Unbreakable(43)

“Actually I’ve been thinking about taking the fall semester off,” Violet says. “Why waste the money when I still have no idea what the hell I want to do with my life? This ‘general studies’ stuff isn’t helping me make up my mind, either.”

“You should,” agrees Peyton. “You need to get out there and explore. See what you really want to study.”

“Yeah, but that means I’ll probably have to keep working at Pizza Delicious full-time. My dad isn’t going to let me take a semester off if I don’t have a job. Which doesn’t leave me much time for exploring and completely defeats the purpose of taking time off. I don’t know what to do.” She sighs and glances over at Peyton. “It must be nice to know what you’ve wanted to do with your life since exiting the womb.”

Peyton rolls her eyes. “Please. All I’ve ever really known is that I wanted to be creative. Majoring in graphic design was just a natural choice.”

“But at least you’re making money with your online t-shirt business,” she counters.

Peyton takes another drink of her wine cooler. “That’s just for fun. I’m not going to be making t-shirt slogans forever.”

“All of this work talk. No one’s even mentioned a guy or dating. What’s going on here?” I complain.

Violet’s cheeks turn red, and she darts a gaze at Sully, who’s laughing at something Axel’s just said. “You know I’m not dating anyone.”

“Can we just write a note and slide it under Sully’s bedroom door?” Peyton asks. ‘Do you like Violet? Check yes or no.’ This is getting painful, Vi. I can’t take watching you be so hung up on him while he f*cks his way through the entire eighteen-to twenty-four-year-old demographic.”

“Peyton!” I chide, glaring at her.

“I’m just saying, she needs to make up her mind to actually do something about it or move on. I hate that she’s wasting her youth doodling Mrs. Evan Sullinger on her notebooks.”

“I’m sitting right here.” Violet snaps. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not in the room. And I haven’t ever done that!”

Violet’s expression is so horrified that I can’t help but laugh. The idea of her doodling my brother’s name on her notebook is completely hilarious. Other than us, absolutely no one knows she’s crushing on Sully. She keeps those feelings on strict lockdown.

I reach over and squeeze Violet’s hand. “Despite Peyton’s unsubtle way of putting things, she’s right. It’s time to make your move, Vi. I know it makes you uncomfortable to put yourself out there and get social, or dress sexy, but that’s the kind of girl Sully wants. Maybe you can just do it a few times and get him interested. Then he’ll see what he’s missing.”

“That’s terrible advice,” Violet complains. “I shouldn’t have to be anything but myself to get a guy interested in me.”

“I get it Violet, and I agree,” I say, nodding. “But if you want a chance with him, I think you need to try a different approach. Right now, it’s like you’re throwing an awesome steak down on his plate when he’s craving lasagna. It’s just not working.”

“Now I’m being compared to food,” she says, glaring at us. “Wonderful.”

“But at least this way you’ll finally know, Vi. Then if he isn’t interested, screw him. You have to bait the hook and dangle it a little,” Peyton argues. “Besides, you have a lot to dangle, and all of it’s good.” She stares at Violet’s boobs and waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“I’m changing the subject,” Violet announces. “Speaking of crushes, Peyton’s got a crush on Dylan.”

“Oh my god.” I stare at Peyton. “Say what? Since when? And why am I the last to know?”

Peyton sighs. “She’s exaggerating. He just intrigues me a little. All that quiet intensity he has, you know? Makes me wonder what he’s like in the sack. Can’t blame a girl for being curious, can you? And that beard is working for him.”

“And have you done anything about it?” Violet asks pointedly. “No, you haven’t.”

Peyton shrugs. “No, I haven’t yet, but only because I’ve never even seen him with a girl. Have you?”

Violet shakes her head. “Not really.”

“Maybe he’s gay,” I suggest.

“God, I hope not,” Peyton murmurs. “Though I love the thought of him getting it on with another hot hockey player in the shower.”

Violet looks up at the ceiling. “Seriously? Did you seriously just say you want to see him make out with one of his teammates?”

“C’mon, that’s totally hot, and you know it! Back me up on this, Em,” Peyton says to me, and then she tosses a handful of popcorn into her mouth.

I pretend to mull it over, and Violet claps her hands over her eyes.

Violet’s so buttoned up about sex, and Peyton loves to tease her about it. Half the time I think Peyton just says this stuff to get a reaction from her. The other half of the time, well… it’s Peyton. That’s explanation enough.

“I just want to go for a little ride,” she says, winking at Violet. “I bet he’s packing under those tight jeans, eh?” Her glance darts toward Dylan, who leans forward with the controller in his hand, completely focused on the video game.