haze / afi

part 6. making plans

"so, you're friends with ashton?"

lisa follows violet around the store as she tries re stocking the shelves. she mentioned seeing ashton a few days ago to go on their evening walk, and clearly her aunt wants to know more. lisa had wanted ashton and violet to become friends and hearing that they've been 'hanging out' made her happy.

"yea, i suppose you could say that." violet doesn't want to label anything yet, always being worried the worst would happen when something's going good. "he's a really nice guy, and he's making me feel very welcomed here. i should be thanking you for introducing us."

"you don't need to thank me, violet." lisa folds her arms, watching as violet places vinyls onto the shelves. "i hoped you two would have this connection. as much as you're concerned about getting close to people, he's a very kind young man, so give him a chance, sweetie."

"i'm trying, it's just hard after what sophia did." violet stops what she's doing.

"you're still friends with her though, keep that in mind."

her aunt has a point. she is still friends with sophia. although, she never should've forgiven her for what she did. in all honesty she hasn't forgiven her. lisa widens her eyes, knowing what violet is thinking in her head.

"he wants me to meet his friends soon." violet speaks as she turns back to the box she's holding. "i think he's gonna stop by soon so we can arrange something."

"that'll be nice," lisa smiles but notices violet's nervous look. "it'll be good for you, you need to make some more friends, not everyone has bad intentions."

"i know," violet pauses. "but, with the way i was treated, i have reasons to be cautious of people."

"and i don't think you should be any different, what that boy did to you was wrong and selfish. both him and sophia." lisa speaks angrily. "you have to understand that not everyone is like them, ashton has always been nice and i'm sure his friends will be the same. if they ever do anything you don't like, don't hesitate to tell them, alright?"

violet nods, taking in her aunt's advice. she's been alive a lot longer then her, making her much wiser. lisa knows about a lot of things violet went through, giving her more reason to be here for her niece if anything does go wrong with these friendships.

lisa walks away after hearing the bell at the door, heading back to the counter to wait for if any customers want to buy anything. not a big surprise, but ashton enters the store. as he does often. he smiles as he walks over to lisa.

"hey." ashton greets. lisa returning a smile.

"what can i help you with today?" lisa asks, but she knows why he's here. "if you're here for violet she's behind the middle rack."

he nods, mouthing a thank you to her. he heads towards the side isle, where lisa said violet would be. and there she is, continuing to stock the shelves, humming along to the song that's playing as she did so.

this is heaven - nick jonas

another artist violet likes to listen to. the way he sings has always interested her. so there she is, enjoying working while good music is on. she didn't even notice that ashton is here, watching her.

"hey—"

"oh, god!" violet almost shouts, holding a hand to her heart after almost dropping the three vinyls in her hand. "i didn't hear you come over."

"sorry," ashton tries not to laugh at scaring her. she shakes her head, placing the vinyls back into the box. "i was just popping in to say hi, and if you aren't too busy we could go and grab some coffee?"