Ultraviolet

Chapter Forty-Three: Deep in My Heart

Falling asleep seemed near impossible. With Hadeon sleeping just a room over and the realisation of what happened earlier running through my mind, my heart was racing out of my chest too fast to fall into unconsciousness.

I needed to talk to someone, anyone, about what was going on right now, but the only person I could tell was Jess and if she was mad about me being involved with Adrianna, I doubt she'd be understanding when I tell her I made out with her bodyguard.

When my alarm rang out at eight o'clock, my eyes were already wide open. I sat there for a moment, making a plan.

Jess couldn't know. So I had to seem normal.

A normal morning for me meant walking out of my room in my pyjamas with my hair a mess and teeth unbrushed, stuffing my face with cereal, and groggily moaning and groaning over how tired I am and how I'm not at all a morning person.

But I didn't want Hadeon to see me like that.

Last night, I was dolled up in a perfect dress and looking my absolute best. Thats what made Hadeon lose his mind. I don't want him to regain his mind any time soon.

I changed my loose shirt for a thicker sweater that clung a little better to my body and kept my shorts from last night on. I opened the door and quickly peeked to the bathroom. The room was empty, so I skittered through and closed the door.

I ran a brush through my long hair quickly, wincing as the bristles caught on knots and pulled my hair, then grabbed Jess's mouth wash and ran it through my mouth before rinsing with water.

Satisfied, I opened the door and went to the kitchen. Jess and Hadeon sat at the dining table, both watching me carefully. I turned as my ears burned under Hadeon's gaze. My growing smile hidden from the both of them as I poured cereal flakes into a bowl. Once I was sure I could stop myself from showing any sign of my giddiness, I joined them both.

"Good morning." I said. Jess glared as she sunk her teeth into her toast and ripped apart her bite. Hadeon let out a vague grumble of "Morning" as he ate.

My gaze fell to my cereal as I focused on eating breakfast. I stole a quick glance at Hadeon, who nodded subtly to Jess. He wanted me to apologise.

"Jess," I drew her attention. "I'm sorry for going to Adrianna for help."

She glared, her steady eyes void of any sense of forgiveness.

"And for last night. I just wanted to repay the favour as soon as possible."

Hadeon's eyes flicked back and forth, waiting for something to happen. His foot under the table gently nudged mine, willing me to continue. I not-so-gently kicked his foot back.

"I don't care." She said flippantly.

"I think you do care." I shot back. "Because you have barely spoken to me since you found out."

"Well, you probably know best." She jibed. "Isn't that right, Violet?"

"It was my idea-" Hadeon defended.

"Shut up!" Jess and I interrupted. Hadeon rolled his eyes, but backed down and finished his breakfast nevertheless.

"I was trying to sort out my own problems, like an adult." I explained. "I didn't want to be any more of a burden than I already am!"

"When did I say that you were a burden?" She demanded.

"I live in your home, I work at your bar, I wear your clothes half the time. You didn't need to say it, I already know that this isn't ideal for you."

"I'm going to go-"

"Stay!" Jess and I shouted at Hadeon, again.

"You aren't a burden, Violet." She still sounded angry. "I like you being here. I like to know that something good came from my fucked up family." She chuckled helplessly as she spoke, but I could see the tears prickling in her eyes. "You're my sister and I want you to be here."

"I didn't want you to know about everything that happened before I came here." I sniffled.

"And I don't want you to hide things from me." She said. "You can't just keep building these walls. I know why you do it: it's to make running away easier. I know you don't want to hear it, but it's also a Stacy Wiley trademark."

I swallowed. Speechless. She was right. I knew nothing about my mothers life. She never let me know her. I heard her wild theories about the devil and monsters and demons, but most of the things I knew came from my grandparents stories.

"I'm sorry I made you think I was trying to run away." I whispered.

Jess stood up and walked around to the side of my chair. She crouched down to my height and wrapped her arms around me. I sniffled into her shoulder, my cheeks wet with tears that dripped onto her jacket.

"Thank you." I croaked.