Chapter 2

Hannah

As soon as I woke up this morning, Jules wanted us to leave.

"Come on, get your lazy ass up.'' She said, throwing a pillow at me as I stretched.

''Five more minutes.'' I groan and lay back on the bed. I could feel her staring me down as I tried to go back to sleep.

"Hannah, if you don't get up right now, I'm going to drag you off this bed. Don't you need to know about being an assistant? And don't try the 'I'm shy and can't talk to people' thing. If you want to make money, you need to learn how to have a normal conversation with someone without freaking out. Plus, we had a deal, didn't we?''

"You're right, I know. '' I answered, getting off the bed.

" Good. Now stop complaining and get dressed." I rolled my eyes but did what she said.

Once we finished getting dressed, we walked up to Jules's car since she insisted on driving. She had on a sparkly red dress that stopped mid thigh. Her hair was in a neat, sleek ponytail and to top it off, she wore red pumps. Jules always had to go all out. Even when we were going to the simplest of places.

I never dressed up. Like ever. Right now I was only wearing some baggy shorts, a long black hoodie, my hair in what I tried to make a ponytail, but now just looked like a rat's nest and some old Nikes. I wasn't lazy, I was just broke with no sense of style.

~~~

We arrived at the mall around noon. The first place we went was a diner near the mall. "What do you want? It's on me." Jules asked as we sat down.

I wasn't hungry, so I pushed the menu away ''Actually, I'm not that hungry.''

She rolls her eyes. ''Woman, if you don't choose something from this menu.''

"Ah, come on. I'm just not that hungry."

She gave me a death glare that showed there wasn't any room for discussion. So I sucked it up and listened to her. "Fine.Only because those fries look good.''

When we finished, we went to many stores that I didn't know the name of and Jules bought me nearly half the store. While she was looking at blouses and skirts for me, I wondered in the lingerie store. I bought some pretty red lingerie. I had never worn lingerie before and wanted to try them.

When I came out and she had a guilty look on her face. " Hey Han. Remember the date I told you about this morning?"

''No. You never told me about a date. I thought we were practicing for my job today?''

"I didn't? I could have sworn I did.''

''No. You didn't tell me anything, Jules.'' I snapped, becoming frustrated.

''I'm so sorry. I didn't know he was going to come early, Hannah I promise. I'll make it up to you. What do you want? A car? House?''

I had only one thing in mind. ''You can never take me shopping again. Ever.''

Her smile dropped, and I could tell that was not what she expected. But she quickly composed herself and smiled again.

''Deal. ''

''Good. Consider yourself free to go.'' I joked and expected her to laugh with me, but she only had a guilty look again.

''What did you do?''

''Okay, don't be mad. I already booked you an appointment at the nail salon and I am taking my car.''

I stopped smiling and looked at her, shocked. ''You what? ''

''I'm sorry, but your nails are so rusty, they look like my grandfather's. Those aren't hands for working in an office. Those are laying in bed all day hands.''

I looked down at my hands and saw they were a bit out of shape.

So what if I have ugly nails? What weirdo would want to stare at my hands all day, anyway?

''How long is the nail thing going to be?"

"About two hours. I think." She answered with a crooked smile.

" You think? Jules, seriously? I don't like my nails done. Especially acrylics. Nor do I have the money for it. And I have to walk? It's like you're setting me up for a death trap."

" I know, I know, and I'm very sorry. But I'll give you the money, and you might need the exercise.'' She said, trying to crack a joke.

"Fine go on your stupid date. But you better give me all the details." I replied, glaring at her as she squealed in excitement.

"I promise! I have run. See you later, or not if I get lucky." She ran to her car and laughed as she drove off.

Time to be socially awkward.

~~~

When I was finally finished with the nail appointment, I got something to eat before I returned home. I had gotten acrylics that were light blue with tiny butterflies in the middle. They were actually very cute, but I couldn't tell Jules that.

"Alexa, show me the nearest burger shops please." Just when I was about to click one for my destination, I bumped into someone all my bags and phone fell. If it wasn't for the expensive cologne radiating all over them I would have thought for sure it was a brick wall. 

"Crap, that hurts,'' I mumble

''You need to watch where you're going next time.'' The man said harshly.

''I'm sorry. I didn't even realize you were a...'' I trailed off as I stared at the gorgeous man in front of me. He appeared to be about 6'2, way taller than my 5'5. He had a very sharp jawline and I could smell his aftershave. I could also tell he was fit because the shirt he was wearing looked as though it would rip any second. He was wearing all black. Long black sleeve shirt, tight black jeans, dark black shoes, with sunglasses to top it off. He was definitely pulling that look off.

''Are you alright?'' He asked less harshly and stared down at me curiously.

"Yes. I'm fine. I thought you were a brick wall. My apologies. " I responded, still rubbing my forehead and putting my head down. But I couldn't stop myself from taking a peek at his eyes.

He had honey-colored eyes that were glinting off the sun, which made them appear gold. It was an unusual color, which made me want to stare at them forever.

When I finished checking him out, I realized he had asked me a question. ''What?"

"I said, do you need help?" He asked, pointing to the mess I made when I dropped my phone and bags.

"Oh. Yes, thank you." I whispered, as I bent down and picked up my belongings. Seconds later, he joined me.

After a minute, believing we had gotten everything, I grabbed my phone and was about to say thank you again until I saw what he had in his hand. It was a pair of red lingerie. I was so embarrassed I said nothing and only ran off as fast as I could.

Once I finally got inside the house, I said to myself, "Why didn't you just ask for it back, you idiot? He probably didn't even give a crap."

When will you ever stop being so awkward, Hannah?

I pushed the thoughts away and changed into a shirt. After I did my nightly routine, I tried to get some sleep for the day ahead of me. "I'm sure he will just throw them away," I said to myself before, dozing off into a deep sleep.