Breaking the story

The glamorous date

Nathan stared soulfully into Jenny's eyes, the menu clutched tightly in his left hand. He held it out to her. 

"Will you go out with me?" A great wave of relief rushed through me, alongside my character's cringey happiness for Jenny.

Jenny smiled, but her eyes drifted towards the middle of the cafeteria, no doubt searching for Lucas. There was a certain air of wrongness about this. And even though I couldn't move my body freely, I could almost sense the other characters' unease. Nathan's sweet smile looked extra forced, and Jenny was still looking around for Lucas. 

"Of course!" Jenny gushed, and I felt like throwing a party! The story was changing, even if the characters didn't like it. At that exact moment, Lucas appeared, striding through the cafeteria like an arrogant douche. There was low hum of threatening music as if a fight between the two male leads was brewing. Lucas's mouth hardened into a line when he saw Nathan and the tacky menu. 

"What's this?" he snapped, glowering at Nathan. 

"We're going to eat here," Nathan responded, shooting a besotted glance at Jenny. It was enough to make anyone sick. 

"As friends," Jenny quickly interjected. Ohhh. That had to hurt! Nathan's smile faltered, and I could sympathise with how the real Nathan must feel, suffering through his character's emotions. 

"Hmm, it looks awful," Lucas said, his lip curled in disdain. "When is this happening?" 

Don't you dare, don't you dare reply, Jenny-

"Tomorrow, right?" Jenny replied, a smile pinned to her face. Nathan nodded, and Lucas smiled slowly, his evil plan no doubt in place. He was so obviously going to crash the date. My great plan to survive had been hijacked! 

"Have fun," Lucas said, and then sniggered as he walked away. Douche. Some friend he was. I would have to stop him ruining it somehow. Suddenly, my body unlocked and we were all free. 

"Well, that didn't go so well," I muttered. Jenny turned to me with her usual bland expression. 

"What do you mean, Bea?" 

"Nothing, just go look at the sky or something," I replied, even as Nathan's mouth twitched. He ran a hand through his luscious hair, making a few girls pause on their journey through the cafeteria. 

"That was a bit mean," he said, gesturing to Jenny. We began to walk in the direction of the classrooms. "But I suppose she doesn't know any better." 

I felt a prick of guilt. It wasn't Jenny's fault that the plan had went wonky. 

"I know, I'm just annoyed that Lucas is going to show up on your amazing date. I'm more invested in this than all the k-dramas. Do you think I need to get a life?" 

"I think you do," he replied solemnly. "You need to go on dates of your own instead of living through other people. Any plans later on, around 6pm?" 

I laughed, thinking he was joking. But he raised a brow as if waiting for a response. 

"Can I make plans here? I never know exactly when something is going to happen." 

"We can arrange plans and if one of us doesn't appear then we know the story dragged them off." 

"Aren't you going on a date with Jenny? I'm not interested in cheaters," I said, wondering why his hand was so close to mine. 

"I'm only going on your request, which you know. So, tonight at the tacky cafe? I have to know what I'm getting into tomorrow." I opened my mouth and then shut it again. He was half smiling but I could tell he wasn't going to give up. The cafe wasn't very far from the school. But, Rowan....

"You look nice tonight. What's the occasion?" Rowan asked, feigning a serious expression. But I knew from the twitch in his mouth that he was joking.

"I'm going on a date," I replied. "He's French."

His serious expression broke into pieces.

"You better not be! It's our anniversary."

I laughed, the cold from the night air making me shiver until he wrapped an arm around me...

I blinked, coming out of the vision/repressed memory. Nathan's hand was wrapped around my own. 

"So, is it a yes?" he asked. Was it a yes? I couldn't remember Rowan properly, and he hated me in this world. And it was only some food at a small cafe. The feel of his hand in mine was strange. As if there had only ever been one person's hand held in mine. But that person was gone, and I was...lonely. 

"Sure, why not?" I replied, my stomach tight. Nathan smiled, and we kept on walking until-

Whoosh.

The sight of him was like a kick in the teeth. Rowan stood there, his glasses perched on his nose, red hair perfectly mussed. Beside him was Bloom, in all her mean girl glory. My character quaked in fear, her hands shaking. 

We were standing in a deserted hallway. Yellow light blazed from the ceiling, giving me a headache. 

"Your father is coming to visit us soon, Beatrice. A very important deal between him and our parents," Bloom said, her eyes cold. 

"Y-yes, I heard." I hated how pathetic my character's voice was. I wanted to tell her I didn't care about fictional business deals. And also, why were we randomly in a hallway?

"I hope you aren't still associating with the poor girl," he said, a nasty smile playing at his mouth.  "Janet, wasn't it?" 

"Jenny," Bloom said, snickering. "A very forgettable name. But she's still your friend, Beatrice, isn't she?" 

"I-I mean, we know each other..." 

"I think you should stay away from her. It's not good for your image," Rowan said. I wanted my character to stand up for Jenny, and tell them where to go. But her fear was running through my body. 

"Your father wouldn't be happy if his deal went wrong because of this....just think about it," Bloom crooned. Then the scene abruptly ended and I could breathe. 

"You two are so annoying, with your fake business deals and bullying! Especially you!" I pointed at Rowan, my anger unexplainable. It was as if I expected better of him or I thought that he would wake up for me. That he would break out of this fake world because I needed him. 

"I-why are you so annoyed? We were only helping..." Rowan muttered, and Bloom stared around in bewilderment. 

"I'm going to look for Lucas," she said, and rushed off. I shook my head, annoyed even more. 

"Why can't you wake up?" I asked him. "Please." 

"I'm perfectly awake, thank you very much," he snapped. "I don't think I deserve this attitude, Beatrice. You're going to be a guest at our home, so I hope you don't act like this in front of our family." 

"I'm shocked you even remember my name! And I'll act however I want in this crummy world. Anyway, I have a date to go on." My watch was sitting at 20 to 6. I shot one more angry look at him, at his stupid hair and fancy glasses, and turned away. I would go out with Nathan. There was no one else to talk to. 

"What date?" 

I stopped. And turned back to him. 

"At the cafe," I said softly. He stared at me, his eyes empty. 

"Is it serious?" The question was solemn, and he stood very still, waiting for an answer. 

"I..." No, it wasn't serious. "It's not serious." 

"Oh," he said, nodding his head at nothing. "Right." 

I opened my mouth to say something else but my watch was sitting at quarter to 6. There wasn't much time. And I could only remember Rowan in my visions of another life. 

"I have to go," I said, and walked away before he could say anything else.