I Hate You

08. "that beautiful young face of yours"

I hope to be head of editing one day. I could work my way higher up into the film industry and maybe even be a part of the production process. I love being close to it and seeing the magic come to life. I love being a part of the element that makes it come to life.

I see the behind-the-scenes, I know the tricks and secrets that make films look surreal. I love how a completed movie can have the power to make someone cry or to make them laugh and evoke real emotions.

I'm taken out of my daydreaming by the sound of high-pitched giggling. I look up from my lunch to see Brandon chatting up a group of very attractive ladies from the office. Probably interns.

"You just wish you had a real reason to hate him, but you don't and that's what makes you so angry." Max is sitting right next to me as I force myself to rip my eyes away from what's happening in the lunch room.

I growl.

//

We finally finished our part of the project and today we handed it in to our boss. She seemed quite happy with the result which is a huge relief on my end.

As I was packing up for the day, Max stopped by my office to have a talk with me. Though while I was waiting, she didn't do much talking at all. "What did you want to tell me?" I pry.

She grins uncontrollably and waves her left hand around my face. "What are you—" I paused when I noticed a brand new shiny ring on her finger. I gasp when it finally gets through to me. "Oh my god, Max."

She squeals happily and bounces in for a hug. I'm absolutely ecstatic for her engagement and I immediately congratulate her. I'm not sad even for a moment that I'm not as far ahead in my life as her because she's my best friend. Brian is one of the good ones and I know he will always be there for her. And I'm pleased with my job and I know I don't need a guy to make me happy.

Unfortunately now I gotta start thinking of a good toast speech to blow everyone away at the wedding.

"I'm throwing a party next Saturday to celebrate. It's gonna very lowkey but I want you to wear something nice," she holds my shoulders. "Show some skin." She says while she winks.

"Gosh you sound like Brandon." The thought of dressing up fancy makes me roll my eyes. "You'll be there?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." I wrap my arm around her.

Now to tackle this 'dress' situation.

//

I drove around town for a bit until I finally came across a proper dress store. The parking was ridiculously expensive but though shopping seems like a chore, I'm actually kind of excited. I approach and notice the guitars in the window of the music store right next to it. I remember how Brandon told me he plays guitar.

I shake my head and proceed to stay on task by entering the store, with snazzy looking outfits all lined up to jump at you as soon as you enter.

The kind lady who works there helps me with picking out a dress since I am fashionably-impaired as some would say. I try on a few of the cocktail dresses that she recommends but they just don't suit me. I manage to pull over this dark royal blue one and I analyze it in the mirror. I instantly want to cover up, seeing how my shoulders, arms and legs are so exposed. Not to mention the cleavage on the dress.

I step out of the changing room and the lady asks me what it's for. "An engagement party." I say.

"Oh congrats." She seems so thrilled, her eyes even crinkle as she smiles hugely. "No no, it's not mine. A friend's engagemnet party, I'm single." I blab on.

"Wow my dear, well with any luck, in that dress and with that figure surely you will stand out at that party." She butters me up like a bagel. That's precisely what I'm afraid of. I smile politely, because she seems like a delightful woman, with fantastic persuading abilities.

"With that beautiful young face of yours I'm surprised no one snatched you up yet."

//

After all that shopping, Max takes me out to some random bar for drinks and I oblige. They were doing an open mic show where aspiring singers come on and entertain the dense crowd. We found two nice seats at the bar with an endless flow of alcohol to help drown out the pain in my legs from shopping all day. Never thought I would resort to drinking my problems away, but here I am.

"Oh my god, is that Brandon?" Max nudges me while my nose is at the bottom of my martini glass.

I look over to the stage and there was my number one problem, walking across the stage with an acoustic guitar in hand.

"Did you know he was gonna be here?" I pull her arm, nervously.

"Oh relax the world is not out to get you, he's just gonna play a few songs." She turns to watch his performance while I order another drink. It takes every bone in my body for me to resist walking out. I realize these are a few of the last moments I get to have with Max before her fiance snatches her up for good.

We listen to him play and I try to enjoy the music while Max cheers a little too loud for him after every song.

However, he did a cover of Wonderwall, which is the only song of his I actually listened to because it happens to be my favorite. I wouldn't say he did the song justice but I guess his voice wasn't brutally ear-shattering.

After the drinks and music we come outside for some fresh air and girl talk. We are catching up on all the juicy office gossip when Brandon comes up to us, as if seeing him perform wasn't torture enough.

"You guys came out, how'd you know I was gonna be here?" He asks cheerfully. "Jess was stalking me again huh?"

"That is so far from what happened." I'm kind of impressed that he actually said my name correctly though. "I didn't know you still had your singing gig, or whatever." I try to make conversation.

"Yeah, I do. That other place fired me, but I do part-time here." He sticks his hands in his pockets. I notice he's staring at me, it's making things awfully awkward. Thank god Max butts in and breaks the silence.

"We really enjoyed your show." She smiles. Brandon looks to me for affirmation but I say nothing.

"Glad you did." He grins. "Listen, I gotta go meet with some people, but I'll see you guys at work."

"Bye Jess." He says as he walks away and I just wave.

"See how he said bye to you?" Max locks elbows with me. "Get over yourself," I chuckle. Despite her obvious efforts to get me not to hate him, I still do.

This doesn't change anything.