"There's no way!"
"Listen, Kari I know it seems like a bad idea but I know I can do this."
"Violet... The day you sneak out of your parents house will be the day hell freezes over."
"It's only for one night. My parents will never even notice!"

Violet sat for a moment poking at her lunch and absent mindlessly tugged on her ebony black hair. She thought about how she would sneak out of her house in order to go to tonight's party.

Sneaking out would be the easy part. She was mainly concerned about disobeying her parents. She prized herself off her 4.0 GPA and she held the privilege of being her senior class's valedictorian. Sneaking out to go to a party was not just out of character but absolutely insane.

Yet the more she thought of it, the more excited she would get. It wasn't about the people or about going against her parents, it was the fact that this party was important to every graduate. All of the seniors would be going and she did not want to be the one sitting at home watching reruns. Another factor was that her boyfriend Tony was thrilled to be going.

He was really upset when she told him she wasn't able to go. Since she had told him know she had noticed more and more how he seemed to be disappointed. Even though they have been dating each other for years she was alarmed to see him be so upset. She knew she had to go to this party, not just for herself but mainly for him.

After all the two of them normally did everything together. They were even going to attend the same college after graduation. Violet cringed as she thought back about asking her parents to go to the party.

The Parr family sat at their dinner table discussing their day. As Dash rambled about how he couldn't stand school Violet sat eyeing her parents. She was on a mission. She knew she needed to ask to go to the party yet the thought of being turned down was holding her back.

"There's nothing to worry about", Violet thought, "I deserve to go to this party. I haven't given them any reason the not trust me."

Taking in a deep breath she blurted out, "Can I please go to a party on Saturday?"

Silence filled the room. Dash glared at his older sister, frustrated at the fact that he was interrupted mid sentence.

Her father, Bob Parr, put his fork down and eyed Helen, Violets mother.

Her father was the first to speak, "What kind of party is it?"
Violet squirmed in her seat. Maybe right now wasn't the right time to ask… And on top of that she knew the party would be... Mostly clean but there was one thing her parents wouldn't like.

"It's just a simple party. It's actually a all senior's party. And seeing how I am a senior I can't possibly miss it." Violet forced out a uncomfortable chuckle and began to take a huge bite of her food. She hoped he wouldn't say what she's been avoiding all night.
"Who's throwing this party?"
"Well… Mark is. I-"
"Mark? Isn't he that punk football player who recently got suspended for drug use?"
"Well, yeah he was but it'll be fine. I wouldn't be hanging out with him just Tony and Kari. You know you can trust us."
Helen spoke up saying, "This isn't about trust Violet. Having a party full of high school seniors without supervision will only lead to chaos."
"I understand that mom but this is different. You know how responsible we are. We wouldn't allow anything stupid to happen."
Bob heaved a sigh, "Violet I just do not feel comfortable with you going. Mark isn't really responsible and the idea of having a party at night with no adults just isn't going to work with me."
Violets purple eyes widened as she heard this.
"I can't believe this. I'm put in dangerous situations all the time and yet that's okay? I am not a child for you to control."

With that Violet stormed off to her room.

Violet was thrown out of her flashback and stared at the red headed freshman boy being tossed around like a baseball around the lunch hall. Mark and his group were at it again. Her parents were possibly right but she couldn't possibly miss this party.

Saturday night

Tonight was the night. Violet hasn't said a word to her parents since she asked to go to the party. She ate dinner and went straight to her room. It was 7:00pm and the party was at 8:30pm.

Violet wasted no time preparing to sneak out. She rushed to her closet and pulled out a few shirts and a few bottoms. She stared at the collection of clothes. Black seemed to be her wardrobe. She preferred something comfortable but wanted to impress Tony. She pulled out a off the shoulder shirt that was golden and slightly baggy along with form fitting dark blue jeans. She put it on and examined herself in her mirror. She finished it off with some earrings and two bracelets. Then she started to brush her hair she reached for her headband and hesitated. Tonight was the night to celebrate being an adult and moving forward in life. She grabbed the curling iron and went to work. Once she had her hair curled she decided to throw some of it up to do a half do. Her black hair seemed to shimmer in the lighting. Then she moved on to make up. Normally she would wear neutral browns but not tonight. She pulled out her metallic gold and Smokey black eye shadow. Then put on some pinkish nude shimmering lip-gloss.

"This is going better than I thought," She said out loud with a laugh.

She than began to set up for her escape plan. She did the typical pillows under the blanket thing to imitate her body as if she was sleeping, which was completely cliché to her but she had to do something. She checked her watch.

8:00pm

She turned her lights off and glanced out her window. She sat by her bed putting her shoes on. The door began to creek open. Violet quickly laid down on her bed hiding the pillows.
"Hey Violet, I just wanted to say that I am proud of you. I know you think that your mother and I are making a bad decision but I am grateful that you at least listened."
Through the dark, Bob heard a muffled "I know" come from the bed. He stood in the doorway and sighed, "I love you so much."
Violet seemed to shrink in the darkness. She muttered out an "I love you." With that Bob left the room.

Hesitation, panic, and guilt flooded her. She questioned the whole idea than with determination Violet rushed out the window and disappeared into the night.

9:45pm

Chaos

Absolute Chaos

People were not only "having a good time" but they were wrecking the house.

Violet grabbed onto Tony's arm as he guided them to the back yard.

As they made it to the backyard they grabbed two chairs and made their way as far from the group as possible.

"It's nice getting somewhere a little… more quiet." Violet stated.

"I guess… if you could say that." Violet could tell that Tony was exhausted about the whole thing.

Violet was thoroughly upset. This wasn't going anything like she hoped it would.

Kari picked her up a few houses down from Violet. They then made their way to the party. The moment they entered Marks house Kari was off mingling and doing whatever she could possibly do with her time, leaving Violet to search for Tony.

Violet was shocked to find Tony in the living room surrounded by people, specifically a girl Violet didn't recognize. As she walked over to the group both Tony and the unknown girl stopped talking.

Violet entered the scene and hesitated. There was a moment of slience until Violet spoke up, "Who's your friend Tony?"

"Uh, Hey Violet. I didn't realize you were coming. This is Becca"

With a perky response Rebecca said, "Nice to meet you… Violet was it?" Violet tried to not show her frustration.

Rebecca than went on to ask, "How do you know Tony?"

Violet shifted her weight and shakily said, "Oh Tony didn't tell you? We've been dating for years", Violet rolled her eyes then said, "Tony can we get some air?"

Violet waited for Tony to mention how she looked or even say something positive about her being there yet all she received was an awkward glances and slience.
They did their best to make it to the back yard but they kept getting stopped to talk and socialize. Violet couldn't help but notice Rebecca eyeing them all night. Drinks were being poured and Violet kept her word by not accepting any of them. While people started to get drunk and act like idiots, she would just follow Tony around like a shadow.

Hours went by and Tony seemed to finally remember that Violet wanted to go outside. He led her by the hand and tried to not run into people. It was really difficult seeing how the house was packed wall to wall.

Now here they were, outside watching Mark's house get destroyed from the inside out.

"So what do you think of the party? You seem a little distracted tonight…" Violet couldn't help but sound concerned.

"Everything is fine Violet. I just have a lot on my mind… Why did you come tonight? I thought your parents said no?"

"I came tonight so we can spend time together. I knew how you really were upset that I wasn't coming so I did what I needed to do."

"So you snuck out?"

"Yeah… I thought you would be happy to see me? Why are your acting like I shouldn't of come?"

"Violet, it's not that I am not happy it's just…" Tony's voice just faded off as he lowered his head.

"Just what?"

"I just wasn't prepared. That's all" Tony tried to force a smile as he studied his hands.

"Prepared? I… I'm sorry I didn't think I needed to prepare you beforehand. I wanted to surprise you."

"I was surprised. It's not that big of a deal Violet. Forget I said anything."

The two of them sat in an awkward silence for about 10 minutes. They glanced around everywhere except at each other. Finally Violet couldn't take it anymore.

"Tony if I did something wrong you need to just tell me."

"It's not that you are doing something wrong or did something wrong it's just… I just don't know how to put it…"

"Well go ahead and say it. I can handle it and I don't want to see you upset anymore."

"Violet I have had a lot on my mind lately I just don't want to talk about it."

"But you've been acting like this all night. Just don't you just talk to me?" Violet reached out and tried to grab Tonys hand but he pulled away.

"Violet I just… I just am tired of this."

"Tired of what?"

"It's been years yet all we do is the same thing over and over and over."

Violet sat eyeing Tony's face. His brown eyes met hers. Tony really hasn't changed much over the years. But she knew that this must have been bothering him for a while now and to think the whole time she thought it was just a stupid party.

"It's a system Tony. We can get out of it. I mean look at tonight. I wouldn't have ever thought about sneaking out but here we are. I know we can get out of this rut."

Tony stood up suddenly and whirled around to face Violet, "How Violet? It's been three years. Three years. I hoped that we could get out of this rut for months now but nothing's changed. I'm not happy anymore. This is just becoming more and more stressful with each passing day."

"Not happy? Tony we are both happy. If you aren't happy then why would YOU suggest going to the same college?", Violet fought back the threatening tears and went on, "If it's been months why haven't you talked to me?!" She wasn't prepared for any of this.

"I'm sorry Violet… Maybe that's the problem. Maybe we are spending too much time together… I didn't see this coming when we applied for Columbia University. Things have just changed. Why haven't you noticed?"

Truth is told Violet did notice. She noticed the conversations fading, the fact that he hasn't brought up Columbia University since they both found out they were accepted, and the little fights and miscommunication they were experiencing. But she wanted to avoid it. She thought it would all fix itself. She wanted to hold on to any bit of hope she had.

"But that doesn't mean we need some time off… we just need to fix what needs to be fixed. We can spice it up Tony we can change things. Whatever it takes but anything but time off…" She sounded desperate and pathetic to her own ears.

"Violet I've been thinking about this a lot for the last couple months. I'm not happy. It's that simple. I don't think I can keep going on being fake."

"How can you say you're not happy?" Violet could feel the tears falling down her cheeks, "Tony I—"

"I'm sorry Violet it's just I need space. Please don't make this bigger than it needs to be."

Violet noticed how the backyard seemed to get quiet. She glanced up to see people eyeing them. She must be making a scene. As she glanced around the crowd she saw a tall slender blonde blue eyed figure – Rebecca.

Violet flung back to Tony, "Are you bored with me? Are you interested in someone else?"

"What?! No Violet that's not it. You're just not getting it. I just need some space."

Tony started to walk closer to her and lowered his voice, "Violet I think you should go home… Your parents are probably worried. I can give you a ride if you want."

Violets head felt like it was spinning. This couldn't be happening. Everything seemed to blur together as she ran into the house. She felt like she was going insane. She looked frantically around for Kari. Finally she spotted her talking to a few people.

"Kari I need to go home…"

"Whoa Violet what happened? Are you alright? You look like a wreck."

Violet couldn't imagine how she looked. She knew her face was probably all red and her makeup must have been fading and smeared.

Violet's voice shook as she whispered, " I need to go home."

Kari studied Violet for a second. She knew this wasn't a small situation. Then it clicked. Tony. They were together tonight so where was he now? She scanned the room to find Tony putting his coat on and heading for the door. Rebecca was hot on his heels.

Kari put on her best smile and grabbed Violets hand, "Of course Violet… We'll get you home."

Before she knew it Violet was sneaking back into her house.

Denial was the only thing going through Violets head.

She thought everything was going perfect. He was happy and She was happy. Or was he really happy? All of the fake smiles. She couldn't stand it. They must of been happy. There's no way he wasn't... This couldn't have had been it.

She had never felt more alone and invisible than this moment.

She crawled into bed like a wounded animal and hugged her legs to her chest. Sobs broke out until she finally fell asleep.