Cliché Beginnings

Nicolas Pearson

The past few days were great and everything's been sailing smoothly until today, when Candy decided to pay a sudden visit. She busted through the diner's door, walking as if her hips would detach from her body with the action. I was beyond scared. No, I was petrified. Like planned, I called her that Friday night on my first week here and told her I wanted to break up because I knew she was cheating on me. She didn't get angry. She didn't cry. She didn't even say anything and just ended the call so I don't really understand what this all about and was beyond surprised when I saw her trudged in. It didn't help when she decided to embarrass me by sitting on my lap and kissing me right on the lips while also ruffling my hair as if I was her dog.

Carol and Viv looked like they saw a horror film, Josh was confused and Tommy looked murderous. I didn't exactly know what I've felt besides the embarrassment. It was a mixture of something more, something between shame and anger and hopelessness. It was so overwhelming that I just wanted to disappear.

I pushed Candy off my lap and scrambled out of the diner, not daring to even look back. I left everything inside even my house keys but I couldn't care less. This day was supposed to be just a normal day. I was happy to finally spend some time with Tommy and yet, yet Candy came here. I don't remember telling her where I moved so how can she be here? I wanted to run away. I wanted to go somewhere where she can't find me. I ran, ran and ran wherever my legs led me.

 I ended up at the supermarket.

 Apparently, my subconscious found it to be the safest place. It was right tho. Even I wouldn't think of going here if I am to find someone. I'll just hope Candy is not perceptive enough and wouldn't try following me here. I feel a rush of relief come to me but just to be sure, I walk to the gardening/camping area. It's pretty deserted so I should be safe there.

"You look distressed." I look at my right, only to see Mary.

"Hi Mary."

"Don't know which pot to choose?" I look at the shelf, indeed there are a lot of pot to choose from. "Well, I don't think it's actually what you need. What's wrong kid?"

I sigh tiredly and sit on the floor. "You see, I broke up with my girlfriend  and now, she's out to harass me."

She raises an eyebrow. "Bad breakup?"

"Bad relationship if you can even call it a relationship."

"So now you're hiding from her?" I nod. "Come on, you can stay at the back and manage your thoughts."

Mary is still as good as a stranger to me but given my current anxious state, I'm in no place to reject her. Besides, I don't think she's some sort of serial killer and even if she is, I know nothing of a crime I have committed that she'll end up killing me for.

The backroom of the supermarket is small compare to the selling area but it's not at all bad. There are two sofas on both sides of the room and a long bench facing the lockers where Mary goes to retrieve some snacks for us to eat. "Don't stress out too much kid. Do you have friends? Did you call them?"

Like an alarm going off, my mind goes into frenzy suddenly remembering about everyone that I left at the diner. "Shoot. I forgot about them." I pull my phone from my pocket, surprised to see tons of messages from them and several calls from Tommy. I didn't know it's on silent. I quickly type my code and message him.

"I'm fine. Sorry I left."

Just a few seconds in and my phone rings. Not to be impolite, I look at Mary first before answering the call which she returns with a nod and small smile. "Hey."

"Dammit Nicolas! Where are you!? I'm so worried!"

"Sorry."

He sighs audibly. "Viv, Carol and Josh are too. They're driving around to look for you."

"I'll call them."

"It's fine. I'm messaging them. Where are you? I'll go to you."

Mary approaches her locker and pulls a set of clothes then enters the adjacent room at the corner beside the couch on the other side. "I'm at the supermarket, the backroom. I'll go out when you arrive. Where's Candy?"

"So that's the bitch' name. She's gone. I mean, Carol and Viv gave her a piece of advice then threatened her with a fight so she left."

I actually laugh at that. "I see. Let's talk more later."

"Alright, don't worry. I'll be there fast."

After few more minutes, Mary re-enters the room carrying a basket of what looks like chocolates. "They're expiring tomorrow. You can have them if you want."

"Oh. Thank you."

"You good?"

I nod. "Thanks Mary."

"You're welcome."

"I'm Nicolas, by the way or just Nic."

"Nic. Nice to meet you Nic." For the first time, she genuinely smiles at me and we walk together towards the employee's exit.

Tommy and I decided to go to the park. Fortunately, there aren't a lot of people out at this time of the night so somehow we have privacy. "Viv, Carol and Josh said they'd see you at school tomorrow."

"I should thank them too."

"That girl is beyond help."

I chuckle. "Obviously. I broke up with her Friday night on my first week here. She didn't say anything, just ended the call so I thought she's bitter. I didn't know she's that bitter. I don't even know why. We barely had a relationship. We never went to date nor ate together at school. We were practically strangers. She calls texting and forcibly making me drive her home a relationship."

This time, Tommy chuckles. "She's crazy."

"She's a psycho. I don't want to hate her but she makes it difficult to like her as well. Heck, even Dad and Papa were surprised when they saw her kiss me at the school fair a few months back. She's been with lots of other guys so I don't understand why she keeps clinging on to me."

"She might just really like you."

"If that's so then she likes me too much." I say bitterly.

"It's not that hard to like you, Nic." I turn to Tommy but he's not looking at me. He's staring at the rock in front of us with an unreadable expression. "You're funny and kind. Even Viv and Carol are so whipped with you and Josh practically worships you."

I let out a laugh, loud enough to have him finally look at me and smile. "I should feel pleased."

"But?"

"I don't want to come off as narcissist."

He shakes his head, clearly finding this exchange amusing. "See, you're funny, Nicolas."

I don't know why but hearing him say my name sends tickling sensations on my arms and stomach. Maybe it's because Tommy has a low, smooth voice, as if he's telling you a story only you can hear. "I'm grateful, Thomas. Really, grateful."