Chapter Text
Becky Botsford’s life was unexpectedly changed with a knock on her door.
It was a sunny afternoon, the perfect weather. Fair City was in the middle of the changing of the seasons, transition from the spring shine to the summer heat. The days were becoming longer, and school was ready to let out for vacation in a few days. Becky was close to promoting from fifth grade to sixth, moving from her elementary school to the larger middle school that had kids from all over the city, not just her side of the city.
She was cleaning the kitchen, after her mother instructed her to do so after she had an emergency at the DA’s office. Being eleven years old, her mother and father expected her to help around the house more often. Washing dishes that she used, sweeping and mopping on the weekends, doing her own laundry. It was exhausting work.
The knock came out of the blue and Becky peered out from the kitchen window to see who it could be. The visitor surprised her; it was her best friend, Violet Heaslip. They hadn’t decided to meet up today, or did they? Becky began to doubt herself, but shook it off and opened the door with a smile.
“Hi Violet! What’s up?”
The blonde girl gave her best friend a smile. Becky was glad that it wasn’t some stranger that came to her door, or worse: her neighbor who constantly forget where the police station was and screamed into their windows during times of crises (which seemed to happen often in Fair City).
“Hey. Can we talk? It’ll be super fast, I promise.”
“Sure. You wanna go to the kitchen? Or maybe my room? It’s a bit messy and TJ’s snooping around upstairs somewhere.”
“The kitchen’s good.” Becky tugged on her friend’s hand, and lead her a few steps away. Violet’s hand was warm and she always smelled nice. Becky was never able to identify that smell, but there were times when the two girls had sleepovers, Becky would wake up with the smell all around the room. It was a nice smell, it wasn’t gross or awful. Delicate and sweet, the perfect way to describe Violet herself.
“Did you want anything to drink? We have a bunch of stuff. Like lemonade, iced tea, jamaica…” She trailed off. Did Violet know what jamaica was?
“I think lemonades good.”
“Oh, okay.” Becky pulled her hand away and pulled out a seat for Violet. Turning around, she began to grab cups from the cupboard. She was still short, barely a decent height for someone of her age. She wanted jamaica. Jamaica was good, and it reminded her of warm summers. The lemonade was from powder and put into pitcher. Jamaica was made fresh, her grandma made it when she came over a few days ago. It was in a pitcher as well, but this one was glass. Shiny and hard.
Becky set the two cups down, one a bright yellow, the other a dark red. She had given Violet her favorite cup, “The Pretty Princess and Magic Pony Power Hour” one she had found a the store a year ago. It was pink, blue, and had purple sparkles that floated around when you turned the cup over. Becly gave herself a plastic cup. The red kind that her father bought in bulk.
“So, what’s up?”
“I’m thinking of asking Scoops to the dance.” Violet took a long sip.
The fifth grade dance was happening in two days. A small party, to celebrate the moving of grades. Becky’s grandma made her a dress. A pink one. From scratch. In the years before Becky had entered this world, her grandma was a tailor. She had made Becky’s mother’s quinceanera dress, her wedding dress, and most of the dresses that her mother wore. They were all put away in a box, slightly faded and smelling like old dust.
Becky felt a pang in her stomach. She knew that her best friend liked their other friend. The two of them had something special. She knew that.
But it still hurt.
“Really?”
“Mhm, yeah.” Violet tucked her hands under her chin and sighed. “I’m not sure how to though. Boys are so confusing.” The two girls eyes met. Becky could feel her heart stop for a quick moment.
She didn’t know what to say.
“You could just ask him you know. Let him know that you want to go as friends.”
Violet took a sip her drink. “That’s the thing. I’m not sure if I want to go as friends.”
Becky’s stomach began to hurt even more. “Oh.”
“Yeah.”
Becky didn’t know what to say again.
“Then…just tell him that.” The words tumbled out. “If you like him like that, let him know.”
Violet smiled at Becky. Her eyes crinkled. She was almost finished with her drink. Becky felt her heart beat quicken. If she left, that would mean she would tell Scoops. If she told Scoops, then…
“Do you want more lemonade?!”
The chair squealed loudly. Becky was standing. Her jamaica was untouched. There was a drip mark next on the table. Violet made a confused face. Her nose was scrunched. She had lemonade on her lips. Becky felt her face go a little red with embarrassment.
.
“No thanks, I’m all good.” Violet stood up and gave Becky another smile. She finished her drink. “I’m going to give Scoops a visit.” She gulped down the last of her lemonade.
Becky felt her stomach hurt again. She wanted to sit down again. “O-Oh. Okay!”
Violet reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for listening. I wasn’t sure what to do, but you always know what to say.”
Becky smiled tentatively. She wished Violet wouldn’t go see their friend. They could just have a fun day together. They could watch The Pretty Princess and Magic Pony Power Hour together. Or do each other’s hair. Anything would be fun with the two of them. They could even have a sleepover! Becky could beg her mom. She would beg with her life for Violet not to leave.
“Haha, yeah. Anything for you.”
Violet gave her a hug, then let go. The two girls walked to the door.
“Thanks again Becky!” Violet turned around and gave Becky a wave.
That smell hung around for a few seconds. Becky felt her stomach burn. She wanted to cry. She closed the door softly, and headed to the couch. The soft texture felt prickly and her hands were feeling like static.
Her stomach continued to hurt.
-
That night, Becky’s appendix burst.
She threw up a lot.
She was rushed to the emergency room and her appendix was taken out the next day. It was the day of the dance.
She was unable to wear the dress her grandma made her, and she cried when the doctor told her she would need to stay overnight so that the hospital staff could keep an eye on her.
While she slept at the hospital, she had a dream where she and Violet chatted about life. It was a good dream. Then Violet had to leave. She left, and the scent that Becky could never figure out was all over the air.
Becky woke up.
And realized it was lavender. Lavender smell for a violet girl.