XOXO, Violet by Ginger Li

26Violet

Olivia and I stood inside Wesley’s house, but the living room was almost unrecognizable. The furniture now sat up against the walls. Christmas lights hung everywhere, and a disco ball dangled from the ceiling in the center of the room.

And we weren’t alone. Micah grinned at us from behind a makeshift DJ booth, his headphones hanging around his neck. Asher, Piper, and Ophelia stood next to him, beaming. And beside them stood Olivia…

Hold on one planty second. How could Olivia be in front of me and behind me at the same time?

I turned around and gasped. Instead of Olivia, Wesley stood behind me, wearing a fitted button-down shirt and grey dress pants. A bow tie sat at his throat.

I opened and closed my mouth like a stunned goldfish. “You were the one holding my hand this whole time. That’s why Olivia’s hands felt so strong. And why she smelled so—”

“Sexy?” Wesley quirked a brow. “Yeah, I heard that. Thanks.”

I swallowed. Well, he didn’t only smell sexy. I noted with appreciation the way his shirt hugged his arms and torso. “You look handsome.”

“Thanks.” There was a dangerous twinkle in his eye. “You look…cuddly.”

I peered down at my fluffy coat and laughed. “Well, it was cold outside.”

“Good thing you brought something warm.” Wes reached out his hand. “May I take your jacket?”

Shyly, I unzipped it and handed it over. Wes’s gaze lowered, taking in the dress before looking back up at my face. “You look absolutely stunning.”

My face warmed. “Thank you.” I fiddled with my fingers, too nervous to look at him. “Wes, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you of being like Jason. You’ve shown me, in so many ways, who you really are. And I’m sorry I threw that all away in anger.”

Wesley took hold of my hand, and my fingers wrapped around his. There was a warmth there. And strength. “I get it. And I hope you know that I’m so incredibly sorry too for making you feel like I chose him over you. Because I choose you first. Always. Violet, I love you.”

I stilled as the world around me bloomed in color. Wesley loved me. That knowledge was almost too wonderful to absorb.

“All this is for you.” He gestured toward the living room. “I know you had a horrible experience at your middle school dance, so I wanted to give you a new memory.” The vulnerability in his eyes took me by surprise. “Do you like it?”

I looked around the room, at the decorations, and at our friends, who were talking to each other and doing everything they could to make it look like they weren’t listening to every word we were saying. Like it? I loved it!

And I loved Wes too. I loved his cocky, flirty side that challenged me and made me laugh, and I loved his softer, sweeter side, that read novels with his sister and encouraged me when I felt nervous and scared.

Wesley was handsome, funny, fiercely loyal, and kind. And he was mine.

Overflowing with happiness, I threw my arms around his shoulders and leaned in to kiss him.

Soft and sweet, his mouth caught mine, and he pulled me closer.

“Hey, man, hands off my sister!” Micah called out.

Wesley smiled against my lips.

Laughing, I pulled away. “We appear to have an audience.”

Wes eyed my lips again, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Let them watch. I don’t care. I’m having a special moment with my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend? I placed a hand on my waist. “Since when were we a thing? Did you decide this without me?”

His smile broadened. “Sorry. I should have asked. Violet Reyes, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

Well, duh. “Yes!”

He grinned before pressing a lingering kiss to my lips.

My heart fluttered inside my chest. Oh my, my, my. Move over, houseplants, because kissing Wes was fast becoming my new favorite pastime.

As the music started playing—Micah’s way of telling us to move on—we joined the others.

The next few hours passed by with much laughter and dancing. Surrounded by Wesley and my closest friends, I felt like the luckiest senior-reliving-her-junior-high-dance in the world.

There was one moment as I stood by the snack table, watching everyone dance, where I wished once again that I could build a time machine. This time, I’d travel back to my junior high self, the one hurt and broken, and I’d bring her here today, so she could see that things really would improve. She’d see that one day she’d have amazing friends and a boyfriend who loved her for the weird and wonderful girl she was. I’d tell her that she’d not only survive high school; she’d thrive.

And there was no need to change herself one bit.

Wesley walked over and wrapped an arm around my waist. “Are you alright?” he asked, perhaps noticing my pensive mood.

I pulled him closer and planted the softest kiss on his lips.

“Better than alright. I’m perfect.”