-James-

My dad went to too many meetings.

And now I had to go to too many meetings. I had to approve of things, meet with people-obviously-, and talk about things that I'm sure is important, but it was too difficult to focus on anything.

Violet managed to cloud my mind again.

It's been happening all morning and it was beginning to affect me in ways I didn't think possible. It's barely been twelve hours and all I wanted to do was see her. Now that we worked on two different floors, it was kind of a pain in the ass to cross her path now.

It would be wrong to use the excuse to see my mom. Though I do love to visit my mom on the tenth floor. I definitely like it better than the top floor. People on the top floor are my dad's friends and everyone he usually works with, so they aren't really a lively bunch.

After the meeting was over, everyone filed out and resumed their daily work.

Instead of heading back to my dad's office, I did my daily rounds to check on the interns. Today I decided Cristin was better suited in the mailroom. They'd all drive her crazy. And if she steps out of line, all I have to do is tell my dad and that's one strike back to Iowa.

The last intern I visited was on the third floor and she was doing well also. They all seemed to be happy in their positions. Except Cristin. She glared at me, but kept a tight-lipped smile and used nothing but kind words. But I could feel the venom behind them.

I took the elevator up to the tenth floor and stepped out.

My mom's office doors were open and she was doing something on the computer. Everyone I walked by greeted me with a nod or a simple hello. I walked into my mom's office and she glanced at me and smiled. "What's up, Love?"

Violet wasn't here. "Have you seen Violet? I have questions about the project she was working on."

"Uh, She just went to lunch. Check the café maybe?"

I nodded. "When's Dad going to be back?"

"Friday or Monday I believe." She shrugged, "I've only talked to him once this week. He sent me a very long and detailed email." She then sighed loudly.

"Okay, well I need to leave early today. I have midterms to study for and that's pretty important right now."

She nodded and smiled. "I know. I'd rather you focus on your schoolwork right now anyway."

I smiled in return. "I'll see you for dinner."

"Mere will be coming too."

"It's about time." I joked. "See you later."

I left her office and headed back towards the elevator.

But just as it opened up, Violet appeared. She was surprised to see me, but she slowly smiled. I glanced behind me and then back to her before nudging my head to the right. She didn't say anything and followed me down the hall. I acted normal, said hi to passing people and kept a calm expression.

When we reached the end of the hall, I looked behind Violet before opening the supply closet door and pulling her in. She let out a giggle as the door closed behind her.

I gently caressed her face in my hands and brought my lips down to hers. She gripped the sleeves of my suit jacket and stood on her toes. The kiss deepened a second before she lowered herself back on her heels. "You're going to get me in trouble." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I don't care." My lips curved and I attached my lips to hers again.

Violet pulled back an inch. "Well, you should." She gripped the lapels of my suit, "Because if I get dismissed, I'm taking you down with me."

"I'm so scared." I said flatly.

She laughed and slid a hand to the back of my neck. Our lips met again, but not long enough it felt.

"I thought you were at lunch by the way."

"I forgot my wallet. Now you just reminded me how hungry I am." She laughed lightly.

"I'll take you to lunch."

"No, you don't have to do that-"

"I want to." I stepped around her to get to the door. I cracked it open long enough to see if the hallway was clear. After one person rounded the corner and disappeared, I walked out and Violet came out after me.

She closed the door and I smoothed my hands down the front of my suit. As I started walking, Violet fell into step next to me. We took the elevator down to the main floor and walked to the employee parking garage.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked as I pulled out onto the main road.

"Um...What about Mark's? I've been craving his burgers since the last time we were there."

"Is your mom working today?"

"Yeah, she works full time now so she could quit one of her jobs."

Sometimes I forgot about the troubles Violet faces everyday. Then sometimes I feel so damn bad and I just wish there was something I could do to help. I feel like that all the time actually. I just don't want her to lose her smile. And if I could help keep it, then I'll do anything. "That's good." I said softly and freed a secured hand on the steering wheel to grab hers. Our fingers intertwined and I gave her palm a gentle squeeze.

We reached Mark's and I parked on the empty side of the building. Violet got out first and I followed her up to the door. As we entered, the hostess smiled bright. "Hi, Violet." She walked around the podium and gave her a hug.

"Hi, Lyssa." Violet hugged her back. "I didn't know you were working today."

Violet took a step back. "Teacher work day and Dad needed help."

"Where's Jen?"

She sighed. "Probably with Nic." Then she looked at me and smiled, "Who's your friend?"

Violet glanced at me and back to the girl. "Oh, this is James. He's kind of my boss?" Violet looked over her shoulder and smiled. "And James, this is Mark's daughter Alyssa."

I smiled at Alyssa and nodded once. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too." Her brown eyes lit up when she looked back to Violet. "So table for two then?"

Violet nodded and Alyssa grabbed two menus. We followed her to the left, down a row of booths until she came to a stop in front of one. I slid in on one side and Violet slid across. "I'll go tell your mom you're here."

"Thank you."

After Alyssa left, Violet looked over at me. "I hope this isn't weird."

I narrowed my eyebrows in confusion and leaned over the table on my forearms. "Of course it's not weird. Why would you think that?"

She shrugged. "I just want to make sure. I just never know what you're thinking."

This made me grin. "I could tell you."

Blush crept up her neck and coated her cheeks. She smiled shyly and used her knuckle to push her glasses up. "We'll save that for another day."

I opened my mouth to reply, but Caroline appeared at the edge of the table with a giant smile. "James, long time, no see." Her green eyes smiled too.

"It's good to see you, Ms. Bowen." I smiled in return.

"What can I get you guys?"

Violet ordered first and my order followed. Caroline left us with a smile to retreat our drinks and bring them to us. After she left for the second time, I found myself peering at Violet again. "Do you have plans Wednesday night?"

"I'll probably be studying for exams all week. Why do you ask?" She grinned.

"I want you to come find me."

"Where exactly would I find you, James?" Her tone was playful.

"A place we'll have to ourselves. Somewhere we don't have to hide."

She leaned on her palm, a grin still playing on her lips. "That could be many places. How do I know you're not talking about the library?"

"As appealing as the library sounds, I was thinking a little more personal."

"Where would this place be then?" She still played.

I unbuttoned my suit jacket and straightened my spine so I could slip it off my arms and set it aside. "I was hoping..." My cheeks started burning and I already knew I'd probably start stuttering if I spoke right now.

What the hell was she doing to me?

I liked it though.

Except the part where I become a babbling fool.

"Hoping what?"

"That-I could show you my favorite place."

Violet's smile broadened. "Really?"

"Definitely." I felt my nerves ease almost into nothing. "If you'd let me."

"Sounds like a good plan to me."

Minutes later, her mom appeared with our food. She was still smiling and I could see how much Violet looked like her. Her mom has the same small and delicate features as Violet. She was really pretty too.

After taking the first bite of my burger, I swallowed and looked at Violet. "Your mom seems a lot happier than the first time I met her. I mean, she was already really happy. But something feels different."

Violet nodded. "At dinner last night she finally told us that her and Mark had been secretly dating for three months." She laughed lightly, "We all kind of knew already though."

"He makes her really happy."

"Very. And when she's happy, my brothers and I are happy."

"That's good too." I smiled.

* * *

Class on Wednesday was annoyingly long.

But I couldn't help the fantastic feeling when it was over. Then I remembered I have a paper due on Friday and my mood was slightly tampered. Papers were never my thing. Are they anyone's really? Do people out there actually like to write papers? And if there is, they're crazy. Completely insane.

As I was leaving class, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I stopped and soon Wade stood in front of me. His messy blonde hair became messier with each passing second the wind blew through it. "Did you hear about Elliot's party?"

"Uh, yeah." I shifted my bag on my shoulder, "I have plans tonight though."

"Oh, come on. You haven't been out with us in weeks."

"I have to work tomorrow, not really a good idea anyway. What if we just went out Friday night? Wouldn't that be logical?"

Wade snorted. "When has that ever stopped you?"

"When I walked into work the first day with a hangover from hell." I retorted, "We'll make plans with Elliot then." Then I proceeded to descend the steps in front of the building.

But it wasn't long before Wade caught up with me. "Is it a girl?" He asked and I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Does it matter?"

"Not really, I guess." He replied, "Is it Lindy?"

I laughed lightly. "No, it's not."

"Ha!" He clapped his hands together, "So it is a girl."

"Again, does it really matter, Wade?" I stopped and so did he.

We faced each other and Wade shrugged. "Guys like gossip too, James."

I laughed again. "Maybe, but as you know I'm a private person. I appreciate the effort though. I'll see you Friday."

Wade has been a friend of mine since I started high school and still the biggest pain in the ass. He's been my best friend since. I haven't seen much of my life outside of school and work. It's important to focus on school before anything else really, but my mind is sometimes pulled in different directions. Very different directions and it's hard to pull it back in.

I walked to the parking lot and easily found my car. Once I was inside, I threw my bag in the back and started it.

Before I picked up Violet, I drove to my apartment so I could pick up Chaos. I hated leaving him all day. Some days I'd come home to some surprises. Actually most days I came home to a surprise.

He was eager the second I stepped through the door.

While I was home, I traded my sweater for a dark t-shirt and a jacket.

When I got back in my car, I checked the time and it was perfect. Violet should be getting out of school in less then twenty minutes. Chaos propped himself up on the window, watching and barking at passing cars as usual. The barking isn't so bad anymore unless someone makes eye contact. He gets excited too easily and it's adorable.

It took close to fifteen minutes to get to the school and people were already filing out of the building. There was an empty parking spot close to the front of the school and I took it. I climbed out of the car and walked to the other side to clip the leash onto Chaos's collar and let him out.

Chaos happily trotted ahead of me with his tongue hanging out and his tail wagging. Just as I drew closer, I saw Violet walking out with a girl standing beside her. She just laughed at something the girl said and the girl walked away. Violet turned her head and she finally saw me.

She smiled wider and walked towards me.

I met her halfway, stopping an arms length away.

"I thought you wanted me to meet you at your apartment."

"Thought this would be easier." I smiled and slowly took the bag from her shoulder before handing her the leash that held Chaos. "And I didn't want you to take the bus."

"Well thank you for saving me."

"Anytime." I grinned.

We walked back to my car and got inside.

The drive to the lake is a good forty minutes, but it's worth it. It's always worth it. I always feel more at ease. It's quiet and peaceful. And It's just a nice place to go when your mind is feeling too clouded.

When we arrived a little over forty minutes later, I got out of the car and walked to Violet's side just as she was getting out. She handed me Chaos's leash and closed the door behind her after Chaos jumped out. I offered Violet my free hand and she greatly accepted.

We walked down the small path, a breeze chilling our skin, and the sound of the leaves rustled with each gust of wind. It was beautiful this time of year. Probably my favorite time to come down here is in the fall and winter.

Before we stepped onto the dock, I tied Chaos's leash to one of the posts before the rest. He'd be happy with his bone for an hour or two. Honestly he'd be happy with a pair of socks. He'll make fun out of anything.

Then I led Violet down the dock and to the edge where we sat down. We let our legs dangle over the edge. I watched Violet take everything in. Her lips were slightly parted; her eyes were wide and curious. "Thank you for bringing me here. I can see why this is your favorite place." Her gaze rested on mine.

"I'm glad you like it." I reached for her hand again, letting my fingers slip between hers. "It's a nice place to come and think, but also not to think at all."

She nodded and looked down at the water. "That could come in handy." She sent me a playful grin before looking back at the water. "Can I tell you something?"

"Tell me something." I squeezed her hand gently.

"I-I kind of wish I would've met you two years ago. You went to my school and I didn't even know it. But I wish I knew you then. Maybe you could've-" She stopped abruptly and squeezed her eyes closed.

"Could've what, Violet?" I asked in a whispered tone.

"Nothing." She opened her eyes again and looked at me, "I just could've used a friend like you, that's all."

My heart tugged again and my chest warmed. "You wouldn't have wanted to be friends with me when I was in high school. So consider yourself lucky." I laughed lightly and tightened my grip on her hand.

She laughed too, but it faded fast. "I'm glad we're friends now at least."

I wanted her to open up. I wanted to know what she was thinking and I wanted to know everything she's been through. There's nothing I don't want to know about her. But I want her to open up when she's comfortable. And when she's ready, I'll be here to listen. "No matter what, I'll always be your friend."

Violet looked at me, the sun shining against her profile and highlighting her eyes. A smile curved her lips slightly. "Is that what we are?"

I laughed nervously and I gazed out over the water. "Depends."

"On?"

"Do you want this?" I turned again to peer at her.

She nodded. "I want this."

And my heart stuttered. "Then we'll take it slow and figure out everything else along the way."

Violet's smile stretched and she released my hand to cup my jaw. She leaned in, but moved a little too quickly and ended up bumping foreheads. "I'm such an idiot." She laughed lightly and leaned back.

"It's okay." I searched her eyes and held back my own laugh, "Not every kiss is perfect."

"Not with me anyway." She dropped her hands to the sides of my neck.

This time I lifted my hands to caress her face. I pulled her to my lips and I felt her relax. It was a small, feathery kiss that left me wanting more. I kissed the corner of her mouth and then lightly kissed her cheek. "So far they're nothing but."

She laid a hand over one of mine on her cheek and laughed. "Thanks, I guess."

I couldn't stop my smile as my thumb skimmed over the curve of her bottom lip. "I'm being serious."

"I know." She closed the small space between us and pecked my lips, "I was too."

My smile spread across her lips and I kissed her again.

And again.

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It can only go up from here hahahaha. I'm excited for the next chapter though and the one after that too because a lot of fluff. :))))))) I live for fluff. :)

Please vote and comment, let me know what you think pleaseeee? :)

Song: My Heart by Paramore