The Art of Playing Pretend (On Hold)

2: Xander

I am going to kill Matt. I am going to take a knife and stab him. How could he do this to Violet? He never deserved her.

I looked down at the girl who was crying into my chest. She never cries. The last time she cried was... damn. I don't even remember. She's not the kind of person to just break down. She never lets her guard down.

"Xander," Vi said, with her voice shaking.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Can you take me home?" She asked as her voice cracked.

"Of course."

********

"I am going to kill Matt," Ashton said, clutching his fists.

"Dad, stop," Vi said.

"No," Ashton said. "He hurt you. I'm going to kill him." Vi stayed quiet. "No, you still like him, don't you?" Vi pressed her lips into a thin line and slightly nodded. "What?! Why?!"

"I don't know dad! I just can't get over someone I dated for three years that quickly!" Vi said.

"Don't tell me you still love him," I said. Vi shrugged. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Ugh! You guys are so annoying! All I need is some comfort and you're judging me. I'm leaving." And Violet stomped up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door closed.

"Violet!" Ashton yelled. When she didn't answer back he groaned and rubbed his face with his hands. "I don't know what to do Xander."

"Just give it some time, Uncle Ash. She'll come around." I patted his back.

"Hopefully," he responded. "I have to go pick up Vi's mom from the airport, can you watch out for Vi?"

"Yeah, of course." Once Uncle Ash was out the house I slowly walked to Violet's room. I was out of line, I should be comforting. It's just that I don't understand how she could still love him after this. And I hate to say it, but this isn't the first time. I walked in on Matt kissing another girl a few months ago. The only reason I didn't tell V was because I didn't want to see her hurt. Stupid, I know.

Once I got to her room I knocked on her door. When she didn't answer, I grabbed the door knob, turned it slowly, and creaked the door open.

I saw Violet sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. She was silently crying while looking at a picture in her left hand. I knew it was a picture of Matt and her. She always kept a lot of pictures of them together in her room. She touched the picture with her fingertips. "I thought you loved me," she whispered.

I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes. Pain struck my heart. It hurt me so much to she here like this. Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to kill him. I lightly knocked on her slightly opened door. "Vi, can I come in please?"

"No, I look like shit," she grumbled.

"Vi, I've known you since before I could even remember things. I really don't care if you like shit."

"Okay...you can come in..."

I slowly walked in and saw Violet looking at me, following my every move. I walked to her bed and sat down next to her. "Good thing we don't have homework, right?"

"Yeah," she chuckled. "This really sucks."

"I know," I said. Vi looked down at the picture of Matt and her again. It was from the time Matt took Vi to Disneyland. She was smiling to the camera while Matt was kissing her cheek. She needed to stop looking at it. I carefully took the photo out of her hands and set it aside. She didn't try to get it back. Then I scooted closer and slowly wrapped arms around her. She quickly wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tightly. She hid her face in the crook of my neck. We didn't talk. I just held her.

********

"This is so good," Vi said as she scooped another scoop of mint ice cream out the carton.

I laughed. "It is a great cure." I scooped some and ate it.

Vi smiled and placed her spoon down. "Thank you, Xander."

"For what?" I asked.

"For being here, for the ice cream you went out and bought. Basically for everything."

I smiled. "Anytime."

Vi pressed her lips together and grabbed her spoon. "So," she said. "How was your day?"

I laughed. "Nothing special. A few girls have asked for pictures."

"Really? That's weird."

"Wouldn't you want to take a picture with the son of a celebrity?"

"True."

"But I bet it's also because I'm so hot and sexy," I smirked.

"Don't know what you're talking about," she said.

I put my hand to me heart. "Ouch, shots have been fired."

"Shut up," she slapped my shoulder. "But honesty, did you have a good day?"

"Yeah, it was okay, boring, but okay."

"Yay, at least someone had a good day," I said.

"Lizzy didn't?" he asked.

"No," I said. "She's been out of it since we saw Danny."

"She always gets out of it when he's mentioned."

"She really does miss him, doesn't she?" I asked.

Vi sighed. "Yes, yes she does."

********

"So I've come up with this plan," Vi said to me.

"A plan for what?" I frowned.

"I don't think you're going to like it or go along with it."

"Then why did you call me?"

"Because it involves you and Lizzy won't answer my calls."

"Oh...okay. What is it?" I asked.

"Okay well before I tell you, I beg you please, don't judge me."

"You're starting to scare me," I said.

I took a breath in and let it out. "I'm going to get a fake boyfriend so I can get Matt back."

I've never been so confused.

"What?! Why?!" I exclaimed.

"Because I love him ," she said.

"And how does this effect me?"

"You're going to help me get him back."

"What?!" I yelled. "I am not helping you."

"Please, all you need to be is my fake boyfriend," she pleaded.

"What? I'm confused."

"So Matt can get jealous and want me back."

Why would she even consider that? Ugh, I just want to be her real one.

"Violet, no. I can't do that."

"But why-" I cut her off.

"Vi, I care about you. I really do. And because of that, I don't think I should help you get back with someone who caused you so much pain. I'm sorry," I stood up and started to head out. "I need to go." I left her room, grabbed my backpack, walked out of her house and started to walk home.

Sorry, Uncle Ash...

********

A/N I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this chapter; it kind of sucks. But thank you so much for reading! Until next time, goodbye!

-Lauren