Extra Credit

Insecure Barbie

"Roses are red, Violets are blue? What kind of loser writes stuff like this?" Bill asked me that following Monday. I had just shown him the card that was left on my coffee table and told him about the roses that came with it.

"I don't know but I'm a little flattered." I said.

He looked at me like I was insane, "Flattered?"

"Yeah…why? What's the problem with having an admirer?" I asked.

"Well for one Aria, the man snuck into your house somehow…doesn't that bother you at all?" he asked.

I felt my body grow cold, "Oh…I didn't even think about that. What should I do?"

He glanced down at the card for a moment and then sighed, "I'll look into it. These type of cards are hard to find so I'm thinking it was custom made."

"Now you sound like a detective Bill." I said as I backed away from the counter and went to answer the phone.

He laughed, "Just trying to protect my Goddaughter."

I shook my head and picked up the phone, "Deadman Inc. This is Aria speaking how can I help you?"

As I listened to the customer I saw Tracy and Mark walk in through the front door of the shop. Mark didn't seem too happy at all. His face wore a cold stare and his body was tensed up as he walked into his office. Tracy too looked upset about something. Her arms were folded and she didn't bother to speak to anyone as she followed her husband into the office and slammed the door shut. I finished up my phone call quickly and joined the others in listening to the heated argument.

"What in the hell is your problem Tracy?" Mark snapped. "When are you going to realize that I love you and only you!"

"Mark I know that but-"

"-But what Tracy? Every female who smiles or speaks to me is not out to steal me away from you!" he said.

"I was right about the last girl wasn't I? I mean you said the exact same words before I found the sexual text she sent you!"

"Yeah a sexual text I never answered!" He snapped. "Not answering is my way of showing loyalty!"

She sighed heavily, "That may be how you see it Mark but that's not how I feel!"

"Well you shouldn't feel that way if you know that none of these girls have the power to ruin anything between us. I've been faithful to you for 5 years now and you still think that you need to intimidate these females!"

"Look just get rid of the new girl ok? She clearly has a crush on you I can tell." She said.

The guys glanced at me and I shrugged in confusion.

"I have no clue what she's talking about." I whispered. "Mark is my professor at school that's all."

The guys nodded and then Kane spoke up, "She's like this with every female that gets hired. Don't feel bad."

I nodded and we continued to listen quietly.

"I'm not firing her Tracy. She doesn't want me in that way and even if she did, I love you and only you. On top of that she's one of my students!"