Can I be your favorite?

Chapter 3: The Party

Anika's POV

Our relationship has been smooth sailing these past few weeks. We go on dates weekly and spend as much time as we can together. Although Ricardo is studying architecture (I was shocked when I learnt that piece of information) he is two years older than me. He took a gap year after high school, thus he's still a third year while I myself am a second year. So, we don't get to see each other at college. We make up for it by spending time with each other every other minute. Whenever Ricardo comes into café Wesley to pick me up for our dates, Jessica burns with jealousy. I pretend to feel sympathetic to her situation outside, since she broke up with her boyfriend right before Ricardo and I got serious. Secretly, I enjoy her misery. Furthermore, it's been two months since her break up. 

Jessica is nice when she needs to be; that being the problem. She isn't actually nice. Shit, I'm half sure she only broke up with her boyfriend because she thought she had a shot at Ricardo. At least that's what I overheard my classmates gossiping about. They were right of course. When I started to look for the signs, there they were glaring right in my face. After that I lost any respect, I previously had for her.

Even Before Ricardo entered the scene, I didn't like Jessica. She was never truly herself. Pretending to be something she was not, a total people pleaser; only to people who benefit her. The way she switches personalities could give anyone a whiplash. As her roommate I had front row seats to all her drama 'The Jessica Show'. However, I did respect her hustle, it wasn't easy pretending to be something you are not, especially when you were twenty different someone. Watching her interact with multiple people over her phone, she put the aunties at home to shame.

She constantly throws herself at my boyfriend. I feel no jealousy; Ricardo rejects her brutally. That man has eyes only for me. He is loyalty personified, and I'm loving it! Watching her flounder and crash every time is my favorite part of the day. Ricardo gets creative with his insults as days passes by. My personal favorite though is from when he first refused her. I've never laughed so hard. He came in to see me, the café was packed so he waited in line to speak to me. There were five people ahead of him. It was agony waiting for the line to move. There was only one thought running throughout our minds- faster, faster, faster. The closer he got the wider the smile on my face stretched. His face mirrored mine. He would often lean towards the left to catch a glimpse of me working. Sporting a goofy smile, he waved at me. It took everything in me not to abandon the register and run towards him. Finally, it was his turn, however Jessica shoved me to the side. "Anika. Let me take care of the register now. You serve the customers." She said and waved me off.

I was outraged! Ricardo didn't have to wait in that line, he could have walked to the counter. There was enough space on either side of the register to stand without hindering the line. However, he waited in line and respected my job. Even though he did distract me a little. Yet this bitch had the audacity to come swoop in and steal the register- my precious register- and my time with my boyfriend. Ricardo looked confused and glanced at me. I was too busy glaring bullets at Jessica. However, there were five customers to tend to, so I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I send an apologizing look at Ricardo and get to work. Jessica scoffs and rolls her eyes. 'Don't worry Jessica. Just because I haven't done anything yet doesn't mean that I have forgiven you. It's like they say: karma's a bitch and she delivers. Maybe worms might crawl out of your mattress, or your clothes could accidently shrink. You never know'

"Uh... excuse me but what happened to her?" Ricardo asks pointing towards me. I don't glance at their direction, too furious to look at Jessica; afraid I'll use the spoon in my hand to remove her eye. "Oh, her shift at the cash registers just ended. Don't worry though. I'm here" she says in sugary sweet voice, batting her eyelashes. Pushing her d-cups forward and twirling her hair. Damn it, Jessica! Stop using your powers for evil. At least not where I'm concerned! Ricardo takes a step back, his hands up his face scrunched up. "Actually, I would prefer her. So, If you don't mind..." Jessica ignores his request "So are you single by any chance? My shift ends in ten minutes maybe you should grab a cup of coffee with the hottest barista here" she flirts with him. Excuse me? What the hell. I'm standing right here! Screw this. That girl is going down.