Charming and Awkward

Chapter 23: Red Scarf

-James-

What I did was stupid and there's no excuse for it. I shouldn't have let her go with someone else. I should've ran after her, apologized, and took her home. She probably doesn't even want to see me right now.

It felt like my dad's wedding all over again.

When I got home, I changed out of my suit and into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I walked back into the living room and plopped down on the couch. I stretched to grab my phone from the coffee table and looked for any missed calls.

Nothing.

I checked the time before finding Violet's house number and calling. Three rings later, there was a click and a husky hello from Gray.

"Is Violet around?" I asked sheepishly.

"She came home and went straight to bed. I'll tell her you called in the morning."

"Thanks," I murmured.

Once I hung up, I threw my phone to the other side of the couch and leaned my head back. My eyes closed and I breathed out a sigh. Chaos jumped on the couch and he hopped in my lap. He nudged my hand with his nose and slid under so I could take a hint. I pet the top of his head smoothly and he curled in my lap.

The further I sank in the couch, the harder a lump pressed into my back.

I arched slightly and slipped my hand between the couch cushions to retrieve whatever it was.

My fingers touched a soft fabric and I was confused. I wrapped my fingers around it and slowly pulled it out. I looked to my side to see worn, red fabric of Violet's scarf.

I pulled it out completely and balled it up in my hands. It still smelled like her. A sweet lavender that encased me. It was from the day she hurt her shoulder and I had to pick her up. It was a day I realized how hard I had fallen in such a short span of time.

And now when I look at the fabric draped over my hands, I just think about how badly I screwed up tonight. Why did I have to be an idiot? This stuff with Reese is eating at me and because of that I had to be an asshole.

Still not and excuse to be mean to the one person that puts up with my shit.

I buried my face in the scarf and took a deep breath.

She needs to know Reese came to see me, but part of me told me not to say a word because I was afraid to cause trouble. Well, how can I cause more trouble after what I did earlier?

Rising from the couch, I dropped the scarf on my coffee table and took off. I grabbed my keys, slipped on a pair of shoes, and left. I ran to the elevator and didn't slow my speed through the lobby to the parking garage. The lady at the front desk could yell at me later.

Violet's house wasn't far taking the back road. I'm glad she introduced me to it now or I'd have to deal with traffic.

I did as I usually do, park a couple houses down in the driveway of the condemned house and jumped out. Violet's house was already in my line of sight and I took off jogging in that direction. It was late, that I did know. But not late enough for Violet to sleep.

My feet faltered slightly when I reached her house and I quietly walked around to her window. Maybe she was asleep because her light was out, but this can't wait until tomorrow.

I tapped on the glass three times; a second between each tap so she knew it was me. Even though I'm sure I'm the only one tapping on her window at night. Better to be safe than sorry.