━ NEUROSIS ━
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE.

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[ 1996 ]

VIOLET WAS SAT COMFORTABLY, her back resting against the rusty headboard of the bed in Coach Scott's room, her legs outstretched to make room for the Matthews girl who was sat down between them.

She raised her hand once more, guiding the brush in her grip through Lottie's hair, which was still pretty damp from the lake.

The girl's hair had been free from any tangles for a while now, and they were both completely aware of that. But neither of them wanted to move. Not just yet anyway.

Being stranded with their soccer team—as well as Coach Scott, Travis and Javi—didn't exactly give them much room to work with when it came to spending time together alone. So now that they had finally managed to sneak away, no longer under the prying eyes or ears of anyone else, of course they'd take advantage of it.

"I don't know why he's so mad." Violet complained. "He's just being a baby. As usual."

Lottie hummed, taking a moment to reply as she was too caught up in the soothing feeling of Violet's fingers and the bristles of the brush running through her hair. "I mean, you did kinda almost drown him."

"Pshh. Drown him?" Violet scoffed. "I did no such thing."

"You had him in a chokehold under the water, Violet." Lottie pointed out.

"What, no I— Okay, yeah, maybe I did." Violet gave up on her defence. "But I wasn't actually going to drown him."

"Are you sure about that?" Lottie teased. "You did hold him under there for a pretty long time..."

"It's not my fault his lungs are weak." Violet shrugged. "Besides, A: He was being an ass and B: I literally pre-warned Travis I was going to drown him anyway."

"Yeah, you're right." Lottie chuckled. "Travis totally should've taken your words seriously. That's bad survival skills if you ask me."

"Such bad survival skills." Violet said. "So, if you really think about it, who's at fault here? Me or him?"

"Him." Lottie grinned, tilting her head back to look up at Violet. "Obviously."

Violet smiled down at the Matthews girl. "Obviously."

"But... now hear me out with this one," Lottie reached up, brushing aside the hair from Violet's bangs that had slightly fallen in front of her eyes. "Maybe next time, you don't try to drown someone?"

Violet's face scrunched at Lottie's suggestion. "But I don't want to drown any of you guys. Just Travis."

"Okay, well, no more trying to drown Travis." Lottie rephrased. "How about that?"

"I don't know." Violet mumbled. "I thought it was quite funny."

"Aw I know you did, Vi." Lottie cooed. "But some people... might not find almost being drowned funny."

"Okay but, how about... now hear me out." Violet stated. "Travis learns how to take a joke? He clearly needs to. He's so dramatic."

"I know, you're right. And we can bring that up with Nat." Lottie negotiated. "But for now. No more drowning Travis, okay?"

Violet grumbled to herself in disapproval, as if she were a child being scolded. "Fine. I guess."

Lottie couldn't help the amusement that pricked her body at Violet's pout. She shot the girl a look, although any attempt at being serious was thrown out the window as her smile couldn't be stopped.

"Next time he's an ass, come to me okay?" Lottie offered, holding out her ring finger. "I'm sure we can find a way to get back at him that doesn't involve cutting off his oxygen. Deal?"

The pout that adorned the Crawford girl's lips was soon replaced with an approving smile. She intertwined her own finger with Lottie's, sealing their promise in the way they called their own.

"Okay, deal."

Lottie frowned as Violet moved to pull her hand away. "Ahem. You forgot a step."

Violet chuckled at the expectant look on her face. She pulled Lottie's hand towards her lips, planting a soft kiss atop their locked fingers.

"There." Violet smiled warmly at the girl. "Happy?"

Lottie wore a smile of her own, yet it equally matched Violet's. "With you? Always."

Violet chuckled, turning her focus back to the hairbrush in order to not draw attention to the blush creeping up on her cheeks. However Lottie still picked up on the reaction, which only caused her smile to grow wider.

"Okay, now face forwards." Violet said, picking up the brush once again.

"Why?" Lottie asked.

"Because I can't brush your hair while you're looking at me." Violet pointed out.

Lottie shrugged, not moving an inch. "But I like looking at you."

Violet grinned. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, duh." Lottie's reply came easy.

"And why's that?"

"Because," Lottie's voice sunk into a low, teasing, whisper, as if she was announcing a big secret. "I don't know if you know this or not but, I think you're like... really pretty."

Violet let out a faux gasp. "No way. You do?"

"I do." Lottie chuckled. "Very much so."

"That's crazy cause," Violet whispered. "I think you're really pretty too."

Now it was Lottie's turn to blush. The Matthews girl looked away briefly as she regained her composure. Yet her attempt to hide her flushed cheeks was in vain, for the moment she turned her head to the side, Violet was quick to grip her chin and move it back in her direction.

"Don't get all shy on me now Matthews." Violet lowered her head, catching Lottie's eyes. "You started the compliments, remember?"

"I can't help it." Lottie stated coyly. "Now that I don't have to hide what I really want to say. What I've always wanted to say."

Violet nodded in agreement. "And do, also. Can't forget about that."

"I don't know... I think I have forgotten about that part." Lottie smirked.

"How could you?" Violet feigned an offended look. "I'm wounded. You've wounded me."

"I know, I'm sorry." Lottie manouverd herself, so that she was completely facing Violet. "But, you could always... remind me."

"I think I'm gonna have to." Violet sighed dramatically. "It's for the greater good."

"Let me guess," Lottie hummed. "You're the greater good again?"

"Naturally."

"Damn. Then you're definitely gonna have to remind me."

"Oh absolutely."

The pair were quick to close the little space that remained in between them without another word. Lottie let out a content sigh, butterflies instantly blossoming throughout her chest as she leaned into the kiss. Violet's hand slid it's way to the back of Lottie's neck, gently drawing her closer.

This chapter of their relationship was still new, there were still pages to be written. They knew small doses of nerves still lingered in the air, fresh excitement and adrenaline consuming each of them.

Yet still, they also knew wholeheartedly, that it would never matter when the day arrived where it was no longer something that was new. Because each time their lips would touch, they would always feel the same rush as they did the first time it happened.

Lottie suddenly pulled back. "Wait."

"Um." Violet blinked, confused at the action. "Waiting."

She kept her eyes on Lottie, watching as the girl's face twitched in thought. Violet frowned a little, silently wondering if she had done something wrong.

"Is, uh," Violet scratched the back of her head. "Is everything okay? Was that not..."

Upon hearing Violet's sentence trail off, Lottie took note of the expression coating her face and she was quick to feel a rush of slight panic, instantly knowing she had to clarify what she was thinking.

"What— Oh my god no, no. That was perfect. You were perfect." Lottie started. "I just, uh... I'm a little confused."

"Confused?" Violet quirked a brow. "Why?"

"Because... well," Lottie's gaze darted around, landing on anything but Violet. It was clear she was having trouble with wording what was on her mind. "...What's going on?"

"What's going on?" Violet repeated.

Lottie nodded. "Yeah."

"Well," Violet chuckled lightly. "Correct me if I'm wrong but, I'm pretty sure we were doing this thing that people call kissing—"

"I know that, smartass— And just to clarify, it was perfect. Like really good— Anyway." Lottie cleared up once more, drawing a smile from Violet. "But I mean more along the lines of, what's going on with... us."

"Oh right." Violet pursed her lips. "I guess we haven't actually talked about that part yet."

"No, we haven't." Lottie replied sheepishly.

"Well..." Violet traced her fingers over Lottie's hand, shuffling closer. "I know I can't speak for you, but... me on the other hand. I think it's obvious I don't see you as just my best friend anymore. You know how much I care about you Lot, how much I've always cared about you."

"I feel the same." Lottie admitted openly, intertwining their fingers. "Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen you as just my best friend. I always knew it was more than that. That I wanted more. And now that it's happened... I don't want to go back to the way we were before. I don't think I could."

Violet smiled brightly at her words, her chest warming at the fact Lottie's thoughts and feelings  on their situation matched hers perfectly.

"I don't want to beat around the bush anymore. Not with you." Violet chuckled to herself softly at the thought of how many times the pair of them had been nothing but blind to the other's affections. "God knows we've done it so many times."

"So many times." Lottie laughed along. "We were pretty dumb, the more I think about it."

"Oh a hundred percent. And now more than ever, we should take advantage of being happy and getting what we want." Violet suggested. "Don't you think?"

Lottie nodded, turning her full attention to Violet before she spoke. "And what do you want?"

"I think you know what I want." Violet shot her a knowing look.

"I do." Lottie grinned. "I just want to hear you say it."

"Well, in that case... Charlotte Matthews" Violet's gaze held nothing but pure awe as she looked ahead at the Matthews girl. "I want you."

"Wow, using the full name?" Lottie gasped dramatically. "You must have it bad, huh?"

"Real bad." Violet nodded along. "Why? You complaining?"

Lottie raised her hands in surrender. "No complaints at all."

"Didn't think so." Violet smirked. "Now go on, I believe it's your turn to tell me what you want."

"Violet Crawford, duh." Lottie answered. She chuckled a little before shuffling closer, her eyes softening as she stared at Violet and allowed her tone to become more serious. "But really... I do. I want you too, Vi. I always have."

"Using the full name also?" Violet teased. "Who has it bad now?"

Lottie hummed, leaning closer. "Me."

Violet couldn't suppress her smile, not that she wanted to anyway. She too leaned in, just as Lottie did, the pair of them closing the space between them once more.

They still had unfinished business after all. It would be rude to not continue.

"Guys— Ow! What the fu—" Natalie's voice was heard outside the room, along with the sound of her body crashing into the door as she didn't expect it to not open. "Did you lock the door?"

Lottie and Violet each pulled away from one another, simultaneously letting out a frustrated sigh. They had learned from their past mistakes after being interrupted so many times, and finally remembered to lock the door for once. It clearly served them well, but not well enough to completely deter others.

"Yeah we're just..." Lottie thought of what to say. "Talking?"

"Talking, huh?" Violet teased, turning to Lottie. Her voice hushed into a low whisper as she spoke her next words. "I hope that's not how you talk to other people."

Lottie rolled her eyes playfully, leaning the side of her head against Violet's. "Oh be quiet."

"Talking? Right... with the door locked?"

"It's an important conversation!" Lottie called out to the Scatorccio girl.

"Yeah, like, very important." Violet spoke up. "And I'd like to get back to it. So go away!"

"Well what I'm trying to tell you is more important! So get out here!"

"I'm sure whatever it is you guys can handle it—"

"Oh my god you guys are impossible." Natalie huffed. "The others are back, okay? And it's not good..."

The pair both stiffened at Natalie's words, each of them sitting up straight. They turned to one another, sharing a glance mixed with confusion and concern.

Violet stood up from her spot on the bed, as did Lottie. They made their way over to the door to unlock it and began to follow Natalie outside where the rest of the group resided, as well as the members who had returned.

Obviously, they wanted nothing more than to remain in their own bubble. But they knew they could no longer do that now. This wasn't something they could ignore. So, for now, their time alone would have to wait.

Because if the others were back so soon, it was far from a good sign. And of course they'd want to help.

If only the pair of them knew... what helping them out would mean.

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[ AUTHORS NOTE ! ]

its been a while since we've had lottie and violet so i figured id make this chapter revolved around them before shit gets real... heh

[ not proofread! ]