Allison was the one that had screamed. When we made it outside, we saw that a mob of cadets had formed a circle. Violet had Allison in a chokehold and refused to let her go. Croy dashed to where they were. I stayed behind and watched silently from within the crowd. "Violet, let her go!" Croy shouted cautiously. Violet shook her head. "What did she ever do to you!?" Croy asked as he glared at her.
"She took you away from me!" Violet screamed crazily. I cupped my hands over my mouth. Croy was right about her being mental. I turned to see sergeants approaching from the west side of the camp.
"No she didn't Violet, calm down." Croy urged as he raised his hands defensively.
"Never! I'm going to end her for being your girlfriend! At first I thought you were dating that insipid twerp, but since she assured me you're just friends..." she trailed off as she licked her lips, then took out her purple pocket knife and pressed it to Ally's quivering throat.
"Help me." Allison squeaked in terror.
"She's not my girlfriend Violet, just stop!" Croy shouted.
"I don't believe you!" Violet screamed, nearly choking her.
"She's not my girlfriend!" Croy repeated, his hands balled.
"Then who is?!" She asked in a hiss, clearly a manipulation tactic and Croy was playing right into her hand. Allison whimpered as the cold metal irritated her neck. I took in a deep breath and stepped out to the front of the crowd. I was done hiding.
"I'M his girlfriend. Now back off." My stern words resonated through the commotion. Everyone turned to look at me. I held my ground firmly as I glared at Violet. She shoved Allison aside, the action making the blonde stumble.
"I knew it." She sneered as she grasped her knife and made her way towards me. The Sergeants managed to apprehend her just before she reached where I stood. "Let me go!" she screamed furiously as she struggled against their hold. A low growl escaped her throat then. "Heed my words Gallego. I'm going to end you. If it's the last thing I do..." She hissed before turning around in one swift motion and stabbing one of the Sergeants. Screams erupted from the crowd as blood dyed the young man's t-shirt. People began to panic, and a struggle ensued as our superiors scrambled around for help. This was way above their paygrade (which was absolutely nothing since they were prisoners too).
Violet took advantage of the commotion to slip through the crowd and run off towards the woods. Sirens pierced the silence, a few seconds afterwards. Croy rushed over and helped Allison back to her feet. I clenched my jaw and shoved my way past the other cadets, completely determined to catch her.
"Woah there twerp." Jason's familiar voice filled my ear as his arms wrapped around my torso.
"Jason, let me go. She's gonna get away!" I protested as he picked me up and easily carried me a few steps back.
"Let her. That's not your concern."
"But sheâ!" I began to protest, but Myra slipped her hand over my lips and silenced me.
"You've got people here who care about you. Please don't let her goading go to your head. She's trying to lure you out there." Myra warned as she glanced in the direction Violet had fled. I swallowed thickly, an uneasy feeling pooling in the pit of my stomach. It was as if my heart sensed that something terrible was about to happen.
A few weeks passed and Violet's whereabouts were still unknown. After that public declaration, Croy and I were unable to hide our relationship status anymore. I got a lot of mixed reactions from everybody. Myra and Jason who already knew, were thrilled and Kyle as well as Allison, were apathetic. As for Violet, I put her memory aside and continued my daily routine. One afternoon, I was cleaning up our drill equipment when I noticed that Croy had been gone for a while. After I finished cleaning up our area, I made my way out to the only place where I considered he could be.
My walk to the meadow was brief. I'd already gotten so used to the terrain that I was certain I'd be able to navigate it blindfolded if I ever needed to. Croy was resting beneath a large treeâhis favorite I suspected. He could always be found in that same spot, relaxing or doing homework. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I crouched down beside him and studied him. He was fast asleep. His eyes were closed, and his head hung slightly forward. His features were relaxed, and his jaw was slack. A warm feeling inundated my heart. He looked so...carefree.
Gently, I reached out a hand and traced my thumb along his cheekbone, then down to his jaw as I admired him. His skin was so soft. My mouth began to water, and I could feel my pulse accelerate as my eyes landed on his slightly chapped lips. Aside from the two kisses we'd shared while wearing our masks, we hadn't kissed again since then. He was very proper and a tad bit old fashioned. He was also incredibly careful because of our age difference. Even though his company was more than enough, I still found myself craving more.
I slipped my hand softly above his, resting my palm over his knuckles as I leaned in and timidly, placed a soft peck on his lips. His eyes fluttered opened at the same time, causing his face to flush a deep shade of pink. A jolt ran through my heart when I felt his free hand move up and cup my cheek. He then tilted his head and deepened the kiss. After a few seconds, we parted. "Hey...I thought you were asleep. Heh, sorry." I apologized sheepishly.
"I was." He said as he sat up straight.
"I couldn't help myself." I admitted.
"No, don't apologize..." he trailed off as he brushed some hair behind my ear. "That's the best wake-up call I've ever had." He teased.
"How are you holding' up?" I asked him curiously as I shuffled over and leaned against the tree beside him.
"Hanging in there I suppose." He admitted as he stretched, then cracked his back. I wrinkled my nose in response. I hated the way that sounded. "I'm kind of glad you found your way to me. I've been meaning to talk to you about something." He began as he turned his torso towards me. I looked at him curiously as he took both of my hands in his. He seemed...nervous. "Haze..." he began as he locked his gaze with mine. "I've never met anyone like you before. I never believed there was someone capable of making me feel the way you make me feel." He rambled. "That's why, I want you to take what I'm about to say seriously." I nodded, a light blush dusting my cheeks. "I've actually been meaning to tell you for a while now..." he trailed off, his voice nearly a whisper. " I love..."
(CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!)
A loud clapping sound interrupted our conversation. "Well don't you two make a lovely couple." The familiar voice sneered. Croy jumped to his feet, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind him as he faced her. Her ebony locks seemed to glow navy in the sunlight.
"Leave Violet, we don't want any trouble." He said.
"Well whatever do you mean? I don't mean to cause any sort of trouble." She feigned as she took a step towards us. "At least, not for myself." she clarified. Croy clenched his jaw, his grip on my hand tightening. "You know what the funny thing is? We were together for nearly a year and you never fawned over me like this. Why is that?" She asked, circling us like a vulture. Croy tried to stop her from getting close to me, but I protested.
"Stop. I'm fine." I assured as I stepped out from behind him. Violet reached over and grabbed a strand of my hair.
"Could it be her pretty tresses that have you so mesmerized? Or could it be her angelic little face?" she asked in a condescending tone as she grabbed my jaw between her thumb and index finger. I pulled my face away aggressively. Violet smirked. "Mm? It looks like little miss perfect has an attitude problem." She mused as she walked up to Croy. "I see you found yourself quite a catch." She hissed as she placed a sharp fingernail underneath his chin. Croy didn't reply.
That was when a subtle clicking sound made my blood run cold. I glanced down to see her gun aimed at my stomach. That was also when I noticed the trees rustling with unnatural movement. Within seconds, her entire posse of goons stepped out from between the trees, knives in hand.
"Croy..." I began meekly. He turned to me, his expression steely and cold. His hands were raised half-way and his fingers spread apart in defense. Scaggot stood beside him, a gun on him. "Leave him alone!" I shouted without thinking. Croy shot me a disapproving glance, causing Violet to chuckle with amusement.
"Interesting. It seems like you're more worried about his safety than your own, even though you're both in quite a bind." She taunted. "Still, I appreciate your courage. Too bad that doesn't mean shit here." She huffed as she turned around. "Randall, Tyler hold him." She instructed. The pair nodded before restraining Croy, then striking him in the stomach with the blunt end of their bat.