Masks

Chapter 22

I lived on with these weights,
Which got heavier as each day passed.

  ~~~

  "On Christmas? Sure."

  "Wait, really?"

  "Why so surprised?" Violet laughed. "I don't intend on spending it at the house—heck, Mrs. Waters probably works on Christmas too."

  "Yeah, she's probably gonna be at the Christmas event in the next town over." Quinn remembered. "But you sure it's okay if you don't ask her?"

  "Most likely. I mean, she did let me go with you last time. Wait, where are you taking me anyway?"

  Quinn smiled. "You'll see."

  ~~~

  That guy, I swear he has a lot more tricks up his sleeve than he thinks.

  Violet sat in her room, waiting for Quinn to pick her up and bring her to wherever he was taking her. She had his gift tucked away in her bag, neatly wrapped in Christmas-themed paper. She planned on giving to him sometime during their little trip.

  I guess it kinda feels like a date, huh... N-No! It's not like that! We're just hanging out as friends would, y'know? Like last weekend—yeah just like that. Not a date. Definitely not—

  "Violet! Quinn's here!"

  "Ah, o-okay!"

  She nearly fell down the stairs as she tried to clear her thoughts, and almost slipped twice while running down the hallway. She was panting once she got to the front door, Quinn and Irene witnessing most of what just happened. They looked at each other before bursting into laughter, Violet pouting at them. Way to go Violet. You just humiliated yourself in front of your friends.

  "Well, you must be in a hurry, so I won't keep you for long." Irene said, trying to keep in her laughter. "So, Quinn, I heard you invited Violet out today. Very bold of you, is there anything behind—"

  "Irene!" Violet yelled, both her and Quinn's faces reddening. "Well, we're leaving now, so I'llseeyoulaterbye!" And shut the door behind her, sighing in relief.

  ~~~

  "You seem to have quite a close relationship with her," Quinn pointed out. "What was her name again? Irene?"

  "Yeah, she helped me out when Mrs. Waters made me do chores in the house over the last week of summer." Violet said. "I'm sorry about earlier though, she can be a bit merciless with the teasing."

  "Maybe I can learn a thing or two from her." Quinn smiled evilly. "It could help me when it comes to you."

  "Stay away from her."

  Quinn laughed. "I'm kidding. But, I do think I already bug you pretty well."

  Violet pouted. "In that case, I really do have to get lessons from her."

  On their way there, Quinn avoided the entire topic of where he was taking her. When she asked, he completely ignored her question, only answering her with a smile, leaving her irritated.

  They had been walking down Main Street for almost half an hour. The downtown area was just a little bit more crowded than usual, but that didn't change much about its emptiness. Most people wouldn't recommend doing their Christmas shopping in Scarlettview, but for some people who appreciated its old-fashioned vibe, like Violet did, decided to walk around downtown in hopes of finding gifts that some people like themselves would appreciate.