Take My Heart, Not My Son

Chapter 6: Pity

Violet's P.O.V.

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~ About three years later ~

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"Pst, hey Vi."

I looked beside me to see one of my classmates whispering to me. A random boy named Alex. He's never talked to me before, and I don't know why he is now.

"I heard, uh... a little rumor about you." He said.

I turned back to my notebook.

"Shh, I'm trying to work on the assignment." I told him.

Alex chuckled.

"Come on," he said. "I want to know if it's true."

I tried to ignore him, but it wasn't working.

"I heard that you're the easiest girl in our grade." Alex whispered. "I was shocked at first, ya know, since we've been going to school together for years now. Butttttttt, now I'm kind of curious. I mean, they do say the quiet ones are freaky."

I turned my head to glare at Alex.

"What are you even talking about?" I asked.

"You don't have to be shy with me. Emma told me everything." He said.

I huffed. Of, fu.cking course, Emma told him 'everything'. I should have known something like this was going to happen after Greg told us how excited Setson was to see us all. And because that included me, it was a problem.

I really don't get it. Setson comes home from college every year, and every year we have a celebration to welcome him home. It's not like he actually looks forward to seeing me. Honestly, he probably looks forward to seeing Emma more.

Which kind of bugs me if I'm going to be honest.

Setson hasn't said a word to me about what I told him three years ago. In fact, we haven't really talked to each other at all. It's not like Setson and I are friends anyway.

However, Deena and Emma were not happy that Setson had taken me home that day. I got in a lot of trouble for allowing it to happen. Because of Emma's insane jealousy, Deena made sure there was never another opportunity for me to be alone with Setson.

Not that I cared. I'm happy about it. Something about being alone with Setson always made me blurt things out. Plus, I really didn't want to be questioned about what I had said.

"Emma also told me that you have the hots for me." Alex said. "I'm flattered."

I rolled my eyes.

You're probably wondering how Emma is even able to spread rumors to my classmates. I mean, I skipped two grades, and Emma is three years younger than me. What 17-year-old wants to talk to a 12-year-old?

Surprisingly, Emma is a genius, just like her big sister. Funny how that worked out. Dad was over the moon when Deena told him that he creates geniuses. I couldn't believe it. Someone as dumb as him did not create geniuses. I got it all from my mother.

I know that because anyone with a set of eyes could see that Emma is not the smartest. However, after being tested, Emma was able to skip four grades. Then, she miraculously skipped another grade after doing so well. Which put her in the same grade as me.

Everyone saw Emma as this prodigy. She's young, pretty, smart, and charming. The girl who is going to graduate high school just after she turned 12 years old, and me at 15. Emma always has to outdo me in everything.

Emma makes my life a living hell every day. She spreads nasty rumors about me, gets me into trouble with teachers. There was even one time when she got the principal and student counselor involved because she said I was bullying her nonstop. Deena even got involved.

I learned early on that no one would believe me. It was always my word against theirs. So, I kept my mouth shut and my head down. I had hoped that once Deena successfully isolated me, and I was compliant... That she would finally cut me some slack. Ignore me at the very least.

That never happened.

Things aren't as bad as they used to be. I don't receive punishments very often. Most of the time, I just have to listen to Deena make comments about my weight, or how ugly I am. They tease me for being hispanic often, but I'll take it over getting hit any day.

However, there are some things that are worse.

I rarely see the McCarthy's anymore. Deena goes over every Sunday with Emma to help bake cookies. I'm not allowed to go though. I'm not even allowed to hang out with Greg as much. Emma tried her best to befriend Greg, to steal him from me too, but...

Thankfully, my best friend could tell that something was going on. I don't tell Greg about what goes on. I don't want him to worry, and I really don't see a point. Greg knows though. He can see the change in me.

Still, I only get to hang out with Greg after school when we study together, which is almost every day. Or during the rare occasions when Mrs. McCarthy insists I come over with them. Those times are extremely rare though.

Suddenly, the bell rang. Everyone got up, and shuffled out of the room. I started to pack up my things to go study with Greg.

Exams are next week. This time is crucial for me. I need to maintain my 4.0 GPA if I want to get into Princeton. This is my last year of high school. I can't fu.ck it up. If I can get in there... I'll be over 1,700 miles away from this place. As long as Deena and Emma don't find out that I applied there, and I can get in...

I'll be free.

"Come on Violet," Alex said as he followed me out of the classroom.

"Just leave me alone Alex." I grumbled.

"Awh, come onnnnnn." He said.

"Look," I said as I stopped to face him. "I do not have the hots for you, okay? Emma lied."

"And why would she do that?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes as I started walking again.

"Why does Emma do anything?" I replied. "I have no idea. Point is, I do not have feelings for you."

Alex pulled my shoulder. I stopped walking to face him once again. I leaned against the wall behind me as I waited for what he'd say next.

Before Alex could say anything, we heard Emma's annoying voice.

"Come on Greg, just tell her." She said.

I stiffened.

"Just go away Emma." Greg said. "Stop bullying Violet."

"Oh, I'll stop bullying her... If you stop being her friend," Emma said.

"I'm not going to do that." Greg said.

"Why not? Cause you feel bad for her?" She asked.

"Well, yeah, I mean, look what you've done to her. Violet is not the same girl that she was before you and your mom came along." He said.

Wait... yeah? Greg feels... bad for me?

"Then what's the point of even being her friend?" Emma asked. "It's not like you like hanging out with her. I mean, does Violet even know that you have a girlfriend? Or that you have a whole group of friends that you ignore every day after school for her? They invited you to an arcade today, right? Why didn't you go? Because of Violet? Face it Greg, she's just holding you back."

"Wow," Alex muttered. "Guess you had a point."

I ignored him as I tried to blink back tears. Am I really that bad? Greg has a girlfriend, and other friends? Why didn't he tell me?

"Violet is not holding me back. I like spending time with her. She's my best friend." Greg stated, annoyed.

"Then why haven't you told her about your life? It's almost like you're trying to keep them separated," Emma said.

"I just don't want Violet to feel bad. That's it." Greg replied.

Oh... He's really only friends with me because he feels bad for me...

"Damn, that's harsh." Alex whispered to me.

I couldn't bring myself to reply. Alex reached his hand up to cup my cheek. I just stood there numbly.

"How about you let me take you home? I'll be your new friend," he said.

A tear finally escaped, rolling down my cheek.

Suddenly, Alex was pushed away from me. I looked up to see Setson had pushed him, and stepped between us. What the hell is he doing here?

"Keep your damn hands to yourself," Setson ordered him.

Alex chuckled.

"Hey, she came on to me man." he said.

Setson scoffed, but I ignored them after that. I pulled my bag onto my shoulder more, and started walking down the hall. I feel... like I'm going to be sick.

I really am holding Greg back. Would he even be my friend if he didn't feel bad for me? Does he even like hanging out with me?

"Hey, Vi, where are you going?" Setson said as he jogged in front of me. "Come on, let's go get Greg and Emma, and go home. I'll take you all out for ice cream."

I looked up to see Setson smiling at me. That smile slowly faded when he noticed me crying. Why is it always Setson?

"Hey, why are you crying?" He asked softly as he started to wipe them away.

I pushed Setson's hands off of me.

"Don't touch me." I said. "God, I hate you. You and y-your whole f-family." I lied. "Leave me alone. Go get Greg and Emma. I don't want to go with you. I don't want to celebrate. I don't want to come over this weekend. I don't want anything to do with you McCarthy's!"

"Vi-"

"For crying out loud Setson," I said. "Just leave me alone."