Chapter One
Violet
There was a sweetness in the air that felt magical. She could hear the resonance of the rolling waves, sweeping along the shore just a few feet away. The water was so clear that she could see the pristine white sand below the waves and the fish that called the warm, blue water home. She peered out along the top of the white houses with taupe and blue roofs, enjoying the scent of the sea being carried along in the breeze.
The island was an oasis in the middle of the Aegean Sea and was the most beautiful place she’d seen so far in Greece. As she stared at the town, it was easy to see why people had gone crazy over Mykonos on social media. It really was paradise.
Violet could hear her friend, Donovan, laughing inside their shared room. Donovan was talking on the phone with one of the men she’d met when they’d first arrived in Greece. Violet leaned her head against her hands, allowing herself to slump over the railing of their private terrace. Of course Donovan had already met someone - it was Donovan. The woman had a way with people, a je-ne-sais-quoi that made people want to flock to her as though she were a lighthouse in the dark of night.
Violet felt the warm sun against her skin as she let out a deep breath. Mykonos had a special quality to it that made her want to stay forever. She knew she couldn’t but there was always the hope in the back of her mind that time would slow down and allow her to enjoy every surreal moment she had left in Greece.
“Of course we’re going out tonight,” Donovan said behind her, chuckling as she lay on the bed. “So you’ll be there?”
Violet spun around and stared at Donovan, who was too engrossed in her conversation to even notice Violet’s stunned expression. It was difficult travelling with Donovan because of the fact that she was consistently jumping into situations on a whim. Violet was always dragged along with whatever Donovan had decided they would do that day. Donovan’s plans were the only plans. Violet agreed to it all because Donovan was the reason she was allowed to stay in accommodations suitable for a queen. Donovan was rich. Or, really, her parents were rich, and Violet got to tag along for the ride whenever they travelled together.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Donovan said, deepening her voice so that she sounded sexier. “Miss you already.”
Donovan hung up the phone and sighed as she stared up at the white ceiling with Violet still glaring at her in frustration. Donovan was completely unaware.
“What did you mean by that?” Violet asked, placing her hands on her hips. “You just said that we’re going out tonight.”
Donovan flipped her brown hair as she pursed her lips at Violet. “And? Don’t you want to go out? We only have, like, two more days here.”
“That’s not it,” Violet told her, trying to get her point across without upsetting Donovan. “You didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go out tonight before telling him that we’re down.”
Travelling with friends was difficult. It wasn’t always because of the clashing of personalities, as Violet had thought it would be. It was because they disagreed on things they wanted to do. One person wanted to go vintage clothes shopping, while the other wanted to visit a local museum. Travelling with Donovan had taught her that she needed to be accommodating, while also putting her foot down. Unfortunately, she was still learning how to say no to people.
“That’s because I knew you wouldn’t say yes unless I convinced you,” Donovan said, and rolled over onto her stomach “Come on. Just one night of fun.”
Violet crossed her arms. “I can have fun.”
“Prove it by coming out tonight.”
Donovan knew exactly what to say to get under Violet’s skin. Violet did want to go out but she didn’t want to be the third wheel, as she often was with Donovan. Somehow she always disappeared into the background whenever they went out together.
“Only if you help me get ready.”
A sly smile formed on Donovan’s lips. “Can I dress you? And do your hair?”
Violet breathed in through her nose. “As long as you don’t put me in something that is too revealing. You know I get uncomfortable when things are too short.”
“I don’t get why. You literally have an amazing body.”
Violet blushed but left the compliment where it was. She knew she had a decent body - she worked hard for it. She spent each day doing at least one thing that made her sweat. Despite that, she hated when other people noticed because she never knew how to respond.
“I really like that blue dress you bought recently.”
Donovan lifted herself off the bed and swung her legs over the mattress. “Which one?”
“The really flowy one.”
“The one with the slit in the side?” Donovan asked as she got off the bed and wandered towards the bags of clothes she’d had Violet help her carry around since they’d started travelling the country. “Where did I get that one again?”
“I think it was at that vintage store outside of town.”
“Right. Okay. You know what, though? It would be perfect,” Donovan said and grinned. “You might even find your own guy here in Mykonos.”
“Doubt it. It’s too late for anything to happen now.”
“Not too late for one night.”
Violet laughed lightly. Leave it to Donovan to have her out searching for a one night stand. “Doesn’t matter. I just want to drink and dance,” Violet said, and walked through the bedroom, stopping at the doorway. “We should order champagne before we go out and pre-drink here.”
“There she is! Good thinking. You order the champagne. Just charge it to the tab,” she said, and waved Violet off. “I’ll set up our outfit and makeup.”
Mykonos had a nightlife straight out of a movie. Violet couldn’t believe how many beautiful people were wandering the streets after dark, searching for the best club or bar. The air was warm against her skin as she walked through the streets arm and arm with Donovan.
Violet felt like a Grecian goddess in her long, flowing light blue dress. It had fine gold detailing across the chest, and fluttered in the warm breeze. It reminded her of those dresses actresses wore when playing Helen of Troy in the movies. On top of everything, Donovan had done her makeup so well Violet barely recognized herself whenever she passed a reflective surface. She’d never been so finely contoured in her life and she was living for the transformation. She could see herself walking the red carpet, waving to fans on either side as she passed.
“We’re here. I just need to text Nico and he’ll meet us outside.”
Violet blinked, realizing where she was. The music floated out from the club and she saw that there was a massive line down the thin cobblestone street. The club was obviously highly sought after to get in. Luckily, Donovan has already become close to one of the locals whose father just happened to own some of the bars in the area.
They stood near the entrance, all while getting eyed by the security, who was definitely not going to let them through without a fight. Violet desperately hoped they wouldn’t have to argue their way in. Donovan was a spitfire who could talk her way into anything. And she’d try, even if she was failing. Usually it worked but it always embarrassed Violet, who always felt as though it was easier just to walk away.