Unbeknownst to their parents, Violet and Cole had a clandestine 9-month relationship before parting ways following Cole's injury, courtesy of Paige. Despite the messy breakup, Violet managed to maintain a positive connection with the Walters, except...
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Violet sat on the porch rail, her legs swinging idly, earbuds blasting music that didn't quite drown out her thoughts. She'd told herself not to look back at the field, not to let her eyes wander where they always wanted to—but of course they did. They found him.
Cole.
His laugh carried across the grass, rough and careless as he played football with Isaac, Lee, and Parker. From anyone else it would've sounded normal, but to Violet, it felt like an echo of something she used to know, something she'd loved. The sound caught like a splinter under her skin, and she yanked her earbuds louder, willing her heartbeat to even out.
She shouldn't care. She didn't care. She couldn't.
"Alright, wrap it up!" George's voice boomed from the sidelines. The boys jogged toward the house, sweaty and smiling. All but Cole. He lingered, hands shoved deep in his pockets. Violet felt his stare before she saw it, heavy and unrelenting.
She dropped down from the fence, forcing lightness into her voice as she turned to Daisy and Phoenix. "Come on, rescue mission. Isaac's probably crying over a shirt by now."
Phoenix managed a small laugh, and Daisy rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath. It was enough to get them moving, and Violet kept her arm snug around her little brother's shoulders, squeezing him closer when she caught the flicker of sadness still clinging to his face.
She didn't look back. She wouldn't.
But later, when the house quieted into the hum of morning chaos—doors slamming, showers running, Katherine calling after someone—Violet found herself on the porch again. The air was cooler now, tinged with the sweet sharpness of cut grass. She told herself she was focusing on her breathing, on the horizon, on anything but him.
And yet.
Her eyes betrayed her. They drifted left, past the yard, to the barn.
Cole stood there. Not moving. Not speaking. Just watching.
The sight of him pulled at her chest like gravity. That same damn expression—half-regret, half-longing, all silence. Once upon a time, it had made her knees weak. Now, it just made her tired. Because silence was what he was best at. Standing still while she walked away. Watching her leave, again and again, but never stopping her.
Her jaw clenched. No more. He didn't get to look at her like that anymore.
Before she could spiral, a small missile of energy slammed into her legs. "Violet!"
Parker.
Violet caught her just in time, laughing as she scooped the girl up. "Whoa, slow down!"
Parker's grin was radiant, all teeth and sunshine. "Isaac said I get to pick the games at the fair! For real?"
