Sign Your Name Across My Heart

Chapter twenty-seven

I stare at the roses as I sit on my couch, not knowing how to feel. Is this a kind gesture or is it just very strange that he sent someone to give me roses? I don't know if I would've preferred him giving me the flowers himself - I think I would have preferred if I never received these at all, because they're just making me feel very confused.

Am I supposed to text him and thank him? I never asked for roses, I don't think I need to thank him. However, there's this weird feeling inside of me that feels obligated to do it anyway.

I reluctantly grab my phone and send him a little message.

Thank you for the roses, that's very kind of you. But you really don't have to do things like this.

I anxiously tap my foot on the ground. Tap, tap, tap, tap.

My phone buzzes.

Don't thank me, it's my pleasure. And I know I don't have to, I want to.

I let out a big, long sigh. I don't understand him. My first impression of him was fine, but after further discussion with Ash - Hawthe isn't someone I should trust, because according to him, he always has ulterior motives.

However, Ash just dumped me out of nowhere. I shouldn't trust him. What if he had been planning this for a while and he was simply bad mouthing Hawthe just because he didn't want me getting close to his friends, because he knew this whole time he was going to break up with me?

Maybe that's silly and I'm overthinking this. I don't really know what to think, honestly.

I head to bed in a state of confusion, not wanting to prolong this night anymore. I have work early tomorrow and I already know it's going to be very hard for me to get up in the morning.

****

I head into work the next morning, my head and heart both heavy. I've never felt like this before and I usually enjoy going to work, but today - this is the last place I want to be. I unlock the front door and I walk inside to the employee lounge, placing my purse in my locker.

A noise behind me startles me and I jump, quickly turning around.

''Sorry, Liby. I didn't mean to scare you.'' My boss says, fixing her maroon-colored button up shirt.

I shake my head, letting out a little laugh. ''No worries, it's me. I've just been a little jumpy lately.'' I state, running a hand through my hair.

''Um,'' She says awkwardly. ''Do you think we could head inside my office really quickly? We need a chat.'' She asks.

I frown and tilt my head before nodding. ''Yes, of course.'' Natalie has never asked to see me in her office so I wonder what this is about. My stomach churns and I start to feel queasy with anxiety.

I follow her into her office and take a seat in the uncomfortable plastic chair in front of her desk. She sits in her office chair that has big, comfy armrests and extra padding on the seat beneath her.

''So.'' She mumbles before clearing her throat. ''I have something I need to discuss with you.'' She presses her lips into a fine line.

My heart races and I gulp. ''Okay.'' I replied. I wish she would just spit it out already - it feels like my heart is about to explode from my chest.

''We had a customer file a complaint against you. A pretty hefty complaint. And you know, it's weird because I can't imagine you even acting like this - but I'm also not here all the time to watch your every move...'' She stops speaking.

''A complaint? Against me? Wh-what did I do? What did they say?'' I question her. I know for a fact I haven't done anything. I barely even speak to customers while I'm working. It's a library, for crying out loud.

''They called the library and they explained that it was late at night before closing, sometime last week. They said you were falling asleep behind the desk, you were on your phone the whole night - not answering any questions. They said you left the desk unattended multiple times and you were speaking very loudly on the phone, as if you were arguing with somebody. And you've been here long enough to know that we don't tolerate behaviour like that from our employees. You know you're supposed to have your phone locked in your locker and you aren't to be having any personal conversations during your shifts. And the falling asleep part? I mean, I don't even know what to say to that.'' She explains.

My eyes are wide and I feel myself choking back a scream. I can't even begin to believe any of this. Am I dreaming? ''Natalie, I-I didn't do any of these things. I swear.'' I do keep my phone on me during my shift, but so do all my coworkers. Why am I being targeted like this? ''I would never do any of these things, you know me.''

She sighs. I can tell she's uncomfortable. ''I thought I did, Libby. You know, you've been doing great but... The unfortunate thing is that the customer that spoke to me yesterday wasn't the only customer that filed a complaint against you. And I mean one angry complaint I could understand - but two? Both saying similar things? I mean, it's just not acceptable.'' She looks at me, her eyes losing all compassion she had at the start of our conversation.

''Are you serious?'' I question her, my face showing that I'm angry. This doesn't make any sense. ''I-I c-can't even be-believe this.'' I stutter, unable to speak clearly. I'm trying not to burst out into tears. ''What was the other complaint?'' I stare at her in disbelief, practically burning a hole through her head. Why would people do this to me?

''A gentleman explained to me that he came in and stated some of the same things the other client told me. He also said that you were... Smoking. In the library. Near the windows.'' She lets out a laugh and for a moment I think that she's laughing because she too can't even believe what's going on - she must know this isn't true. ''So um, yeah. We can't have any of this happening here. It's absolutely inappropriate and I won't stand for this. And I have no choice but to proceed with your termination here. I wish it didn't have to come to this but I see no other options here for you.'' She says with a blank expression on her face. ''You'll of course be paid for your last week here and I'll make sure to include your 4% with that.''

I never thought Natalie could be so heartless and cold. There's no way she's actually believing these false claims about me. They're completely out of this realm of things I would ever do and I know deep down that she also knows this, but from a manager's standpoint, she has to fire me. I know there's nothing I can do to save my job here, so I get up and silently walk back to the break room, collect my purse and leave.

As I walk home, my head low, staring at my feet, I feel like I'm going to be sick. Not only did my boyfriend break up with me, I just got fired from my job and I have rent due in one week. One week isn't enough time to find a job, make it through my training period and get paid. I don't know what I'm going to do. I have one last paycheck coming in from the library, I'll have enough to pay rent but I surely won't have enough to buy groceries and keep myself afloat with all my bills.

Once I get back home, I crash into my bed and immediately begin searching for a job on my phone. The only problem is that I have no idea what I want to do or where I want to work. This is going to suck and I feel myself beginning to drown. How could all of this be happening to me right now?