Page 15 of Broken Pieces

“We're good right?” James asks, so quietly I can barely hear him and I nod slowly.

Goodabout what?

“Violet, if you don’t answer me—”

“I’m here.”

I hear Maddox take a sharp breath then he slowly says, “Where ishere?”

“I don’t know.”Why is he so annoyed with me?

“Jesus Christ, Violet. Are you drunk? What the hell do you think you’re doing going off like that?”

“I’m not a kid. You can’t tell me off for having fun without you. I wouldn’t even be here, if you weren't ignoring me all the time!” I start to sob and James leads me back to the bed.

I want him to leave me alone so I can cry in peace, but Maddox shouting at me through the phone and the alcohol in my system makes it hard to think straight.

“Stop crying and just tell me where you are!”

It feels like my life’s spiraling out of control and I don’t know what I'm supposed to do about any of it.

I can’t handle facing Maddox tonight. I don’t want to feel the full force of his fury in person. I’ve seen it before as he’s stood up for me or fought for Max, but it’s never been directedatme.

Tonight was such a stupid mistake.

I clearly can’t handle doing the whole college experience by myself. At least not like this. I’m not ever going to be a social butterfly. It’ll be best if I just keep to myself from now on.

James’ presence lingers beside me, telling me I don’t have to do any of it alone. He’s offered to be a friend, to be there for me.

Why does that make me feel lonelier than ever?

4

Maddox

"Stop crying and just tell me where you are!" I had barely a fraction of patience when I answered this call and now it's gone way below zero.

My bedroom door swings open as Max comes in, a mix of confusion and anger on his face. He doesn't need me to tell him why we're pissed.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. I think she butt-dialed me. She won't stop crying, I can barely make out what she's saying. Here." I hand the phone over to Max in hopes he can get some sense out of her.

He puts it on speaker before saying, "Sweetheart?"

“Max, what are you doing there? I thought I was talking to Maddox.”

She’s drunk, Max mouths silently.

"Fucking obviously," I mutter as a cold fury settles in me.

My hands flex in and out of fists at my sides and I have to grip the edge of my desk so I don’t punch something. I see Max take a breath as he tries to channel my anger out of his body so he doesn't accidentally unleash it on Violet.

“Violet, I need you to tell me where you are.”

“No, I can't see you. I need to stop seeing youeverywhere. You’re both everywhere.”

“Let us come and get you.”

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