Don't Stand By Me (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER TWELVE

VIOLET

August 1st: 20:37

The energy in the RV had managed to hit an all time low. It was stifling, the tense air surrounding us all. The only ones who seemed immune to it were Dixon and Pearl - which was insane in itself. I disappeared for twenty minutes and she was full of laughter and smiles, cosying up next to Brent, surprisingly with a sock-free mouth. I had kept an eye on them, sitting cross legged on the couch, a bowl of pasta perched on my lap. It was the first time I had seen Brent laugh or honestly even smile since we had gotten here.

It was easy to feel guilty. I had technically cheated on him after all, emotionally and physically. Sure, he had hit on someone but I...well I was having genuine feelings. He never even wanted to go on the trip; he had spent the entire week picking fights with me over it, saying he didn't want to go and that he wouldn't have a good time. And he was right. Now he was stuck in the RV with the people he probably hated most in the world, no chance to escape.

He seemed lighter talking to Pearl, turning his head to glance at her with a grin that made my chest hurt with how reminiscent it made me feel. It wasn't that I wanted that smile to be directed at me, it just caused an ache at the memory of getting those smiles, of how I wanted nothing more than for him to flash one at me. And now all I got was stone cold stares and abrupt sentences thrown when he felt like it. Which was fair, we had both fucked up.

"Hey." Kiara sighed, plopping down next to me with a bowl in hand, "Is it just me or is everyone having the worst night imaginable?"

"Today was a hard one." I shrugged, "A lot happened. What's going on between you and Cassie? You're not glued at the hip."

"I don't have a clue. She hasn't spoken to me since before Pearl showed up...you don't think that she...?"

I glanced at Cassie, who was clearly side eyeing us without wanting to be caught, "Definitely not. She has a thing for you."

"I just don't get that vibe." Kiara shrugged, spooning some pasta into her mouth, "She seems like she just wants to be friends."

"Friends hold hands and have romantic, looking at the stars' dates?"

"Sometimes...maybe...I don't know. You're my only female friend."

"And if you tried that shit on me, you'd have none."

"Homophobe."

"Loser."

We snickered, before Kiara glanced at me, her expression going sombre.

"I really am sorry, you know."

"I know. I am too."

"Are we okay?"

I grabbed her hands with mine and beamed at her, "We are perfect." I munched on some pasta before humming thoughtfully, "Do you think we'd be a good couple?"

"God no!" Kiara snorted, shaking her head, "Could you imagine? We'd kill each other."

"We'd be hot, though."

"Damned right!" She raised an eyebrow at me, smirking, "Speaking of...an FBI agent?"

"I know." I sighed, "I'll cut contact with him."

"Hey, I'm not attacking you." Kiara said softly, "I'm just curious. Is he cute?"

"He's so cute. And sexy. Ugh...he's ripped too."

"And he makes you laugh?"

"Constantly."

"And he makes you feel special?"