Hanging Tree

Chapter 24

Violet

I got into my car as I felt my phone vibrate. I fished it out of my pocket and read my screen. It read out Lukey. He must've sent me a message.

I unlocked my phone and read the message he'd sent me.

Lukey: Hey! You free today?

Violet: Got some stuff to do but I think I'll be okay.

Lukey: Want to talk about it later?

Violet: Sure. What time and where?

Lukey: Umm. Idk. 8pm? At your place?

Violet: Okayy. Am I supposed to cook dinner or something?

Lukey: Oh god no. I would probably get sick from eating your horrendous food :P

I smiled as I read Luke's message. I loved how he could still be cheeky with me even though I had obviously destroyed his best friend.

Violet: I cook amazing okay.

Lukey: Mmm sure you do ✋✋

Violet: Shut up.

Lukey: Haha. No but seriously, don't cook. We'll just order pizza, okay?

Violet: Sounds great. See ya later poop pants.

Lukey: I hate you.

A smile took over my face as I locked my phone and kept it away. I fired up my car and turned on the radio. I drove to my house thinking about everything that has happened today.

Where did I even get that bravery to talk to Zayn like that? Even I shocked myself when I talked back to him. But he deserved it. I've grown to become so numb to my feelings. Because I've spent my whole life caring too much for things or people who don't even give a damn about me. If Zayn and the boys are going to pick on me, let it be, I guess the best thing to do is to shut up. Maybe if I act as if it doesn't bother me then they might back off.

Zayn didn't seem to do anything to me today. Not even one insult slipped his mouth. I expected him to at least call me a bitch, I mean from the encounter at my house the other day, that's what I expected. But to my surprise he didn't even mutter a single word. Maybe he really did realise what he's doing is stupid. Maybe he might change. I've seen him with his family and he's an amazing brother but yet he comes to school and becomes a dick.

I know deep down inside, there's a beautiful soul hiding behind the curtains. But its too afraid to come out and show itself. Zayn hangs out with the wrong bunch of people. Harry and Louis are obviously bad influences on him. Maybe if he doesn't hang out with them too much he might change to the better. That beautiful soul would finally get out of the shadows. It could happen. But Zayn's too much of a dickhead to do anything.

I've been thinking too much, I hadn't even notice that I'm already parked outside my house. I turned off the engine and got out of my car.

The house seemed so empty now that Eliot has left. It was back to me and Rosie again. I walked up to my room and decided to get started on my homework.

○●○●○●○●○●○●

Lukey: Open the door. I'm outside :)

Night time approached before I even knew. I'm done with all my homework and took a shower and changed into a sweater and a pair of sweats. The only reason I'm wearing a sweater is so that Luke wouldn't see my scars.

I jogged downstairs and opened my door to find Luke standing there smiling at me. "Come in," I invited him in.

He smiled and entered in. "Ordered the pizza already?" Luke asked me as sat down on my couch.

"Nope, not yet."

"What do you want?" He asked me as he took his phone out.

"Double pepperoni," I smirked at him.

He sent me a toothy smile as he ordered the pizza. I sat on the couch and got comfortable. If I'm going to be honest, I'm nervous to talk about this to Luke. Plus its about his best friend.

"Alright thank you," Luke said as he ended the call.

He turned to me and said, "So...."

I could tell he was quite uncomfortable about this too.

"We don't have to do this, Luke."

He eyed me then said, " No. We're going to do this. Tell me what's wrong."

I sighed. There was no way I could back out now. So I told him everything.

Once I was done, Luke stared at me. He stared at me for quite sometime. I didn't know if he was judging me or hating me or just speechless.

"Luke?" I asked.

He blinked then said, "Sorry. Its just.. a lot to take in."

"I know. I'm living a pretty fucked up life."

Luke placed his hand on my arm then said, "Hey, its okay. I get where you're coming from. I understand. Do you miss Calum?"

Do I miss Calum? I did miss his company and the jokes he always made. He always made me happy and kept me occupied. He never fails to put a smile on my face. He got along well with Eliot and everyone. I guess I did miss him.

I looked at Luke and nodded slowly. He thought for a while and finally said, "Violet, you know Calum's going to be there for you no matter what. You can talk to him about anything without him judging you. He's not gonna leave you and I'm sure he'll understand you. I know probably from all your experiences, not everyone is nice. But trust me, I've known Calum for a really really really long time, and he's not those type who would leave just when there's too much pressure. Instead he would push through that pressure and show that he'll stay no matter what comes in the way. Violet, in my opinion, you should really give him a chance. Not only because he's my best friend but I know you'll be great for him and vice versa."

I was honestly stunned. Luke inhaled deeply when he ended. I didn't know what to say because Luke just said everything that was on my mind. Every doubt that I've had, Luke had just cleared it. Maybe I should give Calum a chance. But still, at the back of my mind, I still had that fear. Its still there and it's holding me back. Luke was waiting for me to answer so I did.

"Luke, I honestly don't know."

Luke cut me off, "You don't have to rush yourself."

I smiled at how much he cared. "Luke, I'm not going to rush myself. I'm just going to need time to think."

"I understand, Violet. Its okay."

And our conversation was cut off when someone started knocking on the door.

"I guess that's the pizza," Luke mumbled as he got up and answered the door.

Luke answered the door and payed for the pizza. He brought it in and placed it on the table. "Wanna watch a movie or something while eating?"

He shrugged his shoulders and answered, "Yea. Why not?'

I turned on the television and put on a movie. "Violet, all I'm saying is to at least think about this. You don't have to rush into this."

I turned to him and smiled. "Thanks, Luke. I really appreciate it."

He smiled at me and turned to the television. The rest of the night went on with me and Luke watching TV while eating our pizza. It was soon already midnight and Luke had to go. I would have offered him to stay the night but it was a school day so its best that I don't.

"Goodbye, Luke. Thanks for hanging around today," I smiled at him.

"No problem. It was fun. I'm going to miss you. Don't forget to think about it okay?"

I nodded at him. He pulled me into a hug right before he left. He got into his car and started up the engine and drove away. Now, I had plenty of thinking to do.