Just for a Moment

I was so excited to see my old friends again. I am glad that JT gave me permission to have them on campus despite the stern talking to he gave me about the whole Tally thing. I hate that her name sounds so similar to my nickname. Gross. Anyways, they're coming today after lunch and we're just going to hang out at the arcade or something - nothing too fancy. It's a good way to kick off the break I guess. I'm just a little iffy about going to work today. I know that the only reason I'm working over time is to get Jack a new guitar, but ever since Rick told me that he liked me, it's been a little tense. That day went a little like this:

"The only reason I dated Tally was to get someone jealous," he shrugged.

"Oh my gosh! You have to tell me who," I ask excitedly.

After handing the smoothie to Lizzy, he said, "you."

Lizzy left, knowing that the situation was bound to become awkward.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. I mean I know that Nelly and I had an on and off thing, but I couldn't help but develop feelings-"

"Nope," I interrupt. "Nope." I kept saying that as I walked to the back room and locked myself in it.

I spent the rest of my shift doing inventory then ran out when I was done. So I guess you can say that I didn't take it too well. Plus the past two weekends, I just kind of avoided him at work by changing my shifts. I decided though, that I would go back on my regular schedule today. Looking back, I do feel bad; I didn't have to react that way. But c'mon, bad timing. Ugh.

After my morning routine I put together a simple outfit. It is too cold to care, and frankly, I'm just trying to look as unattractive as I can. I pull on Jack's black oversized Young & Reckless sweatshirt, happy that it almost reached my knees. I slipped on a pair of black skinny jeans, shoving my feet into my pair of charcoal gray combat boots. I walk over to my standing mirror and examine myself. This sweatshirt looks all baggy and plain, that's why I only use it when I'm staying indoors - it's perfect. I zip up a light coat, since the sweatshirt is super warm. Before leaving I slip my phone into my pocket then tie my hair into a messy bun, a nice touch. I skip out of my room, feeling successful, and head over to the cafeteria. When I sit down I sing a good morning to my sister and Kellin, before I remember that they're leaving today. Boo. I look up at them; Kellin was whispering things to Lizzy, making her giggle softly.

"Why are you guys so freaking cute?!? Ugh!" I cover my mouth and laugh, embarrassed. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

"Um, my bad?" Lizzy laughs.

"It's just too much to handle," I say, rolling my eyes.

I pick up my menu and skim it before waving a waiter over and placing my order. I wait patiently as I think about the schedule for today; I just don’t have a good feeling about today. I mean, I’m kind of looking forward to seeing my old friends, but at the same time, I haven’t talked to them in over two years - not even when I went home for the summer. How do I know how to act around them? I didn't really think this through. I get distracted by the food placed in front of me: a tofu scramble sandwich with home fries. It looks so good. I dive right in to the sandwich, enjoying myself. After I scarf down the last piece and finish the remains of my iced tea, I give Lizzy a big hug. Then I scruff up Kellin’s hair while asking him to try his best not to go running up into city hall to get married. I head out and make my way to the mall with Vic. Jack wasn't up to coming to breakfast today for some reason, so Vic agreed to walk with me.

“Man, Lizzy’s going to be gone for the whole week, that sucks,” I pout.

It felt kind of weird mentioning that to Vic. He probably feels betrayed or something - his best friend is practically engaged to his ex girlfriend. That’s crazy.

“Yeah…speaking of Lizzy,” he clears his throat, “have you seen the ring on her finger?”

“What ring?”

Of course I knew the ring that he was talking about, how could I not notice it?

“The ring she always wears, Ally,” he says with a bit of edge in his voice.

“Oh, that ring.” I bite my lip, hoping he would just leave it at that. "What’s about it?”

"Is it...?" He looks at me.

He knew the answer; he just wanted to make sure that he was right. I quickly look at his face then face forward again.

“It’s a promise ring.”

He purses his lips and nods, taking in this thought.

“I don’t get it,” he says, stopping suddenly in front of the entrance of the mall. “I've spent this whole time trying to get over her, coping with the fact that she has a boyfriend. Meanwhile she’s moved on a long time ago, throwing herself into a commitment that she probably wouldn't have agreed to with me.” He turns to me, with sad eyes. “She was all I could think about during the summer, but she had already had a thing with Kellin by then.” Students pass by, staring at us as they walk into the mall. “I get it; I made a mistake by letting her go in the first place, but I thought that she would feel the same way, and along the way, we could have gotten back together. I know that I wasn't the best boyfriend, but we were perfect together.”

I sigh and rub my temples, not knowing how to comfort the poor guy.

“I honestly don’t know what to tell you Vic. It surprised me too - her moving on so fast. But she’s made her choice. It’s going to be hard, but I think that it’s about time that you should let go of the idea of you guys being a couple. Plus, if you know that you have feelings for her, why are you messing around with Sonia? That’s not going to make things better.”

“I know, Ally, I know. But,” he shakes his head and finally opens the door, letting me walk in before him. "Seeing them last night at the Winter Fest... Ugh, things are just really confusing for me right now.”

We make it to the elevator and step in, pressing our separate floor buttons.

“I’m sorry Vic. Just…call me if you need comforting. We are not going to go back into that pattern that we did last year, just letting you know now. Oh, and we’re definitely not going to repeat what happened yesterday.”

He gives me a sad smile and nods.

“Okay, thanks.”

The doors open on his floor and he leaves after giving me a quick hug. I press the ‘close door’ button and shift from foot to foot, remembering that I have my own little problem to face: Rick. I sigh as the door opens and make my way to Jamba Juice. Before walking in, I check if he was already at his post, giving me no choice but to instantly feel uncomfortable, but he wasn't. I sigh of relief and pull out my key, unlocking the door. I turn the ‘closed’ sign over to the ‘open’ side before making my way to the back room.

When I get there I clock in, then take my jacket off and hang it in my locker. As I pull out my uniform shirt I groan; I forgot that I had to change once I got here. Now my choice in outfit won’t be effective. I slip off my sweatshirt then pull on the shirt, pouting all the while. I grab my visor then head to the front to take my position at cash register 3. After a couple of minutes, I put my head down, cushioning it with my arms on the counter. Just then the bell on the door jingles, signaling a customer. I shot my head up to see Rick. My heart races as he smiles and makes his way behind the counter.

“Hey, sorry that I’m late.”

“No problem,” I say, shrugging, “you’re technically my boss.”

He clocks in then comes back out, pulling a chair to his register.

“That’s right. And as your technical boss; I’d like to commend you on your organization skills. The inventory is looking great,” he says as he puts his hat on.

“Oh, thanks.” I could feel my face flush, getting warm. “Sorry about that, I just didn't-”

“It’s cool, Ally,” he says, scratching his neck. “It probably wasn't the best idea for me to put it out there like that, especially since you have a boyfriend.”

I smile, happy that this ended as quickly as it started.

“Great, because I've been feeling bad these past two weeks about leaving you alone for the entire shift,” I sigh of relief.

“Like I said, its fine. I’ll get over it soon enough anyway.”

“Jeez, am I that easy to get over?”

“Ha, no. I mean yes! I mean-uh-not that you are,” he panics, putting his hands up in defense, “it’s just that, uhm, I’m going to shut up now.”

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," I laugh, getting up as a customer walks in.

After that, the work day has been running smoothly. I only have five minutes until my shift is over. Rick and I didn't bump heads about his feelings towards me, so it was pretty peaceful. It was a fast day too; since today is the first day of break I only had a 4 hour shift.

I walk to the back room and clock myself out, then change into my over sized sweatshirt. I chuckle and shake my head; I didn't need to look a certain way in order for him to back off, he just did it because he knew it was the right thing to do. I zip up my jacket and walk out of the room, back into the parlor.

"Bye, Rick," I say as I lift the hinged countertop to leave.

"What, no hug?" He opens his arms, waiting for me to come back. I roll my eyes and walk behind the counter again to give him his hug. "Please forgive me for this," he whispers in my ear.

I laugh and raise an eyebrow. "For what?"

When we break apart, he grabs my face then kisses me. Rage fills me as I push away, ready to yell at him.

"What just...happened here?"

We both turn our heads to see Jack. Fear creeps into me and a giant pit forms in my stomach. How did I not hear the bell jungle when he came in?

"Jack," I say cautiously, "it's not what it looks like."

"Really? Because it looks a lot like you guys were just kissing, is that not what happened?"

"Jack please, I-"

"No, I don't want to hear it," he says, shaking his head.

Just like that, he's out the door. I bite my lip as tears start to well up in my eyes. I turn to face Rick who had a guilty expression on his face.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't think that-"

My hand moved in a swift motion, slapping Rick across the face.

"Why would you do that, Rick? Are you stupid? We were just fine before this, you couldn't settle for a hug? Now Jack isn't going to talk to me because you decided to move on impulse instead of thinking. You're such a jerk!"

I violently lift the counter flap, causing it to bounce back when it hits the ledge. I storm out, my cheeks feeling hot as tears stream down my face. I am seriously considering switching jobs, this is ridiculous! He said that he would let it go, but then he goes and-GUHH! I exit the mall and speed towards my room, shivering from the cold hitting my face.

I jab my key into the door and unlock it, closing it behind me before plopping face-down onto my bed. I flip over and grab a pillow, screaming into it as more tears stream down my face. Why did that have to happen? I just wanted a nice laid back day with my friends and now it's ruined. I definitely can't go back to work now; I have no idea when I'm going to forgive Rick. I still want to get Jack’s guitar. It doesn't matter now, he probably hates me. The thought consumes me; the hurt in his face when I saw him, the way his fists balled up in anger, the way he stormed out. I curl up into a ball, squeezing the pillow as I cry harder, just hoping that he could forgive me. Even though it wasn't my fault. Just three weeks ago everything was fine; what happened?