Violet could barely focus on the words on the pages of the book she was holding. Her mind kept wandering, and she couldn't stop thinking that the white walls around her were closing in on her. She had survived another week in this hell hole, but she felt like she was starting to lose her mind, if she hadn't lost it already. Her eyes flew to the door as she heard the old handle turn and the door creak open. She was nervous that it was Nora or Doc. A blonde head popped around the side of the door. Violet felt a whole different set of nerves now.
"Hey." Tate whispered as he snuck in the door and shut it quietly behind him.
"How did you get in here?" Violet asked, knowing that all of the doors locked automatically when shut. Tate smirked and held up a ring full of keys. He made his way over to Violet's bed as he spoke.
"The perks of being the doctor's son… I can steal a lot of things." He sat down next to Violet and noticed how she seemed to flinch away from him. He frowned. "What's wrong? Do I smell or something?"
Violet looked down at her hands and shook her head. Tate scooted closer to her and watched as she moved farther away.
"Okay…" Tate was confused. "If you keep scooting away from me, you are going to fall off this bed. What's going on? You can tell me, Violet."
"Violet…" Violet whispered. She hadn't heard her real name in a long time.
Tate smiled and moved closer again. This time Violet didn't move away. "Yea, Violet. That is your name. Tell me what's wrong."
Violet took a deep breath and looked into Tate's black eyes. "Nora."
"Nora?"
Violet nodded. "She threatened. She told me to stay away from you…"
Tate made a noise that sounds like a growl in the back of his throat. "That fucking bitch."
Violet looked shocked. "I'm sorry, Violet." Tate shook his head and looked into Violet's gaze. "She is just… Old and angry. I won't let her hurt you. I promise." The tips of his fingers ghosted over her cheek before resting under her chin.
Violet felt her stomach flip. "Wh… Why? You'd protect me? You don't even know me…"
Tate smiled and leaned closer to Violet. "I probably know more about you than most. I like you, Violet. You're different from anyone else here. You're strong willed, smart, and beautiful."
"I don't feel like any of those things. I feel like I'm losing it." Violet whispered.
"I won't let that happen." Tate whispered as he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against Violet's. Violet gasped as she felt a spark erupt from where their lips connected. She pushed her lips back against Tate's, enjoying the feelings that were running through her. She hadn't felt anything in a long time. She felt like she was starting to revive.
Tate smiled against Violet's lips before slowing pulling away. His eyes moved down to her lap to see that she was clutching an old book. "What are you reading?"
Violet opened her eyes when Tate asked her a question. She looked down, completely forgetting that she had been holding a book. "Oh… It's Romeo and Juliet."
"How tragic." Tate took the book from Violet's hands, flipping through the tattered pages.
"I think it's romantic. They both died for each other so that they could be together forever."
Tate looked at Violet, hesitating for a moment. "Would you ever die for someone?"
Violet shrugged. "I guess if I was in love and there was no other way to be together or to be happy… Yea, I would."
"I think I might, too. If it was for the right person." Tate's words turned into whispers as his lips pressed against Violet's again. His hands moved to Violet's waist, holding onto her tightly. Violet moved a hand to the back of Tate's neck, keeping his face close to hers. Their lips pulled and pushed against one another's until they both needed to breathe. They smiled at each other as they took heavy breaths.
Tate leaned his head against Violet's shoulder and handed the book back to her. "Will you read to me?" He asked. Violet smiled and nodded, opening the book and starting to read out loud. Tate closed his eyes, listening to Violet's soothing voice. He hadn't felt this peaceful in a long time.
Violet paused to take a break from reading for a minute, and Tate whispered. "I'm really glad that I met you, Violet. Even if the circumstances couldn't get any worse."
"Me too, Tate." Violet continued to read quietly to Tate, speaking of lovers that were being torn apart by the world around them. Tate's fingers began to trail up and down Violet's arm, making her shiver. His fingers curled with hers, holding onto her hand. He nuzzled his face against her arm, making Violet smile.
A loud knock on Violet's door made both of them jump. Tate jumped off the bed and ran over to Violet's closet, shutting himself inside. Violet straightened her bed sheets and sat up straight just as the door was opening.
Nora was standing in the doorway. "Baby Doll, it's time for your session. Let's go." She motioned to Violet before walking out of the doorway and down the hall. Violet walked over to her door before turning around and looking towards her closet. Tate was poking his head out from behind the door. He smiled and winked at her, and she blushed before turning and walking out of her room.
Violet tried to hide her smile through her entire session with Nora. She didn't want the older woman to be suspicious of her. The session went like normal, with Violet not speaking at all. She was thankful when it was over, and she was allowed to go back to her room. She was a little disappointed to find that Tate wasn't still in the room. A small piece of paper tucked in between the pages of her book caught her eye. She pulled the paper out and read the note scribbled on it, smiling.
"Today was amazing. I'll come visit again soon. Love, T."
Violet read the note over and over again before hiding it under her mattress. So many emotions were running through her, making her feel alive. She wondered if this boy would save her from her demons.