V. Page 2

  The truth is—and it’s the brutal truth—I only agreed to go out with Caitlin in the first place because I was hoping V would be jealous and realise how much she wants me. Well… that never happens. And now, this fake relationship (at least on my part) has been dragged on for so long that all I can do now is wait for Caitlin to realise that this will never work out and eventually break up with me. That never happens either.

  A little backstory here. Caitlin goes to school with V. The two of them have never gotten along. According to V, Caitlin is jealous that V has so many guy mates. And according to Caitlin, V doesn’t seem like the type of girl who wants a girl friend.

  Anyway, they had some sort of a partner assignment, so Caitlin had no choice but to come to our house. It turned out that Caitlin had a big crush on me, and so she started being nicer to V.

  Seeing how uncomfortable V was when Caitlin came up and talked to me, I mistook that for her being jealous. I still remember how great that felt—thinking that she’s jealous over me. That’s when I made an impulse decision and took Caitlin to Year 12 Formal at my school. Long story short, I ended up sending her the wrong message. It was stupid. I know that now.

  That being said, having Caitlin as my “girlfriend” also has its perks. I get to know stuff about V I’d never have known otherwise. And it is through Caitlin that I know for sure how much of a douche Kyle Rogers really is. Caitlin is like my personal spy—my insight into V’s world.

  Although I feel bad for leading Caitlin on, and there are times when I want to break up with her then and there, I just can’t bring myself to do it. I can’t stop this espionage I have going on now. I need to feel closer to V, and strangely, being with Caitlin can help me do that.

  “Well, I like Caitlin,” I lie with a straight face.

  V also knows that’s bullshit as she scoffs. “You keep telling yourself that, brother.”

  Before I get to say anything more, a doorbell rings.

  V gasps. “They’re here!” she squeals.

  Fucking Kyle and his fucking crew.

  I turn my face away, refusing to witness it—them kissing. My heart twists. The way it does every single time she’s with him, holding his hand, looking at him with that loving gaze of hers…

  “What’s up,” Kyle greets me with a smirk, his infuriating dimple flickering.

  I simply nod. I can’t even pretend to like this guy for V’s sake.

  Behind Kyle parks a red Mazda car. I can see Jonah in the driver’s seat, his buzz-cut head bobbing—probably to Spotify’s Australia Top 50.

  Just then, Stacey gets out of the car and makes her way toward us.

  Great… The Vegan Queen has arrived.

  And if I thought V’s outfit is inappropriate, Stacey is on another level. She’s basically in a swimsuit, no cover ups whatsoever.

  Stacey is tanned and very skinny like V, but she is much more muscular. With those lines on her abs, it’s clear she’s been trying. I notice a belly ring poking out against her swimsuit. God, it’s fucking horrifying to see V slowly becoming like this girl.

  Kyle gives Stacey a weird look. “Where’s your dress?”

  “Shut up, Kyle,” Stacey tells Kyle with an annoyed face before turning to me, a corner of her mouth lifting. “Thought I should come here and say hi to V’s hot brother. Wanna come with us, Josh?”

  This reminds me: everything that comes out of Stacey’s mouth will always make me cringe.

  V quickly answers for me, “Josh isn’t coming!” It’s as if she’s horrified at the idea of me coming along.

  I try not to take it personally. I mean, no girls would want their big brother to hang with their mates.

  “Only you four are going?” I ask.

  “No, we’re picking Lucas up on our way,” Stacey answers. She tugs her dirty blonde hair behind her ear and looks at me like she’s looking at a piece of meat—no, a piece of veggie patty.

  “Lucas?” I ask.

  “He’s a friend,” Stacey says, a corner of her mouth tugging up.

  “He’s her boyfriend,” Kyle answers for her with a smirk.

  Stacey lets out a tiny gasp. “Don’t say that in front of Josh! Now he’s never going to go for me!” She smacks Kyle’s arm. I can’t tell if she’s joking.

  I stop myself from rolling my eyes.

  V just laughs, like it’s the most hilarious thing. “Stop trying to flirt with my brother! He has a ‘girlfriend,’” she says, making an air-quote.

  Kyle eyes me with an amused expression. “Honestly? I’d tap that Caitlin girl too. Good for you, bro.”

  I glare at him, shocked at how he could say that in front of V, and how he thinks it’s okay to say that to the boyfriend of “that Caitlin girl.” But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised at his douchiness at this point.

  V laughs it off like it’s nothing. But I know her. I can see how hard she’s trying to hide her disappointment. But of course, her friends don’t notice that. Kyle doesn’t care about V. He only hangs with her because most guys want to be with her. To him, V is like a trophy. If only V can see that too…

  Stacey is even laughing now. It’s disgusting how she claims to be V’s BFF. These people are ignorant. And they clearly don’t know V like I do.

  “Hey, we better get going,” V says with a strained smile.

  “What time are you gonna be back?” I ask V.

  V just shrugs. “I don’t know. Whenever.” She turns to smile secretively with Stacey.

  I take a deep breath. Remember, you’re the only adult here, I remind myself. “You have to be home by nine,” I say sternly. “Frank and Mum are catching their flight tonight. They’ll be worried if you aren’t home by then.”

  Kyle snickers. “Gosh… Your brother needs to loosen up!” he murmurs to V.

  “I can help him with that,” Stacey says, biting her lip before she turns to V and snorts out a laugh.

  V cracks up. “Stop messing with him, guys!” She turns to me with a bright smile. “If I don’t get home by nine, can you cover for me? I’m sure you can think of something.”

  I’m about to protest, but V squeezes me into a quick hug, kisses my cheek, and nudges her friends toward the car.

  “Bye, Josh! Don’t miss me too much,” Stacey chirps before striding away.

  V waves at me once before she turns her back to me. I watch after her, Kyle’s hand on the small of her back, her skin visible through the thin fabric, her butt cheeks peeking out.

  I turn my face away. And before they even get to the car, I slam the door shut, my blood boiling. And I realise I could have been way less aggressive with the door when I see V’s bewildered face through the glass pane.

  With everything that I have, I bury my anger deep inside me and force out an innocent smile. Just to make sure she doesn’t think I’m a bad-tempered maniac who is mad at his own step-sister for being a normal teenager. I wave at her one last time and quickly walk away, not wanting to see her with Kyle Rogers another second more.

  Chapter 3

  Violet

  2014

  Violet could not wait to meet Meg Sinclair, Daddy’s new girlfriend. Well, she shouldn’t say “new,” because as far as she knew, her dad been nothing but a single man ever since Mummy died. Cancer… Daddy said that’s what took her mum away, as it did Grandpa.

  Dad wasn’t exactly open with Violet regarding his love life. He said she’s too young for details. All she knew about Meg was that she was a single mum from Melbourne, and that she had been working at Daddy’s shop as the store pharmacist ever since they got here—to Brisbane.

  Last week, her dad finally confessed to her that he now had a girlfriend. He was acting so weird, so anxious, so sheepish. Violet thought it was hilarious how her dad had asked her for an outfit advice for their first date night—the night he finally asked Meg to be his girlfriend. Since then, her dad had been obnoxiously happy. She never knew Daddy was capable of smiling like that. His eyes seem to sparkle and the lines on his face are more promi
nent than ever—in a good way.

  Did Mummy make him this happy too? She couldn’t help but wonder. But then again, how would she know? Violet barely had any memories of her mum. She was gone too soon, and Violet was too young to remember any of it. Even Mummy’s face had become a distant memory.

  The idea of getting a new mum had never occurred to Violet before. She never realised how much she wanted a mum until there was a possibility that she might get one. The only wish she had was for Meg to not be evil like every Disney step-mother ever.

  And today, Violet was going to finally meet Meg! And her son! Daddy had invited them over for dinner.

  If everything went well tonight—as in if Meg liked her and vice versa—her dad and Meg might actually get married! She would get a new mum. And as a bonus, a big brother she had always wanted. Violet hoped that her new brother would be the protective kind. Someone who would take care of her. Someone who would chase away the mean boys at school.

  Violet couldn’t contain her excitement any longer. She jumped every time she heard the faintest sound of a car passing in front of the house. Her palms were sweaty.

  Daddy was upstairs, getting ready. Violet considered whether she should go up and check on him, but she also didn’t want to miss the doorbell.

  The dinner table had already been set. The foods were ready—Caesar salad, baked potatoes, and pan-fried Barramundi fillets with lemon butter. Daddy never cooked so much in his life, never put this much effort. He even asked Auntie Sarah for cooking directions, and he’d never asked Auntie Sarah for anything. That’s when Violet knew how much Meg meant to him. She promised herself she wouldn’t mess this up. She would get Meg and her son Josh to like her enough that they wanted to be a part of this family!

  “How do I look?”

  Violet turned to see her father standing awkwardly in front of the staircase. He’s wearing one of his nicer shirts—the ones he would wear for special occasions.

  “You look super handsome!” she beamed, unable to stop smiling. She wasn’t lying. Her dad did look nice today. Well, he always looked nice to her. But tonight, he was handsome—radiant. Violet was sure Meg was going to fall even more deeply in love with him.

  As if on cue, the doorbell rang.

  Violet ran to get the door. And what she saw after she opened it was the most beautiful woman Violet had ever seen. For older women, she meant. Emma Watson was still her number one.

  Meg had the most voluminous hair—caramel-coloured and so, so shiny. She was tall—almost as tall as her dad—and slender. The navy dress she was wearing hugged her in all the right places.

  To think that Meg would be her mum… Violet just could not comprehend it.

  “You must be Violet. It’s very nice to finally meet you,” Meg said, smiling with her eyes, her voice so, very gentle—mother-like. It almost made Violet cry.

  She flashed Meg a huge smile back, not even trying to hide her teeth like she usually did.

  Her dad quickly walked over. “Meg! You look…” He let out a breath, his eyes glistening. “Gorgeous tonight.”

  Meg blushed. “Oh, Frank…”

  “You must be Josh.” Violet couldn’t help herself. She studied the boy standing close behind Meg, as though he’s hiding. Daddy told her he’s three years older than her. But to Violet, he looked so much older than twelve. Not in terms of physical appearance per se… but there was something in his face that gave her the impression of someone who had been through a lot in life.

  The boy peered over at Violet curiously, his face hard to read. He had kind eyes, she noticed. Sad. But kind. And then she realised he had dark hair, just like her. And he had brown eyes, just like her! They could pass as real siblings. That got Violet more excited than she should.

  “Oh! This is my son, Josh.” Meg nudged Josh forward, smiling tightly. “Josh doesn’t really like to talk.” Meg chuckled drily. “He’s quite shy, really.”

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Josh,” Daddy said with a kind smile. “Come on in.”

  At the dinner table, while her dad was talking with Meg about some adult jokes Violet didn’t understand, all she could do was watch Josh. She realised he had not uttered a single word. Not even a hello. Not even when Daddy asked him questions. Meg answered for him. Why wouldn’t he speak to her? Won’t he like to get to know her? How is he so quiet? Is he mute?

  When his gaze finally met hers, she managed a smile at him. He quickly looked away, his sharp jaw flexing before he grabbed a glass of water and took a gulp, ignoring her.

  Violet blinked, taken aback. Why is he being like this? She was only trying to befriend him! Violet tried her hardest not to let that get to her. She reminded herself, he’s just shy, that’s all. She could keep trying. She will keep trying.

  After dinner, Daddy decided the kids should spend some time together—to get to know each other. So Josh and Violet were now on the sofa in the living room watching TV. Their parents were still at the table, wine glasses in their hands, chattering away. At least things are going well over there, Violet thought sadly.

  “Do you like school?” Violet tried again, her voice chirpy.

  No answer from the boy. His gaze was still fixing on the TV, where a woman was saying something about a robbery happening in the city, but Violet could tell Josh wasn’t really paying attention. His expression was blank. And she realised that’s how he looked all the time. Distant. Empty.

  “Why are you ignoring me?” Violet started to pout. “Why won’t you speak!”

  Josh finally gave Violet the attention. He eyed her sideways. “Why?” he asked wearily.

  “What?”

  “Why did you ask me if I like school.”

  Violet frowned. “That was a very simple question.”

  “That’s not the point,” he muttered.

  “You’re really shy, aren’t you?” She narrowed her eyes.

  He just stared at her.

  Violet went on, “It’s okay if you’re shy. We’ll get heaps of time together anyway.” She smiled.

  “Why is that?” This time the boy looked genuinely curious.

  “Because we will become—” She stopped instantly, biting back the word.

  Josh levelled his blank gaze at her. “Become what?”

  She didn’t dare answer him.

  “You think… you think your dad will…” He paused, his brow furrowing.

  Violet beamed. “I don’t know but I really hope so! Aren’t you happy to get a new dad? What happened to yours anyway.” She regretted it as soon as she said it. Daddy taught her not to pry on people’s private business. But she always had trouble holding herself back when she’s excited.

  His expression immediate shifted—to something like dread. He started to speak really fast, his voice low, “I don’t need a dad, and my mum doesn’t need a new husband. She has me and she’s fine. We’re better off this way. In conclusion, my mum will never marry your dad, got it?”

  A moment passed. And Violet felt tears spring to her eyes. She didn’t want to cry right now. Definitely not in front of the boy. But she couldn’t help it. His words hurt her.

  Josh’s eyes widened in panic. He alarmingly looked over at the adults—they’re deep in their conversation. Josh huffed out a breath and looked at Violet. “I’m sorry. Please don’t cry. Please…” he said pleadingly.

  Violet pressed her lips tightly together, willing not to cry. It’s not like she wanted to cry! “But I really like your mum,” she said stubbornly, her voice wobbly. “I can’t say the same for you, but I can always try to like you, and you can try to like me, and I know we can get along!”

  And despite everything, the boy let out a chuckle. “You’re weird.”

  She sniffed. “Daddy always says that too…”

  They were both quiet for a long while.

  Surprisingly, Josh was the one to break the silence. “I didn’t mean to say any of that. Truth is… I don’t know either,” he said. “Maybe they’ll get married. Maybe they won�
��t. Who knows. You can’t just cry when things don’t go your way, you know. It just doesn’t work that way. You need to grow up.”

  Violet looked at him in awe. “You sound so much like Daddy it’s amazing. Are you sure you’re twelve?” She wiped the tears off her face with her hand.

  Josh allowed a tiny smile, and he looked very kind then.

  It was that moment—that Violet knew—Josh was going to be the best brother she’ll ever have.

  Chapter 4

  Josh

  The first night Violet came to my room was the week after me and my mum moved into the house. She was ten by then.

  It took me a while to wrap my head around calling it my room. It’s not that I wasn’t grateful for having my own room. It’s just that I didn’t ask for. I didn’t ask for any of it.

  In fact, my mum never asked if it was okay with me to move into a stranger’s house and pretend that they’re my family. Like my opinion didn’t matter.

  It was raining that night. A rain storm. The kind of storm that makes your ears drum. But I liked storms. Loved them, as a matter of fact. They keep you company, make you feel like you’re not alone. The best thing about storms was that they don’t demand anything from you. With people, they expect you to treat them the same way they treat you. They do and say good things to you, pretend to be your friends, all because they want something. Or rather, they want you to do the same for them. But storms are always there for you.

  As I was lying on my bed, listening to the rumble of the night sky, a light knock sounded on my door. At first I thought I misheard it. But a knock soon turned into a bang.

  A familiar wave of fear washed over me. My heart was pounding against my chest. How did he find us? Did he follow us here? Paranoid questions started to pop up in my head. But then I had to remind myself that we’re safe now. Dad is behind bars, I told myself. He’s far, far away.

  I dragged myself to the door, grabbed the handle and opened.