Brand New Eyes

12. Captivated

12. CAPTIVATED

The rest of the week dragged by.

Asher and Slater were no-shows which meant my pondering questions and suspicions about them weren’t put to rest after what Violet had told me which only made me become more and more suspicious about them, adding to my stress. I was bound to go crazy anytime soon with all the thoughts my head had spinning inside.

Violet, on the other hand, was becoming my most favourite person. I had really taken to her and she opened up about herself, her family – she was an only child – and her past with the Van-Der-Blake’s which was the main reason I had growing suspicions about them. She seemed so genuine. Every word she’d said was honest – or at least I had thought so.

I didn’t tell her Asher’s side of the story that he told me briefly, how he had been born here and grew up here or their story of being cousins; I just heard her side and took her word for it. I don’t know why but I had no doubts about her words; she seemed sincere. Whereas Asher and Slater, there was definitely an inkling there from the moment we met. Plus his story of the night of the accident was completely different to mine.

And I found it particularly odd how they both left class that day and didn’t show up again for the rest of the week.

And then I had a mini panic attack when I double checked my pockets and triple-checked my car for Michael’s watch which I swore I had on me on Sunday. I hoped it had fallen when Asher carried me to his house after I had that episode.

But I wouldn’t know as it was now Sunday morning and I hadn’t seen him or Slater for the past four days. Plus I didn’t have their numbers.

So all I could do was spring clean the house and wreak havoc again whilst looking for Dad’s letter. Luckily, I didn’t cry this time.

I had no work so I pondered going back to Michael’s house again and just as I was about to, I got a call.

“Hello?” I answered, trying to catch my breath after running from the other side of the house.

“Scarlett?” the sweet voice asked, it was Violet.

“Oh hey, what’s up?” I asked, trying to multitask by holding the phone and folding up the laundry.

“Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you something” she hesitated, her voice as kind of serious.

“Spill” I said, dropping the laundry.

“It’s nothing.” She said and didn’t leave it there.

“Spill!” I said more urgently, eager to know.

“Okay, well” she hesitated again as I waited. Violet was pretty damn sweet and the most unbelievably nice girl I’d met in my entire school-life. But she sure was shy.

“You know how it’s the Masquerade Dance this Tuesday,” she began and I widened my eyes in shock. Shoot, I’d totally forgotten!

“Yes” I said, inclining her to go on.

 ”Well, this weekend – well yesterday actually – I kinda, sorta got asked out.” She finally blurted.

“By who?” I asked, nearly jumping at my high voice. Why the hell was I getting excited hat she had a date? I should be jealous and frustrated; my date was AWOL and had a huge question mark against him inside my head.

It took her a small while to answer, “Marcus” she finally said.

“No way” That’s great!” I cried, sincerely happy for her. I was surprised he had asked her, normally I’m good at matchmaking (crazy to believe I know!) but I guess I was too busy to with my own drama concerning Asher and Slater. Who were actually brothers.