Chapter 59 - Midnight Mission

Javid.

David had asked me to meet him at Weber High after school ended underneath the bleachers by the football field. Color me surprised by everyone who was there. It was all the gang minus the adults: David, Jasmine, Marla, Kiki, Fergus, Sam, and Violet.

My eyes went straight to Violet as soon as I got there. She had on these faded jeans that hugged her hips just right. Her hair was pulled back in a bouncy ponytail, and she wore this cream sweater that made her skin glow. She looked amazing, like she was lit up from the inside. But I could tell something was off. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and she seemed kinda tense.

I figured it had to do with Jasmine being so close to David. Those two had a history, and it probably made Violet uncomfortable to see them together like that. I walked over to Violet and slid my arm around her shoulders. I wanted to show her some support. Let her know I was there for her.

But I also wanted to send a message to Sam. She'd been giving Violet these looks lately, like maybe she was interested in her as more than a friend. I didn't like it. Violet was taken, and I needed Sam to back off. I know Violet would never go for Sam, but still. I couldn't help but worry a little.

David nodded at me then called the meeting- I guess that was what it was—to order. "I called you all here 'cause we need to talk about Lizbeth and Tabor."

Jasmine pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, sticking her chest out. "Yeah, what about them?"

Violet bristled as David eyed Jasmine for a moment before he said, "I'm sick of just sitting around waiting for them to do something, We need to take action."

Fergus nodded. "I'm with you, man. Let's do this."

I glanced at Violet. She looked uneasy.

"Hold up," I said. "I get where you're coming from, David. But we can't just rush into this."

Marla spoke up. "Javid's right. We need a plan."

David sighed. "The adults just want to play defense. But sometimes offense is the best defense, ya know?"

I nodded slowly. "I hear you. But we gotta be smart about this. Tabor and Lizbeth are dangerous."

Kiki chimed in. "Maybe we could do some recon? Try to figure out their next move?"

"That's not a bad idea," Fergus said, agreeing with his mate.

Sam frowned. "I don't know. It could be risky."

I looked around the group. "Let's take a vote. All in favor of doing some recon, raise your hand."

Slowly, hands started going up. David, Jasmine, Marla, Kiki, and Fergus all raised their hands. After a moment's hesitation, Violet did too.

I nodded. "Alright. Looks like we're doing this. But we need a solid plan."

David grinned. "Let's get to work then."

As the group started discussing ideas, Sam kept sneaking looks at Violet. Made me think the guy was up to something. I'd have to keep an eye on him. Most of our group was in agreement to transport in tonight at midnight, look around and come right back if nothing had changed.

I glanced at Violet. She hadn't said much one way or the other, just standing quietly, her brow furrowed in thought. I wondered what was going through her mind. She always seemed to have a unique perspective on things.

"What do you think, Violet?" I asked softly.

She looked up, her brown eyes meeting mine. "I... I'm not sure. I think everyone has a point. But I also worry about… you know, Lizbeth and her group caught you and Mildred, right? Mildred is so powerful—"

Jasmine scoffed. "Nervous much, Violet? You look like you're about to faint."

Kiki glared at Jasmine. "Lay off, Jaz. She's just thinking."

Fergus nodded. "Yeah, give her a break."

Violet smiled at Kiki, a small, grateful smile. I felt a surge of protectiveness toward her. I didn't like the way Jasmine was treating her.

"Alright, alright," Jasmine said, rolling her eyes. "Just saying, she doesn't look too thrilled about going on a little adventure."

I clenched my fists. "We're not going on an adventure, Jasmine. We're going to do recon. There's a difference."

Jasmine smirked. "Whatever you say, Javid."

I ignored her and turned to Violet. "Are you okay with this plan?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm okay with it. I just... I don't want anyone to get hurt."

I squeezed her shoulder. "We won't. We'll be careful."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I trust you, Javid."

Those words sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn't sure what they meant, but I knew they were important.

"Alright, let's do this," David said, clapping his hands together. "We meet back here at midnight."

I saw the way Jasmine scowled when David asked, "Violet, you comin' home with Javid and me?"

"Yes… I guess that would be best."

He smiled and Jasmine's frown deepened.

"David… can we talk?"

"What about, Jazz?"

She pointedly looked at Violet and me. "Alone?"

Violet gave him an imperceptible nod, before he relented, "Yeah, okay."

They left. Everyone else had already, but I was gone, I lingered behind with Violet.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" I asked her quietly.

She took a deep breath. "I am. I have to be."

I nodded. "I'll be right by your side the whole time."

She smiled. "Thank you, Javid."

I gazed into Violet's eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. She looked so beautiful, so vulnerable. I wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and kiss her until all her fears melted away.

My hand reached up, almost of its own accord, and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. My fingertips lingered on her cheek, feeling the softness of her skin.

"Violet," I whispered, my voice rough with emotion. "I..."

I trailed off, unable to find the words. How could I tell her how much she meant to me? How could I make her understand the depth of my feelings?

She looked up at me, her brown eyes wide and uncertain. "Javid?"

I swallowed hard. "I just... I want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."

She smiled then, a soft, sweet smile that made my heart skip a beat. "I know."

I leaned in slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. Violet's eyes fluttered closed as I drew nearer. I could feel her breath on my lips, warm and sweet.

Gently, I pressed my lips to hers. They were soft and yielding, molding perfectly to mine. A shiver ran down my spine at the contact. I'd wanted this for so long, dreamed of it countless times. And now, here I was, kissing her.

Violet...

My hand slid into her hair, cupping the back of her head as I deepened the kiss. She sighed against my mouth, her lips parting slightly. I took the invitation, slipping my tongue into her mouth to tangle with hers.

It was electric. Every nerve in my body felt alive, buzzing with energy. I pulled her closer, my other hand splaying across the small of her back. She melted into me, her body fitting perfectly against mine.

We kissed for what felt like an eternity, lost in each other. Nothing else mattered. Not Lizbeth, not Tabor, not the impending danger. In that moment, it was just me and Violet.

Finally, we pulled apart, both of us breathing heavily. Violet's cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen from our kisses. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and dazed.

"Javid," she whispered. "That was..."

"Amazing," I finished for her, a grin spreading across my face.

She nodded, a smile tugging at her own lips. "Yeah. Amazing."

I brushed my thumb across her cheek. "I've wanted to do that for so long."

"Me too," she admitted quietly. "I just... I wasn't sure..."

"I know," I said softly. "But I am. Sure, I mean. About you. About us."

Violet's smile widened. "Us. I like the sound of that."

I pulled back from Violet, my heart still racing from our kiss. I couldn't keep the grin off my face. This moment, right here with her, it was everything I'd been hoping for.

But our bubble of bliss was burst by the sound of pounding footsteps. I turned to see David come rushing back, face flushed. His eyes darted between us, and even though he looked like he was trying to hold it in, I could tell he was livid.

"Are you two coming or what?" he snapped, his voice tense and clipped.