Serenade of Scars (Unedited)

Chapter 12

Claudia came over to my house and I was so excited to see her. She had been gone for over a week and I really missed her. I was surprised to notice that she had bags under her eyes. She looked so tired but she was more than happy to see me. Instantly seeing her, I threw my arms around her. "Well someone couldn't breathe while I was away," she commented as she returned my hug.

"Is studying really that hard that you now look like a witch?" I replied her comment.

"Sometimes I regret furthering my studies but I started with an end in mind and I've asked the Lord to bless them and lately I've been able to carry them out successfully well. I'm in my second year and I'm loving my course," she said as she went to the kitchen.

"Proverbs 16:3," I quickly said.

She smiled at me as I followed her to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and took out a bottle of juice. She fixed herself three sandwiches and carried everything to the living room. I stood at the door amazed by her hunger. "You also want an elephant to go with that?" I jested.

"How's Jesse?" She asked, finishing a full glass of juice in seconds.

"He's okay, I guess. Why are you asking?"

"I don't know. Something feels as if y'all have been communicating, that's all," she replied as she took a bite from her sandwich, "I don't think Cleo and him are in talking terms."

"Why do you say so?" I asked, curious to know more.

"That's for him to tell you if he's really serious about you. Have you been praying for a sign to confirm that he's God sent?"

"He hasn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. We have been alone together and he didn't try anything stupid. He respects me a lot, well, that's from how he treats me. He never raised his voice at me nor has he touched me inappropriately. He's really open and very fun to be around ----"

"My exams are starting soon and I'm going to be away for at least a month," Claudia interrupted me.

"At this point, I'm used to you going away. I just want to know why you didn't want me to finish talking."

She got on her feet and walked over to her. "As much as I love listening to you, I just can't help to think of Cleo every time you mention his name. Yes, I brought him up but we can stop now...if you don't mind," she revealed.

I nodded my head as we changed the subject.

I had to go to work the next day and found Elizabeth. Jesse was not around and that pleased me. Elizabeth had this other side that she displayed when Jesse was around me, I didn't like it one bit. I was doing my work as usual, minding my business when Elizabeth kept purposefully bumping into me. I had broken 4 plates even before the day was over. Slowly, my anger was building up but I wasn't going to give Elizabeth the satisfaction of seeing me in that state. Taking a break from waitressing, I decided to hang around in the changing rooms just so to collect myself. What was Elizabeth's problem? I quickly said the Lord's Prayer, took a deep breath and went back to my job.

Elizabeth was to her no good schemes again. Every time I would walk past her, she'd try something funny on me. As I was walking by her, she tried bumping into me again but I moved away and she ended up hitting the wall and her tray of plates crashing to the floor. I pitied her and put my tray aside to help her out. "Don't touch me!" She cried out.

"Are you okay, though?" I asked, concerned.

She stood up, faced behind as she noticed the customers looking on and took off to the changing rooms. I only had 30 minutes till I knocked off and my mood was elated. As I served my last customer, Jesse walked in.

He smiled at me as he went to the kitchen. I took the remaining dishes to the kitchen as I walked in on Elizabeth sharing giggles with Jesse. I wouldn't be surprised if Jesse would walk into a room and start laughing with everyone, he was very likable and gentle. Unusually, we locked eyes when I walked in but I panicked and looked away. Elizabeth looked back at me but I didn't want to stay. Instantly, I dropped the tray on the counter and left.

I went to the changing rooms, changed and headed out.

On my way home, I received a call from an unknown number. Curiously, I answered the phone and I heard a female voice. "Hello," she said.

"Hi, who am I talking to?" I asked.

"You're talking to Ms. Jennifer, the woman that's taking care of your father. Am I talking to Chloe?" she told me.

I stopped walking and sat at a nearby bench. "Yes, this is Chloe. Wow! I never got a chance to formally thank you for what you did for me. How's my father? How are you?"

"Relax," she laughed, "your father is responding to treatment and everyone is fine. Well, I called to invite you to dine with me on Saturday night," she revealed.

A bright smile formed on my lips. "I would love to!"

"Alright then. I will call you on Saturday."

"See you then," I said as she hung up.

I jumped around happily. This was the best news I received all day. Laughing at myself, I bet people were thinking that I was crazy. "What are we celebrating?"

I looked behind and saw Jesse. "How long have you been standing there?" I asked him.

"A couple of minutes," he answered as he put his hands into his jacket pockets.

I was really happy to even mind his presence. "I was talking to the woman who's funding my father's treatment. She wants us to dine on Saturday night," I told him as I started jumping again.

"That's awesome!" he smiled as he opened up his arms for a hug and I jumped into his hug.

I was truly happy. Jesse drew back from the hug but didn't let go of me, rather, he just looked down at me. "I love this," he smiled.

"You love what?" I responded.

"Seeing you happy," he revealed as he tugged some hair behind my ear. "You should see yourself. A beautiful glowing face."

I smiled up at him as I hugged him tightly. "Thank you for sharing this excitement with me."

"If you're happy I'm happy."

I pulled back from him and cooled down from all the joy that was flowing through my body. "So, why are you here?" I asked.

"I wanted to talk to someone," he admitted.

I sat on the bench and gestured for him to sit down. "I'm all ears," I smiled at him.

DON'T FORGET TO **VOTE**