weak | S.M

3

The coffee has gotten cold when I take my first sip of it. All I've found myself doing these past 10 minutes is to fiddle with the cap. It's torn apart now.

I'm nervous. And not the exciting, adrenaline type of nervous. I'm anxious.

My legs bounce up and down and my nails are pretty much non existent by now. Three loud knocks occurs on the door and I jump up from my seat as it opens.

"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"

I exhale a sigh of relief. It's just Mr. Ravenford. Wait--

"What are you doing here? I thought I told you--"

"I told you I would be attending this meeting." Mr. Ravenford strides forward confidently and takes a seat in the chair next to mine.

"Besides, you obviously need me. I saw the way you freaked out when you thought I was him." He says. I roll my eyes,

"I was just wrapped up in my own thoughts. You scared me."

"Sure, Claire. Just don't flip out on me when he actually shows up."

I wave him off dismissively as I stack the papers in front of me. I bite my nail.

Why am I nervous? I never get nervous!

"So, how's the Jennifer Lauren-report coming out?" Mr. Ravenford asks me after a few minutes of silence.

"Good! Good. It's- uh, almost finished." I say and take a sip from my cold coffee. I scrunch my nose and put it back down.

"Did you mention the things I asked for?"

"Yes." I reply.

"Good." Mr. Ravenford hums and tapps his fingers on the conference table.

"So, how's... things?" He speaks again. I frown.

"What?" What is he...?

"I'm sorry, it's just that you're literally shaking! I'm trying to loosen you up."

"Do I really seem that nervous?" I ask him. I look down at my nails and inhale a sharp breath when I notice my pinky is bleeding from all the picking on it. Rick raises his eyebrows. 

I sigh; Man, get a grip!

My thoughts get interrupted by the phone ringing on the desk. Just as Mr. Ravenford goes to grab it, I snatch it under his hand.

"Hey!--"

"Claire Jones speaking." I answer as I ignore Mr. Ravenford's sour glare.

"Ms. Jones! Hi!" For a moment I'm taken aback by his raspy, yet gentle voice. I blink and feel Rick's eyes on me.

"Mr. Mendes! Hi!"

"So, I've got a situation." He says.

"Okay. Tell me."

"I'm standing here like an idiot in the middle of the street with no clue of where I'm going."

"Where are you exactly?" I ask him.

"I don't know," I hear traffic in the background. "There's a starbucks right behind me and some sign that says Barcl.. Barc--"

"Barclay's, right," I know where he is. "I'll send Jonah down."

"Right, thanks. Tell him I'm the one in glasses and the ridiculously large hat." Shawn says. I chuckle,

"I'll tell him that. Bye." I hang up and dial Jonah.