Flowers and Darkness

Chapter 1

"See you later Vi."

I looked over at my older brother and forced a small smile. "Easier said than done. Megan's going to hate me now."

"She's not going going to hate you. Even if she does, so what?" Aaron stretched and leaned back against the driver's car seat.

"So what?" I gaped at him. "Everyone loves her! So that means..."

"They're not going to hate you. You're a nice girl. Who would hate you?" His best friend Dean jutted in. I blushed at his comment.

Since I could remember Aaron and Dean had been best friends and since I could remember I've always had a crush on him. He definitely had that tall, dark and handsome thing going on. I could always count on Dean to side with me when Aaron was giving me a hard time. He was an only child from what I knew, so unfortunately for me I'd become little sister-zoned.

Aaron ran a hand through his auburn hair and sighed. "Do you want me to call and talk to Megan? I don't want her holding this all against you..."

He looked out the window and chewed on his lip in thought. My brother and Megan had been dating for the past two years. To say they were the stereotypical it-couple would be an understatement. So equally so, when Aaron finally told her he had been cheating on her with a girl called Emily that we'd met whilst on our annual family holiday, she was devastated.

Truth be told he was doing Megan a favour. As much as I loved my brother, no one deserved being cheated on. Me and Megan don't run in the same crowds and she isn't the nicest person to be around, but she's always nice to me. I guess was might now be more appropriate.

I frowned and shook my head.

"It's fine," I said reaching down to pick up my backpack. "I'll see you in a few weeks. Thanks for the lift guys."

"We'll miss you," Dean winked and I blushed harder. "Don't get up to too much mischief while we're away."

I got out Aaron's silver car and he saluted me before driving off. They were headed on a three hour drive to their university campus. They'd plan to come back home to see me on my birthday, which meant the house would be a little quieter until then. Our parents were rarely home and over the years I had become used to the work trips away and the spontaneous dinners they had to attend. It used to bother me, but I had eventually adjusted. It was an unwritten rule in the house: as long as we don't mention it then everything's fine.

A few people peered through the windows at Aaron and Dean in vague recognition. They were only two years older, but during their time at the school they had made an impression.

I untucked my long hair from behind my ears and used it to shield my face, before walking over to my locker.

I felt a cool hand pressed firmly onto my shoulder.

I turned to see my best friend Ellie and swallowed hard in relief.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," I muttered.

She rolled her eyes and gave me a small one arm hug.

"It'll be alright. They'll forget," she said comfortingly.

"What happened?" I turned to see Jayden standing in front of me and raking a hand through his shaggy brown hair.

I only met Jay a few years ago, but we clicked and he quickly turned into one of my best friends.

His green eyes probed mine and I sighed before beginning to open my mouth to explain. I froze slightly when I saw a familiar face.

"Hi Violet," Megan said in passing with a group of three other girls. She slowed down her walk. "Nice shoes."