Act Two // Book One

Chapter Eight

Samantha wasn't sure what exactly lead her to Kelly's coffee shop the next afternoon. Probably because she was feeling so rejected by Mia that she just needed someone to understand why she'd lied. Kelly seemed like he might be that person.

His usual warm smile popped up on his face when he saw Samantha. He gestured to the table in the corner while he helped a line of about three people.

Samantha sat down and did her best not to look anxious. The first words out of Kelly's mouth, however, were proof she'd failed.

He sat down,

"You look stressed. Everything ok?"

Samantha sighed. She'd never been the type of girl to beat around the bush, so why start now?

"I lied to Mia."

Kelly's eyes widened and then went back to normal. When he didn't speak, Samantha rushed on,

"She's my best friend. I've known her forever." Samantha swallowed the ball of tears in her throat, "And I lied to her."

Kelly reached across the table to take her hand,

"Alright, alright. Calm down. What did you lie to her about?"
"Harry." Samantha blurted out, "Th-they said I couldn't tell anyone. It's the only job bite I got for weeks." She rambled on with her over explanations, "I felt bad. But she kept asking me questions so I had to keep lying."

Kelly's smile slowly faded as she kept talking, finally causing Samantha to let her sentence trail off to silence. She diverted her eyes to the table and let out a deep sigh,

"Alright. I'm an asshole."

Kelly squeezed her hand and shook his head,

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. Your face says everything."

Kelly took her hand in both of his,

"Look, I'm not saying that you weren't between a rock and a hard place, but you're not the first assistant of his to pass through those doors. All of them ended up quitting or he ended up firing them...so I'm wondering if..."

Samantha looked up at him when he didn't finish,

"What?" She prodded.

"Is it worth it? All of this?" When she didn't answer he continued, "You walk in here every day looking like you're expecting to be fired. I know he's got you on edge."

"He doesn't have me on edge. I mean, he's not the easiest person to work for but he's been through alot." Samantha was defending him without even needing that much urging to do it. But she couldn't help herself, "The place is a mess." She stopped when she realized what she was doing. She licked her lips, "I just wanna help." She finished in a whisper.

Kelly wasn't sure how to continue this conversation. He wasn't expecting her to launch into a defense of the man he knew to be a complete asshole. Kelly had had many a run in with Mr. Harry Styles and none of them were positive.

He leaned forward,

"Just give her a minute to be angry. She has a right."

Samantha frowned,

"I know she has a right. I just wish she understood the position I was in a little bit. It was the first bite I got in two weeks and over 600 resumes. And it pays well...really well." She shrugged, "And I don't mind him...that much." She finished softly.

Kelly nodded,

"Then tell her that. When she's willing to listen. I imagine right now she's just too hurt to let it go or listen to your side of the story."
Samantha blinked a few times and then nodded as she stood up,