Troubled With Tattoos

Chapter Fifteen

Meet The Hayes

"Is it Valentine's day?" I asked curiously as I sat down at the lunch table. The main talk of the day was the roses that were being handed out during lunch. I watched some students I didn't know hand out roses with notes attached to them. I guess I forgot it was coming up since I've been with the boys every day this week.  Lizzie had apologized for the other day and blamed her outrage on her hormones being shot because of her period.

"No, this school is just weird and we hand out appreciation roses," Lizzie said harshly as she opened her bag of chips aggressively.

"Jeez, what crawled up your ass and died?" Rose asked. Lizzie sighed casting her eyes down as if she was disappointed. Her brown hair was in a french braid and she dressed in a sweater and leggings.

"Just some stupid guy, said he'd call me back and never did because of this stupid volcano on my chin." She said angrily biting hard into her chips. I didnt notice until she pointed it out, she had a small pimple freshly popped on her chin. But it was barely noticeable. I wondered who this boy was and how come she didn't tell me about him. She is probably upset that she hadn't received a rose.

My eyes shifted to Camden's ascending figure as he walked into the cafeteria. His sweat pants and plain t-shirt still complimented him. But I'd never tell him that, his ego was already huge.

Lizzie cursed under her breath as he neared our table. Rose on the other hand, was in heaven watching as he made his way across the lunchroom to our rectangular table. 

"You're going to the carnival tomorrow night, right?" He looked at me expectantly. I could see Lizzie rolling her eyes without even having to glance at her.

Apparently they have a carnival every year around this time and all funds go to local charities and orphanages. Lizzie was telling me about it yesterday. It's supposed to be really fun, the whole school normally shows every year.

"Yeah, I'll make it," I said knowing my aunt would let me. It's a carnival she couldn't say no.

"Awesome, see you there." He winked strutting away. 

"Why do you even associate with him?" Lizzie scoffed.

"Because normal people can make friends without asking their other friends for permission first," I said. I opened up my bottle of orange soda taking a sip.

"Yeah well, we're not normal." She said waving her hand at Rose and another girl who had straws up their noses. I gave them a weird look and they gave one back of pure innocence. 

The roses reached our table.
The brunette with a short bob and small framed glasses handed a rose to Lizzie. It was red, bloomed and pretty. She opened the note and the look of disappointment left her face. She smiled closing it smelling her rose.

"Who's it from Liz?" I asked wondering who made her smile.

"Cash, the boy from the basketball game." She smiled. The girl handed one to Rose and she gave a knowing look to Max. He blushed as she opened the card. She handed three more to the other girls at our table and went to the next. 

"I'm sorry," Lizzie said frowning. 

"For what?" I asked hoping she was finally over the fact that I have other friends. 

"I would've bought you a rose. I just figured Cam would." She said putting her rose down on the table. 

"It's okay. I don't want a stupid rose anyway, they just die." I fake laughed. Who was I kidding, I wanted a rose. 

"Yeah, I guess." She shrugged. I finished my lunch ignoring the talk about the roses the table had. Before I knew it the bell rang and I was off to biology with Max and Cam. 

I got off the bus thirty minutes late, there was an accident on the main road so we had to go around which took forever. Elizabeth had asked to hang out so we can talk about her boy problems. I was waiting on her text. Aunt Cherry greeted me at the door. 

"Hey Vi, how was school?" She kissed my cheek closing the door behind me. It smelt like apple cinnamon muffins and fudge brownies. Aunt Cherry bakes when shes bored.

"You made muffins?" I asked excitedly dropping my bag at the doorway. She smiled and that's all it took for me to run into the kitchen and grab one of the golden apple cinnamon muffins. I bit into it tasting its deliciousness. 

"You're the best!" I called down as I walked up to the stairs to my room. She poked her head through the living room doorway. 

"I know, sweetheart!" She yelled back. I didn't hesitate to change straight into sweat pants.

I sighed jumping on my bed. I noticed I've been calling this my home not just my temporary home anymore. I was starting to get more comfortable about the thought of living with Cherry and less guilty. 

My phone vibrated next to men.

Hey come over to Austins real quick

It was a text from Cam.

Lizzie's coming over soon

I typed back. Seconds later it vibrated again.

It's a surprise (;

I groaned. Nothing good comes out of a winky face from Cam.

But I just got comfy

I sat up waiting for a reply. What kind of surprise is this going to be?

Get your lazy ass up, you won't regret it

Now that message made me curious. I'm sure I could squeeze in some time with the boys before Lizzie makes her arrival. It's probably just another pick-up line but I still threw on some shoes anyway. I lazily walked down the stairs spotting Cherry on the couch. 

"Cherry, I'm going out for a quick walk, is that okay?" I asked walking past the couch she was on. I'm glad we made up, I don't know what I'd do without her. She is the reason I'm probably still alive. 

"...the nurse says the lady had severe cuts on her face and body, she received stitches but left right after. The woman never gave a name but the hospital says she had blonde hair and brown eyes with a pale complexion. The woman looks to be in danger, please call if you-" The news lady spoke before Cherry shut off the TV. 

I stayed silent. my mind going a mile a minute. That was her, I know it was. She's alive and that scared me but also made me really happy. I hadn't killed my mother after all.

 "Yes hun that's fine, we'll talk about this later alright?" She said placing the remote on the coffee table. I stared at the blank screen for a few seconds before I came to my senses. I didn't kill my mother and that was a relief. 

I couldn't help slightly smile at the fact that my mother was still alive but I also couldn't stop the fear that rose in my stomach and made knots form in my throat. I felt like I was being suffocated, fate had his hand around my neck stopping me from breathing.

Breathe Violet, breathe. They don't know where you are, remember? I swallowed away my worries as my conscious kicked in. I gathered myself together and headed out of the house.

The breeze was refreshing and calmed me down nonetheless. I knocked on the Haye's huge front door, they had a doorbell but knocking is less annoying.

The door opened and before I knew what was happening I was spun around and blindfolded. 

"Cam, what are you doing?" I asked a bit worried. I couldn't see anything and he began tugging me backward. I spun back around so I was at least walking forward.

"I said it was a surprise." He whispered in my ear guiding me forward. "Just keep walking straight."

I gulped walking straight like I was told to. I took tiny steps careful not to trip and make a fool out of myself. 

"Okay stop." He said holding my shoulders. I was a little worried about what I'd be opening my eyes to. He untied the blindfold and I opened my eyes. I stared at the four roses in shock and confusion. Standing behind the flowers was each one of the boys.

"Lizzie yelled at me for not buying you a rose, so I made the boys go out and well we each bought you one," Camden said. Who would've thought the playboy Camden Taylor would ever set up something as sweet as this? Definitely not me.

"Aww," Was all that I managed to say as I crashed Camden into a hug, "you're so sweet."

"Yeah he can be cute sometimes," Declan said handing me an orange rose. I hugged him in return. Orange roses were unique, I dont see them around too often.

Luke was next he handed me a white rose. I smiled hugging him too. Austin stepped forward taking my breath away.

He stretched his arm out with a blooming red rose. I smiled looking into his hazel eyes before crashing him into a hug too. He was warm and cozy and I never wanted to let go. I couldn't move, for once I felt safe. I felt like I belonged there, in his arms. I thanked him. 

Camden stepped in front of me with his cocky grin plastered on his face. He put the rose in his mouth and grabbed me by my waist dipping my back like what they do in those dances. I laughed as he held me in place taking the pink rose out of his mouth and handing it to me.

"Thanks, Cam," I said hugging him tightly. He whispered a welcome in my ear along with some not so very clean ways of how I could repay him which of course I smacked his arm for. 

We were interrupted by two women and a little boy as they walked into the living room. They looked confused for a second but didn't question it. 

"Hey mom, this is our friend Violet, she lives next door," Austin said to the women who looked nothing like Austin. She was paler and had freckles. She was thin and didn't look a day over 30. 

Next to her stood a younger version of her. the only difference between them was she had lighter hair like Luke. Austin never mentioned having a sister. She held a little boy who reminded me slightly of Ashton, only because of the blonde hair. Ash had curls while this boys hair was pin-straight. He couldn't be any older than two. He was honestly adorable with his chubby cheeks. 

"Nice to meet you, Violet. I'm Austin and Luke's mother and this is their sister, Julie." she shook my hand introducing me to his sister. Julie was beautiful, she resembled Austin the most. They had the same dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Her locks cascaded down her back to her waist. 

"Hi, Violet, nice to meet you and this is my son, Bentley." I shook his sisters' small hands noticing the gigantic gem on her ring finger. She must be engaged. I wondered why it was never brought up before. 

"Okay Austin, we're going wedding dress shopping now so if you need anything call us." His mother said in a hurry kissing his cheek. My phone buzzed in my pocket, it was Lizzie.

"So, tell me all about your boy problems," I said taking a bite of the salsa sip she brought over.

"Ugh, where do I even begin." She groaned. She threw herself back onto my bed drammatically. We had just put face masks on in hopes it will clear up Lizzie's acne issue. It had just started to harden and my lips struggled to move. 

"He was perfect but he keeps switching back and forth if he likes me or not." She sighed throwing her phone onto the bed. I didn't get to respond because her voice had cut me off. 

"Why didn't you listen to my warnings about the boys? Does my opinion mean nothing to you?" She asked looking over at me. Her mask had hardened and it just started to peel. 

"No, that's not why-" I began to explain but she cut me off once again.

"Then tell me." She answered. I was about to tell her why but she had cut me off.

"I dont know," I began. But I did know I just couldn't find the right words. "I just cant manage to stay away from him." I admitted my cheeks blushing at the fact I just told Lizzies my feelings about Austin. 

"Have you ever thought that maybe its just lust? Those boys aren't capable of love. Trust me." She sighed.

"Please, just drop it. If I get hurt then it's on me, not you." I said munching on another chip.

"Okay. I was just trying to warn you." She answered. We turned on the next rom-com and changed the subject.