CRAZY JERK!

PHILIP 

The moment I saw her standing outside, looking dejected, I sighed slowly. I know it didn't go as planned. Oh, good lord, I hate seeing her sad.

I alighted from the car and shouted, "Hey Sydney!" as I walked closer to where she is standing. She looked up at me and ran straight into my arms, sobbing, and I could feel the coldness of her tears dampening my shirt.

I wrapped my arms around her and started patting her gently, and we remained like that for a while.

"I'm sorry for ruining your shirt," she said, pointing at my already tear-soaked clothes.

I chuckled lightly.

"We should get going; it's getting late," I responded, and she smiled gently as we both walked towards the car. I opened the passenger's seat, and she hopped in, muttering "thank you" gently.

I walked over to the driver's seat after she had settled in, reached over to the parcel on the chair in the backseat, and brought it to her face.

She giggled, and I smiled. It's nice to finally see her smile.

"A promise is a promise," I said, smiling.

"Burgers!" She yelled excitedly, and I smiled.

I kick-started the car, and I glanced at her munching on the burger happily; you wouldn't know she was crying a few minutes ago.

I'm curious about what happened, but I decided to just ask another day when it'll be less painful for her to talk. Then I noticed her dress and the shopping nylon in her hand.

"I haven't seen this before," I asked with curiosity.

"Seen what before?" she asked, all her attention still on what she is eating.

"This dress," I responded, pointing to it with my left hand and my right hand on the wheel.

She suddenly stopped eating, and her expression darkened.

"Hey? What's wrong?" I asked gently.

I burst into laughter after listening to what happened between her and the so-called "Crazy jerk."

"I don't know why you find it funny," she said, frowning, and I chuckled at how cute she looks.

"I'm sorry... he was wrong to do that, but why would you break his windscreen?" I asked, bursting into another round of laughter.

"Really? Like really?" She asked, frowning.

I placed my hand to stop myself from laughing hard as I parked gently in front of her house.

"I'm sorry," I responded.

She rolled her eyes at me and tried unlocking the door when I gently held her hand to make her stop.

"I'm sorry about all that happened to you today, for not picking you up because if I had, you would have gotten to the audition faster and you wouldn't have met the crazy..." I paused, trying to hold back the laughter as her eye threw daggers at me.

"I'm sorry about the audition too, and I'm sorry about your dress... I know it means a lot to you, but I just want you to know you're strong and you're very talented, and you'll live your dreams."

She looked at me, her eyes clouded with tears.

"Come here," I whispered gently as I pulled her into a warm embrace.

CLAIRE

I waved goodbye at him and waited till he drove off. I turned back and walked gently into the house.

"Welcome, my dear," Gran Gran said cheerfully, smiling at me.

I rushed to where she sat and hugged her tight.

"How did it go?" she asked gently.

I shook my head gently.

She smiled and patted me.

"Their loss, Claire... it's their loss," she said.

I smiled gently, genuinely consoled by Philip and her... there will always be another time, and if there isn't, then so be it. I'll just focus on being happy with these people that love me.

A month later

CLAIRE

I waved excitedly at Gran Gran as I rushed out to board a bus to the restaurant. I walked into the restaurant and went into the changing room immediately to change my outfit. I walked out back after changing my clothes to resume duty when I saw my boss and a familiar-looking man talking with their back turned to me. I walked gently to my working spot where they stood.

"Good morning, Claire," my boss greeted, now turning to face me.

"Good morning, boss," I responded curiously, staring at the familiar man whose back is still turned to me.

"I'd like to introduce someone to you, meet Ethan, our new part-timer."

My eyes almost fell out of its socket the moment he turned to look at me.

Crazy jerk!