haze / afi

part 73. together

arriving in ohio couldn't have felt any more strange. after a morning of panic and stress, to feeling okay, to getting upset. it wasn't a good time for violet. especially not throughout the flight.

she slept through half of the flight, but once she was awake nothing helped her to feel okay. apart from ashton, he managed to keep her at a somewhat calm level.

once they land in cleveland airport things are busy again, everyone rushing off of the plane, rushing to boarder control, rushing over to where everyone's bags would be coming out on the conveyer belt.

violet and the guys stand together while waiting, violet's arms around ashton's torso, not wanting to let go of him. the only time she does is so he can get their bags, and then she's holding his hand again as they walk towards the exit.

they get a taxi from the airport to rose's house, she would've picked them up but there's too many people to fit in her car. she's super excited to see everyone nevertheless.

the drive is quiet, not what they expected. luke wants to ask if violet is okay, but decides against it after ashton shakes his head at him to suggest not to. violet clearly needs some time to think about whatever is on her mind.

when they arrive at rose's house, it's getting into evening time, grabbing their bags out from the back, rose is already opening front door.

"violet!" she shouts, gaining her attention. "god, you're here!"

she sprints down her front steps, pulling violet in for a tight hug. violet hugs back, standing like that for a few minutes.

"it's good to see you, rosie," violet smiles, finally feeling some form of happiness. she steps back, turning to her friends. "aunt lisa is coming later, but for now um, this is luke, calum and michael."

"it's so nice to meet you all!" rose almost shouts, rounding them up for hugs. she walks over to ashton last, hugging him too. "i hope you've been taking care of her."

he sighs, hugging back softly, "trying my best," he smiles as he pulls away. "need to talk to you about something inside."

rose nods her head, looking back to violet who has a tired expression her face. now the introductions are done, she helps everyone with their bags and takes them inside her house.

mainly open plan, living room to the right as you walk inside, dining room to the left with a door that leads to the kitchen and back yard as well as a toilet. there's a staircase to the left of the dining room which leads upstairs to the bedrooms, spare room and a larger bathroom.

once they're all inside, violet pulls rose to the side for a moment, "where's your bathroom?" she asks. "just wanna um, freshen up and stuff."

"upstairs, third on the left," rose tells her. "you okay?"

"yea, fine, i'm fine," violet says unconvincingly before walking away.

rose thinks for a moment, figuring out what to do to talk to ashton alone, "why don't you guys check what food i have and then we can go to the grocery store soon," she suggests.

"sounds like a plan," luke agrees, leading the way back there.

now, that leaves ashton. rose takes him to the living room, sitting down on the brown sofa patting the seat beside her for him to sit down. he does, hands in his lap.

"she had a panic attack last night," ashton starts. "well today actually, early in the morning. is there anywhere here i could take her to make her feel a bit better?"

"for a date?" rose asks, small smile on her face. "or just somewhere to escape?"

"a date," he takes a breath, hoping violet will even feel up to it.