𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉

[Chapter 21] Who's Pretending?

"Seriously?" I scowl as my call once again goes unanswered, the robotic voice prompting me to leave a message.
I would assume he's still sleeping considering how early it is but I've called at least five times and every time it rings once before Hunter, no doubt, sends me directly to voicemail.
I get that he could be mildly upset I didn't answer any of his calls last night but if it was that serious, why is he being so petty now?
"Hey, it's me. Again. I've been trying to call you back. Multiple times. Call me when you get this."
I hang up and sigh as I pull into an available parking space in front of Fresh Start Deli, already dreading work.
Not even so much the actual job. I just don't want to be alone with my thoughts.
As soon as I clock in though, I realize I'm not alone with my thoughts but rather—Veronica's thoughts.
"You know what I can't stop thinking about? Passwords. Like who came up with them? And why are they called that?" Veronica muses as she continues emptying a bag of shredded lettuce into one of the sub station pans.
"I don't know," I reply robotically as I help her set up the pans.
You what I can't stop thinking about?
Kissing Lake.
Like what took over my body and possessed me to do that?
"I have two theories. One is, password—meaning a word to get pass something, right?? Or two—a word to prevent trespassing, get it??"
Past something.
I don't bother correcting her though and instead just nod. "Yeah, maybe."
She continues rambling as we finish setting the kitchen up and by the time we're done, she's moved on to rattling off her top favorite Pokémon while my thoughts haven't budged from Lake.

Replaying the kiss over and over in my mind.

It started with wondering why and it's somehow evolved into wondering what if it happened again?

Wanting it to happen again.

"Oh, hey--by the way, Harry's been texting me trying to get ahold of you."

My eyes widen at Veronica's words and I turn away from the plastic cups I'm stocking to raise my eyebrows. "What?"

"Yeah." She nods as if this information means nothing and follows it up with a teasing grin. "Don't worry, I let him know you were opening today."

"Why?" I stare at her incredulously and she scowls. "Girl, please. I get you're like an independent girl boss who doesn't need a man but he's so cute and he obviously likes you. I wish I had a guy that was into me like that."

I roll my eyes, turning back to the cups. "Vere, that's not what this is. He's like borderline stalker level."

She gives me an unimpressed look and while I wanted her to back me up in agreement, I should've known she wasn't going to.

This is the girl that has a picture of the Joker as her phone lock screen. Clearly her taste in men is tainted.

"Right..." she trails off in obvious disbelief. "Anyway, I think you should give him a shot before you write him off. He's really nice."

I shake my head in my own disbelief. Of course she thinks he's nice. Apparently he's nice to everyone--I'm the only one he feels the need to harrass.

"I'm good. Just...don't tell him when I'm working anymore, okay?" I eye her seriously and she shrugs. "Fine, buzzkill. I'm gonna go unlock the front."

She leaves the kitchen simultaneously leaving me with more thoughts than I came in with.

Great.

~

My gaze remains glued to the clock. It's been three hours, still no sign of Harry.

I want to ask Veronica if she was just joking or if maybe he texted her telling her he changed his mind and wasn't coming in today.

But if I ask, she's gonna think I've been waiting for him to show up.