Jealousy is a curious thing. In some people you can see it. In others you can't. And sometimes your too wrapped up in a conversation to even take notice of it. Like Violet and Gilbert when they were having their conversation, they didn't notice Ruby Gillis looking at them longingly, jealousy written all over her face. They didn't notice Josie, Carmelita and Tillie Boulter glaring at them. Nor did they notice Anne, Diana and even Jane Andrews looking between them and the pair on the other side of the schoolyard awkwardly and somewhat worriedly as the two smiled and conversed with each other.

The school day had ended and Violet and Klaus were talking contently on their walk home as the high pitched tone of Carmelita Spats penetrated their ears, interrupting their conversation.

"Hey! Cake-sniffers," She cried as the Baudelaires stopped in their tracks, each letting out an irritated sigh as they let Carmelita catch up to them, Josie and an upset Ruby trailing behind.

"Carmelita," Violet dryly greeted.

"Cake-sniffers," Carmelita repeated.

"Yes, Carmelita, we know," Klaus sighed, aggravated.

"What do you want?" Violet asked.

"We saw you talking with Gilbert earlier today," Josie said.

"Yes, and...?" Violet asked, confused as to why that was such a big deal.

"I consider it my duty as Ruby's best friend to inform you that Gilbert Blythe, is off limits," Josie said, crossing her arms over her chest and walking slowly towards her, slightly towering over her menacingly.

"That also goes the same for me," Carmelita butted in, "Also Ruby and Josie's best friend," She said.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know how I come in to this," Violet said to them, sharing a look with her brother.

"Ruby has had a crush on him for over four years," Josie told the Baudelaire, "And we've already had one new girl come in and try to take him away from her last year, and it's not going to happen again this year," She said.

"I assure you, that's not going to happen. I don't like Gilbert like that in any way and I would never purposely do anything to hurt Ruby, so, I assure you, you have nothing to worry about," Violet told the girls as calmly as she could and Klaus had to say that he was impressed by his sister as he would've lashed out by now and lost his cool, a phrase which here means lashing out.

"Well, you better not," Carmelita told her spitefully, "Because if you did, I would have to break you," The small girl snarled, making Violet subconsciously flinch and take a small step back.

Josie and Carmelita smiled their smug smiles, "Toodles!" They called, turning on their heels and walking away, a spring in their steps, a timid Ruby trailing behind them.

"Well..." Klaus said awkwardly as he and his sister turned around to continue their journey home, "That was..." He trailed off, trying to find the right words.

"Yes," Violet nodded, agreeing with his unsaid statement.