"Let's go Violet!" Scarlet yelled.
Violet sighed and got off the couch. She was napping for hours before going to the neighbor's house for a welcome party. She was dressed in a black tank top and jean shorts that went down to her thighs. She looked like a ratty palace servant who was serving rich people.
Her mother picked up a bowl of the neighborhood famous Beauregarde Salad. She hoped the new neighbors would like it.
"Violet, tie your hair back!" Scarlet said in disgust. "It's a mess."
Violets hair was down to her soldiers now and her bangs were gone. She seized her hair and tied it into a ponytail. Then she stepped outside without bothering to put on shoes. Across the street, Violet could see a small blue area to eat and cool off on the lawn. There was a table of food with a pink tablecloth and there were rich people, talking and holding drinks. Violet neighborhood was packed with rich people. Only the richest folks in Atlanta could live there. The men were wearing black and tan slacks. They also had collar shirts and a belt which seemed unnecessary. The women wore short sleeved blouses and floral skirts with sweaters tied around their necks. All of them were wearing heels.
"Remember Violet, if you get stung by a bee it's not my problem."
"Whatever." Violets tone was so low and firm.
"Hello?" Scarlet called.
"Hey!" a man called. "You must live across the street!"
It was Mr. Teavee. He was dressed like the other guys.
"Yes!" said Scarlet. "I'm Scarlet Beauregarde." She put her salad on the table and shook Mr. Teavees hand. "And this is my daughter Violet."
"That's perfect!" said Mr. Teavee. "I have two kids that look around her age."
"Great." Said Scarlet. "Find them Violet." That's when a girl that looked around Violet's age appeared. She was wearing jeans and a black camisole with a cross and had bangles all over her arms. She looked like a light Goth. She had her father's teardrop eyes and brown hair.
"Ladies." Said Ray. "This is my daughter, Maggie."
"Hi." Said Maggie. She waved a muscular arm at them.
"Maggie." Ray introduced. "These are the neighbors from across the street. Mrs. Beauregarde and Violet."
"Wow, you two look like each other." Maggie complemented. "Can I get you anything to drink, Violet?"
"I'll get the drink myself, thanks."
"Ok." Maggie pulled out a water bottle and drank it until it was empty. "Sorry, I was jumping rope with some little girls. Wanna go play some soccer?"
"Oh c'mon Maggie-." Ray insisted. Before he could finish, the girls were gone.
"They'll be fine." Scarlet vowed. "They won't cause any trouble."
Violet and Maggie were in the back drinking Coke.
"Now I mean no offence, but are you Goth Mags?" Violet was curious.
"All the way." Said Maggie. "I hate pink. It's just creepy."
"I agree. But I don't hate pink that much."
"I also hate anything girly."
"Victoria's Secret, shopping malls, Hilary Duff, Candies, slacks, kittens and dancing flowers." Violet concluded.
"Wow." Said Maggie. "It's like you almost read my mind!"
"How off was I?"
"Hardly."
"Your dad looks familiar." Violet said changing the subject.
"Yeah." Said Maggie. "Before he got old, he was a Broadway star."
"No. I didn't know that. I recognize him from somewhere else. Do you have a brother?"
"Yeah." Said Maggie. "Were twins. He's only forty seconds older than me."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know." Said Maggie. "Maybe he's inside playing DDR hiding from all those girls. Let's go check."
Maggie opened the door from the back of the house.
"Mike!" she called.
"His names Mike?"
"It means 'helper of God'." Said Maggie. "Where the heck is he? Mike!"
She got no reply.
"He must be outside." Said Violet.
"Yeah let's go back out. I hate air conditioning."
When they stepped out, they noticed a mob of girls around their age. About ten of them, dressed in high heels and expensive dresses. Violet rolled her eyes.
"Why do people dress up over a casual occasion?" Maggie asked.
"I don't know." Said Violet. "But I hate it." She pulled her hair elastic out of her hair.
Violet recognized all the girls. Eight of them were cheerleaders, the other two just rich and popular girls. They all went to Violet's school. In the crowd was one boy, taller than all the rest. He had baggy jeans on with chains hanging down and he wore a Marlin Manson shirt. There was a shiny gold hoop hanging nicely from his right ear. The girls were giggling and flirting. He looked scared to death. Maggie and Violet joined the crowd. When the girls laid eyes on Violet they looked away. The boy stared for a second. He knew right away that she was different.
"Violet," said Maggie. "This is Mike, my bro."
For a moment, neither of them said a word to each other. The girls whispered amongst themselves.
Violet pulled out her hand to shake and Mike pulled out his.
"Hey Maggie," said one of the cheerleaders. "The girls and I are having a sleepover. Were gonna do makeovers and watch chick flicks. Wanna join?
"I don't do that stuff." Said Maggie. "I couldn't."
"It'll be fun."
"She said no." said Mike.
"Yeah, you shouldn't ask her again. She'll never change her mind." Said Violet.
"How do you know?" asked the girl.
"Because I'm a Goth and Violets my friend!" said Maggie pushing the girl away from Violet.
"You shouldn't force her to do something she doesn't wanna do."
"Stay out of this Beauregarde!"
One of the girls took her pump, and stepped on Violets bare foot. Violet grabbed a hold of her foot. She didn't want to show Mike that she was about to cry.
"I'm so sorry!" the girl said. "I totally didn't mean it!"
By the tone of the girl's voice, Violet, Maggie and Mike knew she wasn't sorry.
"For the love of God!" Violet snapped.
"Do you need ice?" Maggie asked.
Violet shook her head slowly, and then attempted to get up. The twins looked in shock to see this girl walking with a sore foot. Then Violet stopped.
"You need ice, don't ya?" Maggie asked.
Violet surrendered, nodding her head. Mike and Maggie took her arms and dragged her in the house. Mike sat her down as Maggie filled a Ziplock bag with ice. Then taking a large roll of scotch tape, she put the ice on Violets foot and wrapped the tape around it.
"Never saw that before."
"I came up with it." Said Maggie. "One day, I was heating noodles in the microwave when I pulled it out and the boiling water spilled on my hand. I spilled it there again so I put it back into the microwave leaving the door open. I ran to the sink, crying like a baby, then after about twenty minutes I filled a bag with ice and couldn't stand how I had to press it against my hand for a long time so I put the tape around it. Mike was rather impressed."
"So are you two impressed very often?"
"No." said Mike. "It takes a lot to impress us."
"It's like were royalty. Some people are scared that they'll screw up on us." Said Maggie.
"Why did you move here?"
"Dad missed home too much and we were sick of all that snow! Sure it only lasts a winter but it's below zero there a lot."
"It was once negative thirty here." Said Violet.
"That was a long time ago." Said Mike. "Mags and I weren't even here."
Mr. Teavee slammed through the door.
"What did I tell you two? I told you to stay outside!"
"But she needed ice." Maggie fought back, "Give us a few minutes."
Mr. Teavee understood. When walking back outside Mike spoke alone with Violet.
"Is it really you?" he asked.
"It's me." Said Violet. "Mike Teavee?" She was checking to make sure she was correct. "I thought I recognized you."
"I know." Said Mike. "It's been five years. I didn't know it was you until that girl said your name."
He sat down right next to her.
"You've changed." He said.
"So have you." Said Violet. "If you didn't, you wouldn't be helping me."
"True." Said Mike. "But I like the new me."
"So do I."
Mike nearly blushed. He knew right away that they'd be friends.
"I like the new Violet Beauregarde." He said. "Especially your hair."
"Really. I didn't comb it this morning."
"Seriously? It looks like you did." He complemented running a finger through it. "At least you don't look like the kind of girl that spends hours in front of a mirror."
"I don't." said Violet.
Wow, he thought. The first girl in a long time who doesn't stress over her looks.
"What grade are you gonna be in?"
"Freshman."
"Senior." Said Mike. "We have one year to hang out and stuff."
"You wanna be friends with me?" she asked rather surprised.
"Of corse." Said Mike. "Just friends."