Violet

“No matter what happens, Violet, never give in to what your enemies want from you. If they want you to react a certain way, react differently. It’ll piss them off more.” My mother’s words echoed in my head.

I used to wonder what she meant. She smiled at everyone, even when the world gave her reasons to frown. As I grew older, I began to understand, maybe her enemies wanted her to break, to argue back and cry so they could gloat. Maybe that’s why she always smiled, even at those who sneered, waiting to see them slip.

She never gave them the reaction they were craving. And now,...