Bittersweet

The prince of the Playground

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock going nuts and for the tenth time I told myself to change it to something less... violently

Groaning I swung my legs over the bed and ran a hand over my face.

Monday came way too soon for my own liking...

Totally unmotivated I slipped into a fresh pair of boxers and dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom, where I grabbed my toothbrush and a freshly opened tube of toothpaste.

With the brush in my mouth I looked in the mirror and frowned at the dark eyed reflection that was staring back at me with the exact same expression on the face.
The dark rings under my eyes were a sign for the last few sleepless nights and I was kind of ashamed to admit, that it was all because of Franks threats.

I carefully drew a line with my right thumb under my left eye and did the same with the right one.
I really should hide those dark shadows...

With the toothbrush still hanging lazily between my teeth I opened the top drawer on the left and after a few seconds of blindly reaching inside I actually found what I was searching for.

A small smile on my face, I put a little foundation tube next to the sink and applied some of it on my finger, so I could spread it carefully under my eyes.
It really worked.
The dark rings disappeared under a thin layer of makeup and I looked... a little less sleepy.

Now I could actually start brushing my teeth.

After that I ran a hand through my hair to make it look more like I was actually styling it in the morning and with a last look into the mirror I left the bathroom.
Back in the bedroom I opened my closet and pulled out the first shirt I could reach (a black Misfits shirt) and put it on, together with an old pair of dark blue jeans.

I looked at my watch and decided that I'd have to do without my usual morning Coffe if I wanted to be on time so I grabbed my car keys as fast as I could and rushed out of my apartment, not without locking it of course.
Safety first!

Slightly out of breath I hopped in the car and started the engine before I hit the gas and made my way to work.

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I made it to work in time and actually still had time before my normal shift would have started, so I just strolled mindlessly through the hallways until I hear a familiar voice calling my name.

I turned around and saw Bert running after me, two Coffe mugs in his hands.

"Good morning, Gerard", he greeted me with a smile on his face.

"Good Morning to you too, Bert. I see, your interview must have been successful!"

The black haired man nodded, sending a proud wink in my direction that made me blush slightly

"Yes! Mr. Darley really is a good guy. The interview was pretty short too. I must have impressed him with my great conversation skills and my good looks", he said and wiggled his eyebrows
I couldn't help but laugh.

Bert faked indignation and soon we were both laughing in the middle of the hallway.

"Oh I almost forgot!", Bert exclaimed and handed me one of the mugs in his hands, "I thought that you'd maybe like some coffe"

I took the mug gratefully.
"Thank you, Bert. I actually didn't have the time to drink any this morning! You're my saviour"

He giggled while I was emptying the whole cup in large gulps.

"Wow... somebody's really eager", Bert laughed but drained his cup only a few seconds later.

"I'm sorry, Bert, I need to start working now!", I apologised after a glance at my watch told me that I was actually 5 minutes too late already.

"Oh no it's okay, Gerard", he nodded and took the cup out of my hands, "when does your shift end?"

"Uhm... at half past seven", I answered and watched Bert grin even wider than before.

"Awesome! Me too! Do you want to meet up at the front door? We could smoke a cigarette together", I could only nod eagerly before I had to say goodbye to Bert and actually do some work.

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I entered Starbucks with large steps and put the page of my notebook angrily on the counter.
Pete frowned at me, but started making Coffe right away

"What's up with you today?", he asked innocently, as if he didn't know what he had done.
He probably really didn't know.

"Why did you give my number to Frank?" I growled and folded my arms in front of my chest.

"That's why you're so pissed?", Pete asked and raised one eyebrow as he pushed down some blinking buttons on the Coffe machine.

"I have all right to be pissed!", I hissed, "you just gave him my number! Without even asking! Why did you do that?"

"Oh come on GeeGee. Don't act like it's the end of the world. He just asked me to give him your number and you said that you'd be willing to give him another chance! I really didn't know that it's such a big thing to you", Pete said softly and smiled at me.

I groaned in frustration and put my head on the wooden counter "You... ugh never mind. Just... don't do it again okay?" I said, forehead still on the cold surface between my friend and I.

"I promise. But tell me, why is it such a big thing to you? Are you sure that Frank wasn't trying to do something?", Pete asked and I felt his hand squeezing my shoulder.

I lifted my head up
"N-No everything was okay. I just... don't like it when other people get my number without me knowing."

Pete didn't really look convinced but just nodded and handed me my Coffe
"Okay GeeGee I'm sorry I'm not going to do it again."

I forced myself to smile and took the paper stand from the counter.
I waved a little in Pete's direction and opened the door but before I could step out of the café, he called after me.

"And Gerard, if he ever tries to do something then you just... you don't have to do what you don't want to do, okay?"

I just nodded, my grip on the door tightening before I shot another smile in his direction and finally left.

I don't have to do, what I don't want to do?

Oh... if only he knew...