Ultraviolet

Chapter Twenty-One: Small Town Girl

I spent most of the morning texting Ty and giggling to my phone. I never really was one to get crushes. Well, that's a lie. I'm not one to act on them.

But Ty was different. He was so easy to talk to. I could spend hours messaging back and forth and never get bored. When he asked if I wanted to go get dinner, I didn't even flinch. No nervousness or fear, I sent back "sounds fun" immediately.

What did scare me was the idea of Hadeon chaperoning the entire night.

"Hey, Jess." I called out from the couch. Jessica, who was in the kitchen, turned with a bright smile on her face.

"Whats up?"

"Ty, the guy I met last night, asked me to go out for dinner. Is it alright if I go alone?"

"Sure," She muttered confused. "I don't see why you wouldn't be able to."

"Oh, Hadeon was always weird about me leaving the house alone. I thought that was him following your orders." I explained. "You don't mind?"

"Hadeon is very paranoid." She grumbled. "It bothers me too. You're an adult. You can do whatever you want, Violet."

"Can I maybe borrow an outfit?" I tested.

Jessica stopped chopping onions, a look of inspiration taking over her face. "I have the perfect dress." She said before rushing off to her room.

I finished chopping the onions while she was gone, dropping them in a pan on the stove as she joined me in the kitchen, a black dress in her hand.

"This is mine from when I was fifteen." She explained, showing off the dress. The top was lacy with frills that might have looked very farm-girlish if it wasn't a deep black shade and the skirt flowed out in an A-line shape. "I used to wear it with a lot of fishnet and mesh layers, but I think it would look nice by itself."

"I go try it on."

I smiled and followed her instruction.

I matched the dress with some polkadot stockings and black boots of Jess's. It was very cute and very out of my comfort zone as it was actually my size. I stuffed my phone, keys, and some cash in a small wallet I had and walked out of my room, ready to give Jessica a big reveal.

In the living room was not only Jessica, but Hadeon as well. He was still in his clothes from when he stormed out this morning and looked exhausted, as if he'd been running the entire time he'd been gone.

"You're dressed nice." He noted, more of an observation than a compliment. His eyes travelled down and back up over my outfit. "Why?"

"One does tend to dress up before going out." Jessica said.

"You two are going out? I'll go get changed, it'll only take a minute." He announced.

"Nuh-uh." Jessica interrupted. "She's going out. We are staying home."

Hadeon swivelled to face her, anger seeping through his pores. "Sure, let her walk around the streets of Boston in a tiny dress all alone."

"Its not that tiny." I grumbled at the same time Jessica spoke.

"Hadeon, she can go on a date without a guard dog."

"A date?" He growled. He walked closer to me, cutting Jessica out of the conversation. "With the guy you met last night? You barely know him? Are you stupid?"

"Hadeon!" Jess called out, but he was already on a roll.

"I know you're from Nebraska and things might be a little different there, but in Boston girls are smart enough not to isolate themselves with complete strangers."

"I'm going on a date to a public restaurant. You need to calm down." I tried to keep my voice even and matter-of-factly. "I will have my phone, I will call if I need help."

"And what if he takes your phone? Or goes somewhere without reception? You're not thinking this through, Violet. Frankly, you're being an idiot."

"Shut up!" I shot back. "Stop calling me stupid and an idiot! I am a grown fucking woman going on a date! I won't let you ruin this night for me."

Hadeon glared at me, our eyes meeting and holding gaze in a staring contest. I dared him to look away, to give in. I was going no matter what, but for some reason I wanted him to cower.

He shook his head and threw himself down on the couch, a slew of curses falling out of his mouth.

"What do you think?" I asked Jessica, gesturing to the dress.

"You look beautiful, Violet." She smiled.