Violet grumbled as she pulled the brush through her pin-straight dirty blonde hair and adjusted the waist of her thrift store dress for the sixth time since she'd put it on. She looked at her reflection, utterly annoyed by her own appearance and the attempt she made to look somewhat pretty.
The dress was red; it reminded her of dried blood, like the scarring lines on her left forearm. It hung off both shoulders just slightly and lace sleeves came to a point at the backs of her hands. She slid the small elastic bands around her middle fingers so they wouldn't fall down.
The material of the dress itself was faux velvet and the hem reached her ankles. It was a little loose in the bust and the waist kept moving around, but other than those minor things, it was perfect. She wore her black flats on her dainty feet. Violet sighed in the mirror just as her mother walked in.
The older, red headed woman, dressed in an elegant green gown, smiled brightly at her.
"Oh, Violet. You look beautiful."
"I don't feel beautiful. The waist and bust are a little too big, my hair is flat, and I don't know what to do with my face."
Vivien nodded. "I'll be right back."
Moments later, she returned with a few items. She wrapped the elastic black belt around Violet, clipped it in the front, and immediately the waist of the dress was locked in place. Vivien swept back the hair from the right side of Violet's face and pinned it with a sparkling black clip.
She set down the last two things behind her and motioned for her daughter to sit in the vanity chair. Vivien put a little mascara and a light coat of red lipstick on her. When she finished, Violet stood and went to look in her full length mirror.
"Mom-" she couldn't believe that the slight edit to her ensemble really made all the difference.
"Here, honey," Vivien handed her a thick black shawl and small black clutch, "so you don't have to worry about a coat wrinkling your pretty dress or carrying a big bag."
"Thank you."
Violet wrapped the shawl around her, grabbed her phone from the charger, and threw it in the clutch as she followed her mother out of the room and down the stairs. Her father was waiting for them by the front door.
"All ready?" Ben grinned at the two ladies before him.
"Yeah. Let's get this over with," Violet muttered as she pushed passed her father and marched to the car. It was snowing lightly, but there was no wind for a change. The shawl Violet had around her was perfect for this winter night and she silently cursed her mother for being right, as always.
The car ride to Raynham was only a half hour away from Boston, but it felt like five minutes to Violet. She was dreading this party. She knew from the minute she walked in until the second she left, Gabe would be following her around like a fucking dog and she'd have to keep ways to escape. Lucky for her, though, beloved Fairy Chad was always to the rescue and helped her disappear with a wave of his magic wand.
The driveway to the large estate was practically full, so Ben decided to park their Volvo on the street. The family walked up the pathway through the grass in silence, chatter and holiday music could be heard pouring out from the house.
"Smile, Violet. Please try to behave tonight?"
"I can't promise you anything, Mom."
Vivien scowled and Violet shrugged. Ben knocked and moments later Mr. Ramos greeted them with drunken breath and a smile.
"Hello, Harmons! Come on in, the party is just getting started!"
They filed in, handed off their coats to the person by the door, and Violet broke through the throng looking for Chad. Not paying attention, she bumped into someone, hard, and almost toppled over. That is, until a strong arm wound around her waist and she was set up right.
"Oh! I'm so-" she turns to find herself lost in dark chocolate eyes for the second time that day.
"Hi, Violet."
"Hello, Tate."
"Are you okay?"
"I am now." She blushed and tucks a loose lock behind her ear. Tate gave her a genuine smile and looked her up and down.
"You look beautiful."
She giggles, completely shocked at her behavior and cursing in her mind. "Thanks. It's vintage, grabbed it at a thrift store last week."
"Well it's perfect on you."
Violet sized him up, taking in his black slacks, dress shirt the same color that she was wearing, and black tie.
"We match," she commented, "How funny."
"I think it was fate," he said with a wink, "Wanna come with me to get a drink?"
"Yeah. That'd be nice."
He reached for her hand and she gently placed hers in his warm palm. He felt nice and she was floating.
Violet, get a fucking grip. Ya just met the kid.
By the bar, she spotted Chad. "Oh. Sugarplum!" she called, waving.
He looked, sprung up from his seat, and practically ran to her. "Vee! You look stunning."
"Thank you, thank you."
Chad glanced behind her and saw Tate standing there with two Shirley Temples. "Oooo! Hello, cutie! Thank you for keeping a good eye on my friend! Can't have that creep Gabe trying to bore her to death."
Tate handed Violet the drink and she smiled up at him. Then, she glared angrily at Chad for his unnecessary Gabe comment.
He thought nothing of it. "No problem. Is it okay if I get to know her more?"
Chad immediately shooed them away. "Go! Have fun! I'll be around!"
The two walked away and when Violet snuck a back glance at Chad, she thought she saw him tearing up. She rolled her eyes. Such a drama fairy queen. But, he's my best friend.
"So, how do you know the Ramoses?" They ended up by the back door, just looking out at the scenery lit by the porch lights and twinkling Christmas strands.
"Well, while I'm here I'm staying with an aunt. Her house is just a ways down the street."
"I'm glad I got to see you again," Violet confessed.
"I'm happy too. You're cool, Vi."
She cocked her head at the nickname.
"What? Too soon for that?"
Violet stepped closer to him. "No, not at all. It's just, most people call me Vee. But, I like Vi."
He blushed a little, then his lips broke into a wide, dazzling smile. She could have sworn her breath caught a little.
"HEY YOU TWO!" Chad screamed from the door way.
Violet shot him daggers. "What?" she hissed.
"LOOK UP!"
They did at the same time. Hanging at the top of the door they were standing in front of was a green plant with a red bow at the top.
"Mistletoe," Violet whispered, her gaze returning to Tate's face. He locked his endless eyes with hers and started to lean down. She moved to meet him, elevating herself slightly with her toes. Their lips touched and Violet felt something. It was new, the sensation spread warmth throughout her.
Tate enveloped her, Violet fit perfectly in him and her arms wrapped behind his neck. He deepened their kiss when she began to play with a curl at the nape of his neck and let a small groan escape. She swallowed it greedily.
They both pulled back, gasping lightly.
"Wow," he breathed, keeping her in his arms.
"Yeah. Exactly."
Violet couldn't believe herself. How was it possible that she could feel so overpowered and taken by this boy when she had only met him yesterday? Those eyes of his were so warm and deep, she wanted to drown. There was something familiar about them, like she had seen them in a dream she couldn't remember having. Under the fiery feeling she got from this boy, the cold slither of fear was there, she didn't know how to handle these emotions.
Tate just kept looking at her like she was the only thing that mattered to him and she gave him the same one in return. They were so wrapped up in each other that they were blissfully unaware of a clapping Chad and a glowering observation from Gabe.
