𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦: 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦

chapter five

"I have something to tell you." Was the first thing Alyssa and Sawyer said to each other the day after the 4th at work. 

"Alyssa, can you go back in the fit with Riely and Nick?" Andy asked, both of the girls sighing as Alyssa walked away. "Sawyer, you're on the register with Neha."

"Oh, yeah, good call sending Alyssa back there," Sawyer nodded before beginning to ring up the customers. 

From what Sawyer knew, Alyssa and Neha hadn't spoken since their... disagreement. Neither one was going to apologize first because they were both so stubborn and head-strong, but no one else was going to force the two of them to talk it out, either. 

So in order to avoid any future conflicts, the managers had come to an agreement that they weren't to work on the same project, ever. The only reason this was the easier alternative to having HR come in was because they rarely worked the same days; Neha only worked Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and Alyssa's only overlapping day that she worked was Sunday, so the schedule was perfect. 

Sawyer also had her own person to worry about bumping into; Nick. She didn't really know how to feel after their kiss. She liked him, of course she did, but she wasn't sure if she liked him enough for it to become anything... if she liked him enough for her to want to be with him instead of her... instead of Brooke.

Thankfully, Nick was a tad bit unobservant and didn't seem to notice the fact that Sawyer was avoiding him, which was made easier for her by Alyssa and Neha's dispute, meaning Sawyer was the one that had to be at the registers instead of in the fitting room, with Nick. 

The entirety of the work day was boring, but luckily, Sawyer and Alyssa were successful in avoiding Nick and Neha, respectively. When it was finally time for everyone to head home, they all said goodbye, Sawyer refusing to meet Nick's eyes as she quickly walked out the doors, turning down the corners and beginning to walk home.

"Hey, Sawyer!" Shit. 

"Hey," She smiled, turning back round to face him.

"So, I was thinking," He smirked with an eyebrow raise, prompting Sawyer to reciprocate the actions. 

"Always a worrying sign."

"That we should hang out sometime." Luckily Sawyer was smart enough to not let her face drop the way she felt her stomach, to maintain the same exterior and not show that his comment was conflicting with her so much. 

"Yeah, definitely!" Why did she say that? "I'm free... next Saturday? If that works?"

"Next Saturday it is," He nodded before waving to her. 

The rest of the walk home was spent on the phone with Alyssa. She was really the only person Sawyer could call and explain the whole scenario to, without mentioning the fact that she was still madly in love with Brooke. 

"So, what is it you wanted to tell me?" Alyssa questioned the second she picked up the phone. 

"Nick kissed me," Sawyer blurted. "We  were watching the fireworks and he kissed me... and I just agreed to hang out with him."

"Like on a date?" Alyssa exclaimed. 

"Well, I can't imagine he meant it in another way... right?" Sawyer sighed. "I mean, if so then fuck him."

"Nick wouldn't do that, just kiss you and then not ask you out," Alyssa shook her head. 

"But what was it that you wanted to tell me?" Sawyer tried to think of something, anything, else to get her mind off of Nick and Brooke.

"Well after we parted ways last night Riely came after me," Alyssa began. "And then he kissed me."

"What?" Sawyer laughed along with her friend. "No way. I didn't think he was actually going after you--"

"Wait you knew he was going after me?" Alyssa exclaimed.

"Yeah, I yelled at him and he ran after you!" Sawyer responded.

"Oh my god, no wonder the fourth is your favorite holiday!" Alyssa chuckled. "It's so eventful."

"I know, that's why it's the best," Sawyer agreed. "I just got home, so I've got to go, but I'll talk to you later."

"Alright, bye."

In all truthfulness, the only thought running through Sawyer's mind was thank god I don't have to worry about Riely anymore. But at the same time, she knew she still had to worry about Nick and Brooke, but she didn't want to think about that anymore. 

So instead, she pulled out her cello and started to play. It was the only thing that ever really helped calm her down, at least when she wasn't reciting the 10 amendments. Specifically, a song called Jupiter by Gustav Holst was what she'd play. 

The swelling of all the instrumentals when the end was coming was magnificent, a feeling she couldn't describe. It was a song that carried beauty in every sections parts, which was rare to find in classical orchestral pieces. But that was why Jupiter was her favorite; she could be passionate in a song that needed passion. 

Alyssa, on the other hand, was conflicted with her feelings for Riely. After all, he had kissed her right after she watched Sam kiss another girl, and she'd liked Sam for a while. But at the same time, Riely was a picture-perfect guy. He was respectful, a gentleman, and funny... she should like him, but she didn't know if she did. 

As both Sawyer and Alyssa had pointed out, the Fourth of July was an eventful holiday. Both were now left conflicted over their two possible love interests, leaning towards what seemed to be a hopeless romance as opposed to the perfect guys pining over them. 

They both wanted to want their Prince Charmings... but something about not being able to have someone was just too enticing to both of them. So instead, they really wanted the people they knew they couldn't have, even if it was for vastly different reasons.

But at the same time, they wanted to hold out hope for a perfect relationship, because deep down, they knew their truly desired matches wouldn't work out. So instead of letting Riely and Nick down gently, they held on tighter, hoping that somehow everything would end up working out in their favor, however that be.