Guys! This chapter is SOO overdue. And I apologize! I was sick with the flu for about two weeks. :( Anywho. A big thank you to my lovely reviewers. Especially Lauren G. for her awesome reassurance and kind words! Means alot. Keep on reviewing!

Peace, Love, Violate.

As the last of his students came in, he walked to his desk. His eyes catching a chilled water bottle by the stacked papers of his lesson.

For the first time in days, Tate had a reason to smile.

VII

The clock's hands ticked slowly over the next number as Tate wrote more on the black board behind his desk. The words jumbled together as he shook his head to fix his vision. It would be about five minutes until he saw her again. No girl had figured him out before, especially a student in his senior year English class. He re-stacked his papers, and ran his fingers through his tousled hair.

He was tired. He wanted to sleep and wake up feeling better, his life was a messy situation that he didn't even want to be a part of. The walls he was forced to hold up were crumbling, and it was hard to mask his pain now. His mother was dying and she didn't react the way he had expected her too. Her bravado was slipping as well. Yet she had a valid reason.

He was lucky to even get an excuse. He hadn't told the board of his mother's misfortune because he would be the one suffering. They would most likely give him personal grieving time and pay along with it, but he didn't want that. He wanted to work, he wanted to forget what would end up breaking him. He couldn't handle the dark thoughts that rounded his psyches day and night. He hated cutting to rid the pain, he hated the slits that scarred his skin with permanent reminders of what went wrong and how he dealt with it.

Tate Langdon hated himself.

He just hated his weaknesses just a bit more.

TxVxTxVxT

The bell sounded above his head and students piled in, their happy chatter quieted as they sank into their seats and got out the proper materials for his class.

Tate's eyes scanned the room and desks before taking attendance, one was empty much to his surprise. Being it was still considered early in the semester. He looked to his seating chart finding the name of the absent person. Violet Harmon was scratched onto the line in messy writing.

Violet Harmon wasn't in class, and he hated to admit it, but he was a little confused. She had shown up this morning early to talk to him, outside of tutoring or anything that required help. She even repaid him back a water bottle from two weeks before when they first met. Unbeknownst to who she was. Surely she would have told him she wouldn't be in right?

It was all so strange. This girl was definitely different and it intrigued him.

But it wasn't safe, she was his student, he was the instructor, they weren't compatible by law and if he involved himself romantically with her, then his job was in jeopardy. This, well, whatever this was considered to be, was dangerous in itself. But, Tate Langdon was attracted to the dangers of the world, that alone could cause him harm.

Violet was his danger and he didn't wanna pull away, the real problem? He didn't know if he could before it was too late.

The students read casually, flipping through the pages of Oedipus The King after Tate explained what it was about and instructed them to read the first chapter. For the most part, the room was quiet. Too quiet, Tate finally snapped up from the over read text of his book and his eyes widened in surprise.

Sneaking into the room was Violet Harmon, with a hood covering up her face.

"Miss Harmon, you're late." Tate scolded half heartedly, he didn't care that she was late after seeing her so mysterious, he was worried now.

"Piss off, Tate." Violet snapped harshly before placing her head on the desk. Gasps sounded the room as some of the guys 'ooohed' immaturely. Tate stood there shocked against Violet's tone as he inwardly cringed. He felt her words with a sting as sharp as his old blades. His eyes blazed in anger as his fist clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"See me after class." the tone of his voice held a false sense of dominance. Violet didn't budge. Tate hadn't understood why she was angry with him, if she even was. He had never heard her use such a vicious word. It upset him greatly.

VxTxVxTxV

Class ended fifteen minutes ago, Tate stared at Violet's un-moving form. His breaths came out shaky and soft as he cautiously approached her. Taking a seat, he touched her arm with a firm but gentle hand.

"Violet." his voice was deeper than he wanted it to be, he wanted to mask his hurt, but with her, it seemed to be inevitable to not mask anything. He was real, and so were the emotions being expressed.

Her hair peeked out from her hood as she lifted her head slightly to listen more clearly.

"What happened, why are you getting an attitude?" Tate asked touching her forearm with his fingers, she looked at him fully as he backed up against the chair. Her cheek was badly cut, a deep gash that looked painful in her porcelain skin. He flinched.

"That's why. That flinching when you looked at me, it's been happening all fucking day! I didn't ask for it, I certainly didn't ask for this!" She pointed to the still open wound. "I wouldn't wish this on my worst fucking enemy. Let alone do this to someone."

"Who did this? I can report them. We can put a stop to it. This is a crime. Bullying has a zero tolerance in this academy."

"Fuck that zero tolerance shit, Tate. You and I both know that snitching will only make it ten times worse. I'm a big girl now. I don't need my professor sticking up for me." her voice was cold and demeaning

"It's my job, you are my responsibility. Look, let me help you." Tate was almost pleading now. Violet's gaze snapped to his penetrating eyes as she finally spoke.

"It was Leah Mason. She attacked me in lunch when I was smoking a cigarette down in the parking lot of the back of the school. I really didn't know it was such a crime. She got me on the ground and slit my cheek with her ring. Sharp edge."

"I should be writing you up for smoking on school property, but I'm dismissing that because of what Leah did. Just leave it to me, she won't bother you again. I promise." His eyes held conviction as Violet smiled lightly. She packed up her things and swung her bag over her shoulder and walked to the door.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"You understand." Tate muttered. She smiled once more and walked out, her hood over her face again shielding the violent secret from the world. Even if it was for a little while.

Tate too, packed up his things and turned the light of the room off and locked the door.

Leah Mason was Tate's main concern as of now.

He smirked manically as he felt his darkening thoughts consume him because Violet's suffering was almost over and he was doing it his way this time.

The only real question he asked himself was when?

Chapter 7 is done! :)

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