"Would you save me a spark?
We'll start a fire that shines a light in the dark
Strike a match
Make it last
We are all we need"
"Could you at least tell me where we're going?" Violet begs as Tate leads her from the outskirts of the school's parking lot to the woods.
"No can do. It's a surprise!"
Tate has the blonde stunner's soft hand in his and gently leads her around rocks and twigs. It's finally outing week and Tate decided to take Violet to a place he found last semester where the two cold actually be alone. However, he wanted to add more flare to the seemingly dull destination by making Violet go blindfolded.
"You know we have to be back by eight, right?" she asks with sarcasm in her voice since Tate is walking her excruciatingly slow.
Letting out a fake laugh, Tate tickles her before answering. "Sorry I don't want you constantly tripping or falling!"
"Well, you could just untie this stupid thing!" she retorts after laughing.
"Oh shush, we're nearly there. I see it now." Tate smiles at the sight of their getaway. A few moments later the two walk into a building and once the door shuts, Tate removes the cloth from Violet's eyes. As she takes a look around the cabin she holds back a gasp.
"This place is incredible!" Violet declares while plopping on a dusty looking couch. "How do you know about this?" she asks while scanning the detailed rug placed under a dirty coffee table.
"Last year I went for a run in the woods when I was upset and stumbled upon this quaint place. At first I thought someone actually lived here but when I realized it was vacant I decided to chill here whenever I really wanted peace and quiet."
"Well," she says while scooting closer to her only friend, "this is really peaceful. What shall we do first?"
As Tate tares at Violet, he notices how beautiful she appears in her skirt and t-shirt and also notes how unique her fashion style is- grunge with a girly touch. Not many girls have the same look, let alone pull it off, and that only aides to Tate's fascination with Violet.
"Um," he begins to fumble with his hands, "I was thinking of eating and watching some movies. I brought my laptop." Upon the last word rolling from his tongue, he pulls two blankets from the picnic basket and his computer. "Sound good?" He asks while laying one of the linens on the ground.
After Violet agrees the two list movies until they finally decide on The Outsiders since she's never seen it.
"No!" Violet cries, "He can't die! Johnny can't die!" Tate only inches closer and rubs her back while she wipes away a few tears. However, he silently laughs at her full-hearted reaction. Since he's seen this movie at least a dozen times he knows every scene, but watching Violet's positive feedback takes him back to the first time he saw it. It was during his freshmen year, before he was sent to Briarcliff, and he was popular. Although all his friends thought the book was lame, he loved it, and needless to say he was ecstatic when he found out his teacher was screening the movie. Memories like that make Tate wish he could go back to his hometown but alas everything has changed.
"That was perfection!" Violet declares as the credits roll on his small laptop screen. "I can't believe I've never watched this. It's legendary!"
"I know right?" Tate answers while digging through the basket he brought. "Are you hungry?" he asks before pulling out the food he made in the student kitchen.
"Starving," Violet replies and then reaches for one of the sandwiches he brought.
Tate prides himself in being an excellent lunch maker and even prepared dessert for the two. As they munch on the Ruben sandwich and chips, Tate admires how Violet isn't afraid to eat around him like a lot of girls at Briarcliff are.
"When did you become a master chef?" she jokes with a mouth full of food.
"What can I say? My passion is food."
"Well, that would be an interesting career. You better cook for me then!" she teases.
"Very funny! I actually want to be a journalist. Ever since I got sent here I noticed how the world doesn't get the truth. There's so many lies everywhere. Look around- sure it looks nice but I can tell there's something they're hiding. The whole world is hiding something! Lies ruin people and I'm sick of them! I'm going to report the truth and nothing but it!"
Soaking in his heartfelt words, Violet adores how passionate Tate is and even finds it attractive. Most guys her age only care about drugs, sex, and partying. One could imagine how thrilled she is to have befriended the unique boy because she enjoys being challenged and force to think instead of mindlessly drinking alcohol or smoking pot. Sure, she enjoys the two sometimes but she doesn't want to be the person who can only have fun when out of her normal state.
"That's amazing Tate," she manages to force out. Violet has been staring in awe for a while and felt compelled to ease the awkward air she created. In truth, Tate became nervous at her silence because he wasn't sure if she thinks he is just some guy who's hung up on his past.
"What about you Vi? What's your dream job?" he inquires while sitting up straight to face his companion.
"I'm sure you guessed it has something to do with art. I love to sketch and all but painting is my true love. It's so exciting because I can change an image with a different stroke of my brush or the texture with oil paint. There are endless amounts of possibilities and I want to try them all. I want to be famous- to be remembered like Van Gogh and Monet, but really I just want to push my own limits like Jackson Pollock did." Violet finishes her explanation with a smile.
"Well, why don't you have any of your paintings hung on your wall then?" Tate asks but then regrets it when a frown spreads across her face.
Although she did draw Tate in pencil, she'd love to paint him- if she could buy some supplies. "Well, I just don't have anything to paint with. When I was running away I gave my precious brushes and paint to Gabe to hold but he's probably sold them by now. I have a credit card but the cost hundreds of dollars and surely Viven will be pissed."
Instead of answering he hugs her but he also notes that the supplies would be a great gift and definitely cheer her up. However, he wants to take her mind off it for now so he decides to talk about his problems. "Parents are mean and inconsiderate. They ship us here against our will and then expect us to be happy with the rules of conformity here. God my parents suck."
"So do mine. I think most of the kids parents here suck. I mean-"
"Yeah but at least they visit! At least they send gifts and cards! At least they go home during the holidays and break. I get sent to a local hotel and have an unlimited credit card so they have no reason to contact me. The last time I spoke to them was a few weeks before school started and the last time I saw them was two summers ago when my sister was really sick. It's bullshit! I just want them to love me!"
"Hey," Violet coos while grabbing his hand, "screw them! We are all we need." A smile spreads across Tate's heavenly face and distracts him from thoughts of his family. "Don't let them influence you anymore. You be who you want to be."
"All I wanted was for them to appreciate me. But my dad is upset because I don't want to be a lawyer or doctor. Apparently those are the only respectable jobs nowadays. I want them to notice me for who I am- not what they want me to be." When Tate looks up from his hands that were tugging at the small rip in his jeans he notices the tears welling up in Violet's amber eyes.
"My parents just don't care. My mother only sent me here because they wouldn't throw me in jail and her boyfriend would love to see me dead. Oh and my dad you ask? He moved to Greece with a girl two years older than me where none of us can contact him because he thinks I hate him. I haven't seen so much as a post card from him! I haven't felt loved in so long Tate. And honestly I don't think I ever will. Sure I may have boyfriends in the future but they won't mean anything. I surely won't get married. I mean, who could love me- right? I'm just some fucked up kid with daddy issues now."
Violet pauses to chuckle sarcastically which gives Kit the opportunity to interrupt.
"But Violet I-"
"Tate, you don't have to say it. We're friends but I'm sure when we leave Briarcliff you'll forget about me."
When Violet finishes her sentence Tate instantly feels a pang run through his chest. How could she think that he would abandon her? After all they've shared he couldn't imagine doing such a thing. "You really think that Vi?" he asks with a shaky voice. Truthfully, he's developed strange and new feelings for the new girl and even if she doesn't reciprocate he wants to remain friends for... well ever.
Instantly looking up from the wall to his velvety-brown glassy eyes that are on the verge of tears, she struggles for the right words to speak. Finally, when she spots stray droplets falling from his orbs, she lets all her emotions out. "Tate, I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you actually care for me. No one has ever really... well you're the first one to give a shit about me and it's so foreign. I want to be friends with you forever- if you want that too."
"Of course I do!" Tate shouts. He's not necessarily mad at Violet but more so at the people who hurt her. They corrupted her and nearly ruined any chance of someone getting close to her. Luckily, he seemed to sneak in just in time. "Violet, I've never been so open with someone in my entire life! I've never felt more connected to a human being than I do to you now. And it's fucking crazy because we haven't known each other long- but God it feels like a lifetime."
"You know hearts are only open when they break," Violet adds.
His line about being open with her only has hit a sensitive part of her because she observed that the people who are extremely cautious have experienced heart ache of some sort, and now she knows he's genuine about his past and has felt what she has.
"But I've never been in love. No- my heartbreak is from all the shit my family and so-called friends put me through. If I can't count on my Goddamn blood to be kind to me then how can a man do it? I hope I never fall in love because only bad things happen. I don't want to be vulnerable, like my father." As the words slip from her cherry painted lips, a tight knot forms in her chest and she knows that it won't be long before she breaks down.
Meanwhile, Tate opens his mouth to contradict her thoughts but she cuts him off before he can take a breath.
"Besides no one is really happy married. I mean you said your dad cheated on your mom and it ruined her. She's only staying because of her age. Marriage just generally sucks," she finishes and then sighs. This subject is not a light one for either of the two.
"But why? Vi, this mindset doesn't just pop up. You weren't born with those thoughts. I know your parents were a shitty example but not everyone is miserable. You have to have hope." Tate feels like he's almost trying to justify the two of them to her. He's thought about asking her out, or even kissing her, but their friendship would be at risk and he certainly can't lose that.
"Sometimes I get lost in so much hope," she mumbles and takes a loud, deep breath, "I'm drowning."
"Violet," Tate huffs as he stands up and extends his hand for her to grab, "can't we live with no regrets?" Before she can object, Tate pulls her into his arms and begins to sway. Although this is new and sort of odd for her, she enjoys the slow dance the two are sharing. A tingle crawls up Violet's back where Tate's hands are draped and the sensation moves down her chest to stomach. It is then that she realizes she likes her newfound friend- the only person she's given a glimpse of the inner workings of her mind. The evidence is in the sparks she feels whenever he touches her, and she hopes by him dancing with her is his way of proclaiming his fondness of her.
As the two move in sync to Kissing In Cars by Pierce The Veil blaring from Violet's phone, they let the lyrics sink into their minds and imagine possible scenarios of one another.
No! At the top of our lungs,
There's no, no such thing as too young.
Violet nuzzles her head into his neck and allows thoughts of the two romantically together invade her mind. She imagines Tate would be a wonderful lover- emotionally and physically, and she can envision their dates already: Tate taking her to new places every day until it's finally her turn to discover the new scenery and when she does the two make love right there. Nothing can stop them- not the Dean, not their parents, and not Leah.
She was always the one,
I'll repeat it again, the one.
Meanwhile, Tate conjures up the idea of their wedding. It's a stretch but he can't help but picture the beautiful soul in front of his as his wife- his partner for eternity. Maybe it's infatuation or maybe it's his first love but he doesn't care. The thought of Violet in a white lace dress with thin strands of hair framing her glowing face is enough for him to propose right now. And when a smile spreads across her scarlet, plump cheeks to reveal a beaming smile, his nerves would go into overdrive. Once she reaches the alter Tate allows his lips to curve upward and expose his dimples that he knows Violet adores. When the two simple words slip from her mouth, he smashes his lips to hers and leaves them attached for what seems like years.
If you kiss me goodnight,
I'll know, everything is alright,
Second chances won't leave us alone,
Won't leave us alone,
'Cause there's faith in love.
As the song comes to an end Violet ponders what to do and where things are going. She begins to hum the last few lines and the words influence her next move.
She lifts her head up slowly to stare into Tate's dark eyes, and as she does his gaze traces her face. Every curve and color is appreciated by his vision. Whether it be her raspberry color lips that are extremely hard to resist or the cognac-brown freckles on her cheeks which make her pale skin stand out and give an innocent vibe, his eyes do not miss a single detail. With every blink of her orbs, the dark lashes that line above her eye flutter as her lids open and close. Everything about Violet entices him, but he doesn't make a move because of what they have. Their friendship is far more important than his possible one-sided feelings.
However, not obvious to Tate, Violet also studies his face as well. Although a tough decision, she decides her favorite feature of his face is his smile- but the particular part around his cheeks that plump when his lips spread and form the beautiful expression.
Thinking only in the moment, Violet inhales sharply and slowly inches her face toward Tate's. With every millimeter closer, Tate becomes nervous that this is some kind of test, but to his surprise, she plants her red lips on his and every cell in his body goes wild. He had always studied her mouth and knew it is thick and fluffy, but he never imagined how soft and sweet her lips would taste. Whatever Chapstick she used earlier had snuck into his mouth, and he determines that it is honey flavored, which is now his favorite.
Also enjoying the kiss, Violet nearly moans into Tate's mouth; she hasn't felt so much pleasure and excitement in a long time. So, again thinking only in the now, she slides her hands from his neck to his crotch. She isn't all that sure why she's moving so quickly, but she doesn't care.
However, Tate jolts when he tiny hand traces the outline of growing erection. He doesn't want her to feel pressured, or let her think he's take advantage of her either, so he breaks their lip connection. "Violet," he murmurs between breaths, "Wha- you don't have to."
Instead of responding she pushes his neck closer to her and reattaches their aching lips while adding more pressure with her hand to his middle, and Tate takes her actions as permission to snake his hand from the small of her back to her abdomen and eventually up to her breasts. When he finally reaches her chest he moans. The mere sensation of his fingertips grazing her clothed breasts causing so much pleasure to run down to his cōck.
This becomes apparent to Violet as she is still rubbing it; so instead of teasing him through his jeans, she decides to yank them down to allow the restriction to stop. His grey boxers hug his boner tightly and turns her on greatly. And although Tate figures they'll eventually both be naked, he doesn't expect Ruby to take action now. Needless to say he is flabbergasted when she drops to her knees and pulls down his underwear, which allows his hard length to spring up. The urge to explode almost takes over when her cold hand grasps his shaft but he holds back because he knows there's much more pleasure to come.
Despite his will power, the moment Violet pops the head into her mouth Tate knows the orgāsm will arrive shortly. And he's right because less than a minute later a twitch takes over his body and ends at the tip of his boner, but Violet keeps her eyes focused on his toned torso in front of her as he unloads in her mouth. Being the stubborn girl she is, she swallows his hot liquid although he insists it's all right if she spits.
Then, before she can react, Tate sweeps her up and plops her delicate body onto the couch. On the way he kicks off his boxers and jeans from his ankles. Once Violet is laid on the sofa, Tate shimmies her out of the skirt that hugs her hips while she lifts the t-shirt over her head. When the sound of the articles hitting the floor ring through Tate's ears, he pauses to admire her shapely body. Every inch from her toes to head seduce him and especially the subtle curve of her hips and mounds on her chest.
Eventually, he pyres his eyes away and plants his wet lips on her neck. As he trails kisses down her body, Violet grabs his hair in anticipation. Finally, he reaches her warmth and rips the soft, black hipster-style underwear off to reveal a drenched pūssy. He knows how desperately she wants him, but since he has never went down on a girl, he is hesitant.
With shaky hands, he parts her pink lips that beautifully fold and inches his mouth to the source of wetness. Finally, his tongue touches her core and the two equally go wild. Violet bucks her hips and yanks at Tate's curls while he sucks in the clit into his mouth and roughly pokes it with his tongue, eventually adding a finger inside her.
With all the pleasure she isn't sure how much longer she'll last, and she definitely isn't ready to finish yet, so Tate removes himself in hopes of making love. Luckily, he has carried a condom in his wallet since the start of high school in hopes of having sex, and in the past two years it's become a habit.
When he reaches for the foil square Violet knows his plan. However, instead of plowing into her, Tate hovers and whispers, "Do you want to?"
Without opening her mouth, Violet lets out "Mmhmm." That's when Tate pushes his erection into her, and although she isn't a virgin, it is still a bit painful since it's been a while.
As the two enjoy the sentimental moment together, they both are secretly hoping it isn't just a horny hookup or an in-the-moment fling.
Little do they know, they just struck a match.