ASKED OUT

-----~[JENNA'S POV]~-----

I sigh and smile. "I am okay Sean. Seriously."

" That's what you keep saying every single damned time. You have never been okay since you started working here Jenna. I am so tired of pretending that everything is okay with you. Come on, tell me. What's the matter?" I bite my lip and they tremble. 

This is not fair. Why is he being to caring like this towards me? I don't deserve it. I can't.... I sniff and immediately wipe my face before I break down before him. I chuckle. I have to give him a reasonable explanation....

" I uhh.... I really appreciate your care . It's just...." I pause and sigh. "My dad died, months ago and it's been really hard for I and my mom I just.... It's just so hard to picture my life without him and.... You know. Things have really been hard without him...." He doesn't give me a chance to finish up before he pulls me into a deep hug.

" I am so sorry Jenna." He says and I can hear his voice shaking. His heart is pounding erratically, I fear for him. "It's okay. You don't really have to hide all these from us. We are always available to help you go through the trauma." I chuckle. 

"Thanks . I just...."

" Hey." He interrupts me. "I know how it feels. I lost my aunt who was like a mother to me when my Mom abandoned us.." I sigh.

 Yeah. Only that the universe is not punishing you for any crime. She died a natural death. I sigh. 

"I am sorry."

" You don't need to be. I am completely over it and Harper was the one who helped me through it. Trust me. She is a talented professional in the aspect of consoling broken souls." He says and I smile. "Just consider it okay. Keeping things to yourself, it won't help you. Rather, it will kill you." He says and I nod. 

"Okay . Thanks. I will consider it." I say and he chuckles. 

"I know you will." He looks around. "Uh... So. You leaving now. I could walk you home..... " 

I immediately shake my head. "Uh ... No. No. Nevermind. Please. I don't want to interrupt you from your duty."

 He chuckles. "I don't mind." I smile and blush. 

"Thanks for the helping hand Sean but, I am fine, really. I am great. I can go on my own." I say and he sighs. 

"Okay . If you say so. Don't jump into the express." He says pointing at me and I laugh.

" I am not that dumb." I say and he chuckles.

" I sincerely doubt that." He says and I glare at him. 

He laughs. "Bye Jenna." I nod and wave at him. 

"Bye." I reply and shake my head before turning towards the exit of the coffee shop.

 I take in the early cool morning breeze as I stand for a moment at the entrance, allowing it's coolness to blow through my hair and soothe my soul. That's if it can. I honestly hope it will.

 I arrange my hair behind my ear and look around. A few early morning shop owners are just opening up. I sigh and turn to walk through the sidewalk home when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I immediately take it out expecting to see a message from mom but it's a notification instead. A notification for an event at school. Today is couples day.

 I grunt and annoyingly slide my phone back into my pocket. What a day today is going to be. What the heck even made me set up this reminder?? Aaaargh!!!

-----------------------------

I make my way briskly to school as I walk through the entrance half focused. My entire attention is on my phone going through the Craigslist. I really have no choice and it is up to me to redeem I and my mom from this endless loop of hardship eating away at our soul. I just have to end it. Not for me but for my mom. Her stress and toiling is just too much for my fragile heart to bear. I have to redeem her in anyway I can even if it means selling my soul to the devil. I can't be blamed. I am as desperate as ever. 

I walk into the school half aware of my surroundings as I make my way towards the four storey building focused on my phone. An ad suddenly pops up and without caution, my eyes land straight on the pay without even checking out what sort of job. It goes wide instantly. 

Holy bloody finances!!!! 

$10,000 per month. What the fuck.....!! Shit. I am about to check the details when someone as hard as a rock bumps into me and I think I hear my shoulder bone crack. 

"Ouch!!!"

 My phone slips from my hand, dropping to the floor and I wince gripping my shoulder. Luckily, the kind enough fellow catches it right on time before it impacts with the floor. 

Wow. Cool reflexes.

 I catch a glimpse of his muscles and slowly look up to meet his sparkling glittering crystal blue gaze. 

Oh shit. 

My heart pounds erratically. "H.. hey." I say softly and chuckle stupidly unable to look away from him. Of course I can never ever ever look away. I have never been able to look away. Who the hell will ever have the mind to look away from this... this embodiment of supreme stunningness. 

The cutest most popular senior in DEVONSHIRE ACADEMY and my never ending long time crush. He smiles and his eyes sparkle in the process.

 Oh my god.

 I want to faint..... "Hey. It's you." He says softly and I chuckle.

' Yeah. It's me. Like he knows me.' I thought with a scoff.

 I look down and glance at his hand weilding my phone. . I suddenly become so nervous. 

"T.. thanks. For the helping hand." I say and he chuckles. He extends his hand returning my phone. 

"Sorry about that." He says. I chuckle and shake my head. 

"Oh no. It's my fault. I wasn't focusing. It won't ever happen again I......" Jeez. Why the fuck am i feeling so hot??!!!

" Well you have never been focused so I figured it's just part of your personality." He says and I can't help but chuckle. I bite my lip and look away. "Hope I didn't break a bone." He says and steps closer to me examining my shoulder. 

I chuckle and slap his hand away playfully. "I am not a kid." I say. "I...I am fine." He smiles. 

Oh God. He should really stop that!!! Doesn't he have an idea how he murders the ladies with that heartless illegal smile? It's so not fair.

 I immediately look away and heave a deep sigh. "I should be going. Thanks for saving my phone." I say and he laughs. 

"You are welcome."

 I nod awkwardly and slowly turn away. "Uhmm.... Jenna." He calls and my brain sparks. 

What the f..... How the fuck does he know my name?? 

I pause and slowly turn around to face him. He smiles murderously and closes the distance between us towering high above me. I gulp.

I blink rapidly and look around me aware of the stares of the other students around. He chuckles. "I wanted to ask you something." He says and I bite my lip. 

"Ookkaayyyy ...." I say softly with my heart in my throat. 

He smiles. Oh God.

 What the hell does he want to tell me? And why does he keep looking at me like that? "Uhmm...are you aware of the event of today?" He asks and I blink.

 Event?

 I rack my brain for what event could be.......oh shit. The couples day event. 

I chuckle nervously and nod. "Uh..yeah. What about that?" 

 He smiles. "I was wondering if perhaps you aren't taken, maybe I could take you out... Of course you don't have to oblige... If you don't want to, it's not a must... I mean I...." I chuckle nervously. 

Is this dude crazy? Why the hell is he sounding so nervous? I am the one who is supposed to be nervous here. My senses are literally about to explode right now. I blush heavily and blink rapidly.

" I uh..." I brush my hair behind my ear nervously. "I...." He looks at me expectantly. Jeez. Who the hell will be so hardened to refuse such a cute face? God I can't breathe. 

 I bite my lip. "Okay." I say and he looks at me unsure. 

"What ?" I chuckle and roll my eyes. 

"Yes. I said yes." I reply and he looks blown away. 

"Really ?" He asks. I can't help but giggle. 

"Yes . I would love.... I mean, like to go out... With you." I say and chuckle. I place my hands behind me like a little kid and look away shyly. 

Oh my God!! 

He didn't just ask me out did he?? He looks so elated. "Okay. That's great." He says. "I will see you around... Sometime.. then." He says and I nod awkwardly. I beam and immediately turn around walking away briskly.

 Oh shit!!!

My heart is thumping hard against my chest. Am I dreaming? Oh Gosh I must be dreaming. 

"Jenna!!!!" Someone calls my attention with a scream as I step into the hallway and i sharply turn to see my close companions and school friends at one of their lockers. I beam and walk up to them. 

"Hey guys." 

I hug them both and they giggle. 

"So tell me." One of them, Chloe, begins. "Is it true?" She asks out of the blues and I blink. 

"Uhh.... What? Is what true?" I ask confused.

" Don't pretend like you don't know what we are talking about." Lily, the other says and I laugh softly, extremely confused. 

"Guys. You are really beginning to sound ridiculous. What are you talking about? Tell me."

 Chloe looks at me somehow like I am trying to hide her favorite puppy from her. 

"Did Alexander Gage ask you out this morning?" Lily goes straight to the point and my heart twists. 

Crap. 

"What...?? How did you...."

 Chloe scoffs. "The news is everywhere dummy." She says and I blink. 

For fuck's sake.... News really travels so fast in this school. 

I chuckle nervously. Wow. I didn't even get the chance to explain it to them in my own way.

 I sigh. "Okay. Yes he....." They didn't give me a chance to finish and they both squeal loudly and excitedly attracting attention from the other students in the hallway.

I smile. "Guys. It's not that big of a deal."

" Of course it is!!" Lily almost shouts and I jerk. 

" Damn. Easy girl."  

Chloe hugs me tightly. "We are just so happy for you. We just for once want to see that pretty face of yours smiling again. I mean, Alex has been your long time crush right?" I chuckle and smile. 

"Yeah ....??"

"Awwwwn . She's smiling." Lily says and it looks like she is about to cry.

I blush foolishly and look away. "Guys stop." I say and they laugh. 

"It's so good to see something work out for you for once Jenna. We can't help it. You deserve to be happy." Chloe says and I nod. 

"Yeah . You are right. I do."

' Do you?' My conscience hits me with that aching question and I blink. 

I heave a deep sigh. 

"So. What's it gonna be?" Chloe asks locking her arm with mine. Lily takes my other arm also and they both lead me away. 

"We are so going to give you a pretty makeover by the time school ends for the day." Lily answers.

" Uuurgh." I groan.

They both laugh.