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's brows knitted together, her gaze locking on the sight just beyond the courtyard steps—Jackie and Alex. They weren't just talking. They were all over each other. Alex leaned against the railing, his hand brushing hers, their laughter too loud, too easy, too close. Violet blinked, stunned.
"Huh," she muttered under her breath. "When did that happen?"
Beside her, Grace let out a sharp snort, slinging her backpack higher on her shoulder. "Girl, you've been so MIA. That's been a thing basically since the day she moved here."
Violet's head snapped toward her, her voice pitching higher than she meant it to. "What?!"
Grace smirked knowingly, enjoying Violet's disbelief. "Yep. Day one. I swear. They've been circling each other like magnets."
"No way." Violet shook her head, almost laughing at herself. "How did I miss that? I'm literally over there all the time."
"Exactly my point."
Violet pressed her lips together, her eyes flicking back to Jackie and Alex again, still not fully processing it. She usually prided herself on how easily she could read a room—she was the girl who always picked up on the tiny details, the mood shifts, the glances no one else noticed. But this? She hadn't even seen it forming right under her nose. Where the hell has my head been these past few weeks? she thought.
Grace nudged her gently as they wove through the crowds toward Violet's locker. "Speaking of you being MIA—how are you actually going?" she asked, her voice softer now, less teasing, more genuine.
"I'm going," Violet admitted with a heavy sigh as she spun her locker dial. The metal door creaked open, and she shoved her books inside with more force than necessary. "My siblings are back, the house is hectic, I feel like I'm being pulled in ten different directions... I'm just—" she gestured vaguely at herself, "—all over the place. I'm sorry for not being... you know, mentally here."
"You're fine." Grace linked her arm through Violet's, squeezing lightly as they moved down the hall. "Everything okay at home, though? Why are Sage and Juniper back all of a sudden?"
"Ahhhh..." Violet dragged the word out, tugging one of her braids over her shoulder like a comfort habit. "June dropped out. And Sage—well, he's Sage. He's back with his old football friends, and it's just... a lot. Everyone's a lot." Her laugh came out thin, frayed at the edges.
Grace nodded, her expression softening. "Totally understandable. If you ever need an escape, I'm here. Seriously. We could hide out at mine, binge trash TV, eat an entire family-sized bag of chips. Whatever it takes."
That made Violet smile, even if faintly. "Thank you."
Then Grace's eyes lit up, shifting topics. "Wait—did I see your car in the lot this morning? Don't tell me Cole actually fixed it."
Violet couldn't help it—the relief in her voice was genuine. "He did. Finally. Thank god."
Grace smirked slyly, tilting her head. "Uh huh. So... how are you two?"
