Hi everyone, welcome to my new story. I probably won't be updating this story as often as 'Life without you' but I've had a few ideas and have a fair idea of where I want to take this story. All mistakes are mine, enjoy :)
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Violet sat in the middle of third period history. One of her favourite subjects. She thought it was incredible that once upon a time, these people were actually living on this earth, just like she was. It was her family's history that she couldn't bare to think about. Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine and caused tears to form in the corners of her eyes.
She was broken from her thoughts and the crackling sound of the speaker dismissed the class from taking notes to listen to the announcement.
"Can Violet Adams please report to the office with her bag. Violet Adams to the office with her bag. Thank you."
She froze when she heard her name, and could feel the eyes of her classmates burning into her as she packed her books into her bag and headed for the office. Something's wrong. She thought to herself, who would call me out of class?
Once she arrived at the office, she approached the secretary to ask who or what was calling her out of class.
"Hi, I'm Violet Adams, I was just called out of class but I think there must be some mistake. I-"
"Your father called and informed the school that he would be collecting you early. He's on his way." The secretary, Ms Parker, cut her off and returned to her paperwork.
Violet nervously pulled at the strings of her backpack, which was so old the bottom was being held together with duct tape. Her father, well, stepfather, hardly ever acknowledged her. She was surprised he even knew what school she went to. There was a knot in her stomach as she nervously awaited his arrival.
15 minutes later, her stepfather, Graham, arrived. He spoke in a hushed voice to Ms Parker before meeting Violet's confused look, and motioning her to follow him.
The knot in her stomach became worse as she saw his ancient car parked in the handicapped spot in the parking lot. She knew his license expired over a year ago, but he was too drunk to ever bother doing anything about it. But looking at him right now, he seemed sober, dressed in something other than sweats. He had shaved his stubble off too.
Violet cautiously got into the backseat of the car and he began driving in the opposite direction to their old, beaten up apartment. She was too frightened to say anything, so stayed quiet and began pulling at the skin around her nails, hoping Dylan or Charlie had heard the announcement and were already calling their mom.
20 more minutes passed, and Violet no longer recognised what area of New York they were in. She tried taking slow, steady deep breaths, but nothing was easing her anxiety. Graham hadn't said anything since he arrived at the school, however she was kind of hoping he'd explain what was happening before she had to build up the confidence to ask. But his focus stayed firmly on the road for a further 10 minutes until he pulled up in front of a beautiful apartment building. She didn't even know places like this existed in real life. It seemed more like a hotel than somewhere people actually live.
Graham turned around and looked her right in the eye. She was shocked to see tears forming in his eyes as he cleared his throat.
"Violet, we can't go on like this. I know I'm a mess, I have been for years. As you know, things have gotten worse over the past couple of years. Most of it had been my fault." He paused and sighed.
"I want you to have a better life. One your mom would want you to have. That backpack beside you is full of your things and other stuff I thought you might want."
He licked his lips and gave her a look, like he was expecting her to say something.
"G-Graham, I don't understand..." I stuttered as he gave another, long sigh.
"We've been evicted. Living here is gonna give you a better life. A life your mom and I couldn't give you. Go knock on the door. If she's not there, wait outside of ask one of the neighbours if you can wait in there apartment. It's apartment 15. Top floor. Give her this." He handed her a letter on a torn piece of paper.
"Don't read it. It's not for you. Now go." He finished and turned back around in the seat.
Violet didn't move. She couldn't keep up with what was happening. She had no idea where she was or what Graham was talking about.
"Violet, I said go. Now." He says more sternly than before. She was afraid if she didn't move now, he'd get angrier, so she quickly grabbed both the backpack and her school bag and hurried out of the car, watching as he drove away. She peered up and the modern looking apartments and felt a sob arising in her throat. She took some more deep breaths as she took in the surrounding area. Opposite the apartment building, there were cafes, convenience stores, book stores and clothes shops.
Violet took another deep breath and slowly walked towards the apartment building feeling unsure of herself. Her head was spinning as she entered the lobby. Did he just ditch me here?
The lobby was breathtaking, with large furniture, shelves filled with books, plants and large paintings on the crisp white walls. She headed for the elevator and pressed for the top floor.
Once the elevator opened, she walked down the hallway until she got to apartment 15. She hesitated slightly before ringing the bell and lightly knocking on the door. She waited for someone to answer the door, but when nobody came, she figured whoever lived here was out, so tried the apartment next door.
She rang the bell, and a woman with dark ebony curls, who looked to be around 30 answered the door. She smiled at Violet and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Hey, can I help you?" The woman asked.
Violet cleared her throat, which was exceptionally dry, and tried to figure out what to say.
"Hi, um... my stepdad told me to come to the apartment next door, but, um.. no ones there. He told me to ask if I could wait in the apartment next door if that happened."
The woman raised her eyebrows and stepped back to allow Violet into the apartment. She cleared her throat a couple of times before replying.
"Sure, sure. Come in and make yourself comfortable. I'm Louisa, this is my moms apartment, just let me get her."
Louisa disappeared out the the balcony over looking the shops before an older woman appeared.
"Hi dear. I'm Jane. My daughter told me you were told to wait here. What's your name darling?"
Violet continued picking at the dry skin around her nails until she felt her thumb begin to bleed. She quickly whipped it on her jeans before Jane could see.
"I'm...I'm Violet. My stepdad left me here and, yeah, said if nobody was there to call into a neighbour."
Jane nodded and excused herself for a moment, returning a few minutes later with a glass of water and some cookies on a plate. Louisa joined them as the both sat on the couch opposite Violet.
"Now tell me darling, how do you know Rachel? Are you staying with her? Where are your parents?" Jane asked before taking a bite into a cookie.
Violet took a large gulp of water as she tried to figure out the answer to her questions.
"I..uh... I don't know who Rachel is. My stepfather just collected me from school and said to go to apartment 15 and wait." She left out the part about giving her a better life. No need to get personal with these strangers, especially when she wasn't even sure what he meant by that.
Jane and Louisa look as worried and confused as she felt. After a few minutes of awkward and intense conversation, Louisa left to refill the water Violet had gulped down in one go and Jane returned to the balcony to make a call to she assumed was Rachel.
The knot in her stomach grew bigger and bigger as she continued to wonder a) who Rachel was and, b) if Dylan and Charlie had realised she was gone.
︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎——
Rachel stood by the grave and allowed silent tears to roll down her cheeks. She thought the one year anniversary was hard, but now she was onto year two and it felt a million times worse. Santana stood on her right holding her hand tightly, and although she wasn't crying, her breathing had become unsteady. He dads were standing to her left. LeRoy was also quietly crying. Hiram was mumbling a prayer to himself.
She thought this year would be easier. That she could follow the same routine she did last year, but so much had changed that it almost felt like it was the first year anniversary. Like she was dealing with it for the first time. She let go of Santana's hand and ran about a meter away from the grave, towards a large tree. None of them followed her, she ordered them not to before they got out of the car.
She tried desperately to pull herself together, and after a half an hour it began to work. She slowly made her way back to the others, but stopped just before the got back to the grave when she felt phone vibrating in her bag. She frowned, as most people never called her on the anniversary, but she though it may be Shelby, who had promised to call her later. She didn't want to miss her call as she knew she wouldn't get another chance for the rest of the day, as neither one of them felt comfortable talking with Beth around, who wasn't aware of Rachel's existence.
"Hello?" She answered the phone with a sniff, yet was surprised to hear the sound of her neighbours voice instead of Shelby's.
"Rachel, I'm so sorry to call today of all days, I'm sure you're not feeling great right now. I just wanted to let you know there's a young girl here named Violet. Her stepfather dropped her off here and told her to go to your apartment. The stepfather left a note but he apparently gave her strict instructions that your the only one allowed read it."
Rachel remained silent. Did she know any Violets? Why would someone drop her off without calling?
"I just wanted to let you know. She can stay here for as long as you need. Louisa is here with me too so take all the time you need Rach, okay. No need to come rushing back."
"Thanks, Jane. I don't think I know any Violets but I'll take her in. My brain is kind of messed up today so I probably do know her. I'm just with my family now but I'll pick her up around five. Is that alright?" Rachel asked. Santana began walking over to her with a questioning look, but her brain was busy trying to recognise the name Violet.
"Honestly Rachel, take as long as you need. She's welcome here until you're ready. I won't keep you any longer. Get back to your family." Jane said kindly before ringing off.
"Who was that?" Santana asked in a husky voice, which meant she allowed herself to cry while Rachel wasn't looking.
"Jane, my next door neighbour. There's a girl called Violet there. Her dad sent her to my apartment, no call, no nothing. I don't think I even know them."
Santana frowned. "Weird. Do you need to go get her? I can drop you if you want. Or if you need a hand..."
"Thanks, San. I said I'd pick her up at five. It's just a lot to take in. Today of all days."
"I know." Santana whispered as the two wandered back to the grave.