that since they didn’t live very far apart, they didn’t have to worry about long distance charges. She felt quite brilliant when that epiphany had come to her, though she couldn’t quite recall Dakota’s reaction because she had barely been half awake at that point.

But, she was somewhat able to remember giving him her number so that he could text her his for when she would eventually find her phone.     

Violette turned her room upside down in search of the thing, but ultimately, she was unsuccessful.

“Of course I have it on silent when I actually need it” She grumbled to herself. Convinced that her phone wasn’t in her room, Violette decided to check downstairs, and perhaps grab something to eat while she was at it.

As she walked down the stairs, she was disappointed that the air lacked the familiar scent of coffee that she had grown accustomed to in the mornings. It made her remember that her dad wasn’t home, but she pushed the bad feelings away.

‘So he left me alone and forgot about my birthday, so what? I can’t expect him to remember random stuff like that. And even if he did remember, what did I expect him to do? Throw a party? At least someone remembered…’