Violet's P.O.V

The closet doors from upstairs were brutally being opened.

Ugh, Rosemary!

"Can you be delicate with those!" I stomped my way up to the second floor. "What the fuck, Rosemary? Don't go around breaking shit!"

"Violet not now!" Rosemary sighed. In a rush, she looked through her side of the closet. Hangers slid back and forth. Showing that she couldn't find what she was looking for. Either that or she didn't like anything. Frustrated, she kept pushing everything side to side.

Reminded me of when my friends looked for something cute to wear for dates.

Unease, I chewed on the inside of my cheek. Could that be the reason for Rosemary? She had a date? With Olivia? I wanted to know but I was scared to know. What would be worse? To know or not know? Did I want to overthink or be upset with the truth? Which was more bearable?

I know I heard Olivia mention something about a date the other day but was it true?

"Looking for something to wear to the circus?" Whatever, I had to ask. That or I was going to spend the rest of my afternoon hitting a punching bag.

"Sure. I might take Olivia there after dinner," Rosemary joked flatly.

That confirmed it, they were going on a date. Jealousy ran through me. Why could Rosemary so easily cause this in me? Out of everyone. The one person who got on my nerves was the one that stir these emotions in me.

"I have a clown costume from a party once, I can let you borrow it if you want," I offered up, sarcastically.

Mimicking my sarcasm, she laughed, "Maybe if it were a date with you!"

"Not even in your dreams," I snickered. As if she were done talking to me, she shrugged and went back to searching through the closet. "Anyway, where are you guys having dinner at?" Curiosity got the best of me. Nosey me was coming out.

"Olivia said somewhere called Table 22," she answered. I laughed. "What?" Rosemary stopped for a moment to look at me. "Did I say something wrong?"

"It's Table 21," I corrected.

"Like I care," nonchalantly, she went back to looking.

"I mean, it's a cute restaurant," that, I could not deny. Delicious food. Service was always on point. The atmosphere was calm and enjoyable. At this point, Rosemary could care less what I had to say. It's like I wasn't even in the room. Similar to the way my parents acted when they were in the same room as me. "I think this should fit the vibe of the restaurant," I put together an outfit for her. Something I knew that she'd look absolutely gorgeous in. The thought of her and Olivia out on a date filled me up with jealousy and sadness but I felt like helping her.

For her.

Puzzled, her forehead creased, "Um, thank you?" She accepted my suggestion.

"Uh-huh, bye," I headed downstairs.

I could not take it another minute. Stupidly, I wished it were me who was going on that date with her. Not Olivia.

I walked out of my dorm room. The moment I exited, I bumped into Carina.

"Wait, where are you going?" She wondered.

"To kill time until dinner is ready," I shrugged. Dinner was served every night at 7pm.

"Speaking of dinner," Carina started. "I wanted to ask you if you wanted to have dinner with me?"

"Like eat together or go out somewhere?" I needed clarification.

"Off campus," she elaborated.

I didn't really feel like getting ready to go out for the night. "I don't know." After finding out about Rosemary's date, I wasn't in the mood- holy shit! Wait! On second thought. "Actually, yes! Yes I do!" I accepted.

As if I made her whole day, Carina smiled from ear to ear.

**********

Rosemary's P.O.V

We were behind a few people to go into the restaurant. A group just walked away. They were sent away. There was a guest list?

The restaurant host asked us, "Under what name is your reservation?" she asked, ready to search up the name on the tablet.

"Actually, we don't have a reservation," Olivia spoke on our behalf. I mentally facepalmed. Even I knew that a place like this required a reservation.

In a lamenting expression, the host stated, "I fear that we don't have a table for you. Our reservations are full."

Honestly, we could go to McDonald's and I'd be happy with it. No need to come to a fancy restaurant like Table 21. By the looks of it, Olivia was stuck on this place though. She was bargaining with the host to get a table.

"No table at all?" Olivia exhausted her choices.

The host opened her mouth to speak but just then a familiar voice squeaked, "I need a table!" Violet? How in the world was she here? Oh boy, this had to be a nightmare! "Hello beautiful!" Violet greeted the host. Welcoming herself to give her a side hug.

"Violet Delaney! Welcome! What a pleasure to have you here!" You got to be kidding me! "Do you have a reservation?"

I swear if Violet says no-

"No," Violet frowned. "Is there anything available for me?" oh god, she did the puppy eyes.

Even I wouldn't be able to say no.

However, the host needed to be professional-

"There's always a table for you Violet!" The host guaranteed. What the heck?

"But you just told us no!" I protested.

"Rosemary," A little embarrassed, Olivia tapped my shoulder as if telling me to keep it down. How was she not angered by this? "We were here before Violet," she reminded the host.

Stuck up, the host looked down at us, "I'm sorry, are you part of the Delaney family?"

Immediately, Olivia squeezed my arm, as if warning me to not react. Part of the Delaney family? No but I bet if I called Violet's parents, they'd arrange for us to get a table. However, I was not going to call them. I was not going to start acting like one of those preppy kids.

"Um, is our table ready?" Having her way, Violet grinned.

Olivia did not want me to make a scene but this was out of line.

"If you're going to make an exception with Violet, then it's only fair that you do the same with us!" I raised my voice. Embarrassed, Olivia hid behind me, hiding her face.

Entertained, Violet laughed in the background. "Sometimes she forgets that she's not at the circus anymore and continues to make a show!"

"Lower your voice!" The host muttered through her teeth. I shook my head no. "You're starting to disturb the other gusts!"

"Then give us a table!" I stood my ground.

Violet continued to laugh her ass off.

In distress, the host offered, "The table for Violet sits four guests. If she agrees, the four of you can share it!"

"That's worse!" I shook my head no.

Carina stepped up, "We want our own table."

Olivia pulled me off to the side while Carina discussed some things with the host. "Rosemary, let's accept the offer," she agreed with her. In shock, my eyes widened. "I don't want you to make a scene," oh, that's what she was worried about? I was kinda disappointed in her. Yet again, it could also mean that she did not like chaos and/or drama. Which spoke good about her.

"But I don't think we should have dinner with them," I couldn't see that happening.

"But I do," and with that said Olivia stepped back to them. "We're okay with sharing the table," completely ignoring how I felt about it, she accepted.

Carina intervened, "But we don't-"

Violet linked arms with Carina, "Poor them, they want to have dinner too," she faked to feel bad for us. "Truth is, they got here first and I guess they can have dinner with us," she caressed Carina's cheek to convince her.

At the sight of that, I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to see Violet being so affectionate with anyone. Especially not Carina. To be honest, Carina seemed like a nice girl who was genuinely interested in her. What if Violet ended falling for her? Violet was spoiled and bratty. She got on my nerves so much but that was something about her that intrigued me. There was more to her than meets the eye.

"Are you sure?" Carina double checked with Violet.

All adorable, Violet gave her the puppy eyes. Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I looked away. It bothered me. I felt dumb for feeling jealous. Nothing made sense since I arrived at Montgomery.

"This way," the host instructed for us to follow her.

Oh boy, I was not excited at all. For one, I did want Olivia's and I's first official date to be shared with them. Two, I did not want to see Carina and Violet on a date together. Just seeing them together alone made me feel jealous and I hated the feeling. It felt like fire was growing in me.

At the table, Olivia and I sat across from them. Violet being directly across from me.

-

I could hardly get a word out to Olivia without being interrupted by how loudly Violet was talking. Apparently she forgot that she was sharing a table with us. I opened my mouth to speak but Violet laughed loudly, as if Carina had just made the funniest joke in the world.

"Look at the menu instead," Olivia handed me one.

Underneath the table, I felt a kick.

"Oopsie," Violet acted innocently. Not apologetic at all. If anything amused.

In disbelief, I shook my head and opened the menu. The more I read it, the less I understood it. It wasn't in another language. I just didn't recognize anything. Nothing on the menu I had heard of. Not much description to go based off.

Reminded me of lunch with Violet's parents and how badly I embarrassed myself.

Ah but I had an idea. I was going to look them up online and see what they looked like.

The moment I took my phone out, Olivia snatched it out of my hand. "No phones at the dinner table."

In shock that she dared do that, I demanded, "Give that back!"

"Don't be disrespectful, Rosemary," Violet lectured.

"I'm only asking for my phone back," I explained. Anyway, she needed to mind her own business. "Olivia, please I need it," I requested, more calmly.

"Why would you want to be on your phone while on a date?" Stubbornly, she questioned. Was she serious right now? It's not like I had been on it the whole entire time. Only to verify what I was going to order.

"I was going to look up some things in the menu because I don't know what any of this is," I explained.

Carina stifled a laugh. Quickly, Violet nudged her in the ribs in disapproval. Surprising how she didn't jump to make fun of me. I thought she was.

"Oh god," Olivia's face turned red. Was she embarrassed? "Don't even worry about it. You'll get what I get," she decided without even making sure that I approved. "We'll get the bouillabaisse."

"The what?" I knew that it wasn't right to judge a book by its cover nor a dish by its name but I was scared! I was starving! I exchanged a look with Violet and she shook her head, not recommending it. "What is it?"

"You'll like it," why couldn't Olivia just tell me?

"It's a seafood soup," Violet answered my question.

I opened the menu again, "I'll order something else."

The waiter came to our table, "Ready to order or need more time?"

"I'm ready, I'll have the garlicky pesto," Violet ordered and handed the menu to the waiter.

Up next was Carina but I tuned her out to look over the menu. Finally, I saw something that I could not go wrong with. A mini burger. Usually, when I ordered a burger at a restaurant, they tended to be bigger than I expected. A mini one must have been the perfect size. If anything, it'd probably be like a regular McDonald's cheeseburger size. I could deal with that.

"I'll get the mini burger," I requested. All three of them, including the waiter stared at me as if questioning if that's all I wanted. "Thank you," I concluded. Once the waiter walked away, I turned to Olivia, "My phone please?"

"Not until after dinner," Olivia hummed, thinking it was cute.

Honestly, I didn't think so. At least not right now.

"Olivia, she needs it. Her parents check in with her," Violet defended.

Surprised, I looked at her but she looked away from me. Only to give that attention to Carina. I honestly didn't understand Violet. One moment she was annoying me and the next, she was helping me.

"When is the next charity act?" Carina asked her.

"Most likely in a week," Violet answered.

"You actually do charity work?" I was in shock.

Proud of her, Carina spoke excitedly, "Violet collects goods from others at school and donates it all to different charity foundations! On top of that, she arranges for her parents to donate as well!"

Humble about it, Violet looked down, not wanting to elaborate much. "We have so much. Why not give those in need, you know?"

"That's really impressive, Violet," I acknowledged.

"I do charity work too!" Olivia put her hands over mine.

Carina laughed, "Like the time everything you collected magically ended up on sale online," she called her out.

"It didn't happen like that!" Oliva protested.

Violet cleared her throat, "Yeah, Carina. Her finger slipped," she joked. Together, they laughed at Olivia.

"What are they talking about?" I wanted to hear more about this. Did Olivia commit charity fraud?

"I'll explain another time," Olivia brushed it off. To me it sounded like she wasn't planning on ever talking about it.

Violet helped those in need and Olivia stole from them? Nothing made sense!

-

The night started off rough. Time for me to calm down and try my best to enjoy the remaining of it. Olivia still kept my phone but whatever, I didn't need it.

"So what do you like to do? Do you have a hobby?" I made conversation with Olivia.

"I want to be a fashion designer, so I post my own designs on a blog," passionate about it, she explained.

"Not very successful this season," Carina commented.

I scolded her, "Is your date that boring that you're eavesdropping ours?"

Olivia cleared her throat, "That's because my designs target more of a fall season," she defended her work.

"Absolutely!" Violet agreed with her. "My friends and I got ideas from it for halloween week!" She shared a laugh with Carina.

To our rescue, the waiter came with the food. Olivia's soup did not look good at all. I prayed that she did not try to be cute by trying to give me a taste. Carina and Violet got flatbreads?

"I didn't see anything on the menu about flatbreads," I craved Violet's dinner.

"Because it doesn't say flatbread, just by their name," Violet clarified. "I could have told you that if you would have just asked."

A plate was placed in front of me and my mouth dropped when I saw the disrespect! Literally a mini burger! There had to be a mistake.

"Is this just the sample while the actual burger comes out?" I asked. Only logic I could come up with. One bite and it would be gone! Reminded me of those sponge bob patty gummies. My hand was twice as big as the mini burger. I glanced at everyone else, "I think I ordered from the kid's menu."

The waiter stifled a laugh, "Not the kid's menu," he corrected.

"Toddler's menu?" I asked. Seriously, this couldn't be it! This time, the waiter had to cover his mouth to stop himself from breaking out laughing.

"Order something else," Violet suggested.

"Um she'll eat the burger," Olivia shooed the waiter away.

Olivia was turning out to be the complete opposite of what I expected. I mean, the first time we met, she did appear to be somewhat aggressive. She came at me with attitude. The other times I saw her, we talked a little bit. We never actually got to be in each other's company for this long.

"Excuse me," Violet stood up. "I'll be right back," she said to Carina and walked away.

"Rosemary, please don't make a scene, you can have some of my soup," Olivia offered.

Fed up, I stood up too. "I'm going to the restroom," I excused myself.

Lost, I looked at all directions. I didn't see any restroom signs. Did no use the bathrooms here? This was ridiculous! Stupidly, I was walking all over.

"That's a sandwich, right? Similar to the chicken club sandwich?" I heard Violet nearby. Discreetly, I got closer. The waiter nodded in response. "Perfect then. Take it to the girl who ordered the mini burger and tell her it's on the house," Violet instructed.

Violet was ordering me food? Why though? Why did she care if I ate or not? If anything, I thought she'd be laughing her ass off. Violet confused me so much.

I approached her, "What are you doing?"

As if caught red handed, her eyes widened. "Uh," she paused, probably having trouble finding a lie. "We were just laughing about how stupid you looked when you saw your burger," she made up.

"Oh is that it?" I arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I'm being told that they want to give you something else to eat but I told them that you're fine with just the burger," she lied. If only she knew that I heard her order me a sandwich.

"How cute are you," cheekily grinning, I gave her head a little tap.

"Not as cute as you!" Gently, she caressed my hair, only to end up giving it a pull. I winced at that. "Oh I'm sorry!" Apologetically, she caressed my face. Painfully, she pinched my cheek.

The waiter walked away, wanting no part.

"Do you not realize that it hurts?" I complained.

"There, there, let me make it better," she massaged my cheek but ended up slightly smacking it. It was more of a slight tap.

"People think you're being playful but you're evil!" I walked away from her. Violet laughed. Forgetting about the restroom, I went back to the table. Only reason why I went was to cool down.

"Rosemary! You have to taste this!" Olivia held a spoonful of the soup.

"I rather not," I shook my head.

"You're going to love it!" She shoved it into my mouth.

Unable to swallow it because of how disgusting it was, I nearly threw up. There was nothing for me to spit it out on. Closing my eyes, I swallowed it. Grossed out, I gagged. I drank my water way too fast.

I started coughing because it went down the wrong tube.

"You'll be okay!" I heard Violet behind me, smacking my back as hard as she could.

"I'm good! I'm good!" I assured. Yet, Violet kept smacking my back. "I said I'm good!"

"Yes, Rosemary. You're welcome for saving your life," she replied sarcastically. This girl was nuts! In no way was she helping me. Only causing me more harm.

"Want water?" Olivia offered in panic.

Violet snorted, "What do you think she was choking on?" she pushed the glass away. I cleared my throat and let out another cough. "Need more help?" Violet prepared to smack my back again.

In panic, I turned to her and put my hands up, "No! You've done enough!"

Able to breathe better now, I realized that tears escaped my eyes because of how hard I was coughing. Ugh, I hated that feeling. Like I couldn't breathe all while feeling like I was going to throw up with every cough.

This night turned out worse than I anticipated.

-

Violet's P.O.V

Disgusting. Olivia was trying to put her hands on Rosemary throughout dinner. Clearly, Rosemary looked uncomfortable by it. The first half of the night, she looked so done with the date. I could not believe how weird Olivia was acting. I mean, the bitch took her phone away! What the fuck? Her parents were probably calling her!

Seeming more relaxed, Rosemary made conversation with Olivia. Carina tried doing the same with me but I was too distracted.

I saw how Rosemary ate the last of her sandwich. Good thing I ordered it for her. Otherwise, she'd be starving right