"You keep coming to work looking like a lazy zombie, I might have to fire you." Larry joked.
Billie get like she was living on survival mode the next few days. Her body had disconnect from her mind to carry out its daily functions. She only bothered to call Vanessa twice before realizing she may have fucked up so badly that their relationship couldn't handle it. Vanessa couldn't handle it.
Her manager and friend, Larry, began to notice, although he wasn't too keen on pushing her to speak up until he felt like whatever happened was starting to seriously affecting her.
He placed a hand on hers, stopping her from cleaning the tables. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." she continues with her work.
He frowns, thinking for a moment, and then hesitantly addressing her again.
"Delilah told me you two broke up some time ago. Is that it?"
Billie had long forgotten that Delilah even exists, having been too caught up with Vanessa.
She shake her head briefly.
Larry isn't convinced. But instead of prying, he grabs the cloth from her hand.
"You should take the rest of the week off. And go home early today, I'll manage your shift."
Billie denied it as thought it were an offer. "I'm good. I promise."
As she reached for the cloth, he pulled it away. "I wasn't asking. Take a break, Billie."
He must've thought he was doing her favor. Billie hated going back to her apartment. In fact, she'd rather be at work than there.
With a sigh, she took off her apron and went to check out.
It was just about the end of the day, close to 4pm, so the sun was just setting. She had been working double shifts since she moved to her apartment to manage her new cost of living.
When she got out to her car, she was only half glad to see Vanessa seated at the hood of her car. She wasn't as pleased to see her friends standing a few inches away from her as they made small talk, as if waiting for something... Or someone.
A young brunette saw Billie walk over, alerting Vanessa, who had turned to look at her with a hostile stare.
Billie felt her palms begin to sweat. She wasn't new to Vanessa's revenge ploys, and knew how drastic they would get. She was in no mood to be a victim of her vengeance.
Vanessa jumped off the car, with enthusiasm and delight, walking over to meet Billie halfway, her smile disappearing when they were eye to eye.
"You don't think ignoring me is revenge enough?" Billie asked tiredly.
"You only called twice. It didn't seem to bother you the way I wanted it to."
Billie laughed, although she found nothing funny. She brought her hands to her face, then released a long, tired breath.
"Not today. Please." she begged.
There was a hint of sympathy in Vanessa's green eyes. For a moment the hatred she held became faint at the sight of Billie's visible distraught. The bags beneath her eyes, her jaded tone of voice. Billie was more affected by their distance than Vanessa could ever imagine.
That was until she remembered what had led to this very day, and it didn't seem that bad compared to what she was going to do.
"I've got a surprise for you." she mused in feigned delight. "Well, my friends and I have a surprise for you."
