My Violet Connection

Chapter 2: A phantom punch

"Show me your best confident yet uninterested look"

Rachel had pulled me to a halt just outside the pub, which had only been a short five minute walk from the school. It looked like a small motel, one that my father probably frequented with his friends to watch sports over beers.

I let my face go slack except for my lips, trying to purse them to look like the mouth of a grown woman.

She grit her teeth with furrowed brows, pushing at the corners of my mouth.

"Ok...so that's more resting bitch face mixed with just waking up. Not quite what I was thinking"

I pushed her hands off, already cranky that she'd dragged me into this mess.

"Why does my face matter? I thought it was going to be easy to get in" I pointed at her accusingly.

Her hands waved frantically for a moment, like she was panicked I was going to leave her at the last hurdle.

"It is going to be easy...I just wanted to be safe" She smiled sheepishly, shrugging her tanned shoulders, a warm caramel that contrasted the white frills of her top.

It looked a lot nicer than my plain wine coloured t-shirt thrown over black jeans. I probably looked like I was trying to be edgy wearing jeans in this weather, and edginess would not help me look older. Before I could ask if we had time to go home for me to change, I noticed a boy walking towards us, waving to the man standing at the door as he left the building.

Rachel lit up, a familiar pink blush coming to her cheeks as her eyes sparkled. I quickly brushed myself down before standing tall, ready to handle any introductions.

"Rach! Glad you could make it" He jogged up to us, holding his muscled arms out wide.

The broad shoulders, white toothy grin and black hair cut short, he looked like a poster boy for a sports team. In fact I was ready to bet that he was part of one of school's teams, Rachel always did like the sporty type.

He looked at me for a second, smile remaining plastered on his face to my relief.

"Phoebe, right? I'm Ryan, captain of the school's soccer team"

Bingo.

He did look slightly familiar, but then again I didn't pay much attention to our school's sporting activities.

I gave what I hoped was a friendly smile, "Nice to meet you...so you guys are all 18?"

A throaty laugh filled the air, "You were right Rach, she's a sensible one"

Rachel punched his arm playfully while my face burst into flames. What had my best friend been telling this guy?

Did I come off as a huge nerd? God, I'd prefer edgy to nerdy.

He must have seen my face because he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, shooting me a charismatic and apologetic smile.

"Sorry sorry, yeah the gang are all old enough to be here. But you guys will be fine, you're only a couple months off anyways"

I opened my mouth but quickly shut it as Rachel shot me daggers that sent a chill down my spine. Right, obviously it wouldn't be a good idea to tell him that Rachel and I were the babies of our grade, we both had another year and a bit before we'd legally be allowed in this place.

Rachel gripped his arm with another smile, battering her eyelashes so hard I thought she'd start a mini tornado.

"So you'll get us in?"