𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

I walked back that evening in the snow, the trip taking two hours longer. My body felt frozen.

Once I got inside, Clara ran and hugged me with such force I almost fell back. "I've been so worried, Violet! What happened?"

I looked down, "I walked to school."

"You walked? Why didn't Katie take you?"

I looked at her, debating whether to tell Clara and spill Katie's secret or keep it to myself... I can't. Katie's my friend.

Clara watched me, waiting for an answer. "Violet?"

"... She wanted to skip." And Clara, putting to and to together, walked towards the Hunter's house, where Katie received an earful from Alan. Both her phone and car were taken away.

I spent the rest of that evening covered in blankets. Clara fussed over me, making sure I was warm and comfortable, noticing as well that something was crowding her thoughts. I opened my mouth to ask before there was a knock at the door.

Clara went to open it before Dominic came bursting in, holding Katie by the arm. "I'm sorry, Violet," she winced. "I shouldn't have skipped, and I should have offered to drive you. I shouldn't have pressured you."

Dominic let go of her arm. She sighed in relief.

"Go," he ordered, and she obeyed.

Clara, understanding Dominic wanted to be left alone, exited the room.

I watched as anger radiated off of him.

"It's okay," I said quietly.

"You think that's okay!? You could have got frostbite, something could have happened to you, someone could have done something to you! I would hurt her if she wasn't my sister."

"Please," I started to stand, wanting to calm him.

"Violet, sit back down. Don't get up," he commanded.

Slowly, I took my seat. I looked for Clara, hoping she wasn't rethinking her overall image of Dominic or was scared.

"Dominic," I said quietly.

He looked at me, though angry, a sudden concern washed over his face. He knelt down in front of me. "I didn't mean to scare you if I had."

"No... It's okay, I'm fine."

He looked at me, "You're shivering." He sat beside me, pulling me into him, enveloping me in his warmth, anger still radiating off him.