I basically lived on the internet considering I was without my sister Rose. I was sat at the table, surfing the interwebs on my laptop, searching for jobs. One in particular looked like a lot of fun, it had a lot to do with the internet. It was for a Youtube channel that I'd only heard of, the channel was called 'Mortem3r'. The job description was 'Looking for fairly fit young women, with age ranging from 19 – 30, to help out Suzy, her husband Arin and friends on their channels- any nationality.' Well, I was certainly fit as I went to the gym every other weekend and spent the whole day there, dawn until dusk. I used to go with my sister more often but since Rose and my mother move away, after a very serious argument, life wasn't the same. I am normally alone because I live with my dad who is part of the army.
The UK was not the best place to live considering the benefits system, I still got some though. Anyway the job was exactly what I needed until I saw the employers location, the US. Luckily for me, I could talk to dad about it because he was getting 6 months off and was at the end of the last month of the holidays given.
"Sweetheart, go for it. Just remember whatever you do, I'm proud of you." My dad, Marcel, approved of everything she did after his divorce.
"Dad," I said. "That means I have to leave you on your own. Who'll pay your bills a-and bring your friends together for 'Welcome Back' parties."
"Violet, you know as long as you're happy, I'm happy. The parties were for you more than they were for me. The bills will be sorted out and if this job will make you happy, go for it." My father didn't care for anything if it meant I couldn't be happy. "You know that video chat you do with me when I'm at the front lines… What is it called, Skip, I think it was…"
"Do you mean Skype, dad?" I giggled.
"Yeah, Skype, that's it. We can do that more often!" Marcel encouraged.
"What about living conditions." I asked, desperate to know everything.
"I have a lot of money in the secret savings account I've been keeping for you, you know. For something like this." I beamed at my dad.
"And you'd really be ok, on your own?" I looked at my dad hoping he'd say yes.
"Daddy won't ever be on his own, Violet, not when you're my daughter!" He chuckled. "So it's decided. Get an application in for that job. No if's or but's, I'll help you!"
"Aww, dad, you're the best!" Even though I was 25, my father could still pick me up.
My application was more then what they needed. I'd once applied for a job at Buzz Feed but since I don't like doing research, I didn't get the job. The reply from the employer was almost instant, it said: 'OMG, your perfect for us, we need to quickly interview you, what's your Skype name?'
I messaged them back saying: 'It's PillarPanda89, let me get ready first. Can I just ask, Gothic or Steampunk?"
'Gothic, all the way. How long will you be?' The employer messaged back.
'45 minutes, I'll message you over Skype when I'm done." I was beyond excited, I rushed up stairs and picked one of my 9 Victorian Gothic dresses, my beloved corset and skirt frame out of my wardrobe and changed. Meanwhile dad was setting up outside in the garden, by the violet patch, where I'd sit. One thing was for certain, the sun would burn my skin as I'm so pale, so after I was finished changing I grabbed my big black and purple lace parasol and headed out in to the garden.
'Okay, I'm ready now' She messaged and waited.
The Skype call sound informed me, it was time.
"Hi, my name is Suzy!" The women said.
"Hi, so this is an interview, right? Sorry, I'm not too much of a people person… hehe." I barely ever went outside, this was the first time in a fortnight.
"Yes, this is an interview! I'm just gonna ask you a quick set of questions, ok?" Suzy said.
"Ok, let's get started!" I answered them all very truthfully.
"So, can I have your full name, complete with middle names, please?" Suzy asked.
"My name is Violet Lisianthus Dahlia Hellebore Veronica Blackwell, yeah it's a long name." I was out of breathe just by saying my full name.
"Oh, that's fascinating but your third middle name Hellebore how do you spell it?" Suzy was writing everything down.
"H-E-double L-E-B-O-R-E. It's pretty interesting isn't it? And to answer any on-coming questions yes they are all purple and black flower names." I sighed and looked behind at the violet patch.
"Oh, so, why all the flower names?" Suzy asked.
"Well, my mother is a florist." I replied.
"So, how is your mom?" Suzy asked.
"We- we don't get along,"
"I see, I see. Any other relatives, please name them?"
"Well, my mam's name is Flora Iris Lobelia Japonica Bush she, like I've said, is a florist. My sister Rose Heirloom Plumeria Hydrangea Bush, who is also a florist and my father Marcel Marco Blackwell is a British Army soldier."
"Oh, your father is an English troop, huh? Remind me not to mess with you, hehe!" Suzy Joked. "When are you coming to the US?"
"Two moments, let me ask my dad." I got out of the black metal porch chair and went out of view.
"Dad," I asked. "When am I allowed to go to LA?"
"Anytime that you want, I'll get you flight tickets for 2 weeks' time and visa if you want!"
"Are you sure, dad?" I got very inquisitive.
"Of course I'm sure!" He said. "Would you like me to then?"
"Of course, father. When would that be for my employer?"
"2 weeks and 1 day, I'll get the ticket booked and go to the bank for your money."
"I'll go and tell her!" I skipped bear footed back in to the garden, but when I reached the camera view I put both hands on the parasol and began to walk. When I next looked at the screen, Suzy was doodling.
"Sorry, I took so long. Yes I will be in LA in 2 weeks and 1 day. Do you know any local hotels?" I asked.
"There's no need, you can stay with me and my husband Arin."
"Will that really be ok?"
"Yeah, sure once you get here, you'll be part of the family!"
"What… family?"
"My husband Arin has a group youtube channel with our friends, it's called Game Grumps… So we call it the Grump family."
"Grump sounds very me, so that's perfect."
"I have some matters to deal with so I'll meet you at the airport in the next couple of weeks!"
"Ok, see you then! Bye!"
"Bye!" The woman hung up and my excitement was over 9000. I watched a Disney movie with my dad and began to pack after changing in to a comfortable sweat pants and a t-shirt.
It was the night before they'd meet me and my father drove me to the airport, the plane was late but I didn't fuss over it as it was extra time to stretch her legs before a 15 hour and 40 minute flight to LA, once I reached the American airport, I sat for 3-4 hours waiting for them. I ended up turning the brightness on my phone all the way down because I did want to sleep. Later, I was greeted by a slightly chubby figure as well as Suzy.
"Hi," Suzy hugged me. "It's nice to see you in person, Violet! Hi!"
"Hi," The male figure put his hand out. "I'm Arin, Suzy's husband. And you are."
"Oh, my name is Violet Blackwell, nice to meet you, sir and ma'am." I'd always done that around strangers.
"Please, call us by our names. You will be staying with us for a while." Suzy suggested. "By the way, nice outfit! I love it, where'd you get it."
"I um, made it! I am skilled in textiles, cooking, woodwork and beauty… I mean beauty as in the college subject… I pointed that out 'cuz just because this is my normal outside attire doesn't mean to say I'm pretty, you know." I had to make myself clear. It's just not like me to be full of myself.
"So, Arin is driving us home tonight! Let's go! By the way, do you like playing video games?"
"Yeah, I love video games. Why?" I responded.
"That's settled, Arin! We are playing video games tonight."
"And were gonna have a blast!" Arin said.
When they made it out to the car, Suzy and Arin sat in the front and I sat awkwardly in the middle of the back and kept looking behind me to check on my 11 suitcases, the 12th suitcase was next to me and my purse/ bag was on my lap. The ride to my 'new home' was very quiet.
When the three of us reached the house, Arin asked me whether I wanted help with my suitcases, I declined the offer and brought them in myself.
"Barry, look it's her!" A curly haired man said while tapping a guy on the shoulder. I was red in the face while bringing the last suitcase in. My high heeled shoes were in my purse because I didn't want to break them.
The guy turned round and smiled, another guy and a women came through one of the doorways.
"My names Dan, it's a pleasure to meet you Violet." Dan had walked up to me and put his hand out for a hand shake. I was freezing and had my hands rubbing my shoulders but quickly transitioned to a hand shake pose.
"That is Barry," He said pointing to the first guy at the computer. "Those are Ross and Holly," He pointed at the couple in the door way. Someone walked out of the kitchen and Dan pointed at him. "And him over there, is Kevin."
"Hi, guys. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope to grow a bond with you over time." I had totally scripted that, but the grumps could tell. I just smiled at looked at the floor, my cheeks were redder then my face.
"Are we all ready for some games?" Suzy said breaking the 1 minute silence.
"Yeah!" I cheered. We piled in to the living room after Arin and Barry put my suitcases in the broom closet.
"We are gonna play…. Mortal Kombat 9!" Ross announced. Kevin smiled while at the computer finishing up editing the last video.
"And Imma whoop your ass-es!" I couldn't help it, I was really competitive. They all laughed and I couldn't tell if it was with me or at me. The skin on my cheek bones went crimson as I twiddled my thumbs on the Xbox 360 controller they'd given me.
"This dress," I said. "I gonna go change out of it. I'm really hot."
"In what way?" I looked at Danny, confused. "Hot, I mean." I sighed at him but my cheeks liked going red, didn't they?!
I left the room and I heard Suzy slap him and say, "Stop embarrassing the poor girl, she's only just got here, Danny. Flirting and teasing is a no-no!"
I was opening my suitcase for my things as I heard Danny say, "I mean, it worked, didn't it?"
"No, Danny." I called "No, it didn't." By now I'd finish gathering my things as Suzy came out of the room and apologised for him.
"I'm really sorry about Danny, he can be little bit of a flirt!" She said.
"No, no. It's fine." I said whilst putting my deodorant can up by my face. "I just wish my face would stop going red, damn it's hot in here."
"Hot? It's September, it's not hot!" Holly said as she joined us.
"An American's 'hot' is way-way different to a British persons 'hot', you'd hate it in the December's that it does actually snow and how the weather turns, it's not fun." I just had to make myself look like less of an idiot. "Plus, try wearing a black Victorian dress on a plane and then tell me it's not hot after that!… Sorry, sorry. Force of habit."
"No, its ok, Danny likes someone with a fiery attitude." Holly teased.
"No, I don't!" I heard Danny from inside the living room.
I just glared at Holly unwittingly and then realised what I'd done so I escaped by lifting up the skirt of my dress a bit and ran upstairs as fast as possible. Muffled talking happened and then I shut their bathroom door. When I removed the dress you could see the corset and metal skirt frame. Before I put on my tee, I removed the skirt frame.
"Daww, shit." I whispered. "That damn plane seat broke my corset as well, hasn't it? ... Yep, it's broken, fuck you plane." I threw on my pyjamas with my corset still on, opened up the door again and ran down stairs.
"Welcome back." Suzy said.
"Can I-" I began whilst pulling out the blueprints for my corset and skirt frame (By the way, the corset is mechanical and the skirt frame is metal.) as well as an oil covered cloth in a couple of cheap plastic bags. "-have a screwdriver and some oil, oh yeah and some assistance, please?"
"Why?" Holly asked.
"The plane seat has managed to break my skirt frame and corset. And I need to oil up the mini springs in the corset and oil up the frame and screw it back into place, immediately."
"Oh, I'll go and get those from your garage, Suzy." Holly said.
"And I'll go get Barry to help you." Suzy said.
"Don't!" I whispered. "I'll just tell you what to do, I-I've never gotten changed in front of a guy before, and my first experience will not be in front of a guy I've only just met… I'm still wearing the corset!"
"Oh, ok. Why not take the corset off?"
"I'll impale myself with the rebel springs, I'm breathing so scarcely right now!"
"Right, right. I've got the stuff!" Holly shouted.
"Is everything ok out there?" Ross said peeking his head round the corner.
"Yeah, except-" I breathed. "Except from the plane telling my corset to impale me! I'm ok, I'll be five minutes." I shuffled into their kitchen to sort myself out. A new record was made for someone else doing the corset repairing process, 3 minutes and 37 seconds.
"Suzy, Holly, I'll do the skirt frame, you guys go have fun, this takes a while. Thank you for your assistance." They left the room. I just said that so I could gather my thoughts, in reality I could do it in 2 minutes. 'Jeebus Crisp, why'd this have to happen, they're impressions might be spiralling into the pit of hell. I might get fired for this, oh no…'
When I'd done reminiscing on my recent and not-so-recent failures, I got to work. I had my headphones on and my head down, working in the corner.
I was using a torch, which I'd stuck in my mouth, to see. Someone tapped my shoulder. I got a fright, my first reaction was to turn around and wallop the person in the chest with my fist and it always was the same.
"AUGH, What the fuck dude? I only wanted to ask you if you wanted coffee. It's alright if you don't like it, but Jesus!" My headphones slipped around my neck and the torch fell from my mouth as I walloped Arin.
I gasped and started shaking. "Oh, I am so sorry sir! I didn't mean too, please don't be mad." I said as I rushed over to him and assessed the damage. "Are you alright, I'm really sorry! I really am!"
"Arin, Violet?" Danny rushed in.
"He- he frightened me a-and my initial reaction is to throw a punch and see if- if I hit… please don't fire me!" I was really scared Arin looked like he could knock a bitch out, that bitch was me.
"Fire you?" Arin said. "Why would I fire you? You can't help it, your dad is a soldier. You're bound to be strong."
"I'm really sorry, I might have fractured your ribs. I guess I was a cadet in my teenage years."
"You were?" Dan said.
"Yes, my sister was too scared so I went alone, being the only girl. I was the youngest, too. I was scared of ge- You know the drill. Now, Rose is a poncy florist, such a wimp." I said, reminiscing again. "Oh, never mind. Are you ok? I'll make coffee, you just go and sit down."
"No-no, its fine I'll do it." Arin insisted.
"How do you guys have it?" I was ignoring him.
"I'll get a list, come on, Arin." Danny convinced. I was alone for a brief minute, so I face palmed with my greasy covered-in-oil hand.
I heard footsteps and paper, so I knew it was Danny. I tightened the screw and washed my hands.
"Oh my god! You have a black hand print on your face!" Danny started to laugh as I picked up the skirt frame with the black and beige oiled work sheet.
"I know, big deal!" I put the stuff in the plastic bag, in which was on the counter, and then did the sarcastic jazz hands.
"Don't you wanna wash it off?" He asked.
"Yeah, but I've stood on my stuff before sorting it out once. This is why this corset, is corset 2.0." I said whilst tying the bag and put another plastic bag over it. "I'll wash it off, when I wash my make-up off."
"Umm here's the coffee list, and it's ok if you have some." Dan said shoving the coffee list in to my hands and walking out. When he entered the living room he said, "She's so sassy and I love it!"
"I'm not sassy, Dan, I'm anti-social and pissed off and scared and tired!" I shouted after him.
Dan wanted pitch black coffee, I hated coffee anyway but gross! I brought in the required coffee and went back out.
"Hey, Blackwell! Where are you going, it's your round!" Barry called.
"I'm going to wash this black handprint off my face and then search for something." I called back.
"Ok!" He said.
I saw how incredibly black the handprint was. It reached top to bottom of my face, I looked like a total idiot.
I cleaned up, ran to the stairs and nearly fell down because of two grey fur balls sitting at the top of the stairs. I love cats, me and my father owned a ginger and white tabby.
"Hey, little guys," I said, they mewed at me and hopped down the stairs. "Wait up little guys, I don't wanna hurt you! You're so cute. Come back, holy shit you're so fluffy!" I spoke to them but they ran into the living room before I could get there. "Psst, psst, psst!" I called to them whilst rubbing my thumb and the finger next to it on the right hand together. I soon realised I was being looked at.
"Oh, you like cats too?" Ross said.
"Yeah, why?" I replied.
"Holly and I own two."
"I have one back in the UK, his names Louie."
"Cool, can I see a picture?" Arin asked.
"Yeah, sure." I showed him it. Suzy looked over my shoulder.
"Aww, so cute." She said.
"Lemme see!" Holly demanded.
"Aww! Adorable." Ross said while he looked over my shoulder.
"Yeah, he was so chubby, that when he stepped on his front left leg, his belly would go on the opposite side and vice versa." I described. "Anyway, Barry really wanted me to play and it seems like I've been testing his patience. Bring it on, Barry!" I said and he passed me a controller. I whooped his frickin' ass, like a boss!
"Woo!" I cheered.
"I barely got a chance to hit you!" Barry complained.
"I play this game like something not right. You should have really asked me my experience level! That'll teach you to judge me… Good game friend! High five?" I put my hand up and we exchanged friendly pain.
"Who wants a game?" I asked. No- one replied. "With Barry, I mean…" They all knew I was lying. "Oh, yeah I was gonna look for something but your adorable cats distracted me."
"I'll play you, Barry." Arin offered.
I left the room feeling bad and knew I should have gone easy on the bloke. "Oh well," I said after looking for my green tea bags. "I can't find my teabags, I'm knackered." I walked back in the room. "I'm off to bed now, alright." I said.
"Good night!" They called after me. Kevin was getting up to leave.
"Goodbye, Violet." He called and left.
"I'll show you to your room! Wait up!" Suzy said.
I got showed how to lock and unlock the room's door and where to put my laundry and then Suzy shut the door and left me to sleep.