Step Too Far Ch. 03

*Thank you to everyone who has been enjoying the story so far. A little disclaimer for this chapter. It contains the topic of attempted suicide. If that is something you can't handle, I understand. *

The sharp buzz of her phone alarm stirred Violet from sleep. She groaned as she blindly reached out, her fingers grazing the cool sheets on her bed before finding her phone on the nightstand. As she silenced the alarm, the quiet returned, except for the steady thrum of her heart which was already awake before her. She rolled onto her back and stretched, her hands falling back onto the bed beside her. She felt the emptiness, a still lingering ghost of a familiar bodily warmth that continued to fade from her sheets.

She blinked slowly as her eyes adjusted to the early morning light seeping through her blinds. She pulled her blanket closer around her and felt heat blooming in her cheeks as fragments of last night resurfaced. Her stepbrother's mouth on her skin. The way he looked at her. The way she'd let herself want it. She smiled as she unlocked her phone, and a new message lit up the screen.

Noah:

Didn't want to wake you. I left just after you fell asleep. Figured it'd be bad if we got caught in your room. But I'm glad we talked. I meant what I said. I really care about you. Last night felt more real than anything I've had with Amanda in the past two years.

Violet stared at the message. Her smile remained, but underneath her smile was a soft, anxious whisper that hadn't left her since he kissed her the first time.

This really shouldn't be happening.

Still, she got out of bed and padded to the bathroom. Noah's door was already open, and she heard soft commotion from the kitchen. As she pushed a thin line of toothpaste onto her toothbrush, she paused and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes looked brighter somehow. There was an actual glow in her face that she hadn't seen before. She shook her head at herself and smiled again. After brushing her teeth, she applied some mascara and lip balm, then walked back to her room to put on jeans and a soft hoodie. She brushed her hair up into a bun on top of her head, then made her way downstairs.

The smell of coffee wafted up to meet her. Noah sat at the kitchen table, lazily spooning cereal into his mouth. His eyes were glued to his phone as his thumb scrolled through TikTok, until he heard her pulling out the chair next to him. He lifted his head to look at her and gave her a small smile that made her belly flutter and her eyes avert him out of sudden shyness.

"Morning," he said, his voice easy.

"Morning," she replied quietly as she smiled back. Her father stood at the counter, pouring coffee into two mugs while he chatted with Noah's mom about the school updates from the parent group chat.

"You get that email about the buses?" her dad asked, turning to Violet.

Violet blinked as she looked at him, confused about what he was asking. "What email?"

"They're striking," her dad said. "Drivers are demanding better pay. There's no bus service this week, maybe even longer."

"Oh," she said. "I guess I-"

Noah lifted his head from his bowl. "I'll take her," he said casually, like it was no big deal.

Violet's gaze immediately shot back to her stepbrother. He blinked at her, then continued eating his cereal. Her dad glanced up from the coffee maker. "You sure?" he asked, brows lifting. "Don't you take Amanda to school as well?" The sound of Amanda's name made Violet's stomach twist. A low flutter of nerves rose in her chest, tight and breathless. The idea of sitting behind Amanda, sharing space with her after everything, after doing forbidden things with Noah, was too much. She couldn't do it. She wouldn't survive the ride.

Noah didn't hesitate. "Amanda's finding her own way to school this week."

All three of them--Violet, her dad, and Noah's mom--turned to look at him. His mom raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay with you two?"

Noah shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah." Violet kept her eyes down, forcing her attention back to her cereal, pretending her pulse wasn't racing. She felt Noah's leg shift under the table again and brush against hers.

Her dad wiped his hands on a dish towel as he glanced between them. "I don't know about this. I can take you to school, Vi. It's no problem."

Violet's heart jumped. "No. That'll make you late for work," she said quickly, her eyes darting up to her stepbrother. "I can ride with Noah."

Her dad hesitated, his eyes darting between Noah and Violet, before he finally gave a slight nod. "Alright. Just be careful. These strikes are gonna make the roads a mess." With that, he turned back to his morning routine, flipping on the news and pouring himself more coffee. Violet and Noah quietly finished their breakfast, the clink of spoons the only sound between them. When they were done, they grabbed their bags and headed out to the car.

The morning air was crisp as they stepped outside, sunlight barely warming the tips of the leaves clinging to the trees. Violet clutched her bag tightly as she followed Noah to his car, the silence stretching between them. It wasn't awkward--not quite--but it pulsed with something unspoken. Something new. Noah unlocked the doors and slid into the driver's seat. Violet buckled in beside him, her hands already beginning to fidget in her lap. She snuck a glance at him as he started the engine. He looked calm... too calm. Like last night hadn't completely flipped their worlds upside down.

The drive started in silence, and Violet's gaze flickered from the passing houses to Noah's profile. He hadn't looked at her since they pulled out of the driveway. She shifted in her seat and decided to break the silence finally. "When did you leave my room?"

Noah's brows rose as he glanced at her, like he was surprised she wanted to talk about it. "Around 2:30. I didn't want to risk getting caught. You were asleep, and you looked peaceful."

Violet smiled. "I get it."

Silence entered the car again until Noah's voice cut through it. "Did I go too far last night?" he asked gently.

Her heart thudded as she looked at him. "No," she said, maybe a little too fast. "You didn't. I wanted to... I just--" she looked down at her hands. "I got nervous. I was in my head."

Noah nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "What were you thinking about?"

She hesitated, then spoke again. "Amanda."

That name sat between them like a live wire. Noah exhaled and nodded in understanding. He didn't respond right away, and Violet's stomach twisted again. Maybe this was all some dream for him. A brief escape. But then he said, quietly but firmly, "I'm going to break up with her." Violet's eyes widened as her gaze shot back to him again. Noah looked at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road again. "I should've a long time ago."

Violet stared at him a little longer, then glanced out the window at the familiar blur of the grocery store her bus would pass en route to school. "I guess... I never thought you actually would."

"Break up with Amanda?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

He exhaled. "I get that. But I meant what I said, V. All of it. I wouldn't have done anything last night if I didn't mean it." His voice softened. "I don't want to hurt you."

Violet felt a flutter in her belly when she heard him call her 'V'. She liked that. She smiled a little before it slowly faded as she once again began to feel the weight of everything on her shoulders. "Part of me still feels guilty," she admitted, "like I'm doing something wrong. But..." She hesitated, unsure if she could even say the next words out loud. But they were there, pulsing inside her, desperate to come out. "I've thought about you for a long time. And not in a 'brotherly' way."

Noah's expression flickered with a mix of surprise and something like relief. He looked over at her quickly before turning back to the road. "If we weren't stepsiblings," he said, "I would've asked you out already."

Violet felt like she would burst. Even after everything that happened between them in the last two days, her brain still couldn't believe that it wasn't a dream. "Really?"

"Yeah," he said, attempting to let her know how earnest he was. "Really."

Silence filled the car again, but this time, it wasn't awkward. Violet twisted her fingers in her lap, her voice barely above a whisper. "So... what do we do now?"

Noah glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." She looked out the window again, searching the sky like it had the answer. "We can't exactly be in a relationship. Not a real one. Our parents are married, and everyone at school already thinks I'm weird."

Noah was quiet for a beat, the hum of the engine filling the space. Then he said, "I don't care what people think about you. I've never paid attention to that shit."

"OK... but what would our parents think?" she asked. "My dad--your mom..."

"I know." He said as he turned onto the final long road that led to their school. "It's not like we're doing this to hurt anyone. It just... happened."

Violet let out a breath. "But now it is happening."

Noah nodded slowly. "Yeah. It is."

Violet turned to him. "So?"

She watched as he licked his lips, and one corner of his mouth tugged up. "So... we figure it out. Together."

"Even if it's complicated?"

"Especially if it's complicated."

Violet looked down, her heart beating fast. She wasn't sure what this was yet, but it didn't feel like something she could walk away from. "Okay," she whispered.

The school came into view faster than Violet expected. She felt like the world had paused inside the car, but everything outside kept moving. Noah turned into the parking lot and navigated toward the quieter end where fewer students parked. He pulled into a spot and cut the engine, the soft rumble dying into silence. For a second, neither of them moved. Violet reached for the door handle but paused when she felt Noah's hand close gently around hers. She turned and looked down at their hands intertwined, her fingers beginning to tingle from his touch. Her eyes ran up the small veins in his hand, and she took in a shaky inhale before her eyes lifted to meet his face.

Noah's thumb brushed across the back of her hand, slow and reassuring. "I meant what I said," he murmured. "I'm not playing around, Violet. I'm serious about this... about you." Her heart beat a little faster. "We can take this however slow you want," he added. "Your pace. Your rules."

Violet hesitated, her thoughts tangling like a web in her mind. "I just... I worry about people finding out. About what they'll think. What they'll say."

Noah nodded, understanding her worry. "Then we don't give them anything to talk about. We'll be careful at school and at home. No one needs to know what's going on between us."

There was a weight to his words that settled in her chest, comforting and terrifying all at once. She nodded slowly. "Okay." They let go of each other's hands at the same time, as if by silent agreement, and got out of the car. The air outside felt sharper, cooler against her skin, as they walked side by side toward the school doors. Violet tried not to stare, but she couldn't help it. Noah was tall, his strides confident and easy, the kind of presence that naturally drew attention whether he wanted it or not.

She glanced around and saw the way other girls looked at him, some with casual interest, others with full-on hunger. They laughed louder when he passed, flicked their hair, and shifted closer to their lockers like they were hoping to catch his eye. She looked up at him and saw his eyes remain in front of him, never drifting to the girls lining the hallway. He didn't notice. Or if he did, he didn't care.

Violet realized at that moment she wasn't just walking next to Noah Mitchell, her stepbrother. She was walking next to the boy half the school wanted. Yet he'd kissed her. Held her. Looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. And that made her smile to herself.

As they stepped deeper into the buzzing school halls, the morning noise of lockers slamming and conversations echoed around them. Noah looked at her and asked, "Do you have band practice after school today?"

Violet nodded. "Yeah. We're working on the homecoming set."

He gave a small smile, then looked ahead as they passed a teacher sipping from his travel mug. "Meet me at the football field when you're done."

She blinked as she looked up at him. "What for?"

"Pretty sure I'm also your ride home after we're both done practice," Noah said. Then he leaned in and lowered his voice, just enough that it sent shivers down her neck. "I also think it would be hot if my cute stepsister watched me play."

Violet's eyes darted around in panic. "Noah," she whispered sharply, "someone could've heard that."

He chuckled, the sound soft and teasing. "Relax. No one's paying attention." Then, more seriously, "Just come to the field when you're done with band. Okay?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."

Satisfied, Noah gave her one last glance, then turned and started down another hall toward his locker. Violet watched him go, unable to help herself. The way he moved, his shoulders square, his gait easy and confident--she could feel heat rise to her cheeks again... and somewhere much lower in her body. She only snapped out of it when she heard her name.

"Violet!"

She turned just in time to see Bri walking briskly toward her, her ponytail bouncing. "You okay? I've been calling you."

"Oh," Violet stammered, stepping quickly away from where she'd been rooted. "Yeah, sorry. Just... zoning out."

Bri looked her up and down with a teasing smirk as they began to walk together. "Uh-huh. Zoning out while staring in the exact direction your stepbrother just disappeared? Very subtle, Vi."

Violet's heart lurched. "What? No, I wasn't--I mean, I was just--"

Bri laughed and bumped her with her shoulder. "Relax. I'm just messing with you." They reached Violet's locker, and she turned the dial of the combination, still trying to quiet the nerves in her chest. Bri leaned casually against the locker next to hers, arms crossed, a little grin tugging at her mouth. "So," Bri said casually, "I read the first few chapters of Phantom of the Opera last night."

Violet's eyebrows rose as she looked at her, surprised. "Wait--seriously? You already started it?"

"Yeah," Bri shrugged. "Jacob had a nightmare around two a. m., woke me up sobbing. I stayed with him until he fell asleep again, but I couldn't go back to sleep. I figured, why not?"

Violet pulled open her locker door, her smile growing as she grabbed her books for first and second period. "And?"

"I actually really like it," Bri admitted, her voice lowered like it was a secret. "It's weirdly intense. Like, way more emotional than I expected. And the Phantom guy? Kinda hot, but in a super creepy, 'I-live-under-the-opera-house-and-wear-masks' kind of way."

Violet laughed as she closed her locker. "Told you the tension was everything."

As they started walking toward their history class, their shoes clicking in time with the morning shuffle of other students and faculty, Bri turned to her again. "Wait, how'd you get to school today? I thought the bus drivers were protesting."

"Oh," Violet said, suddenly aware again of how warm her face felt. "Noah gave me a ride."

Bri raised an eyebrow. "Noah? Since when?"

Violet kept her eyes forward and clutched her books a little tighter. "Just... since today. My dad was gonna take me, but Noah offered."

Bri didn't say anything for a moment. Then, with a slight smirk, "Interesting." Violet rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth tugged upward. Bri nudged her gently with her elbow as they were nearing their classroom. "You know... it's starting to look a lot like your stepbrother might have a tiny crush on you."

Violet whipped her head toward her, eyes wide. "What?"

Bri laughed, holding up her hands. "I'm kidding! Jeez."

Violet tried her best to look irritated, but she couldn't help but laugh at her friend's goofiness. "You're not funny."

"I'm a little funny," Bri said with a wink. "Don't worry, V. Your secret's safe with me."

"There's no secret," Violet muttered as she adjusted the books in her arms.

"Sure," Bri said lightly as they stepped through the doorway into History class. "And I didn't just cry over a fictional man in a mask last night." That statement caused Violet to laugh again. "See?" Bri grinned. "I am funny."

They walked into class just as the bell rang and slipped into their usual seats near the back. They passed Simon, who glanced up from his notebook. "Hey, guys," he said casually, but the way his eyes lingered on Violet made Bri smirk the second they passed him.

"Hey," they said in unison, and as soon as they sat down, Bri leaned toward Violet and whispered, "He's so obvious."

Violet looked at her, confused. "What?"

"Simon," Bri said with a pointed look as she adjusted herself in her seat a few rows behind him. "He's got a major crush. He might as well carry around a sign that says, 'Violet Hayes owns my heart.'"

Violet rolled her eyes and set her books on top of her desk. "He's just nice."

"Mmm," Bri hummed, unconvinced. Then her gaze drifted up to the front of the class. "Speaking of nice..." Mr. Gates stood at the whiteboard, writing out today's lecture topics in clean, blocky handwriting. He was tall and muscular, with a face that belonged on the cover of Vogue. The sleeves of his button-up hugged his biceps just enough to always distract most of the room.

"I swear," Bri murmured, "I would gladly fail this class if it meant I got to be under him for summer school."

Violet choked on her own spit. "Bri!"

"What?" Bri grinned as she looked at him again while twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "Don't act like you haven't thought it too. I've seen the way you avoid eye contact when he leans over your desk."

"Oh, God," Violet said, but she was already trying not to smile.

Bri sighed and slumped dramatically in her chair. "I'd love him more if this damn paper didn't count for like a third of our grade."

"Right? He looks like he should be making our lives hell as a gym teacher instead."

Bri laughed. "Yeah, but seeing him would be excellent motivation, especially if he gave me a personal sweat session." Violet gave her a look, but another laugh escaped anyway. Just like always, Bri had her laughing before stress could settle in.

Mr. Gates turned from the whiteboard, clapping the dry-erase marker in his palm. "Alright, let's settle down." The chatter in the room gradually faded as textbooks opened and backpacks unzipped. Violet tried to focus, but her thoughts were drifting back to the car ride and the feel of her stepbrother's hand over hers.

"... Violet?"

Her head snapped up. Mr. Gates stood at the front of the room, one eyebrow slightly raised. "S-Sorry," she said quickly, cheeks burning. "I just--my mind wandered."

He gave a curt nod and returned to the board. "Let's try to keep it in the present, alright?"

Bri reached over and poked Violet with the eraser of her pencil, then slid her phone out just enough for Violet to see it subtly placed on her lap. Bri began typing as Violet pulled her own phone out, waiting for a message to appear on her screen.

Bri: Girl what is up with you?? You've been weird since yesterday.

Violet's fingers hovered over her keyboard for a beat before she began typing.

Violet: It's Noah.

Before Violet could finish her additional message, Mr. Gates's voice cut through the air again. "Violet. That's two strikes this morning."

She jumped at his voice, then locked her phone before shoving it back into her pocket. "Sorry. Won't happen again."

"Let's hope not." Mr. Gates resumed his slow, deliberate stroll between the rows of desks. Violet could feel eyes on her, some subtle, others not. It was as if they all knew, or at least suspected something. Every glance felt heavier than the last. Even Simon looked at her with concern. She lifted her elbow onto the desk and rested her head in her hand, using the motion to shield her face. Her gaze stayed locked on her textbook, but the words blurred, unreadable beneath the weight of her own thoughts.

The rest of the class crawled by in her own personal silence. She barely heard the lecture. When the bell finally rang, she and Bri stood up to leave, but Mr. Gates called out.

"Violet? Can I speak to you for a second?"

Bri gave her a wide-eyed look and whispered, "I'll wait outside," before heading out.

Violet stepped up to the front, past Simon, who was still stuffing his backpack with loose papers. "Hey, you ok 'Vi'?" He asked softly. She nodded in response. "Yeah," she said softly, "just had some things on my mind." Violet continued up the row to Mr. Gates's desk, clutching her bag tightly.

Mr. Gates looked at her with concern, his voice soft. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I was just... distracted," Violet mumbled. She turned her head as she saw Simon out of the corner of her eye. He gave a final look of concern before walking out the door to his next class.

"I get it," Mr. Gates said, catching Violet's attention again. "Senior year hits hard. Just try to keep it together in class, okay? I know you're one of the good ones."

Violet nodded. "I will. Thanks."

"Good. Now go before Bri thinks I've locked you in here."

She cracked a small smile and turned to leave. Bri was waiting just outside, her arms crossed and grinning like she couldn't wait to pry. She fell into step beside Violet the moment she emerged from the classroom. "Sorry I got you in trouble," Bri said as she linked arms with Violet. "That's my bad."

"It's fine," Violet replied, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. She looked at Bri, who was chewing on her bottom lip, a tell she always did before she tried to ask probing questions.

"So?" Bri began, eyebrows lifted in anticipation. "What did you mean when you said it was Noah?"

Violet glanced around the hallway, suddenly very aware of how loud Bri could be when she was curious. "Can we not do this here?" she whispered.

"Violet," Bri said, exasperated. "You don't get to drop a cryptic 'it's Noah' and then go radio silent." They continued down the hall, heading toward Bri's locker this time. Violet hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip as her thoughts raced. Telling Bri everything felt dangerous. It was all still too fresh, too vulnerable, and way too complicated.

"I just meant..." Violet began slowly, still unsure how to phrase it. "He told me he's breaking up with Amanda."

Bri's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Like, he said that to you?" Violet nodded as she watched Bri switch out her books. "Wow," Bri said while she shut her locker door. "That's kind of a big deal. They've been together most of high school. Why'd he tell you that?"

Violet shrugged. "I don't know... we were just talking. He was being honest and said they've been arguing a lot."

Bri narrowed her eyes. "And?"

"And nothing," Violet said quickly. "He just said it. That's all."

Bri didn't look convinced, but she let it go for now. "Well... about time. Amanda's always been a total bitch. You think he's serious?"

Violet nodded. "Yeah. I think he is."

Bri slowly smirked. "So, movie nights and heart-to-hearts, huh? You and Noah are getting real cozy."

"Bri--"

"I'm just saying," she teased, bumping Violet's shoulder. "If he dumps Amanda and suddenly starts talking to you in public, I'm gonna start writing fanfiction about it. A cute stepsibling romance." Violet laughed despite herself. "I'll meet you at lunch," Bri said as the hallway crowd surged around them. "Gotta run to Coach Jenkins before I forget--she's being a total psycho about practice schedules this week."

Violet nodded. "Okay. See you then."

Bri disappeared into the flow of students, and Violet shifted the strap of her backpack higher on her shoulder, mentally telling herself to focus in the rest of her morning classes.

Second period was AP English. Mr. Holloway droned on about narrative structure and symbolism in Frankenstein, but no matter how hard Violet tried, she zoned out. Normally, she loved this class. Today, the words on the page were foreign. Her pencil tapped against her notebook, and her mind cycled through memories of everything that happened over the weekend. Noah's voice, his text, his mouth against hers. Her cheeks flushed, and she stared harder at the book, trying hard to will the thoughts away.

Third period was AP Calculus BC. The class was self-inflicted torture, but it would count as a college credit for her. It dragged like normal--numbers, equations, graphs--a headache that never eased. She avoided making eye contact with Mr. DeWitt as he called on students, silently praying he'd skip her. She couldn't think of advanced equations today. When class finally ended, she practically bolted from her desk.

Fourth period was AP Biology. Today was lab day, and she was paired with Simon again. He smiled at her like always and passed her a clean slide, pretending not to notice her quietness. She appreciated that. He talked just enough to fill the silence but didn't press her for conversation. She smiled once, and that seemed to make him beam. She wished she could make her brain feel as calm as his presence made her.

By the time the lunch bell rang, Violet's stomach was twisted in knots. She walked through the crowded halls with Simon, pausing just outside the cafeteria where Bri was already waiting.

"Hey," Bri said, linking her arm with Violet's. "You look like you survived your morning."

"Barely," Violet replied, exhaling. "I feel like I've been holding my breath all day."

"Then let's inhale some food and gossip," Bri chirped, tugging her toward their table. "You can join too, Simon," she teased over her shoulder as Simon followed behind them. "Glad I get to be included," he said with a dorkish grin. The three of them stopped at the food line first--Simon grabbing a slice of pizza and a chocolate milk, Violet opting for a salad and fruit cup, and Bri dramatically announcing she was "risking it all" for the mystery meat burrito. They laughed their way through the line, Bri stealing a crouton from Violet's tray and Simon shaking his head like an exhausted parent.

With their trays in hand, they wove through the usual cafeteria noise--conversations, beeps from the pin machines, and the clatter of trays. Bri slid into her usual spot at the table next to two soccer guys who were cracking jokes, Violet and Simon sliding in after her.

This table had always felt like a strange mix. The popular crowd, plus Violet and Simon, who had been unofficially absorbed into the group thanks to Bri's stubborn loyalty. By now, it had become routine for some of the louder conversations to barely acknowledge Violet or Simon unless Bri pulled them in. But still, no one questioned their presence anymore.

Violet peeled back the plastic on her fruit cup while Bri launched into a story about their last cheer practice. Simon listened with polite interest, occasionally leaning toward Violet to whisper sarcastic commentary that made her smile behind her fork. Just as Bri started describing a stunt that almost went wrong, raised voices suddenly cut across the cafeteria. Everyone turned to look.

"Noah, you're seriously breaking up with me now?" Amanda's voice rang out across the room. Chairs scraped. Conversations paused. Everyone turned toward the scene unfolding just past the vending machines. Noah stood there with his arms crossed, his demeanor calm despite Amanda's boiling fury. He said something too low for Violet to catch, and Amanda's mouth twisted.

"This is about that freak, isn't it?!" Amanda shouted, pointing straight at Violet. Violet's blood turned to ice, and she stopped chewing her food. Simon tensed beside her, confused about what was happening. A few students murmured, and heads swiveled in Violet's direction. At the table, one of the cheerleaders leaned forward, wide-eyed. "Wait--did she say Violet?"

Bri rolled her eyes. "Amanda's always so overdramatic when she's losing control."

"Because of Violet though?" another girl whispered.

"Yeah," Bri said flatly, "because Amanda's been trying to make Violet's life hell since middle school. She's never been able to stand the fact that some people actually like her." The table fell silent. Even Simon was stunned.

"Are you serious right now?!" The entire table went still again as their focus returned to the spectacle. Amanda stepped closer to Noah, her face red and eyes narrowed to slits. Her voice echoed louder than the hum of voices around them.

"You're such a dick!" Then, before anyone could react, Amanda slapped him. The crack of it echoed through the cafeteria, followed by gasps.

A nearby teacher who was on lunch duty quickly made her way towards them. "Amanda!" he said sternly. "Office. Now." Amanda shoved Noah before storming out, her eyes shooting daggers at Violet as she went. Noah turned and met Violet's gaze for just a second before the teacher pulled him aside and walked with him toward the hallway.

Violet could barely breathe. The lunchroom began to buzz again with loud commotion and stares. Beside her, Bri blinked. "What. The. Hell." Violet didn't answer. She wasn't sure she could.

Violet stared down at her tray, her appetite now gone. The sharp sting of Amanda's glare lingered in her chest like a bruise blooming from the inside. Her fingers tightened around her fork as whispers and glances flew like darts across the cafeteria. She felt like every pair of eyes was aimed straight at her.

"I didn't think he'd actually do it," Bri muttered, breaking the tension with a low whistle. "Amanda's a nightmare but... damn."

Violet didn't respond. Her throat felt so tight, she almost couldn't breathe. The way Amanda had looked at her... it was like she knew. Maybe she did, and soon... perhaps everyone else would.

Violet rapidly blinked as she tried to make sense of the tangled web that was her emotions. Violet hated Amanda. She'd always hated the way Amanda whispered things behind her back, the way she'd turned middle school into a war zone, and how she still seemed to have claws in everything. But Violet never wanted to hurt her--at least, not like this.

She tossed her fork on her tray, feeling disgusted with herself all over again. How could she allow herself to partake in something so messy and cruel, then dress it up in sexy forbidden tension? She almost wished none of this had happened.

The rest of lunch was a blur, and soon, the bell rang, jolting Violet from her daze. Bri was already standing, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "You okay?" she asked quietly as she gently rubbed Violet's back. Violet nodded, though it was mostly for show. Simon stood too, his eyes scanning her face. "Want us to walk with you?"

"Yeah," Bri added. "We'll walk you."

Violet didn't protest. The three of them stepped into the crowded hallway, moving together through the press of bodies. Bri kept chatting, filling the silence with talk about classes and what the heck Amanda's punishment might be. Simon kept his arm looped over Violet's shoulder, not really sure how else to give her comfort. Violet appreciated the attempts to help her, even though they weren't really working.

They walked her all the way to her locker and stayed with her while she switched out her morning books for her afternoon ones and her clarinet. The less time she had to spend in the hallways right now, the better. "I'll see you in band practice," Simon said as more of a question than a statement.

Violet forced a smile and nodded. "See you there."

Bri lingered even after Simon had disappeared down the hall, a crease of worry deepening between her brows. "You sure you're okay?" she asked again, her voice lower now, softer, almost protective. Violet didn't answer right away. She kept her eyes on the contents of her locker, pretending to rearrange a notebook that didn't need rearranging. Finally, she nodded, her eyes still down. Bri sighed. "You don't have to talk about it. I just... I've seen you hurt before, but this feels different."

Violet finally glanced up. "I'll be fine," she said, and this time her voice held a bit more strength, even if it was shaky underneath.

Bri didn't look convinced, but she still smiled. "Okay. But I'm calling you later, and if I even get a hint of you still being upset, I'm kidnapping you for double chocolate fudge ice cream... with extra fudge."

That actually earned a genuine smile from Violet. "Deal." With that, Bri gave her arm a gentle squeeze and turned to walk to her next class. Violet watched her disappear before taking a slow, steady breath and turning to walk the opposite way, wishing she could leave all of her thoughts behind in the locker.

By the time the last bell rang for the close of the school day, she felt like she'd been through a war zone. She sat in her final period, trying to take notes and care, but all she could think about was Noah. What if Amanda figured out what they did? What if she made her life even more hell? Her stomach turned as she stared at her phone under the desk. Her thumbs hovered over the screen for a long time before she finally typed:

"Hey. I'm gonna get a ride home from someone else. I just... I'm sorry for everything. I feel horrible about the slap. I never meant for this to happen. We can't do this anymore."

She hit send before she could stop herself. Then she sat there, her heart sinking lower with every passing second. Finally, she tucked her phone in the pocket of her hoodie, waited for the usual quiet lull that came when most of the school was empty, then rose from her seat to walk to band. She stepped into the music room and made her way to her seat. Barely a second later, Simon slid into the chair beside her with a careful smile. "You made it," he said gently, as if she might vanish again.

"I said I would," Violet replied, not looking at him as she opened her case.

Simon tried to read her expression, but gave up and instead pulled out his own instrument. "I saved us the good stands," he said, gesturing to the two that weren't covered in old masking tape or missing screws. "The bar is low, but I clear it with grace."

Violet chuckled despite herself. "Your heroism knows no bounds."

They played through the next hour and a half in relative ease, the music allowing Violet to actually focus on something other than her thoughts. Still, every time her mind wandered, her stomach twisted. When practice ended, Violet pulled her phone out and pressed the side button to light up the screen. No messages. No reply from Noah. Her heart sank. Why should she get upset about ending something that never should've happened?

She placed her phone back in her pocket, then stood and turned to Simon before she could second-guess herself. "Hey... could you maybe give me a ride home?"

Simon blinked, genuinely surprised. "Uh--yeah. Yes. Totally. I mean... yeah. Of course."

Violet offered a grateful smile. "Thanks."

They packed up in companionable silence, and Violet noticed that Noah's car was gone. Her heart sank again, but she didn't let it show. It's for the best, she thought to herself.

She continued to follow Simon as he led her to the back student lot where his old car sat like a tired but loyal dog. He opened the passenger side for her with a theatrical bow. "Milady." She laughed and slipped inside, wincing at the high-pitched creak the door made when it closed. Simon sat in the driver's seat and let out a nervous laugh as the car let out a metallic groan when he turned the key. "She's... got character," he muttered, clearly mortified.

Violet tilted her head, amused. "I like it. She has class."

Simon visibly brightened. "Really? Most people just call it a deathtrap."

"Deathtraps with soul are underrated."

They pulled out of the lot, the soft rattle of the engine mixing with the music Simon quietly put on. He kept glancing at her, and his fingers fidgeted on the steering wheel as he tried to figure out what to say. After a pause, he cleared his throat.

"So... what Amanda said at lunch--about you. What did she mean?"

Violet's stomach dropped. She was hoping this wouldn't be brought up again. "I don't know," she said. "She says a lot of things." Simon nodded, though his brow furrowed. Before he could press further, Violet leaned forward and changed the subject with practiced ease. "Hey. Weren't you saying the other day you finally rewatched The Last Jedi?"

Simon immediately perked up. "Yes. And I still have opinions."

"Unleash them." As he launched into a detailed critique of character arcs and misused plot potential, Violet listened, grateful for the distraction, and for Simon's easy way of filling silence with something that didn't hurt.

Simon's car rattled to a stop in front of Violet's house. The old engine gave a reluctant sputter before falling silent, the sudden quiet almost startling after the clunky drive. "Sorry," Simon said with a sheepish grin, his fingers still on the key. "I swear it only sounds like it's falling apart."

Violet gave a small smile, unbuckling her seatbelt. "It's fine. It got up home in almost one piece."

Simon laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks... and, uh, if you ever want to talk about... whatever all that was today... I'm around. Seriously."

Violet looked at him, genuinely grateful. "Thanks, Simon. That really means a lot." He gave her a nod, and she opened the door, stepping out with her bag slung over her shoulder. As she walked toward the front steps, she noticed Noah's car was already parked in the driveway, next to her dad's. She felt like she would throw up as she walked up to the porch steps. When she neared the door, faint voices slipped through the walls, tense and raised. She hesitated, her steps slowing as she walked up the porch steps. Then she heard her dad's voice. "I knew I should've just driven Violet to school. I don't understand why you're even still with someone like Amanda." Violet's eyes widened, then slowly, she unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"I'm not," Noah's voice came sharp and defensive. "Not anymore."

No one heard her enter. Her dad was standing near the couch with his arms crossed. Noah's mom sat at the edge of the armchair; concern etched into every line of her face. And Noah stood in the middle of it all, tense, flushed, and looking like he was ready to be anywhere else but here.

Noah's mom responded, her voice softer but tense. "It's not like he planned for Amanda to cause a scene."

"That's not the point!" Violet's dad yelled, the fire in his voice making her flinch. "That girl has made Violet's life a living hell since they were in middle school!" Her dad continued. "Forget the rumors that were spread... you don't even know the half of it!"

"Noah didn't--" his mom began, but her dad wasn't finished.

"When Violet's mother died, Amanda told her it was her fault and that she was a freak. A burden. That her mom couldn't stand being around her anymore." The silence that followed was suffocating. "You want to know what that did to her? What that kind of cruelty does to a person?!"

"Wait, what?" Noah's voice cut in, sharp and stunned. "What are you talking about?"

"Violet made me promise not to tell anyone," Her dad said, almost as if he was reminding himself. "But you need to know about the monster you were dating." He sniffled, blinking hard to hold back tears. "That girl pushed my daughter to the edge... and Violet tried to take her own life!" Noah's face turned pale, stunned at what he had just heard. His mom gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

Violet's chest ached like she had been stabbed in the heart. You promised, she thought. You fucking promised.

"And now you're the one dragging into the line of fire for Amanda to make her life a living hell AGAIN!" her dad practically growled. "Why? Why did you ever date that girl?" Violet watched as Noah's mouth moved, trying hard to find an answer, but nothing came out. His lips shut, and he looked down at the floor. "You're no better," Violet's dad continued, his restraint on the topic no longer present. "I know you're not blood, but I at least hoped you'd care about her a little. What kind of brother lets this happen?!"

Noah's mom rose from her seat, her expression of shock turning into one of fury. "Jeff!" she said loudly. "Stop it right now!"

"I'm not-" Noah's voice rose, angry now. "I'm not trying to hurt her! I care about her too!" With that, Violet stepped into view, tears freely falling down her face. She looked at everyone--her dad's face was red, and his fists were clenched. Noah had turned pale, looking like he could vomit at the words spat at him. His mother was shedding her own tears now and gasped when she saw Violet step into the living room. Noah swallowed hard, and Violet felt heat rise in her core at the look he was giving her... a look of pity.

Her eyes locked on her father's, who was already slowly walking towards her, his hands out like he wanted to hug her. "Violet-"

"You promised," she spat. "You promised me you would never tell anyone."

Her dad stopped, his hand dropping to his sides. "Violet, honey--"

But she was already turning. She bent down, grabbed her bag, and stormed up the stairs without saying another word. She heard her name being called--Noah, maybe her dad--but she didn't stop. Her legs carried her up the steps and into her room before her thoughts could catch up. She slammed her bedroom door shut, locked it, and stood there, pressing her back to the wood as if she could somehow keep the world out that way. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps. Then the sobs took over, so loud and unfiltered, they shook her entire body.

She slid down until she was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. She tried to breathe deeply, to calm herself, but it was like her lungs couldn't find rhythm. Eventually, her cries quieted into soft hiccups. She stood shakily, kicked off her shoes, dropped her bag on the floor, and climbed under her bed without bothering to change.

She curled onto her side, pulling the covers over her head. The pillow was quickly dampened with her tears. Sometime later, somewhere between guilt and exhaustion, Violet finally drifted off--face pressed to her pillow, lashes damp, heart heavy.

Later, Violet blinked awake to darkness. Her limbs ached, her eyes were puffy, and despite having slept for hours, she still felt exhausted. She sat up slowly, the sheets tangled around her waist. A dull ache pulsed behind her eyes as she looked around, trying to figure out what time it was. Her hand brushed something beside her. She looked down and saw her phone lying near the edge of the bed, the screen dark and face up. It must have fallen out of her hoodie pocket when she collapsed.

With stiff fingers, she picked it up and tapped the screen. She first noticed the time.

11:57 p. m.

Then, four missed messages.

One from her dad:

Dad:

Violet, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I just... lost it. I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise. Please let me know when you're awake so we can talk.

She swallowed, then scrolled.

Simon:

Hey. Just checking on you. You okay? Want to talk?

She could practically hear his hopeful voice, the gentle awkwardness of it. He was always so earnest. So safe.

Then Bri:

Bri:

I stopped by earlier. Your dad told me what happened. You're not alone, okay? I love you.

That one hit the hardest. Violet pressed her palm to her eyes, trying hard not to cry again. She remembered Bri sitting next to her hospital bed, holding her hand even though her own life was a mess. Bri had shown up with vending machine candy and red-rimmed eyes, having just left from visiting her father during his fourth stint at rehab so she could come sit with Violet. She never asked for anything in return. She was just there.

Violet took a deep, shaking breath, then she saw the last message that was sent from Noah.

Noah:

I'm sorry. I didn't know Amanda was that horrible to you. I wish you would've said something. You didn't deserve what she said to you.

Violet stared at the words. She wasn't sure what she felt. Anger? Sadness? Embarrassment? Maybe all of it. Perhaps something else, too--something heavier. Something that whispered she had meant something to Noah... but now, after today, maybe it all was different.

She tossed her phone back on her bed and stood. Violet grabbed her pajamas from the drawer--soft cotton shorts and an oversized Dracula shirt--then padded barefoot to the bathroom. She paused as she glanced at the closed door to Noah's room. She shut the door gently behind her and caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, rimmed with pink. Her hair was tangled from sleep, and it framed her face like a curtain of exhaustion. She looked like someone who'd been slowly unraveling into a nervous breakdown. She stared at her reflection for a beat longer, then turned the faucet on and let the room fill with steam.

The hot water felt like a reset. She stood under the stream longer than necessary, letting it wash over her, cleansing the day from her skin. Her chest ached with guilt, not just from the argument downstairs, but for what Noah had walked into because of her. He'd stood there, caught between two parents and a father who was ready to explode, and he hadn't backed down. Not once. Because of her.

She wrapped herself in a towel and dried off slowly, then changed into her pajamas and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. Once she was dressed, she walked back into the hall and stopped in front of Noah's door. Her fist hovered near the wood. She didn't even know exactly why she was here--maybe to thank him, maybe to make sure he was okay. Maybe just to not be alone tonight. She stood there for a full minute, heart pounding. Then, finally, she gave a quiet knock.

She waited, but was met with silence. Her shoulders slumped. Of course he was asleep, she thought. She turned to leave, then heard the click of the door. Noah opened it slowly, the sound of a low hum from his TV reaching her ears. He stood in the dim light of his room. His hair was a little mussed, and his t-shirt was wrinkled. For a moment, they just looked at each other.

"Sorry," Violet whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

"I was just lying down," he said, voice low and rough from silence. "It's okay."

She stepped past him, feet barely making a sound on the carpet. She moved with nervous energy, and she crossed her arms over her stomach. Noah shut the door behind them and turned to just look at her. "I didn't come to... I mean, I just..." She let out a breath as she sat at the edge of his bed. "I don't want you to blame yourself for what happened with Amanda. That wasn't fair, what my dad said."

Noah sat next to her, sighing as he hunched over. "I was the one who chose to date her."

"You didn't know," Violet said. "I never told you what she did to me."

"Why not?" he asked. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"

She looked up at him. "Because you liked her... and I didn't want to be the reason you stopped. Plus, I was afraid that if I told you, she would find a reason to make my life even more of a hellhole."

"Violet, if I'd known--"

"I don't want to feel a burden," she said, cutting him off. Her voice cracked on the word, and she quickly cleared her throat. "I spent so long trying to disappear, and when I tried to..." She paused, unable to let the words pass from her lips. "What I did caused so much pain to people I care about. I wasn't going to drag anyone else into my mess and hurt them too."

Noah ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. "God, I hate that you felt that way."

She offered a faint smile while she brushed her fingers across the seam of his blanket. "I didn't expect you to break up with her today," she said, changing the subject. "Lunch probably wasn't the ideal setting."

That earned a small laugh from him. "You think?" Violet chuckled under her breath. "She basically cornered me," he added. "Started with 'You've been acting weird since Friday. Are you breaking up with me?'"

"And you said yes?"

"I didn't say anything... honestly, I guess that was my answer." Violet stared at her knees, thinking back to the slap, the shouting, the way everyone had stared like they knew everything. "I was done pretending," he said firmly. "And honestly? I don't give a shit what she says about me. But what she said about you, back then? That's what's killing me right now. Your dad may have been harsh... but he was right. I never should've dated her."

She turned to him. Their eyes met, and neither of them looked away. The silence stretched as Noah shifted on the bed, placing his hand next to Violet's. He let his pinky slowly run over hers before intertwining them, giving her careful intimacy without pushing. "I saw the message you sent," he said as his brows furrowed. "After school." He shifted, looking down for a second to prepare for the possible answer that could follow what he was about to say. "If... if you really want me to leave you alone, I will."

She stared at him. The boy who once felt so distant in their home, like a ghost passing through her world, like her story. The boy-no-the stepbrother who had now made her feel things that could never be suppressed. She slowly slid her hand over his, then whispered, "I don't want to be left alone." Noah's eyes widened, like he needed to make sure he heard her right. Violet tucked her legs up under her, curling slightly toward him. "I'm done being scared," she said lowly, her voice steadier now. "I'm done hiding from you how I feel about you. About everything."

Noah didn't move, didn't even blink. She let out a breath. "Since Saturday... my mind's been a mess. Spinning and confused and trying so hard to tell myself this is wrong. That I should feel guilty and pull away, but I can't. I keep thinking about you." Her eyes softened. "And now I don't want to feel guilty anymore."

She leaned just slightly closer, her voice dropping to a fragile murmur. "I know we're stepsiblings, and that this is wrong... but I don't care." She licked her lips as her body leaned into him. "I just want to feel you."

Before she gave herself more time to talk herself out of it, she raised her hand to his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. Noah didn't move. He didn't speak. He just looked at her, his eyes open, steady, full of something tender and aching. The kiss started gently, but quickly deepened, like they both knew there was no turning back now. Noah's hands found her waist, his grip firm but careful, pulling her closer until she was pressed against him, chest to chest, heartbeat to heartbeat.

Their mouths moved in sync, the air between them growing hot and desperate. Violet broke the kiss and slowly stood, her body tingling with nerves and anticipation. Noah said nothing as he watched her, just waiting. Her hands reached for the waistband of her shorts. She hesitated for only a second before sliding them down her hips and stepping out of them. Her cheeks burned as she bore herself to him completely.

She stood there, exposed under the soft glow of the TV, her heart thundering. Noah's gaze swept over her, and Violet loved it. She loved the way he looked at her, and his gaze caused the fire she felt for him to burn even hotter.

"Are you sure?" he asked as his gaze rose. She met his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment she had only dreamt about for so long settle in her chest. And then she nodded.

"Yes."

She stepped forward and reached for the hem of his shirt. He lifted his arms and let her peel it over his head, revealing the lean, defined lines of his torso. She ran her fingers down his chest, marveling once again at the warmth of his skin and enjoying the way his breath caught under her touch. He pulled her gently down onto his lap, pulling her thighs on either side of his hips to straddle him. His erection pressed against her, already hard and insistent, and he moved forward, desperate to have his lips on hers again.

Noah's hands ran up her back, his fingers splaying across her bare skin. She shivered as he explored her body with quiet reverence--up her spine, over her shoulders, and down again in slow, sensual strokes. The sound of the TV buzzed faintly in the background, forgotten but still present, a soft reminder of the ordinary world outside this sacred moment. Noah shifted to lay her back onto the bed with careful hands. He kissed her again, then pulled back just far enough to slide off the edge of the bed and stand. He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his pajama pants and boxers and pulled them down.

Violet's breath hitched as her eyes took in his cock once again. He was thick, long, his erection hard and eager as it stood proudly. She felt her breath quicken, but took a calming one as she looked up at him. He moved back onto the bed, resting on his knees between her thighs. He reached for her hand, took it gently, and guided it to him, letting her explore him. Her fingers curled around his shaft, and at first, her touch was tentative, but curious. He was warm in her hand, heavy and firm. She stroked him gently, marveling at the texture and the way it twitched at her touch.

A low sound escaped him--a soft groan that sent a thrill through her belly. Her eyes darted up to his face, and she felt her pussy throb at the look he was giving her. He looked like he was hungry for her; that her touch was possessing him. He leaned down and kissed her again, then positioned himself between her thighs. One hand rested next to her head, while the other guided himself to her entrance and began to push into her slowly.

Violet gasped, and her hands gripping his shoulders, her entire body tensing with the unfamiliar stretch of him entering her. He paused, giving her time, and held perfectly still. "You okay?" he whispered.

She nodded, legs trembling around his hips. "Just... don't stop." He nodded as he pushed deeper, inch by inch, kissing her softly as he filled her for the first time. When he was entirely inside her, she exhaled, a shaky, overwhelmed breath, as her body adjusted to him. There was no guilt. No fear. Only the feeling of being wanted. Of being his.

Noah moved slowly, keeping his weight on his forearms as he watched her face with every shift of his hips. Violet bit her lip to keep from crying out, and her legs wrapped loosely around his waist. Each motion sent a jolt through her--sharp at first, the stretch still unfamiliar, but steady. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.

It hurt, not unbearably, but enough to make her hold her breath. But then, it started to shift. Her body began to yield around him, adjusting to his size, the friction becoming warmer, slicker, deeper. The ache melted into something else, something intense and pleasurable. When she finally allowed herself to breathe, her breath quickly turned shallow, and her body pulsed around him with every thrust. And just as she started to settle into the rhythm, Noah dipped his head and took one of her nipples into his mouth.

Violet gasped sharply--her back arching off the bed as a new wave of sensation bloomed through her. His mouth was hot as she felt his tongue circle around her nipple. He sucked gently, then firmer, the feeling of sparks shooting down her spine. She cradled the back of his neck and tangled her fingers in his hair, loving the feel of it--soft and thick. She held him there, her head falling back against the pillow as she let herself feel everything.

He lifted his head, eyes dark with hunger as he kissed her again. "You're so tight," he murmured, his voice low and strained as his lips brushed against hers. She whimpered as her walls clenched around his cock, pulling from him another hushed groan. She watched as he pushed up onto his knees, still inside her, and shifted her hips slightly. The new angle made her cry out softly, the pleasure sharper now, hitting something deep that made her toes curl. Then his hand slipped between them to give small circles over her clit with his thumb as he kept thrusting--slower, more profound, deliberately quiet.

Violet's head snapped to the side, and she bit the pillow under her, desperate to muffle the sounds building in her throat. Her whole body arched beneath him, and her thighs shook as she felt the most intense buildup of pleasurable heat she had ever felt in her life. She came hard, silently, desperately, hey pussy pulsing around him in intense waves. Noah groaned low in his throat as he watched her cum, his pace stuttering as he fought for control.

She barely had time to catch her breath before he pulled out, teeth gritted, and chest heaving. "Oh fuck," he gasped, and with one last groan, he reached for himself. She gasped as she felt a sudden emptiness, and watched as he slowly stroked himself once, twice--then came, hot and thick, spilling across her stomach. They both stayed frozen for a beat, panting, while they just looked at each other. Then Noah leaned down and kissed her cheek, her shoulder, and her collarbone. He reached for his shirt off the floor and used it to wipe the mess he had left before tossing it back where it was. Violet blinked up at him, her body still tingling, her mind trying to catch up with what had just happened. She just fucked her stepbrother... and it was amazing. She smiled as she lay there, feeling him lie next to her and wrap his arms around her as he kissed her forehead. At this moment, there was no more guilt. She truly and selfishly felt his.