As noon approached, the students of Millard Fillmore Middle school eagerly awaited lunch hour. When the bell rang, they filed out of their classrooms and headed down the halls torwards the cafeteria.
From the talking, laughing, and yelling from the students, it seemed like a normal day for any typical middle-schooler. But Violet Long was no typical middle-schooler.
For other students, lunch hour meant a break from studies, as well as a chance to hang out and talk with their friends. On any given day, it would have been the same for Violet, but today it meant something different.
The cafeteria was crowded, a good thing for Violet. It gave her a chance to slip out without being seen. Glancing around to insure no one was looking, Violet leaped out the window, dragoning up as she did so.
As she flew, she thought. It had been two days since the encounter with the Dark Dragon. Now, on Monday, Blake still hadn't come around. Jake had tried talking to him, as had Violet.
She didn't have much more time to think about it, as she had now reached her destination. She reverted to human form, and walked inside the shop. She went straight to the back room.
Rose looked up when Violet entered. "Hey, Violet." she said. "Um, aren't you supposed to be in school?" "Lunch hour." Violet replied. Rose nodded, appreciative of the fact that Violet had given up lunch hour to see her.
When Violet and Rose were together, the 20-year age gap between them seemed to vanish. This time was no exception, but Violet had somber news.
"As you may have noticed, Cody is still blaming himself for what happened." she said. "In fact, he won't even listen to me."
This surprised Rose, because, even when the twins were little, Blake had always listened to Violet. "I think," Violet continued. "that you should talk to him."
"Why me?" Rose asked. "If he wouldn't even listen to you, what makes you think I could get through to him?"
"Because," Violet replied. "You're the one who was hurt, that's what Cody feels guilty about, you're the only one who can actually convince him it's not his fault."
"You are truly amazing, Violet." Rose said. "You have a wisdom, patience, and understanding far beyond your years."
Violet grinned. Placing a hand on Rose's shoulder, she said, "What can I say? It runs in the family." Rose smiled.
Violet's watch beeped. She glanced down at it. "Almost one." she noted. "I'd better get back to school." Rose nodded. "Get some rest." Violet added. "I'll see you later."
With that, Violet dragoned up, and flew out the door, leaving Rose to think about her daughter's earlier words.
Would talking to Blake do any good?
