PLAYING VICTIM!

VIOLET

"Lady Violet Rose... Lady Violet Rose..." a faint voice of my mom calling me.

"Mom? Mom?"

I feel the grasses on my feet. Then I see the clear sky with the sun shining brightly.

[Am I in the woods?]

My white maxi spring-off-shouldered dress, blown its hem like in a magazine pictorial for summer.

[Why am I here? The place looks unfamiliar. Am I lost?]

Then I heard her calling again, "Mom?" I scanned the area, following her faint voice.

The birds chirping up on the lined up silver birch trees, a vast land of meadows and as I turned around I saw a beautiful castle, made of bricks with five huge turrets surrounding the castle tower.

The castle is standing gloriously on top of the mountain, protected by its great walls.

Then I heard my mom's voice calling me again and I saw her, in front of the castle, waving her hand, telling me to come.

I quickly run towards her but why? Why I couldn't reach her? She's so far away.

I keep coming to her but I'm getting tired as it's like I'm running on a treadmill machine endlessly without a destination.

Then the windblown, blown me away, far away from the castle.

I yelled on top of my lungs, "Mom!!!!" as the hurricane engulf me into nothingness.

And I'm awakened.

Sweat trickling all over my body, and I could feel the fatigue in every muscle in me.

I slowly rise from the bed and check the time at the bedside clock, it says 6 am.

[Oh, I'm glad that I rise early! That's was a very strange dream. Does it mean that she wanted me to go to that place? Could it be...that's Castle Quest? That could be possible, but I should better be going. I still clean up the house a bit before preparing for work.]

My morning always starts with a homemade coffee, the kettle, and my French Press coffee maker were my best friends at home.

After my coffee is empty, I started cleaning my mom's room when suddenly, a phone just vibrated.

I check the bed, under the pillow, bottom of the mattress, under the bed, and the bedside table.

Then, I found a coral red iPhone, flashing its screen "Mr. Baron Evans" calling.

And who's phone iPhone is this? All I know is Mom's phone is an LG model. It was soaking wet at the washing machine by accident last month when she forgot to take it out from her pockets.

[Do I have to take the call?]

I tap the screen and it automatically received the call.

"Margaret!?! Why you haven't taken my calls last night? You didn't even notify me that Amanda is already gone! I just received a report from my sources!" A husky deep voice of a furious man, maybe in his mid-fifties.

"Hello?" my voice is shaking, "I'm so sorry sir but Margaret forgot her phone in the house. She left for a trip the other day and I just found her phone right now."

"And who is this I'm talking to?"

"This is Lady Violet Rose, daughter of Amanda."

The silence speaks like his shocked and surprised, I could his breathing still on the line.

"Hello, sir? Are you still there?"

He cleared his throat then answered "Yes, I'm sorry. I'm a good friend of your mother Amanda and Margaret."

"Oh! Glad to talk to you, sir! How did you know my mother and Margaret?"

His breathing keeps ringing in my ear in silence and the beeping sounds followed as he hangs up the call.

That's weird. I couldn't remember that mom has a friend name "Baron Evans".

I haven't heard his name from my mom and Margaret.

[How could he be connected with my mom? Or with Margaret?]

I wiped my face with my hands, I'm sweating after crawling down on the floor and now quickly fixing the bed again, remove the trash, and put the soiled bedding to the machine with my soiled clothes.

I look at the bedside clock and saw it was already 7:00 am and my work schedule will be from 8 am-8 pm.

Then I heard my stomach growling.

[Yes, I know, it's time to cook breakfast!]

And another bread and eggs again! Same as my dinner last night except without any green salad.

I should drop by the small grocery store later.

The time passed by quickly after I have eaten my breakfast.

I took the shower and immediately change into my uniform pants and a white shirt.

My uniform shirt, spare shirt, jeans, and undergarments are inside my backpack in case of emergency for sudden rain showers.

As I head out of the house, I took the helmet on the wall with my backpack and approached my parked bike near the windows, then unlock it.

And before I start riding my bike, I look up in the sky.

The sky is clear and sunny.

The magpies singing their melodies, one of my favorite music every morning as I go out of the house.

Then, I breathe in and out and start pedaling.

The cool breeze calms my senses.

I like singing when riding my bike, my headset is on connected with my phone in my pocket and my favorite song by PINK is on.

Then, I sing out loud my favorite lyrics that I always sing when I feel down.

But just because it burns

That doesn't mean you're gonna die

You gotta get up and try, and try, and try

Gotta get up and try, and try and try

And I'm nearing the Junction, a loud long horn honking, a car almost hit me and makes me jump off the bike and slumped on the ground.

"What the...Who the h*** is that?!?" I cursed under my breath. I'm on the ground, helping myself to get up.

Good thing, my bike is no damaged, and no major broken bones, few bruises, and scratches on my arms.

Then the pink car stopped a few meters away from my position.

"Darcy Moore? And her minions disembark the car and approached me.

"Well, well, well... who do we have here?" they giggled looking at me.

[I knew this will happen. I remembered her threat.]

I quickly stood up and face them, "You should take your driving lessons again, you don't deserve to drive!" I said furiously.

"How did you know? You do not have any car?" she laughed heartily with her minions.

I took my driver's license and waving it in her face.

"Where's your fake license? You almost got me to hit and injured! Do you know I could file you a lawsuit on personal injuries related to pain and suffering?"

"Excuse me? What are you talking about? Did I hit you? It's your fault why your driving that cheap bike of yours in the middle of the road!" she crossed her arms while enjoying her bubble gum on her mouth.

Then they are laughing out loud.

They are wearing their skimpy skirts again.

"You better be sure that you do have a license! Or else you will be in jail soon. I will report this accident with the Sheriff."

"Is that a joke? Have you forgotten that the Sheriff in Smithson is my Uncle?" they laughed like I'm telling them a joke.

[Ugh! That I remembered Sheriff Moore is Darcy's Dad's twin brother. You've got to move now Violet! Or else you will be late for work!]

I turned my back away from them and quickly get back on my bike and back on the road.

"Uh uh... someone is scared like a chicken! Cha-caw Cha-caw!" I heard Darcy yelled on my back and her minions dancing the chicken dance and cracked their laughter.

Well, it's not new to me. Darcy is a total brat and attention grabber, pretty privileged, and she is Miss Popular in Smithson Village.

She doesn't want any of the attention taken out from her, just like what happened at Vaughn's party.

I knew it well, she will get back on me and I care less.

I reached the parking area, locked up my bike, and quickly ran inside because I know I'm nearing late.

Ellie is at the counter arching her brows while looking at me.

"Good morning Ellie! Am I late?" I smiled tried to hide the pain of the bruises on my arms.

She shook her head and said, "It's still quarter. What happened to you?" while looking at my white shirt, I know it's soiled with the dirt and dust from the road.

"Nah, I'm fine. Don't worry, few scratches from a minor accident. I'm going in now, just need to change." She nodded while her questioning eyes telling me, she wanted to know more.

I quickly tap into the Biometric attendance machine, it says 7:55 am.

[Oh, Gawd! I'm almost late!] I then rushed to the restroom, washed my face, cleaned up my bruises, and changed into my uniform.

Then I get into the locker room, open my locker, throw my backpack in and lock it up.

Suddenly, I heard commotions outside, I heard Ellie's furious voice.

[Uh uh not again!]

Ellie is the friendliest and chatter in the Junction but, she's a total freak when she knows that something is not rightful.

I quickly headed out towards the counter and saw Eleanor in the dining, furious in front of Darcy and her minions.

"You better leave now! Or our manager will lead you out! We do not provide service for disrespectful brats like you!" Ellie's veins on her neck almost burst out and her face is red like munching a hot chili pepper.

"Ellie, what's the matter?" she immediately rushed to my side and whispered, "They are pissing me off! They requested a lot of things which are not on the menu. And they are laughing like idiots!"

"Uh uh, our Miss Manager, the clumsiest girl in Smithson Village is here!"

"I guess, you heard Ellie? We do not provide service for disrespectful brats like you!"

"Oh? Mr. Smithson will be unhappy if he knows about this!" she yelled on top of her lungs.

"What is this commotion all about?!?" The deep booming voice of Mr. Smithson echoes on the walls, he just entered the door.

Darcy quickly shifted from an evil monster to the tamest animal and started sobbing while her minions tried to comfort her.

My blood is boiling like it's been heated for a long time causing flames igniting hatred and rage.

"Stop playing victim Ms. Moore! I had enough of you today. You better leave now!"

"Ms. Stern, please get inside the office! I'll talk to you later. I will take good care of Ms. Moore from here. Thank you!" Mr. Smithson's authoritative voice means that he's unhappy about everything.

I sighed and hunched my shoulders then, walk towards the office.

I could hear Ms. Moore sobbing and talk in her muffled words and Mr. Smithson consoling her and explaining things to her.

Then, silence.

As I entered the office, I immediately opened my computer.

I'm trying to focus on completing the inventory that was left yesterday.

My head is loaded and my heart is unsettled. I couldn't breathe, my anxieties kick in.

I couldn't concentrate.

[What if Mr. Smithson will fire me? What will I do? Where do I go from here?]

I hold my head with both hands, hoping that the throbbing headache will go away.

Then suddenly the doors opened.

"Violet, what happened to your arms?" the worried voice of Mr. Smithson reminded me of a father who is very protective of his daughter.

I immediately lowered my arms and he looks at me sternly.

"I have known you, Violet, like my own daughter. I know that you will not act that way earlier if there are no huge reasons behind your outburst. And I understand that you have so much load on you being alone. Please tell me, what's wrong?" He sighed then seated in front of me.

Then he continued, "You tell me, what's happening between you and Miss Moore?"

"Uhm... I'm sorry Mr. Smithson. I never meant to make such chaos earlier. It's just that... I was almost hit by her car earlier on the road. Glad that I only have bruises and scratches in my arms.

They followed me here, and they made Eleanor furious with their annoying behaviors, and that's how you saw us earlier."

"I have known Darcy and her family for quite some time and I know she's a total pain in the butt. Even at school, I still remember how often she was in my office for her behaviors. Don't worry, I will talk to her parents about it if I have the chance. Do your bruises and scratches hurt? Did you cleanse it already? Or put some medicine on it?" I shook my head in response, tears brimming in my eyes, feeling the warmth and kindness.

Mr. Smithson is a father that I wished that I could have.

"Wait here! I'll get the medicine kit." He left quickly.

As he returned with the kit, he immediately cleaned it with cotton and alcohol then put some Betadine on it while blowing the little wounds from his mouth, like he's giving a wound treatment of a kindergarten.

I will surely miss Mr. Smithson when I leave Smithson Village because he's the best father figure for me.

I hope my real father will be like him or more than him.

Then he cleared his throat, "That's better now! I need to get in the kitchen today since James called in that he's sick and he will go to the doctor."

"Thank you, Mr. Smithson! I appreciated your kindness." He approached me and give me quick hug then left.

[I wonder how do my parents look like. Hope they are still alive! Maybe I have some siblings? I'm sure it would be fun to have more than one. Maybe some girls? That would be great if I have a younger sister and younger brother. Darn! I'm starting to feel the excitement! Guess, I need to start my search later for Amelia Stern De Fuller.]

Then suddenly, my phone rings in my pocket.

And I saw a new number unregistered calling.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Violet! This is Margaret. Have you found my phone? I accidentally left it in your mom's room." I could feel the tension in her voice.

"Ah, yes! I found it earlier this morning. I saw it under the bedside table because it was ringing last night but I found it this morning when it rings again."

"Oh, my! I'm glad that you found it!" She sighed.

"Yes, Uhm... I'm so sorry Margaret but someone's keep calling you and I took it this morning. His name is Mr. Baron Evans. Do you know him? He said that he is a friend of yours and my mom. Is that true? How come I haven't met him or heard about him?"

She is silenced on the other line she's speechless.

Then she cleared her throat, "Uhm... Yeah, he is our old friend, who lives far back in England. If he called up again, please tell him that I will see him in his office tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes, I will. So, you're telling me you are in England right now?" then the call ended.

[What is Margaret doing in England? Who is this Mr. Baron Evans? Could he be my father? I guess not, I couldn't feel any special connection with him.]

Then, I get back on my inventory again.

After 12 hours of work, I finally completed the inventory.

My back is aching and I could imagine my favorite couch, I wanted to lie down.

I stretched my back, closed down the computer and stood up, tap the light switch off, headed towards the locker, and took my red and pink backpack.

Then, I meet Ellie in the dining.

"Thanks for your help earlier Violet! I knew that there's something bad happened to you earlier as I saw the bruises and scratches in your arms. I have known Darcy before in school. She's not the type who will accept defeat. I hope, she will not come back to the Junction again!"

"Nah I'm doing what is right! Darcy is just too much. Yes, I'm hoping too!"

"Are you going now, Violet? Maybe I could accompany you in going home with my bike?" Ellie flashes her friendliest smile.

"Yes, of course, you can! Wait, give me a minute. I'll be right back!" she nodded.

I run quickly towards the kitchen, "Mr. Smithson, Molly? Are you alright in there?"

They are very busy cleaning, "Yes!" they answered in unison.

"We're leaving now." They nodded and Mr. Smithson replied. "Alright, take care okay?"

I said thank you and get back to Ellie and we headed out the Junction.