CHAPTER NINE || BUILDING BRIDGES

The following few weeks consisted of following Bella to Jacobs garage every day after School, And yet somehow even on the days Bella didn't end up going, Violet did. It was something new, A distraction. At least that's what she told herself.

"I think we should spray paint them black or something" Violet suggested with a chuckle, as she sat on a stool beside Jacob as he worked On the second bike.

"Black? Really?" He laughed as he tightened a bolt on the frame of the bike, His sleeves rolled up over his elbows revealing forearms flexing as he tightened the bolt.

"Wait- That wasn't even supposed to be a joke" both Violet and Jacob erupting into laughter at her failed attempt at starting a conversation.

"Violet you owe me 15 dollars" Bella chuckled as she entered the Garage Pizza box in hand, Jacobs smile growing as he saw the box. Violet shook her head still recovering from her embarrassment.

"Yeah alright" Violet rolled her eyes as Bella placed the pizza box on a work bench passing Slices to Both Violet and Jake.

"You're definitely not getting that 15 back" Jacob chuckled resulting in Violet swatting his shoulder as she shook her head; "Yes you will"

"Matt might be coming back next week" Bella offered her cousin a soft smile before biting into a slice of pizza. Her words causing Violets smile to falter almost instantly.

"oh- yeah maybe." Violet shrugged not wanting to dwell on a sensitive topic, Bella knew the twins weren't talking as much as normal. and that filled her with unease, Never once had she seen such distance between the siblings.

"Are you guys okay?" Bella questioned making Violet place her slice of pizza back in the box upon noticing the instant mood change as soon as the conversation shifted.

"Yeah- we're fine. He's just obsessed with Lydia" Violet chuckled trying to distract from the obvious lie she was telling making Bella raise a brow.

****

"Quil keeps asking to come over here, I think he likes you a little too much" Jacob smiled as he walked the two girls out to Bella's truck, His eyes lingering on Bella as he finished his sentence.

"Oh- Well i'm really not into the whole cougar thing you know?" Bella laughed making Violet raise a brow. A red flag becoming prominent with Violets discovering weeks prior. Bella had made too many comments about her age.

"What's up with you and age? i mean how old was that Cullen guy anyway" Jacob questioned, His words validating Violets thoughts. Feeding her theories even.

Bella's face fell at the mention of the Cullen's Her body language switching instantly which didn't go unnoticed to either of the other two teens, Violets anxiety pooling in her stomach as Bella looked down.

"Thanks Jake" Violet nodded as Bella ignored his words opening the drivers side door of her truck before getting in. Bella's attitude fluctuated instantly whenever the Cullen's were brought up.

"it's alright. Call me if you need anything" He nodded his lips pressed into a Line as he sighed confused as to what he'd done to deserve the silent treatment from Bella.

"Thank you" Violet offered another small smile before walking around the other side of the truck getting in the passenger side mentally preparing for a silent drive back.

****

"You actually think the bikes will be done by the weekend?" Violet questioned as she laid across her bed writing in her journal, Her phone on speaker in-front of her as she Spoke to Jacob.

"Yeah. I kept working on them after you guys left today. Thought after how Bella reacted earlier changing things up might help" Violet sighed the thoughts in her mind being caught in her journal as he hand wrote without a second thought.

"That's nice of you Jacob. I really appreciate everything you're doing for her" The pages infront of her covered with scribbles, Barely distinguishable words that described her feelings. Matteo, Her father, Stiles, Jacob. how she was never the first choice. How she had become the after thought to almost everyone in her life.

"Of course. She's my Best friend Vi. And so are you" Violet smiled as a soft blush dampened her cheeks, Her mind flashing images of Jacob, Jacob working on the Bikes. She knew he liked Bella, She was convinced he did. But she couldn't deny her attraction to him.

"Where are we testing them out?" Violet asked trying to steer the conversation away from Bella at least enough to distract her from feeling like a second option.

"I know a good place. Me, Quil and Embry go out there quite a lot" Jacob spoke, His voice almost too confident about his mechanical skills and having perfectly operational bikes.

"And you're sure they're safe" She asked the possibility of Danger the possibility of Bella getting hurt on her watch filling her with anxiety. Only fuelling the constant sense of panic the Lewis girl seemed to live in.

"Violet they're bikes. They're not the safest" A groan escaped Violets lips as she turned over laying flat on her back letting herself sink into the comfort of her bed, Yet it wasn't the comfort she needed.

A chuckle from Jacob Echoed through the phone at her exaggerated groan before he spoke again; "don't worry, You don't have to ride if you don't want to"

"it's not me i'm worried about. I actually kinda helped you- of course i wanna try them" Violet chuckled running a hand through her hair as she tried to get comfortable, Moving her Journal from the bed.

"I'll teach Bella all the controls. I'll be there the whole time. Nothings gonna happen" Jacob reassured through the phone only inciting a soft chuckle from Violet.

"our saviour Jacob Black. The super hero who can stop a bike from crashing" Her tone laced with Sarcasm as she let her head fall back into the pillows, another soft laugh echoing through the phone in such a way she could picture Jacobs smile, The way he'd shake his head the same way he did when ever a sarcastic comment escaped her lips.

"that's me" He confirmed, A smile Tugging at Violets lips as she shook her head turning onto her side so she could look at her phone; "Hey Jake? I'm gonna head to bed, But i'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Yeah okay, Goodnight Vi" His voice softer than before only causing the smile on Violets face to grow as she hung up the Phone falling back onto her back silently wishing for the bed to just swallow her.

Her heart ached as silence enveloped her once again. a silence that allowed her thoughts to run wild, a silence that let the voices in the back of her mind return. Voices that made games out of her insecurities and weakness.

And their game on that particular night was loneliness. How alone she'd felt for months without her mom, Without Matteo and without her friends. the friends that had seemed to replace her with Rory all too quickly.

"Fuck" She cursed under her breath as she remembered how she hadn't even told Matteo About her theories and how she'd sworn stiles to secrecy. Reaching for her phone she quickly pulled up Matteo's contact information and pressed on his messages.

Violet; When are you coming home?

Matteo: Maybe next week.
Matteo: Why? you okay?

Violet: I need to talk to you, In person tae.

Violet sighed, Matteo had been the only person she'd fully trusted in her whole life. And she knew no matter how bad things got between them he'd always show up for her as she would for him. They were Twins after all.

Matteo: I'll Be back next week.
Matteo: Are you okay violet?

Violet: Yeah i'm okay. I just need some type of normal back in this town you know?

Matteo: okay. Call me if you need anything. Try not to wake me up tho

Violet scoffed as she read his last message, Matteo and his messed up sleep schedule. Shaking her head Violet turned over putting her phone on charge before trying to get comfortable in bed. Matteo would believe her, He knew something was weird in the first place.