Absolutely Ridiculous

'Hello,

You must be Jessica. I’ve heard so much about you from Christine. And I understand that you are worried about your best friend. But if I could visit my little sister, don’t you think I would? There’s something holding me back, and the conflict that Christine and I have is between her and me. I don't need people like you to interfere.

Please know that Jessica'

Those words above are not what I expected. At all. The smile I had on my face is now morphing into a sinister scowl.

Calvin said no. That piece of crap said no to me. He said no to coming to visit her only sister. Really?

And you read that too right? The way he wrote it was so condescending. He acts like a pompous prick. How can he think that what he is doing is something to overlook? Christine is upset because of him, and he isn't doing anything about it.

Whatever conflict they have that's preventing him from coming can wait. Right now, he needs to be here.

He should be lucky that I am trying to help him. Nothing has ever made me angrier than the message on my phone. Such simple words coming from that one direct message have made me lose most of my respect for him.

'Ok, first off all you suck. How can you be so entitled that you will ignore your sister's feelings? Second, I am here to help you. The fact that you have no idea how to make it up to her is pathetic. I am the only person who can assist you. Get over your petty feelings and come visit her.

So, what do you say'

I don't care if Calvin was a king for all I care. My best friend's brother is being an ass. And someone needs to put him into his place. I open the front seat and begin my drive home.

I glance down at my phone as a message pop up. I’ll read it later. I’m not going to risk my life on the road for a fucking text. Drive safely, y'all. 

The drive home has me fuming. He better respond to my message. I tried being nice to him. But he says he can’t come because of some conflict?

Give me a fucking break.

Once I park my beauty, I get out of my car and enter my house. I walk down the hallway and place a chaste kiss on the man in the picture frame. I finally open my phone and read the message, and I smile when I read the words.

'I have never had anyone send such a message to me like that in my life. And quite frankly, I’m quite shocked. Christine seems to be very important to you. I am a very busy man, unfortunately, so I will allow you to plan my visit. However, if this plan of yours falls short, then I'll never trust you again.'

I can't help but smile. Sure, he sent me a minor threat, but at least he's on board. 

Calvin's arrival is going to be fantastic. My only problem is Christine; she isn't the type to go out and party. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I enter my place, gather all my things for work, and take a hot shower.

I'm teaching a new class at the studio, and I don't want to be late. Today, the kids will be learning the Port de Bras basics. Once I get out, I check the time. It's two thirty-seven, twenty-three minutes to spare.

I could have taken a shower at the studio, but I care about my privacy. And honestly, I don’t trust the place. I put on my pink unitard and jacket. Then I look around, making sure that I have gotten everything. 

I get into my Toyota Yaris Hybrid and drive back to work. Unlike before, the drive to work was nice, and I’m in a cheery mood.

I can't wait to see the look on Christine's face she sees Calvin after so long.

I return to work and get everything ready. I go towards my personalized locker and take out my ballet shoes, then swap them out for my sneakers. I find a nearby bench and begin the long task of tying the shoes around my ankles and lower calves.

"Is that that the sound of my Jessipoo?" I cringe as I hear my boss's voice. He is the worst part of my job. I internally sigh as I wait for the guy to say his piece then leave.

Jake is a bit of an oddball. The way he smiles at me makes me feel gross. He isn't a bad guy, but something about him isn't right. I look up and put on my best fake smile. 

As always.

"Good afternoon, Jake. I hate to tell you again, but please don't use that nickname," John's smile begins to twitch. 

"But we’ve known each other for so long. Speaking of which, since we know each other so well, I got us two tickets to see Avatar 4. And I was wondering if you wanted to go with me" I roll my eyes at him. Jake always tries to ask me out. However, I am not the type of person who goes on dates. 

And even if I was the type to go on dates, I wouldn’t go out with him. There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me.

"Look, Jake. Watching a movie sounds fun, but I'm quite busy now. Sorry," As soon as my words leave my mouth, Jake's smile disappears. 

"Why not? These are the premium tickets," He asks with a hint of annoyance. I push my hair back in frustration. I don’t owe this man anything. If he bought expensive movie tickets, then that’s his problem. I’m just going to be blunt with him.  

"Because I have other things to do. And quite frankly, I don't think that you and I going to the movies together is a good idea." Jake storms off and I roll my eyes. I have been working under Jake for two years, and you'd think that he'll get the hint. 

As I enter the main dance hall. The new students come flooding in, my excitement comes in. I introduce myself, and we have some fun name activities so we can all get to know each other. We then do some light exercises before the parents come inside to pick them up. 

As I go to the breakroom to get a snack, I see one of the girls sitting on the bench. I assume that she is waiting for her parents. I decide that I am going to keep her company. Her sitting there reminds me of the times I'd wait for my mother who'd never come to pick me up. 

 "Hi, Marie. Do you mind if I wait with you?" I ask in my polite teacher voice. The young girl nods her head and I smile. She is a quiet girl, but I can tell that she has a lot of talent. 

"Ms. Williams. Do you know when my mommy is coming to pick me up?" I cringe when she asks me the question. Kids look up to adults as though they are superheroes. So, it will break her heart if I say that I don't know. 

I'll tell her a white lie. 

"I know for a fact that she will come soon. Did you call her yet?" Marie responds to my questions by shaking her head no. I nod while internally begging that'll she come soon. 

As though fate is on my side, a woman rushes in and searches for Maria. The little girl gets up, she then thanks me, and walks up to her mom. 

From the Burkin bag, Gucci heels, and Versace jacket, I can tell that the woman is obnoxiously rich. I don't care how rich she is. If you going to be late picking up your child, then at least send them a text or something. 

I watch the pair leave then I march into the break room as intended. As I walk inside, I see Jake asking another dancing instructor to go to the same movie as before. He quickly looks in my direction before focusing on the other girl. She seems excited as she says yes. 

So long as he's leaving me alone, then I don't care what Jake does. I go to the fridge and get out my bowl of berries I picked earlier this morning. As I sit at the table and individually eat my fruit, I see that Jake is now gazing down at me with a (disturbing) look in his eyes. I cover my mouth as I continue eating. 

I then look at my phone to avoid making eye contact with him. I then see that Calvin has messaged me about an hour ago. 

"Jessica, I have some fantastic news. I managed to schedule a meeting with a potential business partner in Toronto. This means that I will arrive around the end of June." 

Crap. Now I have to plan something quick.