Don't Stand By Me (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER TWENTY

August 5th: 11.14

Elvis

I scowled at the minimal selection of hair care products in front of me, cursing Brent for using the last of my premium shampoo. That shit had not been cheap and I didn't appreciate him scooping the last of it with his ape hands and slathering it in his dumb hair. It was nice to know he at least practised personal hygiene in his free time. I held Strawberry Bliss and Coconut Dream in my hands and gave each of them a cautionary sniff.

"Coconut Dream. The RV could do without smelling like Strawberry Shortcake."

I glowered at the sound of Violet's voice behind me but upon a further sniff I realised she was right. If there was one thing I could always count on Violet for it was blunt honesty. Putting the loser back on the shelf, I shoved the other one into the basket hanging from the crook of my elbow and continued my slow stroll through the shelves, tossing in things of interest. I noted the lime body wash Kiara was currently fixated on and threw in a bottle to be safe.

"Are you really that mad at me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said simply, keeping my gaze on the shelf as I found underwear and socks, putting in multiple packets.

"You haven't looked at me once, El."

As much as it pained me to prove her point, I was still feeling petty and hurt, so I refused to turn to face her, instead leaving the aisle and Violet behind. My list was all but completed. I was now letting my empty stomach guide me throughout the store, tossing in way too many snack foods that we definitely did not need.

Clearly having enough of my aloofness, Violet appeared in front of me, arms folded and glaring at me in a way that was reminiscent of the day we first met. The animosity I had felt towards her that day seemed to be alive and well, flaring up as it did when she decided to be a bitch.

"What's your problem? I told you I forgave you, I thought we were good?"

My nostrils flared as I struggled to keep my composure and not scream at her in the middle of a small town grocery store, "Did you ever think that maybe I don't forgive you?"

"What?"

It was in that moment I realised she didn't have a fucking clue, that she didn't think of me with that much respect to realise that a half assed apology and a promise to do better to the group as a whole wasn't enough for me, one of her best friends. She was so wrapped up in herself that she didn't see me glowering at her as she apologised, didn't feel me stiffen as she curled up next to me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder. Because it was the Violet show.

Refusing to indulge her any longer, I rushed to the checkout, slamming the basket onto the conveyor belt and laying out all of my purchases. I gave the cashier a strained smile and a curt nod as she rang me up. I felt Violet by my side, packing things into bags and swiping her credit card before I had a chance to pull out my wallet. I didn't say a word to her, simply grabbing the bags, thanking the cashier and exiting the store, Violet trailing awkwardly behind me.

"El!" She snapped once we were outside, grabbing my elbow and yanking me to a complete stop, "Christ, will you just talk to me?"

"That's fucking rich." I scoffed.

"I don't understand what I've done to you, El."

"That's the problem, Vi. You are so caught up in you and yourself that you've become completely selfish and self-centred."

"I apologised! I thought we were okay?"

"You gave a general apology to the entire room. You didn't speak to me once. You haven't, for most of this trip. You've been caught up, and I get that, we all have. But you've left me behind. You've been a shit friend."