Finding You (name to be changed)

Don't Abandon Me...

Violet practically skipped back to her table.
"What's got you smiling?" Ebony questioned, tucking a curl behind her ear.
"よかった," (I'm happy) she grinned.
Daichi laughed. "What happened back there?"
"I got a partner for the project," she almost squealed.
"Who?" Her friends asked in unison.
"Casey Ridgewood," she beamed proudly.
"Wait, the new kid?" Ebony asked.
Violet nodded. "And guess what, I got their number." She shook her phone at them.
"Why did I know they were your type," Daichi giggled.
"You know she has a thing for androgyny," Ebony smiled.
Violet sat down and started reading The Bell Jar and smiled the whole time.

"Yo guys, my plug just texted me about a new location," Violet said reading her message. Her plug wasn't a drug dealer. He was a dude she met at an abandoned property a few years back. He texts her with new places for her to check out every now and then. Her friends joked that he was her plug.
"Where at?" Daichi asked looking over her should.
"A place called Clarkewell," Violet read, "anyone heard of it?"
Daichi shook his head. Ebony thought for a second.
"Wait, isn't that where that old lady lived? Minnie Clarkewell or something?" Ebony shook her yellow painted finger nail in thought.
"Oh yeah! The one who was sent to an insane asylum?" Violet explained, wide eyed.
"I wonder if she ever left it?" Ebony questioned out loud.
"So when are we going?" Daichi asked.
"Friday night?" Violet raised her eyebrows.
They nodded.
She smiled, "Okay guys, I'm heading to work, see you tomorrow," she waved on her way out.

While Violet was working her shift at the local coffee shop when she received a message. She decided to take her break. She grabbed her matcha iced latte and sat down in the break room. She smiled when she seen who had texted her.

PrincessCase🥀:
Hey when did you wanna start that project?

Me:
Hi! Whenever is fine with me. Except I'm a little busy on Friday night.

PrincessCase🥀:
What's Friday night? If you don't mind me asking. 😌

Me:
Promise you won't laugh?😔

PrincessCase🥀:
Vi, I wouldn't laugh at you.🤨

Omg they just used my nickname, I thought with a smile.

Me:
Well, me and my friends go explore abandoned buildings sometimes and we're going to one then.

PrincessCase🥀:
Oh really? That's so cool. Mind if I come with?

PrincessCase🥀:
It's totally cool if not. Sorry for inviting myself. That was dumb.

Me:
No, it's okay! You can totally come if you want!! Let me just check if it's cool with my friends and I'll get back to you at school. 😊

PrincessCase🥀:
Okayyy☺️
What if we worked on our project Saturday afternoon?

Me:
Sounds good. Your place or mine?

The typing bubble popped up and went down, and again, and again.

PrincessCase🥀:
Your place if that's okay?

I wonder if they have a bad home life? I thought to myself. I shook the thought away, hoping I was wrong.

Me:
Cool with me. Well I gotta go back to work. See ya, PrincessCase☺️

PrincessCase🥀:
Have a good rest of your shift Violet🌈 (that's your name in my phone btw)😌

Violet smiled at that last text and put her phone up. This was going to be fun. Her friends wouldn't mind Casey joining them. It would also give her an excuse to get to know them better.

The next day, on the ride to school, she asked her friends if Casey could join them.
"Oh yeah, that's cool," Ebony nodded, being her easy going self.
"大丈夫" (it's okay) Daichi nodded.
"Thanks guys, I'll tell them today in English," Violet beamed.
Violet decided to read more of her book before class started. She was trying to distract herself from anticipation of talking to Casey again.
They walked in the room so confidently. This time they were wearing baggy jeans and a blue crop top with a cardigan hanging loosely. Their hair was in a messy bun today. Casey looked really good. Even their eyeliner was amazing. They smiled at Violet and made their way to their seat.
"Hey," Violet said, trying to pick her jaw off the floor.
But before Casey could make it to their seat, the devil walked up to them and put a hand up.
"'Casey' is it?" Bethany asked with finger quotes.
Casey just stared at her.
"What are you anyway?" She crossed her arms. Blonde hair pushed to her back.
"If you must kn-" they were cut off.
"Wait, don't tell me," she started, "you're trans aren't you?" She asked in a disgusted tone, looking at them up and down.
"Casey, you don't have to tell her anything you aren't comfortable with," Violet jumped between them. Putting space between the two.
"No, it's okay, Vi," Casey smiled.
"You'll never be a real girl," Bethany replied sticking her nose up.
"I don't want to be a girl," Casey smugly replied.
"Wh-what?" Bethany stuttered, confused by Casey's answer.
"I'm non-binary," Casey smiled, "I go by all pronouns, so you can literally not offend me."
Violet smiled at Casey and faced Bethany with crossed arms.
"Go away now," Violet tried to shoo her, "Casey answered your question."
Bethany found her seat, still confused but pissed.
Casey smiled and took their seat. "Thanks for that," they said.
"No problem," Violet grinned, "oh! By the way, my friends are cool with you coming tonight," she said.
"Oh awesome," Casey smiled a full smile. "Where is it anyway?"
"A place called Clarkewell," Violet told them, "suppose to be haunted by a lady who was sent to an insane asylum."
"Sounds creepy," they laughed.
Little did they know, Bethany was listening in on their conversation. And she just so happened to live not that far away...

DUN DUN DUN
😂