Mirage

Chapter 3: Another Encounter

"Ms. Cashier, could you please work a little fast?" An eleven-year-old stood in front of me as I made up the bill. 

"My name isn't a cashier," I glared at him," And I definitely can't work fast because I'm a human and not a freaking machine. Stop nagging, kid."

No, I'm not always in a crappy mood at work. It's just that yesterday's events kept bugging me.

What was Jayden doing in New York? Was he here to spend his vacations? Or was he moving permanently? I secretly wished for the second one though.

Would he be thinking about last night just like I am right now? Or maybe he didn't care.

My hand absentmindedly went up to my neck as my fingers searched for the heart-shaped locket. But I couldn't feel it. I looked down and realized it was gone.

Holy crap! I loved the locket! I had stolen it with such difficulty. Oh, wait, hold on, it's not what it sounds like. 

Jayden had gifted this chain to his first girlfriend and I was a little obsessed with him back then. Actually, scratch that. I was a hell lot obsessed with him and I saw the chain lying on a seat where his girlfriend probably left it accidentally. I picked it up and kept it. 

"I need to go, bill please," the kid in the checkout line broke my train of thoughts. 

What's wrong with this kid?! I just lost my beautiful chain and he needs the stupid bill.

"Shut up," I said impudently. He looked tad scared and stepped backward. Before I could apologize for being rude, a voice startled me," Ms. Campbell, is this how you treat customers?"

I turned around to see my boss glaring at me," You do this once again and you're fired! Why isn't the checkout line moving? You've been billing this kid's chocolates for fifteen minutes now."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stewart. It won't happen again, I promise," I flashed him and puppy face and turned around to work when I realized something. All the people were staring at me. I decided to ignore them and look down, but then I caught a glimpse familiar set of blue eyes staring at me.

Oh, come on, Luna, just thirty minutes more and your shift would be over. I mentally listed the things I'm supposed to do - 1. Ignore Jay; 2. Search my chain after I get home.

After a tedious work of thirty minutes - well, thank god, Jayden didn't come to the checkout line - I scurried towards the exit of the mall when I bumped into someone.

I bit my tongue, not wanting to let out a groan. I'm such a disaster. I walked right into Jayden! Great.

Mumbling a quick sorry, I turned around to leave, but he gripped my hand tightly. My skin tingled at his touch as I shot him a confused look. Gosh, he looked so hot wearing that black leather jacket.

Uh, Luna, you didn't just say that. Hold your shit together, lady!

"What's your problem?" he asked.

I blinked. What did he mean by that?

"Um, I'm sorry, I should've watched where I was going. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You know what I mean," he warned.

Heck, did he remember me as the clumsy girl who left the restaurant abruptly or the useless cashier who was always in a shitty mood? I couldn't even look him in the eye, he made my knees go weak.

I stuttered," W- What?"

" Why did you run from the restaurant that night?" he demanded.

I gave him a pointed look. Come on, Luna, you can't let him yell at you like that.

"Why do you care?" I shot back, "I don't even know you."

"You were about to kiss me but you didn't. You ran away like a madwoman. What was I supposed to think? That I look like a freak? Besides, I hate being ignored, so you better tell me why you didn't finish your dare."

Oh, so he was worried about his masculinity. Huh, popular jerk thinks every that girl wants to kiss him. It might have been real hard for him to get rejected. I internally smirked. 

But, wait, how did he know it was a dare? 

Of course, the whole restaurant knew it because of ruckus we caused.

"Why should I tell you? What are you? My mom?" I rolled my eyes.

Woah, keep it up, Luna, you're winning the argument.

He glared at me but kept quiet.

Ha- ha, I officially won.

Leaving him there, I turned around an proceeded to the parking lot. He followed me there.

What the hell? Can't he just leave me alone?

"Stop following me or I'd have to call the cops," I pierced a glare right into his eyes.

Jayden took a step closer and put his hand inside his pocket. Oh my god, don't tell me he has a gun or something, I don't wanna die young.

I stepped back as he withdrew his hand from the pocket, taking out some shiny object.

A gasp escaped my lips. It was my neck chain!

"You dropped this at the restaurant," he handed it to me and walked away. He sounded pretty pissed about the whole 'ignoring' thing, I hope he didn't see his own photo inside the locket, he'd have killed me with a pile of questions. And boy, he didn't even recognize the chain. Um, maybe he did, but whatever, he can't just assume it as his chain that was lost a year ago.

I got into my car and drove home. As soon as I entered the kitchen to devour some food, I noticed a note stuck on the refrigerator -

 'Luna, your dad has some work on the way to the airport, so we're leaving an hour early. Dinner's in the fridge, heat it and try not to burn the whole thing while doing so. I have informed Brooke that you're going to stay at her's for two weeks. I think she has some guests in her house. Make sure you don't trouble Caleb and his brother *mommy winks *. Love ya, take care.

Hugs,

Mom'

I smiled at the note and opened the fridge for dinner.

* * *

"Brooke," I whined, "My dinner got burnt."

"Just come over. I knew this would happen," she said, sounding bored," Also, don't complain if we have something you don't like for dinner."

I didn't really know what she meant by that, but nonetheless, I agreed," Okay, I'll be there in five."

I cut the call and drove to her house.

Hardly had I rung the doorbell than Brooke excitedly opened the door," Caleb would love to meet you! Get inside, I'll call him."

Oh, god. Caleb again.

I wanted to say,'I'm starving, Brooke, I want food. That's it.'

But instead, I just nodded and sauntered into her living room as Brooke rushed upstairs yelling Caleb's name.

I sat down on the couch lazily and looked at my surroundings casually. The door of a bedroom across the living room was wide open and I could hear some humming from there. It must be Mr. Armastus, Brooke's dad. I got up and walked to the room, "Hello, Mr. Ar-" I began, but stopped dead in my tracks, letting out a gasp. 

Standing there, was the last person I expected to see - Jayden.