Almost Everything - (WLW)

7: The Good Kind of Tipsy

It had been two days since Ellis saw Violet last.

The morning after their "date", Ben texted both of them with nothing but praise.

'Who's idea was it to laugh and talk together instead of a kiss? Brilliant. Looks way more real and intimate. If I wasn't the mastermind behind this lie I'd think you two were in love. Well done!!! -Ben'

Turns out one photographer did have the realisation to check the parking lot, and hid behind the bushes photographing the girls while they thought no one was there.

Ellis thought Violet would find the text and articles a bit weird, since they actually weren't acting in those moments, but not weird to the point where she'd go stay with her boyfriend for two days without even a goodbye.

-

"I'm just saying, that looks so fucking real! I mean, you're not an actress Violet, how did you fake actually looking happy with her?" Brandon had been bringing the photos up since they were released.

"Brandon, are you serious? I'm straight! I don't even remember what we were laughing about, something stupid, we barely even have the same sense of humour." Violet yelled.

"Babe.. ah fine, I believe you. Cmere, I love you," he kisses her, "Do you have fifty dollars to give me? I'm gigging tonight."

"No Brandon I don't have fifty dollars, how many times do I have to explain I don't have money to throw around right now."

"Why don't you support me? I'm DJing, this is a serious thing for me, I just need some money for the setup costs."

"You're DJing a sweet 16. You're not even getting paid. There is no setup costs, it's your laptop and speakers that you already have."

"Okay and I'm going for drinks after! You never support my dreams, how can I make it in the industry when you're out shopping on Rodeo drive with that bitches bank card and you won't even pick me up a new outfit. Not even shoes."

"How the fuck would me buying you shoes help your career?"

"You never understand. Just go." Brandon yelled.

"I was leaving anyways" Violet slammed his bedroom door behind her.

"You are so lucky my moms not here to listen to this!" Brandon yelled after her.

This was how a lot of their conversations went the past few months.

Brandon was always nice to her, but things sort of went slightly downhill when he quit his job to pursue music full time, which for him meant playing video games or driving around in his friends car all day and then playing around with music at night.

Violet knew that the pictures with Ellis made him jealous, and she hated to admit she understood why. It did look intimate, but it wasn't. How could it be? They were barely friends, let alone the soulmates everyone was making them out to be.

-

Violet walked through the door of the apartment and saw Ellis, and immediately knew what was coming.

She prepared herself for the rudeness and teasing that was inevitably going to come but it didn't.

Ellis glanced at her walking through the door and continued her walk to the kitchen without a word.

What the fuck?

Violet took off her jacket and hung it up, walking around into the kitchen where Ellis was opening a cold bottle of Budweiser.

Ellis tossed the cap into the trash can and walked past Violet, not even looking at her, and heading through the living room out onto the balcony overlooking the city.