haze / afi

part 86. i've never been this happy

violet sits behind the counter at her aunts music store. she felt like she hasn't been helping out as much as she used to, so today she said she'd be around to stock shelves, serve customers, whatever lisa needs.

ashton was away looking around a few more houses that violet had told him about after they got back from camping for his birthday. he's determined to find the perfect place for them to move into.

"you think you're ready to move into your own place?" lisa walks out from the storage room, holding a box of vinyls.

"i've lived with ashton for a while now i think—"

"no, honey," lisa interrupts. "i mean a place that ashton and you both share, not a house he already owned before you moved in."

"oh," violet shrugs her shoulders. "yea, i think so. it'll be nice."

lisa nods her head, believing her niece. she can't help but wonder if there is some doubt behind violet's words.

either way, violet stands up, taking the large box from her aunt so she can start re stocking the shelves while lisa stays behind the counter to serve any customers that come into the store today.

she hasn't completely considered the fact it will be their home once they find a place. she's been living with ashton for a while and they both automatically call it their home. not his home.

she doesn't want to start overthinking it. she hasn't been up until this point and she won't start now. she can't.

violet shakes her head, placing the box down on the ground next to her as she starts pulling vinyls out to restock on the shelves in front of her.

one in the box caught her eye, an arctic monkeys vinyl. the one she gave to ashton one of the first times they met. the album that started it all. the album he listened to for her, and told her he liked. oh how that feels like a lifetime ago, but as if it was yesterday at the same time.

in all honesty, she still can't believe she found someone she loves here. she didn't think she'd fall in love ever again after all she went through. it still feels strange to her that someone as incredible as ashton can love her just as much.

she feels a little bad that she got ashton to go and look at a few houses by himself today, however she is very indecisive and thinks it may be best if he just comes back with his opinions of the places later.

maybe she should—

"oh, violet, hey," she looks to her left, seeing luke. he smiles softly. "i thought you were looking around hoses with ash today?"

"i was meant to be," she explains, tucking the vinyl in her hands under her arm. "i told him to go and look for the both of us instead."

"stressful, isn't it?"

"just a little," she sarcastically responds.

she goes back to sorting through the music in the box, luke staying standing there. "you'll find a place," he reassures. "it might take a while but you'll get there."

"i hope so," violet sighs.

as she places the vinyls on the shelves, the bell above the door rings again, both hearing a familiar voice getting closer.

"want a donut?" michael asks lisa.

"are you sure?" she asks him. he urges her to take one.

after doing so, he makes his way over to luke and violet. he holds his donut box open, letting luke pick one first which he starts eating right away.

"violet?" he questions to her.

she looks but shakes her head, "i'll get the icing all over my hands," she holds up two vinyls in her hands. "can't ruin these."