Violet's POV

I struggled to stay awake in Algebra. God, this class is so boring. All my classes are too easy. I need something harder. I wrote some song lyrics instead of taking notes.

They left us alone, the kids in the dark. To burn out forever or light up a spark. When we come together, state of the art. We'll never surrender the kids in the dark, the kids in the dark...

"And Violet will work with Dallas."

I was pulled out of my dreamworld. Did I just hear my name? Did I just hear Dallas's name?

"What are we doing?" I quickly whispered to Jinx, who was sitting beside me.

"Math version of 20 questions. You solve a problem and ask your partner the question that corresponds to your answer. And you and Dallas, my OTP, are working together." Jinx whispered back.

"Oh my God, your OTP, really?" I can't believe he was still holding on to this. It's been like a month.

"Yes, really," He said, "I can feel the fuckin chemistry."

"And go get with your partners. Remember, you are graded on this!" The teacher said and everyone started moving.

Dallas came over to my desk, "Hi Violet!" He said cheerfully. "Uh, hi." I mumbled.

"Can we work over here?" He asked me, "It seems that the guys are working at my desk area." All of the jocks had quickly taken over Dallas's table and were creating an unnecessary amount of noise.

I managed a nervous laugh, "Sure. But we need, um, cards and papers."

"Exactly, go I'll get those." Dallas said and went to get the stuff from the teacher.

"Aww, Vi Vi does have a crush," Jinx teased me, "This is adorable."

I elbowed him in the ribs, "Shut up. I hate you. Go jump off a cliff."

Jinx smiled, "Ah, friendship."

Dallas came back with the stuff. We started the game. The first problem was adding fractions. Easy peasy pumpkin pie motherfuckers (A/N I am so sorry. I just had to put this in. I'll just go take a time out in the corner now).

"Favorite music artists/bands?" Dallas asked me.

"Um, probably All Time Low, Green Day, and Fall Out Boy." I said. Dallas smiled, "Cool. I like them too."

I drew a card for Dallas, "Uh, do you play any instruments?"

"I play saxophone in band here, and I have a guitar at home." His voice went to a whisper, "And don't tell the guys, but I also write songs."

"Oh my God, that's so cool," I said, "I've tried to write songs but the ones I end up with are always really stupid. I also play guitar, even though I'm not very good. My Dad's also been teaching me drums."

"Your Dad can play the drums?" Dallas exclaimed, "You're so lucky! My parents aren't interested in any of that stuff."

Besides the fact that he loved music, I learned a lot about Dallas. Like his favorite color was green, he played football, he hated peppers, and he had a German Shepherd named Comanche. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. Unfortunately, it was time to end far too soon. We cleaned up all the cards and handed our papers to the teacher.

"I want to keep talking to you," Dallas said. He wrote his phone number on a scrap of paper. "Text me later, okay?" I nodded.

Jinx peeked over my shoulder, "Holy shit, you got his number? Ship confirmed."

"Don't make me castrate you," I threatened him, "I will do it."

"And since I feel like I've been letting you guys off easy, I am giving you a writing assignment tonight. You and a partner must write a 500 word minimum essay about a famous mathematician. I don't care who your partner is, as long as the essay is finished and on my desk at the beginning of this period tomorrow." The teacher said.

The bell rang.

"You are dismissed." Students filed out of the classroom.

"This sucks," I complained, "We already have a lab report due in science, two more worksheets in history, and in English we have to write a rough draft for that writing prompt and shit. How are we going to fit another thing in?"

"I don't know," Jinx said, " But I do know that I don't have to be home until five, so we can work on it at your house if Gerard says it's okay."

"I'll ask him," I said and ducked into the bathroom for a minute so I could use my phone.

Hi Dad I have an essay due tomorrow so can Jinx come over so we can work on it together?

Yeah, sure

Wait aren't you supposed to be at school?

I'm in the bathroom, it's ok. Thank you I love you <3 <3 <3

I love you too Violet. Now get back to class before you get suspended.

"He said yes," I told Jinx.

A few incredibly long hours later Gerard picked us up and we made the 5 minute journey home. Me and Jinx went up to the treehouse. Like everyone else on Earth, he loved it. I got my laptop from the secret compartment. "Okay, so how do you want to start the paper?" I asked him.

Jinx took a seat in one of the beanbag chairs, "Look Violet," he said, "You're a mystery. You won't tell me anything semi personal. I want to change that. You tell me about your past, I'll tell you about mine. Deal?"

I nodded, "Deal."

"Alright," he started, "The story of Jinx Showalter. Here we go. First off, let's get to know my parents. Mom was a recovering drug addict, Dad had a history with alcohol. After I was born we started to fall into a bit of a financial crisis, and the pressure was a bit too much for Mom. She died of an overdose when I was five. Then my dad started drinking again. It was a slow but steady decline. It started with him having a beer occasionally after dinner, then to two or three throughout the day, and it turned into six packs, which multiplied into twelve packs by the time I was 10."

Jinx took off his sweatshirt. Scars not unlike mine covered his wrists.

"Then the abuse started. At first it was just verbal, but as he started to drink more it turned physical. After a let's say 'incident' with the kitchen knives 2 years ago I finally got out of there. Dad is in rehab and I haven't seen him since I was 11 I now live with my aunt Lilly. Any questions?" I shook my head.

"Good," he said, "I told my story, now it's your turn."

And so I told Jinx my story. He remained calm and quiet, until I showed him the scars.

"You did this to yourself?" He asked me, "You took that blade and cut your wrists on purpose? Why would you do that?"

"I felt alone," I said, "I felt like no one would ever understand me and I was useless. I was feeling so much pain and needed to get it out somehow. I thought this would help."

"Did it?"

"Sort of. I definitely remember feeling better after I cut, but the feelings always returned and hurt like a bitch. Can we not talk about this anymore?" I was starting to feel really uncomfortable.

"Okay," Jinx said, "We don't have to talk about it. But if you ever feel like doing this again please talk to me."

I nodded, "Yes Jinxy." He rolled his eyes. "Jinxy. God." I heard a phone buzz. Jinx pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Shit." He swore, "Aunt Lilly isn't going to be home until 8. I don't have a ride home. Fuck my life."

"We can drop you off," I said, "And you might as well stay for dinner if she isn't getting home until 8. We can eat and then watch a movie or do homework for a couple hours."

"No Violet, I can't inconvenience you guys like that. It's fine, honest. I haven't gotten sick of Hot Pockets yet."

"No Jinx," I said, "You are going to have dinner with us and then watch The Hunger Games until your aunt comes home. End. Of. Story."

"But-"

"No buts. It's happening. I'm going to go tell Dad to set an extra place at the table." I left before Jinx could say another word.

I found Gerard playing in the den with Bandit. I think their game involved some sort of fairy princesses, if the tiara and pink wings Gerard had on were any indication.

"Hello Sunshine," Gerard greeted me, "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," I said, "Can Jinx stay over for dinner? His um caregiver won't be home until like 8. So instead of ramen noodles and crippling loneliness I was thinking maybe he could experience hot pizza and the weirdness of the Way household. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course," Gerard said, "He can stay as long as he wants. I'll call you two down for dinner in a few hours, okay?"

I went back up to the treehouse and me and Jinx actually worked on the paper for a good solid hour. Then we got bored and started fooling around with my instruments.

"What can you play on the guitar?" Jinx asked me. I picked up the guitar and brought it over. "I can play a lot of stuff," I said, "What do you want to hear?"

"Do you know any Pierce The Veil?" He asked me. I should have known. Pierce The Veil is Jinx's favorite band.

"I can do a little bit of Bulls In The Bronx," I said, "Like, the Mexican-y instrumental part in the middle." I played the parts I had memorized.

"That's amazing," Jinx said, "Who taught you that?"

"I did. I mean, I have sheet music with notes and stuff, but I just find it easier and less frustrating to teach myself the music."

"I wish I could play," Jinx said, "But I'm like totally tone deaf."

"Here," I said and handed him the guitar, "I'll teach you." So I spent the couple hours teaching Jinx a very simple 3 chord song. He wasn't lying about being tone deaf. It took forever to get him to realize that yes, there is a difference between high and low notes, and no, you can't just substitute notes in and expect it to still sound the same.

"VIOLET! JINX! DINNER IS READY!" Gerard yelled from the yard.

"COMING!" I yelled back and we went into the house for dinner. Gerard handed us plates with pizza, "You two can go over to the den. Bandit wanted to watch Star Wars: A New Hope again."

"Are you sure it was Bandit that wanted to watch it again?" I asked him, "I happen to know that someone in this household has approximately 8 boxes of Star Wars toys taking up space in his office."

"Okay, maybe it was me who wanted to watch it," Gerard admitted, "But that doesn't matter. It's Family And Jinx Bonding Time and you are watching it with us."

"Awesome," Jinx said, "I'm kind of a huge Star Wars nerd."

I could see a light go on behind Gerard's eyes, "Really?" He said, "So am I." And with that Gerard and Jinx were engrossed in a Star Wars conversation I did not feel obliged to participate in.

I sat down next Lindsey on the couch. "I see Jinx and your father have found something to talk about." She said.

"Yeah, Jinx just happened to mention that he was a Star Wars nerd, and you know Dad once he gets started." I said and took a bite of my pizza.

"How was school?" Lindsey asked me.

"It was fine," I said, "I got partnered with Dallas on a project thing in math, but that was the only interesting thing that happened."

"Wait, who's Dallas?" Dammit. I haven't told her about Dallas yet. Shit shit shit shit shit.

"Um, he's just a guy I may or may not have a crush on," I said quickly, "No big deal."

"Violet has a crush?" Bandit popped up beside me. Fuck, where did she come from?

"Violet has a crush! Violet has a crush! Violet has a crush!" Bandit chanted and pranced around the room.

"Bandit," I said slowly, "Do I need to tickle you?"

"No!" She squealed and plopped next to me.

"Are you sure?" I asked her, "Because I think I might need to... tickle you!" I ticked Bandit.

"NO VIOLET NO!" She shouted and squirmed around. "DON'T DO THIS TO ME! I'M JUST A CHILD! I DON'T DESERVE THIS!"

Bandit leaped off the couch and hid behind Gerard. "Daddy, Violet is scaring me." She said.

"Violet, stop torturing your sister," Gerard said, "And what's this I hear about you having a crush?"

I jumped up from the couch. "Okay, enough about my personal life. Everyone shut up, sit down, and let's all indulge ourselves in the amazing adventures of Luke Skywalker."

"She does have a crush," I heard Jinx say to Gerard, "And his name is-"

I threw a pillow at Jinx. It hit him in the face, just like I planned.

"Jinxy," I said, "There are much heavier items in this room. I will not hesitate to throw them if you don't shut the hell up right now. Do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am." Jinx mumbled.

"Good boy," I said and pressed play. "Now that that's all settled, here is the movie."

About 30 minutes into the movie I got a text from Lindsey:

We've seen this a million times. Can we talk about this boy? I don't think Gerard and Jinx will even know we're texting, they look pretty into it.

The boys were staring intensely at the screen. They won't mind...

Yeah, sure. Ok, so do you remember the guy at the mall that said I was pretty?

Of course

Well he's in my math class and his name is Dallas.

Awwwwwwww, that's a cute name. So what else do you know about him?

He likes music

Okay I ship it now

DO NOT START WITH THE VALLAS

SO YOU DO HAVE A SHIP NAME

STFU

VALLAS VALLAS VALLAS VALLAS

STOP IT MOM YOU ARE ACTING LIKE JINX

VALLAS VALLAS VALLAS VALLAS

STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT

Okay, I will stop. So does he play any instruments?

He plays saxophone and guitar. And he writes songs.

HOLY SHIT THAT'S COOL HE CAN WRITE SONGS ABOUT YOU

OH MY GOD MOM I THOUGHT WE WERE OVER THIS

SORRY SWEETIE I'M NOT GOING TO BE OVER THIS UNTIL I SEE GERARD WALKING YOU DOWN THE AISLE

I looked at Lindsey and she gave me an evil smile.

"Vall-" Lindsey started

"SSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!" Gerard shushed her.

He takes this movie so seriously. It's adorable.

I know a lot of kids hate it when their parents get all mushy or whatever. But I think it's pretty cute. When I get married I'm going to make sure our relationship is exactly like Lindsey and Gerard.

We finished the movie at around 8:00. It was time for Jinx to go home.

"Hey Jinx," Gerard said, "You're welcome here anytime you want. Our house is your house, okay? If your aunt is working late again please feel free to come home with Violet and stay here for a while."

"Thank you Mr. Way." Jinx said.

"Please call me Gerard." He said.

After we dropped Jinx off I went and finished the essay.  To be honest, it was piece of shit.  But being the person I am, I printed it and put it in my binder so I could turn it in for a grade tomorrow.