The Story of Us (12 page)

Violet

I was in
a deep sleep. Something that I'd not had in a long time.

“Violet, wake up!” I heard Hayden say to me. He was shaking me but I ignored him. “Nooo.” I rolled over and kicked him in the side.

“What the fuck, Violet? Someone's at the door for you, but just forget it. I'll tell Cameron to leave,” he said while walking out my door.

Cameron! I bolted up from bed and ran downstairs to our foyer. “Cammy!” I screamed while running to him.

“Hey, Violet!” He picked me up as he hugged me.

“Why are you here?” I asked him when he put me down.

“I wanted to surprise you!” he said.

“Of course you did.” I smiled at him and he set his bags on the floor. Wait, bags? “Umm . . . Cam. How long are you staying?” I asked him.

“However long you want me to. I've been really worried about you and my parents told me to come. They already talked to your mom and she's fine with it,” he told me.

“Yeah!” I jumped on him and he threw me over his shoulder. “Hey! Let me down.” I started kicking and hitting him but it was no use. He ran around my house with me screaming. After about two minutes of this, he finally put me down on the couch.

“So, how's my best friend doing?” he asked. I was trying to stay strong for everybody, but he always saw straight through that.

“It's hard,” I told him. I was looking down and twiddling my thumbs.

“Have you talked to any of them?” he asked.

I nodded. “I told all of them I couldn't see them anymore.”

“What? Violet, why would you say that?”

“Because it hurts too much! Everything reminds me of him and I can't take it anymore. I'm moving on—it's over, Cameron!” I yelled. He tried to grab me but I pushed him away. I walked straight to my room and jumped into my bed.

Once again, I began crying. I heard a couple of knocks on my bedroom door but I didn't get up. I felt someone sit on the end of the bed.

“I'm guessing you weren't planning on going to school today.” He chuckled.

I laughed too. “You guessed right.” I sat up and grabbed his hand. “Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you. I'm just tired of talking about it.”

“It's okay, Violet. I understand you are still very fragile about the whole situation,” he said, still looking down.

“Why don't you date anybody?” I asked him.

“Haven't really found any girl I've actually connected with yet. Almost everyone else I meet just cares whether I put them in a Vine or not.” He finally picked his head up and looked at me with sad eyes. “If I do, they're already taken by someone else. You know, ever since that day at the hospital, I felt some type of connection between us. I don't know if it's a sign that we are meant to be really good friends, or something else.” He stopped. “It's been driving me crazy and I need to know exactly what relationship we have together.” He started leaning in and I didn't pull away. I was having the same feelings of connection that he was and I think we both needed to know.

I wasn't nervous, but I was scared of what I was going to feel. What if he liked me but I didn't feel the same way about him? All these thoughts were racing through my head before our lips finally met.

He didn't kiss the same way Nash did. He was more gentle and moved slowly. Nash was always forceful, which I loved, but we never had simple kisses.

Cameron was simple. Cameron was sweeter.

Violet

“No!” I screamed.
I sat up in my bed and checked the time. It was 4:23 a.m. It was just a dream. I put a hand over my heart and let out a big sigh while falling back on my bed. Thank goodness it was just a dream.

“Are you okay?” Hayden swung open my door and ran toward me. That definitely woke me up.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream, that's all,” I assured him. I saw relief go through him and he relaxed.

“You know, it's so hard being your older brother!” he told me as he fell on the floor.

“Wow, thanks. And you're such a walk in the park.” I threw a pillow at him and he acted offended. He started fake crying and flailed his arms and legs on the floor. “That's it, have a tantrum.” I started laughing at him.

“Oh, Mom is coming home later this morning, so our little plan is canceled,” he told me as he walked out my door.

“Nooo,” I groaned. I threw the covers back over my head. There was no way I was going to fall back asleep. I needed to call Cameron.

After five rings he finally picked up.

“Hello,” he answered quietly. I must've woken him up.

“Hey, it's Violet,” I told him.

“Oh, hey. Is everything all right?” He immediately perked up and was talking clearly.

“I have a question,” I began.

“And I have an answer.” He chuckled.

“Funny.” I gave him a slight laugh. “I just want to make sure that you understand our relationship. I love you, but as a brother . . . nothing more than that,” I slowly told him.

“Violet, I don't like you that way. I see you too much as a sister,” he told me. Thank God.

“That's good. It's just I didn't want to put the wrong idea in your head. That's all, then,” I told him.

“Wait, you woke me up for this?” He laughed.

“Sorry. Good night, little Cam,” I told him in a baby voice.

“More like good morning. Bye, Violet,” he replied.

“Bye! Text me later,” I responded before he hung up. Well, that was a relief.

Nash

I didn't get
a lot of sleep that night. I was beyond nervous about school the next day. I wondered what everyone was going to say to me.

“Nash, I'm leaving. C'mon!” my mom yelled up the steps. Apparently, I used to drive myself, but I don't quite remember how to drive. Pathetic Nash, right?

I ran downstairs and slipped on my Sperrys before heading out the door. I hopped in the front seat before Hayes beat me to it. He complained the whole way there about how much he hated school, saying he thought it was useless. My mom just rolled her eyes and I was trying to hide my smirk.

We finally pulled up to the school. I wanted to keep a low profile, but I knew word traveled fast around there.

As soon as I got out of the car, kids started surrounding me and asking me questions. “Nash, what happened?” “Nash, I love you.” I managed to push past everyone. What the hell was going on?

I headed straight to the school's office. Luckily no one was in there.

“Hello, Mr. Grier, I'll get you set up in one second,” the secretary told me. I took the seat farthest away from the window so no one would see me.

“Okay. So here is your schedule and a map, considering you need to know where your classes are. We have talked to your teachers and since you've already passed and completed all your work so far, you will not be required to retake your classes. We do encourage you to review the previous topics to hopefully refresh your memory a little bit.”

I walked out the door and heads turned in my direction. I ignored the whispers and the looks everyone was giving me. Being famous on Vine must've attracted all the ladies.
My Vines bring all the ladies to the yard . . . What the hell, Nash? Bad joke, you should be ashamed.

I finally found my locker and saw a familiar face next to it. “Hey!” I said to her with a smile.

“Hey,” she said shortly before slamming her locker shut and walking down the hall. Did I do something?

Violet

I saw Nash
walking in my direction. I turned around quickly before he noticed me.
Please don't see me. Please don't see me.

“Hey,” I heard him say. He had a huge smile on his face.

“Hey.” I slammed my locker shut, which turned even more heads, and walked down the hallway. I blocked out everyone around me. It was just me and the clicking of my combat boots on the ground and nothing else.
Be strong, Violet, you can do this.

I managed to make it to first period without having to talk to anybody. I sat next to Annabelle, who was really my only friend at this point. I didn't say anything to her, just gave her a fake smile.

She gave me a snotty smile in return and turned her head toward Angelina. Someone was in a mood today.

The rest of the morning was terrible. Everyone wanted to talk to me and girls wanted to know if Nash was available. I rolled my eyes and pushed past them. He wasn't Nash Grier the Viner anymore, he was just Nash Grier the human.

I saw Hayden in the cafeteria and I quickened my pace to reach him and his friends. Once he saw me, he pulled out a seat for me. All of his friends' eyes were on me.

“So, how's it going?” he asked.

“Perfect!” I said sarcastically. Everyone laughed and I gave them dirty looks. “Girls are already asking me if Nash is free to date. It makes me sick.”

“You don't have to act tough around us; we understand, Violet,” one of his friends said. I gave him a slight smile and looked down.

“Well, if you are available, do you wanna hook up Friday night?” another one said. The whole table went silent.

“What the fuck, Nathan! One, she is my fucking sister. Two, she still loves Nash, so get over yourself,” Hayden yelled at him.

The whole room went silent. “Thanks, Hayden.” I sneered at him before pushing out my chair. Of course we were the table farthest away from the door, so I could see everyone looking at me.

“She still loves him. Wow, she needs to seriously get over him and not be a clingy ex-girlfriend,” I heard people whisper. I stopped walking and turned around. I saw Hayden staring at me only a few feet away.

“I'm sorry. But it's the truth, you still love him,” he said. I looked around and everyone was silent and staring at us. Hayden started walking up to me but I pushed him away. He looked at me in shock.

“Just leave me alone! I'm trying to be strong. I'm trying to move on, Hayden.” I felt the tears start to sting my eyes. My vision was becoming blurry.

I turned away from him and started walking toward the door. I stopped with my hand on the bar. I couldn't push it. I felt myself going weak. I closed my eyes and leaned my head forward. I didn't care if everyone was staring at me. I couldn't take it. I still loved him and it was killing me inside.

I felt the door open and I started falling forward. I luckily caught myself before falling on top of whoever was in front of me.

“Violet, are you okay?” I would always know whom that voice belonged to.

“I'm fine.” I wiped away my tears and walked right past him. That would shut people up.

Nash

I never used
to eat lunch in the cafeteria, but maybe the other Nash did. After much contemplation I finally forced myself to push open the doors.

I was startled at who was standing right there, and she almost fell on top of me. “Violet, are you okay?” I asked her. I could tell she had been crying.

She wiped her eyes and mumbled that she was fine before pushing past me. Why was she trying to ignore me? I looked in the cafeteria and everyone was staring at me. What just happened?!

There was a very tall and strong-looking guy walking toward me, with an angry look on his face. He stopped when he was right in front of me. He looked familiar.

He pushed past me as well and ran down the hallway where Violet went.

Everyone started motioning me to sit near them, but there was one girl in particular who stood out to me. Annabelle.

Nash

“Hey, Nash!” She
welcomed me to her table and had a huge smile on her face.

I smiled back and said hi to everyone else at the table. I looked back over at Annabelle and she was staring at me. I felt her hand touch my thigh and my heart start to beat faster. She began talking to her friends and looked quite pleased with herself.

I secretly had a crush on Annabelle for a very long time. I didn't even know if she knew that I existed. She never used to talk to me and I never had enough courage to talk to her.

“Nash!” She nudged me.

“Huh?” I must have been zoning out because everyone was staring at me.

“What do you want to do Friday night?” she asked me.

“Umm . . . do you want to go to the movies, with me?” I slowly asked her.

I saw a big smile form again on her face. She reached down and grabbed my hand to hold it. “I would love to, Nash.” She then leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I felt a blush creep up on my cheeks and I looked down quickly to hide it.

Hayden

I felt bad
for Violet, I really did. I knew how strong she was trying to be. She had to be strong, not only for herself but for her fans and Nash's. She was practically taking care of them for him.

I saw her stop at the door and I knew her heart was breaking inside. All of a sudden the door swung open, and speak of the devil, it was the little blue-eyed boy himself. She pushed past him, which surprised a lot of people, while he just stood there in shock.

I started walking up to him and I could sense the fear in his eyes. Man, he was really acting like a lost puppy. I pushed past him and bolted down the hallway after Violet.

After turning down another hallway, I saw her sitting on a bench with her hand over her mouth. She was staring at something on her phone. I sat next to her, and when she saw me she tried to put it away but I grabbed it from her.

It was a text message from a girl named Angelina. It had a picture of Annabelle's hand on Nash's thigh while she kissed him on the cheek. Underneath, Angelina had written, “Look who asked Annabelle out on a date Friday night. :)”

Violet had sad eyes and was just staring off into space. She bolted up when the bell rang. “Do you want to go home?” I asked her.

She shook her head. “I don't want people to think I'm a baby or a coward, Hayden.” She grabbed her bag and headed down the hallway to her next class.

A couple of seconds later, I lost her in the crowd of kids coming down the hallway. I started heading down the hallway when I heard a loud shriek of annoying laughter. Turning my head, I saw where it was coming from.

“What the hell is your problem?” I asked Annabelle as I walked up to her.

“Do I know you, handsome?” She was trying to act all flirty with me and grabbed my hand. I pulled it away from her.

“You were a terrible friend to Violet.” I sneered at her.

“I don't care about her. I let go of Nash once, and I've regretted it to this day. This is my only chance to get him back. But . . .” She started moving her hand down my chest, until I swatted it away. “You seem rough. Why don't you call me sometime.” She winked at me.

“Like I ever would go for a whore like you. Just stop hurting my sister, got it?” I told her. She look like the wind had been knocked out of her. Her friends huffed and grabbed Annabelle's hand as they pulled her away.

I gave her a satisfied smile before walking to my locker. I was pretty pleased with myself. From what I'd already heard about her, it was about time someone said it to her face.

Annabelle

He was her
brother! Oh my gosh. I flirted with him and they were related! I can't believe I ever pretended to be friends with her. Well, I only did it to get Nash back, and it looked like I just did.

Violet

I managed to
slip into my seat seconds before the bell rang. That was close.

“Hello, Mr. Grier. Your seat is directly behind Ms. Burns,” I heard the teacher announce. I looked up and saw Nash walking toward me. He gave me a small smile before sitting down.

“Look . . .” I said, while turning around to face him. “I'm sorry for being rude to you earlier. People have really been getting on my nerves.”

He looked up at me with his soft eyes. Oh, how I missed those blue eyes. I missed him so much.

“It's okay. I can't imagine how much stuff is going through that head of yours.” We both laughed a little bit. “Do you want to just start over?” he asked.

“I would love to. Hello, my name is Violet.” I smiled and held out my hand to him. He shook it and seemed glad. I felt that bolt of sparks when we touched. Hadn't felt them in a long time.

“It's very nice to meet you, Violet. My name is Nash Grier.” We both started laughing again until the teacher gave us the look. We all knew what that look was.

After an hour and a half of complete torture, the bell finally rang. I stood up and quickly gathered my things. I noticed Nash pulling out his map to find his next class.

I grabbed the map from him. “We have next period together, too,” I told him. He flashed me a smile and let me lead him down the hallway.

It was nice being able to talk to him again, but it sure hurt. It hurt so much.

He was going to sit next to me, but one of Ryder's friends scooted over and took his seat. Ever since Ryder was switched to another class, these kids have been pestering me. Nash used to stand up for me, but now I was an open target.

“Hey, Violet,” one of them said to me, all flirty. I didn't even bother to try to remember their names. He winked at me and blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it but instead showed them who was number one with my middle finger.

He and his buddies started to chuckle. He scooted closer to me and whispered in my ear, “You're mine now. No more Nash to protect you this time.”

I pushed him away while looking over his head at Nash. He was right. Nash wasn't going to protect me. I turned back and noticed he had a smirk on his face. Perfect, just perfect.