Chapter 9 – Used

Initiation week continued on with the expected shenanigans. Seniors were barking orders to unsuspecting freshman left and right. Rita was forced to brew freshly made coffee for her senior every morning, and add the correct proportion of sugar and cream with measuring spoons before delivering it straight to the senior's room. Poor Serena had an athletic senior who needed a running partner, so every morning at the crack of dawn she literally had to be up and running.

As for Viola...she finally finished her love letter and hand delivered it as Ezra had commanded. All she received in return was that signature smirk and a wink. Her heart couldn't help but melt at this sight, but since the pow-wow with her sophomore buddies she had become more suspicious. She still had no idea what consequences writing that letter would bring. So, she continued to go to accompany him to dinner, each day wondering if the true purpose of the letter would surface. Thursday night came...and then went. Nothing.

Friday morning, the Freshmen were once again herded into the gym. Except this time, the seniors ran in hollering for them to look under their chairs. As each of them did so, they all were surprised to find folded bandanas.

"GET ON THE FLOOR AND PUT ON YOUR BLINDFOLDS FRESHIES!" they were commanded. In fear, they all obeyed, wondering what atrocity could be performed on them the last day of Initiation week. Suddenly, Viola heard a frenzied commotion all around her. Before she could possibly decipher what was going on, she felt herself pulled to her feet. She heard familiar giggles as they spun her around for what felt like an eternity. Whoever was turning her, abruptly stopped and started leading her forward.

Viola tried her best to figure out what direction her mystery partner was taking her. The smell of the gym disappeared and the fragrant smells of grass were caught in her nostrils. Okay...we're outside. Below her feet she could feel the concrete of the sidewalk, but without her sight she still couldn't determine what cardinal direction they were heading. Then, she heard purring...No...not purring. An engine? "Lift your leg and watch your head." She did as instructed. The vans? She felt around for the seat, and finally sat down when she determined it was safe. "Hold on, Ill strap you in" were the last words she heard before hearing the door slam, and finally the engine accelerating.

Viola felt the van start to decelerate, and then stop. It was hard to tell the amount of time the journey had taken. She felt herself being unbuckled, and heard the door slide open. As she was being helped out, another familiar scent caught her. A scent that immediately made her blush from her memory of it. "Ezra?" she whispered, unsure if it was really him. As she was safely guided out of the van, she got her answer.

The bandana was peeled off. As she predicted she was standing face to face with her Senior. His blue eyes pierced back at her, and as she averted her eyes from his, she eyed his signature smirk. Gaaaah! Viola screamed in her head as she felt her face turn ruby. Ezra chuckled a bit. "Guess we share a closer connection than I thought if you knew it was me." Viola was paralyzed with embarrassment. When the shock finally subsided, she noticed where the were. A beach? No. A lake! Ezra noticed her gaze move to the scenery. "Yeah. This is the end of your Initiation week, babe. A party just for you guys." Babe? Viola heard this word in her head a million times as both her and Ezra started heading closer to the lake. Along the beach were tables set up with an assortment of food and brightly colored table cloths. Both freshman and seniors were already mingling. Unlike the rest of the week, the mood was light and the air was filled with laughter and fun. Viola breathed a sigh of relief. The week of Hell was over.

Viola caught up with Serena and Rita, who were casually standing next to one of the numerous punch bowls and chatting. As she approached, the girls lit up with excitement.

"OH MY GOSH! Viola can you believe it? ITS OVER!" Rita exclaimed wrapping her arms around Viola. Viola squeeled in response and hugged back.

"I know. I thought it wouldn't end."

The girls ate an assortment of goodies off the tables and quickly stuffed themselves. Being too full to do much, the girls decided to sit near the shore and wet their feet in the water. The water felt cool, but not freezing as the weather had not gotten too nippy at that time, despite it being September. The girls sat there in silent contentment, taking in the soft lapping of the water, and the sounds of the party.

Suddenly, a voice called out to them. "Hey!" The girls looked toward the direction of the voice. Serena spoke up first. "Hey Lyn!" Lyn was Serena's senior. She was one of the most popular girls in the Senior class. She was athletic, and had a lean, toned body. Her dirty blonde hair and sparkling green eyes were also the envy of most girls at Iris. Viola thought she was the model of what a perfect girl should look like. Lyn jogged over. She gave a faint smile to Serena.

"Having a good time?"

"Yeah of course. Thanks so much for being a pal this week." Lyn patted Serena lightly on the head.

"No problem. It's not easy being new."

After this brief exchange, her smile faded, and her eyes fixed on Viola.

"Your Ezra's freshman right?"

Viola nodded hesitantly.

Lyn's face became distorted with emotion. Anger? Disgust? Viola couldn't decipher.

"Look, I know it's the end of the week, but I have a note here for him. Tell him not to respond. I don't need his crap anymore."

Lyn threw a folded piece of paper at Viola. Viola picked it up, but before she could ask what it was all about, Lyn had already started to jog away. Serena and Rita looked at Viola, just as perplexed as she was.

"What in the world was that all about?" Rita asked.

"I'm...really not sure." Viola's gaze wandered to Serena.

"Don't look at me. I have no clue." Serena quickly exclaimed. "Why don't you open it?"

"But wouldn't that be rude? I mean...it's none of my business." Viola looked down at the paper.

"Yeah, but she never said anything about not reading it yourself. Just see what it is." Rita pushed.

Viola thought about it. She was not one to butt herself into anyone's personal business, but what was the harm of reading this note? Maybe it would give her some answers about this week. She sighed before slowly opening the note. Viola was surprised to see how short it was.

"Ezra,

Your letter was the most ridiculous thing I have ever read! You already got into my pants once, and that was a big mistake on my part. Go to Hell, you creep!

Lyn"

Viola sat there staring at the note. She was right. She got her answer.

"Well?" Serena inquired.

"Uh...its just a stupid note. Its nothing really." Viola folded the note back to its original state. She got up and away from the girls without saying another word.

On the way to find Ezra, Viola couldn't help but start feeling a series of emotions. She was confused... hurt... angry. She felt used. All this time, she was just a pawn in Ezra's little plan to get back with Lyn! All the things he said, possibly just lies! No...she knew they were lies! Finally, she found him, hanging out with some other Wolf Hall seniors. He promptly spotted her.

"Hey cutie." The rest of the guys around him chuckled to themselves. She started to feel sick, and embarrassed. She wanted to glare at him, but couldn't find the courage.

"Hey Ezra. Um...I was told to give you this." Viola extended her hand to give the note. Ezra took the note from her hand, and swiftly brought her hand up for a kiss. Viola swallowed hard, trying not to blush from his trickery, feeling a little more pissed off. She tried harder not to show it.

"I was told to tell you not to reply." She quickly said as she retreated her hand back to her side. Ezra gave her a perplexed look, and then finally smirked. "That so? Thanks babe." And with that, Viola promptly left from the company of the gang, and she swore she heard a wolf whistle as she ran off.

Viola spent the next hour trying to distract herself from feeling hurt. The girls had found other freshman to mingle with, so she tried her best to get lost in conversation. Anything was better than remembering her stupidity of the past week. In the middle of this, she started to feel parched. "Anyone else want a drink?" She asked before she departed. Everyone said they were fine, so she left by herself to get some punch just a few feet away.

As she was pouring the ruby liquid into a cup, someone came up to her from her periphery. She glanced over, and saw Ezra. He smirked at her. Ugh... Viola found herself more disgusted at the sight of him. She politely smiled back, and went back to pouring her drink.

"Hey babe." Ezra said as he put his hand on the small of her back. Viola tried not to shiver from his touch. "Hi Ezra." Viola kept her focus on her drink, trying not to look at him...and trying not to vomit all over herself.

"You busy?" Ezra continued.

Viola paused trying to think of how to answer. "Uh...Kinda."

From the corner of her eye, she could see Ezra's smirk remaining constant. She immediately became suspicious. What is he up to?

"Kinda huh?" he finally responded. "Guess I'll make this quick."

Viola felt Ezra grab her arm lightly. She glanced up at him prepared to yell, but started feeling him pull her closer. It all was happening so fast, she had barely time to react. Suddenly she saw his face closing in on hers.

She was no longer angry, but now had the rush of fear moving through her. She felt paralyzed. Oh my gods, NO! As he closed his eyes...as their lips were only millimeters apart...she snapped.

"NO!"

Her free arm happened to be the one holding her drink, and it finally sprung into action: right into Ezra's face. Time went from accelerating, to slow motion. As the red concoction splashed onto her target, Viola could feel the silence that interrupted the party radiate through her. All eyes were on the two of them.

Viola immediately dropped the cup. She stood there, mouth gaping. "WHAT THE HELL!" Ezra started rubbing his face and eyes.

As Ezra was preoccupied with the mess, Viola panicked. She wasn't sure where she wanted to go, but she ran. Just away. And as she ran, the laughter from those attending the party became fainter and fainter.

Before sunset, Viola came back to sneak onto a van to go back to school. She was lucky that she found the van her roomies were occupying. After they snuck her into the van, no one said a word. And what was there to say anyway? Viola felt completely humiliated.

When they got back to the Academy, the sun had already set. The stars were in full view, and Viola didn't feel like heading back into Horse Hall. She quietly announced to her roommates that she would go in later, and the two girls just nodded at her solemnly.

Viola didn't walk too far. She found a bench close to the hall under a tree. She sat there and just gazed up at the stars through the tree branches. It had been quite a day, and she was unsure how to feel. Of course, she was embarrassed she had been a pawn, she was angry, but... she suddenly realized she was more scared than anything. Someone had tried to kiss her...in front of EVERYONE. If she didn't stop it... Viola couldn't even find the words to describe how she would have felt if the kiss had happened. Everyone would have seen the horrible results. Everyone would think she was a monster. Everyone...

Tears suddenly started rolling down her face. She started to hate herself again. All those feelings from after the incident with Cael just came rushing at her full speed. She couldn't help it. Quietly, she started to weep into her hands.

"Viola?" She heard a familiar voice call to her. Viola felt reluctant to look up.. "Go away!" she sniffled through her hands. She lifted her head slightly from her hands to see who its was. Her heart stopped when she saw the orange of Wolf Hall, but remembering the voice...she knew it wasn't Ezra.

Donald came out of the darkness, and more into Viola's view. Viola tried hard to smile faintly at the familiar face. "Hi." She sniffled.

Donald slowly approached the bench. "May I sit here?" His voice was so sincere, as much as Viola wanted to resist, she found herself nodding. Donald took a seat the opposite end of the bench.

"You ok?" His voice remained steady. Viola nodded again. She tried not to look him straight in the eyes. She thought if she didn't, he would possibly get the hint and leave her be.

Donald just sat there in silence with Viola. Is he here to torture me? Viola wanted to become irritated, but something inside her refused to let her. She couldn't describe it, other than the fact that she was glad Donald was the one who had found her rather than some other random acquaintance. She sighed silently to herself.

"So..." Donald said, breaking the silence. "I heard about what happened today."

Oh great... "Yeah...?" Viola looked down at the ground, refusing to look at Donald. I must look like a fool to him. Falling for Ezra's tricks? I must look really smart...

Donald chuckled a bit "Oh yeah. The jerk Ezra totally deserved it! Wish I could've been there to see his face!"

Viola was taken aback by the comment. Her eyes swiftly looked towards Donald, perplexed. She had thought maybe she was the laughing stock of school by now. She couldn't fathom what Donald was saying.

"Sure! Everyone's talking about it. You're a frickin hero. That jerk has been terrorizing girls since he got here. Karma finally hit him." Donald looked very satisfied saying that. Viola smiled faintly, relieved the outcome of the days shenanigans was better than she expected.

Donald smiled back. "Cheer up okay? He won't be bothering you anymore."

Viola sniffled a bit, and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry" was all she could come up with to say.

Donald got up from the bench and moved in front of Viola. He reached out his hand. "Come on. It's getting late. I'll walk you to your Hall."

Viola looked at his hand for a second, and finally accepted it. As she began to stand up, she felt her foot slip on something beneath her feet. She tried to compensate to keep balance, but...

"Whoa! You ok?"

Viola had face planted into Donald's shoulder. She began to tense up. Was it his warmth? Was it that familiar scent she had first encountered when they were in detention? She wasn't sure why.

She slowly backed away, looking downwards as she did so. She suddenly felt timid, but unlike before, it felt...she couldn't describe it. Her eyes finally lingered up to meet Donald's. She found his gentle gray eyes meet hers.

Butterflies.

That was the feeling. But not just her stomach. They were everywhere. She felt a shiver throughout her body that she couldn't react to. What was only a few seconds felt like an eternity. And with the starlight backdrop behind Donald, it might as well have been for her. Their gazes were fixated on each other.

Finally, Donald noticed what he was doing. His eyes grew wide and started averting away. Viola could see he was a little panicked and giggled at him.

Donald coughed, and regained composure. "Um...yeah..." He scratched the back of his neck. "Walk much?"