After Kayden and I eat breakfast, I start getting cleaned up for the day. While I’m digging through the closet for an outfit, my phone rings with an incoming call from my mom. Since I’m pressed for time, I almost ignore it. But she has been trying to get a hold of me for the last few days, so…

Sighing, I answer the phone. “Hey mom.”

“Hey honey!” Her cheerfulness isn’t out of the ordinary, but the banging noises in the background are.

“What’s going on over there?” I sink down onto the bed. “It sounds noisy.”

“We’re working on the bedroom above the garage for when you guys come out here for Thanksgiving.”

“Um, yeah, I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to make it or not. There’s a lot of stuff going on and I got this new job and I’m not sure what the hours are going to be like yet.”

“You got a new job?” She doesn’t sound as thrilled as I had hoped.

“You act like that’s a bad thing?”

“No, it’s not. It’s great. It’s just….” She trails off, but I know she isn’t finished.

I let a slow exhale ease from my lips, preparing myself for whatever she’s about to say. Even after I told my parents about what happened with Caleb, my mom and I still don’t always get along or see eye to eye.

“What about the wedding?” she finally asks. “Have you set a date yet?”

“I already told you we aren’t going to do that until we graduate.” With a quick glance at the time, I put the phone on speaker, set it on the dresser, and then return to the closet to search for an outfit.

“Yeah, but… Do you really think it’s a good idea to wait? I mean, long engagements don’t always work out.”

“If Kayden and I can’t make it through a long engagement, then I guess we weren’t meant to be.”

We are meant to be, though. I’m positive of that. Just like I’m positive we can make it through a long engagement. But my mom’s old fashioned and doesn’t understand that. Doesn’t understand me wanting a career.

“You two are meant to be,” she assures me. “And if you need any help with wedding plans, let me know. I’d love to help.”

I internally sigh. We’ve had this conversation before, many, many times, and it’s pointless to argue with her. “All right, I will.”

We chat for a few more minutes before I tell her I have to go. As I’m hanging up, a message pings through from Seth.

Seth: Have you talked to Violet recently?

Me: She called me earlier to say she had to cancel on our plans today. I was actually about to text you about it. Why? What’s up?

Seth: She called me to ask if she could borrow my car for a little bit this morning, which is weird. And she was acting strange. I think she had been crying.

Worry seeps through me.

Me: I thought she was acting a bit weird too. Did she say why?

Seth: No. But you know how she is. I think we should stop by and check on her.

Me: How about we pick her up for the game?

Seth: Sounds good to me. I’ll text her.

Me: Okay. TTYL. And let me know if you find out what’s going on.

Seth: Will do.

I’m about to put the phone down when another message comes through.

Seth: Wait, hold on. So, we’re really not going costume shopping today then?

Me: Yeah, sorry. Violet said she had to cancel and I’m kind of busy too.

Seth: Well we need to reschedule then and soon. I want to look amazing this year and that can’t happen if I go looking for a costume last minute. And FYI, you guys owe me a coffee for standing me up!

Shaking my head, I set the phone down with an unsettling feeling stirring inside me. Violet’s life hasn’t been easy. She’s been through a lot—more than most people.

“I hope everything’s okay,” I mutter, combing my fingers through my hair.

Then, because I know I have to focus right now, I take a deep breath, set the worry aside, and focus on getting ready for my new job. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not terrified—I am. But I’m also excited for this new adventure in my life. I just hope I can balance it with my job and my personal life. And that I can be here for Kayden. But with Kayden by my side, I feel like can handle just about anything.

I hope…