Now
VIOLET
“Goddammit,” I mutter under my breath. “Sage, have you seen my phone?”
I’ve been searching our apartment in a frenzy for the past fifteen minutes, and there hasn’t been any sign of my phone. I lose this thing way too often. I might have to implant a sensor into my brain, so I can find it faster.
Looking all over the bar counter and stools, I give up and search in the cabinets.
“Are you looking for this?” Sage asks in monotone, waving my phone in her hand. Her caramel skin glows from the streaks of sunlight coming through the kitchen window. Her black curly hair is fully down, landing at her ribcage.
I should’ve known.
Sage does this to me more times than I can count. Part of me knew she had it, but I didn’t want to believe it.
“I don’t have time for this right now. I have to meet Dani at Tidal Wave in twenty minutes. I’m tired of you stealing my phone.”
“Lighten up, Violet. It’s not like I stole your kidney.” She places my phone on the kitchen table with the screen facing up.
Walking over to grab my phone, I raise my eyebrow at Sage and slip it into the back pocket of my shorts. “We would be on our way to Sunset Cove Hospital right now if you did.”
My heart rumbles against my ribcage, threatening to explode out of my chest at any given minute.
Before I leave the apartment, I head into the bathroom to check my appearance. My tousled blonde waves frame my face, a nude pink lipstick hides the natural pigment in my lips, and gold hoops dangle on my ears.
I back up closer to the wall behind me, so I can get a better view of myself. I inspect the gray sports bra, ripped jean shorts, and pair of black and white Converse I’m wearing.
Feeling my butt buzzing, I take out my phone and see a text from Dani.
Dani
hey, i’m here. where are you?
Me
I’m on my way. Sage hid my phone again
Dani
you need to tell her to stop doing that!
Me
I have, but she doesn’t listen to me. It’s so annoying
Dani
typical sage. she never listens to me either. now that i think about it, she doesn’t listen to anybody
Walking out of the bathroom, I make it over to the front door. “Wish me luck.”
Sage doesn’t respond because she’s too busy typing away on her computer.
Last year, I stumbled upon an advertisement that was hanging on a bulletin board in one of the business buildings located on campus.
There was this girl who was searching for a roommate. Her phone number was included in the ad, so I didn’t hesitate to call it. I was basically living at Sweet & Salty, the romance-only bookstore, the place where I work because I wanted to get out of my parents’ house.
Sage wasn’t the friendliest person, and she seemed apprehensive about having me as her roommate. It took a lot of convincing, but it eventually worked out in my favor.
When I moved in, our friendship didn’t exist. We were simply roommates. She saw me as someone who could help her pay for the rent and utilities.
After six months came and went, we became more friendly. She’s the kind of person who keeps to herself. She doesn’t really talk to me about anything. I don’t ask why because it’s none of my business.
I respect her space, and she respects mine.
“Wish me luck,” I repeat.
“Don’t blow it.”
I glare at her as I walk out the door, slamming it closed on my way out.
Why am I doing this? This is a mistake.
THREE DAYS AGO
Me
I need your help
Noah
Should I be scared?
Me
No, of course not. I need to see him
Noah
Violet, this is a bad idea
Me
Noah, you know he would beat you up if he found out you’ve been in contact with me for the past six years
I miss him more than you’ll ever understand. I haven’t stopped thinking about him. You have to help me
There’s no scientific explanation for why I waited so long to reunite with the very first guy I fell in love with. I couldn’t bring myself to see him a year or two after everything happened because the wounds were still fresh.
I felt that it was better to let more time pass by before I made the decision to reunite with him.
Now that I look back, I don’t know if allowing for more time to pass has been the best choice because it’s going to be the same feeling as ripping off a Band-Aid. The initial contact will hurt, but there’s a possibility that the wound could heal.
Noah
If you’re seeking advice from me about men, you’ve contacted the wrong person. Fortunately for you, I know someone you can talk to about this
Me
Okay, now I’m the one who’s scared
Noah
There’s no reason to be scared. I know her very well. She lives in Hightower, apartment 202
Me
If I don’t make it back alive, I will haunt you for the rest of your life
Noah
You’re so dramatic, Vi
Vi.
The last time I heard that nickname was when it came out of his mouth. I haven’t stopped thinking about that mouth, specifically the shape of his lips. His dark brunette hair and his deep brown eyes encapsulated me from the very moment we first met.
Snap out of it, Violet.
My heart rate quickens at the floodgate of memories that rush back to me.
Standing in front of the apartment door of the mysterious girl that Noah told me to go visit, I knock on it. Silence follows, and I fidget with my hands, almost debating on turning around and leaving. Then, the door opens with a horrible creaking sound that makes my eye twitch.
My eyes land on the young woman standing in front of me.
Dani Solomon.
She has wavy, dark brunette hair and dark brown eyes. She’s wearing a white tank top and jean shorts. Her light to medium skin contrasts nicely against her clothing. To top it all off, she’s completely barefoot. I mean, it makes sense considering she’s in her own apartment.
Dani stands there with her arms crossed, her eyebrows lowering. “Violet? What are you doing here?” Confusion is etched in her tone.
“Noah sent me.”
“Why did he send you here?” she asks kindly.
A young woman rushes over to us.
Bella Castillo-Ryder.
Her olive skin glistens from the sunlight peeking through the apartment windows. Dark brunette waves lay perfectly behind one shoulder and over the other. She’s wearing a creamy white pajama set with ruffles lining the bottom edges of the top and bottoms.
“Wow, Violet, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you,” Bella says.
“I know. It has been a while.”
“Come in.” Bella guides me into the apartment.
Dani and Bella’s apartment is cozy and cute. The kitchen is lined with white cabinetry. There’s a small bar area with tall, silver bar stools. A gray, plush sofa and a matching chair fill the living room space.
Bella plants herself on the chair, while Dani and I sit on the sofa.
Dani sits criss-cross applesauce, facing my direction. “I don’t know why Noah didn’t tell me he was sending you here.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t understand why he’d send me here in the first place.”
Bella chimes in. “Oh, she doesn’t know about you two, which is odd to me since she’s been talking to Noah.”
I look at both of them. “What don’t I know?”
“Noah and I are dating,” Dani blurts out.
If I had water in my mouth right now, I would’ve spit it out.
I throw my hands up in the air. “What?”
“Yeah, that’s a valid reaction.” Bella raises her eyebrows.
I shake my head, squinting my eyes. “I’m confused. Last time I saw you, you told me how your mom basically forced him to stay at your house with you.”
“I know it’s hard to believe. Let’s just say this past summer was…a rollercoaster. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you about us.”
“I wish I could’ve been there for him more. I know how rough this summer was for him, but I’m glad he has you now. I don’t understand why he didn’t mention you guys are dating though. I guess he thought we’d cross paths again or something.”
Dani looks away from me, focusing on Bella. “Remind me to text him after this.”
Bella smiles at her as she drops her head down to the floor for a few seconds.
“So Violet, what can I help you with?” Dani asks as her face softens.
“I’m going to talk to Grayson…I’m just not sure how to go about it. I don’t know if I should really do this or not.”
It takes Dani a moment to register who she’s talking about. “So, you came here for my advice?”
I nod, my lips slightly parting.
The last time I saw Dani was at Just One More Chapter, one of the local bookstores here in Sunset Cove, about a month ago. We exchanged phone numbers, but we haven’t talked since then. Now I know why. She’s been busy with her boyfriend, Noah.
It’s so weird to hear myself say that, even if it’s inside my head.
“I asked Noah for his advice, and he sent me to you. So yeah, I came here for your advice.”
Dani side-eyes Bella, looking back and forth between the two of us.
Bella winks at us, clearly understanding we need some privacy and heading over to her bedroom. “I’ll be in here if you need me!” She closes the door behind her.
“What made you decide to do this now?” Dani asks me, crossing her leg over the other.
A floodgate opens, allowing me to be vulnerable with her. “I haven’t stopped thinking about him for the past six years, Dani. I-I miss him so much.” The admission gets me all choked up.
This is why I can’t talk about him.
No, this is why I don’t talk about him at all.
The pain is still fresh like an open wound that doesn’t want to close up. I’m aware I’m opening that wound even more by talking about him with Dani, but sometimes talking can be a form of healing.
Dani stretches her arm out, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I haven’t reached out to you. I wanted to, but these past few months have been hectic. I’ve also been distracted with writing.” She pauses. “Let me be here for you now. Tell me what you want to do, and we’ll do it.”
My eyes grow wide. “Seriously?”
“If your heart is telling you that you need to see Grayson, then listen to it. There’s something I’ve learned about love this past summer: it appears at the most unexpected times. Once you have it, you never want to let it go.”
Wow, that was wise.
She’s right.