The Trip Through Love

Free Food

Ethan, Violet, July, and Jacob entered the gas station talking about who was paying and what they should get. There were 3 or 4 other people inside like any other day.

"I'm telling you, we need trail mix," said July. "We can worry about the small candy later."

It was actually calm for once, even Violet and Jacob weren't roasting each other, since all four of them just woke up. Ethan's hair was a little poofed up when he woke up and Violet tried to flatten it out before Ethan quickly "yeeted" out of the car away from her. His face the same tint of red.

While they were choosing snacks, they heard a sudden BAM. Two people abruptly barged through the doors. They were armed, one with a gun, and one with a knife with a point that looked like it could slice through metal. The criminals shouted at everyone to get down, and demanded the cashier to give them money. The cashier cowered, trembling in fear as he was then threatened with the blade.

"Stay here," Violet whispered to the group. "Stay with Jacob. I'll go to the front."

July and Ethan looked like they wanted to object, but Jacob said, "Don't worry, she can handle this. Look at her face."

July and Ethan looked at Violet and noticed she didn't have the casual, lazy look she always had on.

Instead, she had on a fierce expression and an intimidating aura seemed to surround her. Her expression then shifted into a poker face as she faced a nearby shelf full of snacks, acting as if she was trying to decide which bag to buy.

The robber with the gun noticed that Violet looked as if she did not notice the criminals, or care, even after the cashier was taken hostage.

The gunman nudged her back and said, "Hey, I said get down." He then pointed his weapon at Violet's stomach and gave a menacing smile. "Unless you need something, little lady?"

Violet chuckled at this, gave a sweet yet chilling smile, and said, "I have a higher chance of surviving if you shoot me in the stomach. You know that, right?" When the man's smile dropped, she continued. "Here, let me help you try again, sir."

Violet gripped the gun moved and moved it to her head, saying, "My blood'll go everywhere and show you mean business." Her eyes were wide and full of madness.

The gunman hesitated, his hand shaking. He tried to take away the gun while replying, "You're crazy, you bitch."

This made Violet stop smiling. Her facial expression was once again unreadable. "Are you going to shoot? Or are you too scared?" She took a step closer, and the gunman scrambled back. "Just to remind you, you don't have anything covering your face. Security cameras are sure to identify you, and not only would you face charges for theft, but also my murder. You'll have to face the consequences eventually. You did this while knowing that, right?"

The gunman failed to answer, looking like a schoolboy who had been caught sleeping during class, and in that moment, Violet took that chance to take the gun away from the man, and hit his head with the butt of it, knocking him out. The other man charged at her with a knife which Violet barely dodged, resulting in a little nick on her cheek. The man was about to charge at Violet again, when Jacob pushed in and punched him. The man collapsed, as the blow had hit a pressure point in his head, and it was silent. Customers slowly got up shakily. Some thanked them, especially Violet and Jacob, and others picked up their phones to call the police.

"I could've done that myself, dumbass," Violet said stubbornly. "You were supposed to protect July and Ethan like the 'knight and shining armor' you are."

"Couldn't let you take all the spotlight," Jacob chuckled. "I need some credit too.. Hey, don't walk just away!"

The two walked back to where July and Ethan stood. July checked if Jacob was okay while Ethan was in a daze. The Violet he just saw was just like when he first met her. The bold goddess that didn't step down to anyone. She had worn the same fierce and crazy look she had just like when she beat his bullies. Ethan truly admired her, and was willing to stay by her side even if he was weak and pathetic. Violet saw his gaze and snapped him out of his flashback, making him blush slightly. He took in her face, and let out a small gasp.

"Violet! You're hurt!" He scrambled around the store, looking for a band aid, before snatching up a box and ripping it open as if it was the last lifeboat to take them off a shipwreck. He quickly peeled one and placed it on Violet's cheek, before smoothing it out. Then he seemed to realize what he was doing and that his hand was on Violet's cheek. He quickly pulled it away and looked at his feet, embarrassed. She just looked at him, almost wondrous, and then beamed at him and pulled him into a hug. Everyone was silent, looking at the two, until July let out a small "awww." The tension broke, and Violet pulled away, but kept looking at him with a different light in her eyes, softer. She then gave him her iconic lazy yet charming smile she always had on. Ethan felt his heart skip a beat for sure knowing that he made Violet smile.

"So.. are we gonna get some snacks?" July asks.

July, and Jacob had finished getting what they were going to snack on during the trip, and were already walking back. July was praising Jacob on how he helped out, but deep inside, she was relieved. When she noticed that Jacob disappeared from her side during the fight, she became scared shitless. She hoped he didn't get hurt, but couldn't figure out why. The feeling was more than what a friend would feel. July couldn't figure out her feelings for Jacob for years, and this jumbled up her feelings even more. He was just so caring. He and Violet put their lives on end for the rest of us. Do I like him, or is he just a good friend to me?, she thought. She shook it off and got in the car.

July got in the car, "You guys will not believe what-", she stopped in the middle of her sentence. Joon and Palak were fighting over the last Cheez-it in the car, and July had just seen Palak's hand shootout and slap Joon. July smirked and said, "I can help with that." She then proceeded to snatch the bag out of their hands and dump the rest in her mouth. "Are you kidding me?!" Palak and Joon screamed in unison.

Meanwhile, Violet and Ethan stayed behind to get even more food. Apparently, the cashier gave them the food for free as a 'thank you' for helping. July and Jacob just got the snacks they planned to buy in the first place, but Violet and Ethan seized the opportunity. They got twice the amount of food they originally wanted, and extra candy that were cheap yet delicious. Of course, while picking up some LifeSavers, Violet couldn't help but quote a Vine, saying to Ethan, "Lifé Saviars." This caused them to burst out laughing, and a few stares were directed towards them.

Joon and Palak stomped out the car, away from July, back into the store. There, they spotted Ethan and Violet doubled over, laughing. Palak raised her eyebrow at the pair before glancing at Joon. At the same time, Joon turned toward her, the exact expression on his face. Then they each grabbed one wrist each (Palak took Violet's, Jacob took Ethan's) and dragged them out of the station to the car.

"Why did you guys get so much? Is that why you took so long? We don't have that

kind of money or time to waste," said Joon.

"Did you cut yourself Violet?" Palak said, feeling Violet's cheek, "Are you okay?"

Violet rolled her eyes and swatted Palak's hand away. "I'm fine Mom. It's just a scratch." Palak pursed her lips in such a mom like expression, that Ethan had to stifle a laugh.

"But you guys won't believe what just happened," Ethan exclaimed.

"Well, tell us in the car, because we don't have too much time left to spend at this gas

station," Palak groaned.

When they all finally told the story, it resulted in "no way", "what?", "crazy", and "you did that?" being repeated over and over again. While Palak was being the mom friend she was, Joon kept insisting that he would have done the same if he was there.