Page 63 of Stuck Behind Her

We sit down at a restaurant in downtown. It’s big and fancy, and I’m sure expensive. Lorenzo said he’d take care of all costs, which both Aurora and I argued against, but he wouldn’t let it go, so we did.

The restaurant was dark, light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. All the tables were shaped as circles, a lot of them empty. I mean, it’s noon, it makes sense no one is here. All the tables have two or four chairs around them, all black leather with a back arched around two hands. The table itself is covered with a black cloth, with three candles in the middle. Some are lit, some are not And of course, each table has plates and cups depending on the number of chairs.

It's fancy, as I said. Obviously too fancy for Aurora, who looks around. “What, does Elias never bring you to restaurants like these?” Lorenzo asks her as she twists her head around in awe.

“No. Remember, we have the whole ‘no money from Roland’ rule,” she points out.

“Well, lucky for you, it’s not Roland’s money today.”

“I’m not happy with you paying either.”

“Eh, you’ll be fine.” He shrugs.

Violet doesn’t look that fazed, and I expect it as Lorenzo probably has taken her places like this. But she looks off. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s weird. She was the one who suggested we come, so it’s not forced.

She looks into the menu, scanning the platters. “Hey, you okay?” I ask her, sitting in front of me.

She looks up at me. “Yeah, I’m great. Also, you shouldn’t care; it’s your birthday. Enjoy it, and don’t worry about me. It looks like you don’t get this much.” She smiles.

She’s right, I don’t. But I can’t help but worry. She’s been off ever since this morning. Maybe it’s because of yesterday.

“Are you feeling better? After yesterday?” I ask again.

She presses her lips together. “I’m great, I told you; it’s an in-the-moment thing. Now, stop worrying, and celebrate your birthday,” she presses.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop,” I tell her. She laughs, her gaze returning to the menu.

“Are you sure we should buy from here? It’s really expensive; my mom will kill me if she knows I spent this kind of money,” Aurora complains, overwhelmed.

“Aurora, I can confirm your mom will not know a thing. Plus, it’s nothing to me, trust me,” Lorenzo tells her.

She shrugs. “What if she does? How are you going to guarantee she won’t see the message?” she stresses.

Violet places a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. She won’t get a message, and you won’t be marked absent. We dealt with it,” she says.

“How did you do that?” Aurora questions again.

“A magician never reveals their secrets. Now, both of you need to stop stressing. Everything’s good; trust us, just this once, and find something to order,” she tells us.

Aurora takes a deep breath, nodding her head in agreement. Violet looks at me again, waiting for my agreement as well. “Yes, okay. No more stressing,” I answer. She smiles back again, turning to help Aurora out. I look at her, her brown hair hanging from her shoulders.

I don’t know what’s happening with me. Why it’s like, ever since yesterday, anytime I look at her, I don’t want to look away. Maybe even before that, but I haven’t noticed it as much as I have now. She looks the exact same, yet something feels like it’s changed. Like she’s shining in the light. It doesn’t make sense. Not to me, and I’m sure not to anyone else.

But she said not to stress, so I guess I have no choice but to stop stressing now.

We walk through the streets of downtown Los Angeles, the clouds covering the sky. It’s dark, even though it’s still afternoon. Violet has still been pretty silent, throwing in a smile every nowand then when talking to us. But I don’t ask her, not since the restaurant, because she won’t answer anyway. It doesn’t seem like she wants to.

Lorenzo and Aurora then stop. “We’re going to get something; do not leave until we’re back,” Lorenzo announces. Both Violet and I nod our heads before the two of them disappear, leaving us alone. Violet moves to sit on a small bench on the sidewalk, and I catch a glimpse of her expression. It’s a mix of sadness and annoyance, before it quickly disappears. She’s definitely off.

I walk to sit next to her. She doesn’t look up at me, instead staring at the cars that pass by. There’s a shine in her eyes. “So, are you going to tell me why you’re upset?” I ask her.

“If I say no, will you leave me alone?” she replies with another question, keeping her gaze straight. When I don’t say anything, she finally turns her head to me. The sad look in her eyes returns.

She sighs, pinning her arms to her stomach. “It’s nothing, trust me. It’s just… stupid that Roland is doing that. Forcing you not to celebrate because of his problems. Even though they shouldn’t be considered problems,” she confesses.

“I’m making you that upset because of it?”

“Yes. Not because of anything you did, but I’ve seen it before. Not celebrating your birthday because some asshole makes something your fault. It’s just upsetting to see someone else go through it too. Especially for a reason like that,” she explains. Her voice is genuine. I can sense the sad tone in it.

---