Ultraviolet

Chapter Fifty-Four: Once Around

When I returned to Ty's apartment I messaged Jess to let her know that I was alright, but made no move to leave. I explained to Ty what I could: that I had been wrong and I could go home at anytime, but didn't specify if I was planning to.

How could I face them again, after everything that happened over the last couple days?

What would happen when I eventually did face them? Would they be mad that I assumed the worst?

Hadeon will never want to see me again.

He tried to tell me, the night that I got drunk with him and Andy. He tried to explain and I promised that I didn't care. I had no idea exactly how ugly his "work" could get.

Ty left to give me some space to "process everything", which I think is just code for "You look close to tears and I'm uncomfortable", and Jess called a second later. I hesitantly pressed the green answer button and pulled the phone up to my ear.

"Violet!" Jess screeched. I struggled to decide if her tone was angry or happy, it might've been both.

"Yes."

"What the fuck?!" She shouted. "Do you know how worried I was? I could barely eat- you scared the shit out of me! Why would you do that?"

"Jess, I'm-"

"I mean, Hadeon told me you saw something you didn't want to see, but you should have come to me. You should have trusted me. Why would you leave? And we couldn't call the police. All the boys were out trying to find you."

"I'm sorry, I never meant for that to happen."

"Well it did."

"I so sorry, Jess. I really am. I just... I didn't know what to do. I wasn't thinking."

"You bet you weren't fucking thinking." She sighed through the phone. "Where have you been? Are you safe?"

"You remember that guy I went on a date with?"

"Kai?"

"Ty." I corrected. "I still had his number so I called him and he said I could stay at his place."

"I'm sorry, you called up a random guy you BARELY know and went back to his house?"

"Yeah?"

"VIOLET FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" She cried. "You can't do that! You are fucking lucky he's not a murderer! Do you know how dangerous that is?!"

"I didn't think-"

"You get back here! Now!" It was strange to hear Jess speak so protective-motherly.

"I don't know if I want to go back." I rushed.

Jess didn't speak for a moment. "What?"

"I don't... I feel bad. I don't want to bother anyone."

"I told you, you're not a bother."

"Not you."

"I can kick Hadeon out." She suggested. "He can find a new place to live."

"No." I sighed. "It won't change anything, I'll still see him. Maybe I should just hang with Ty, I know now that he's definitely not a murderer."

"I know you don't think Hadeon is your biggest fan." Not exactly how I'd put it. "But he was worried too. He'll want you to be safe, he'll want you here too."

"He's not mad at me?" I asked softly.

"Not yet. You wait until I tell him where you went."

"Don't! Please." I begged.

"Only if you get back here before tonight." She bargained. I pondered it for a moment. "Please?"