Staying away from him..

VIOLET


“I see you had a good time flirting with my friend.?" Ryan’s voice was low and cold. I froze,my hand gripping the door tighter. I had no idea he was there. The anger that had simmered all night threatened to boil over again. I turned slowly to face him,his eyes on me were intense. Daring me to say something to justify what I did.

"You’re seriously standing there accusing me of flirting when you’re the one who left me stranded at that stupid party?"

Ryan crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the doorway with a look that screamed indifference.

“That still doesn't give you the right to leave with Jack. He'll screw you up over and leave you alone in the end. He's a playboy”

“That sounds like you just described yourself” I muttered.

“Right.” He cussed. “ But do you really think it was a good idea to leave with him?"

"I didn’t LEAVE with him, Ryan. He found me. I didn’t want to stay there after you disappeared." My frustration slipped into my voice. "What was I supposed to do? Wait around for you to remember I existed?"

He took a step forward, closing the distance between us. His presence was overwhelming, but I didn’t back down. Not this time. I was too angry, too hurt.

"Violet” he said quietly, his voice laced with something I couldn’t quite place—frustration? I didn't know. "I didn’t want you leaving with him. He’s not—"

"Not what?" I interrupted "Not someone you approve of? Or is it just that you don’t like the idea of someone else showing me the slightest bit of attention?"

Ryan’s eyes flickered, and for a moment, I thought I saw something shift in them. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the usual guardedness.

"I don’t want you near him Violet. End of story.”

“You’re kidding right? you don’t really get a say in whether I want to hang out with him or not”

His eyes flashed with anger. “I'm only looking out for you. Jack isn't—”

"Why does it matter to you? Why do you act like you care?” I said,my voice rising with each word.

“That's the problem. I do care” He covered the last distance between us and I could feel his figure hovering over me.

"Why do you keep doing this, Ryan? Why do you act nice one minute, and then the second I think you actually care, you shut me out like I don’t matter?"I could feel the tears starting to gather in my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let him see how much this was affecting me.

"Violet” he started but I didn’t let him finish

“No," I interrupted, shaking my head. "I'm tired of second-guessing where I stand. One minute,you come lashing out at me,the other you come asking for a truce, asking to be friends. I thought we could relate well as siblings. I thought we don't have to be distant every time but guess I was wrong”

Ryan’s eyes darkened, it locked onto mine with a deep intensity "You don’t understand, Violet."

"Then make me understand!" I shouted, the desperation in my voice palpable.

He shook his head,raking a hand through his hair

"It’s not that simple."

"Yes, it is!" I cried, stepping closer, my heart hammering in my chest. "It is that simple. You either care about me, or you don’t. But I’m done trying to figure it out"

Ryan’s gaze snapped back to me, his eyes blazing with something I couldn’t quite place and in a swift motion,he pressed my back against the wall and I shuddered at the force of it,my breath catching up in my throat.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for." He muttered,his breath hot against my face.

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my ears.

"Maybe I don’t" I whispered, my voice barely audible now. "But I’m not asking for much. I’m just asking for the truth."

He bit his lower lips, clearly frustrated, and for a moment, I thought he might actually say something—anything—that would make this all make sense.

But instead, he shook his head, stepping away from me.

“ I can’t, Violet" he muttered, "You don’t understand what you’re getting into. Just go”

“Right” I mouthed, turning away from him.

I didn’t wait for his response. I didn’t look back to see if he was going to say anything. I just walked inside unsure if there was anything left to save.

I closed the door behind me letting out a heavy sigh. My mind was spinning, replaying everything Ryan had said, everything he hadn’t said. I wasn’t going to let him get to me again—not this time,not ever. He’d always been distant, shutting me out just when I thought I was starting to understand him. It hurt, but I was done letting it affect me so deeply.

My phone buzzed on her bedside table, pulling me from her thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw a message from Luke.

Luke:Hey, you okay? Just checking in.

I smiled, feeling a flicker of gratitude for his timing. He always seemed to know when I needed someone to talk to, someone who wasn’t caught up in a storm of confusion like Ryan.

Violet: I’m okay, just tired. How’s everything with you?

The response came almost immediately, like he was waiting for me to text back.

Luke: Same here. Just wanted to make sure you're fine

Violet: I am.. really :)

He sent a thumbs-up emoji, and for a second, I let myself relax. Luke wasn’t dramatic or demanding. He was just… easy. And right now, easy was what I needed.

Luke: I was thinking about you earlier today, actually. I found something I thought you might like.

My heart gave a tiny flutter at his words. I couldn’t help but smile. He always had this way of making me feel like I mattered, even in the simplest ways.

Violet: Oh? What did you find?

There was a brief pause before his response came in.

Luke: A book. Saw it and thought of you. Want me to bring it over during the camping? I'm not home currently. I'm at my Dad's

A warmth spread through me. Luke knew me well enough to know how much I loved books, and the fact that he thought of me when he saw one meant more than I could express. It was such a small thing, but in that moment, it felt like exactly what I needed.

Violet: I’d love that. Thank you

Luke: Oh great. I was having mixed feelings about it. Thought you might not like it.

Violet: Oh no, it's perfect. I love it. Thank you so much

He sent a goodbye text promising to check in later in the morning.

I put my phone down, feeling a sense of peace settle over me.I turned off the lamp beside my bed and pulled the covers over me, letting my thoughts drift away from Ryan.

In a few days, I'd see Ashley and Luke, we’d go for the camp and have fun. I wouldn’t have to think about Ryan at all.

And maybe that was a good thing.

Just as I was about drifting off,my phone pinged with another text.

Hell,I already said a bye to Luke. What now? With a groan, I picked it up and the message I saw made me freeze.

“Few more days Violet. I'm coming for you!!”






Note to my readers: And that's just the beginning! There's so much more to come—twists, secrets, and unexpected turns waiting to unravel. Grab your popcorn because the real story is about to unfold.🔥