Need Somebody

Chapter 8

An hour after I get back to my dorm Chloe walks in and thankfully she's alone. She must notice my puffy eyes because she immediately drops her school bag and rushed to my side.

"Oh my gosh Chey, are you okay? What the hell happened?" Her voice full of concern. I shake my head while continuing to gaze at my hands. I can't decide if I want to tell her or not. I know if I do she'll have to know everything and I'm not ready for that.

"I just had a stressful day and a little homesick," I lie while studying her face, hoping she believes me.

"Are you sure?-," she pesters while handing me a tissue from her bedside, "-I saw you and Mason talking earlier but I had to get to class so I didn't bother. Is everything okay? What did he do?" She slightly raises her voice. I'm glad she's being defensive over me because it allows me to realize I can rely on her.

"Chey?" She asks when I don't respond to her many questions.

"Yeah I'm fine. Mason was Mason, nothing different with him. Don't worry I can handle him," I fake laugh and try to convince myself. Her eyes search mine and I can tell something is on her mind.

"Cheyanne there's something I have to tell you. It's about Mason-," she starts explaining but my phone begins to ring. When I pull it out of my pocket I see it's a number I don't recognize. My mind banters back and forth answering it, but my fingers are quick to decide for me and press the green phone button.

"Hello?" I nervously ask.

"Hello is Cheyanne Shields available?" A male voice asks. Who the hell is this?

"This is she. May I ask who's calling?" I look towards Chloe and she's staring out the window, her mind full of thoughts.

"Yes this is Mr. Allen with Coffee House coffee shop on Main st. We reviewed your application and would like to set up an interview with you if you're still interested." He finished and I smile in relief.

"Hi Mr. Allen, yes I would love to come in for an interview! What time would work best for you?"

"Lets say tomorrow around 2:30, does that work for you Ms. Shields?" He questions for confirmation. I nod my head then immediately stop remembering he can't see me.

"Yes that sounds perfect! I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Allen, thank you!" I exclaim. After his goodbye I hang up the phone and do a victory dance. For once, in what seems like a lifetime, I have something to look forward to. I pray that I get this job.

"I have an interview tomorrow!" I excitedly tell Chloe who looks at me with a big smile on her face.

"That's great! I'm so excited for you, good luck!" She wraps her arms around me and I welcome the warm embrace. As she pulls away, the concern look on her face appears again and she opens her mouth,

"Cheyanne, about Mason-," but I cut her off. I don't want anything to ruin my mood right now. This is the best I've felt in a very long time and no one, not even Mason Baker, will take this away from her.

"Not to be rude Chloe but I don't really want to talk about Mason. I meant what I said, I can handle him." I assure her and grab my usb out of my desk draw to take to the library to print my resume.

"I'll be back soon. And thank you Chloe for comforting me, it meant a lot," I give her a genuine smile and make my way to the library, hoping the universe gives me this break.

...

Tuesday rolls around and I feel extra energized since I allowed myself to sleep in an extra half hour. I decide I'll put my makeup on before I leave to my interview, that way it looks fresh and sweating down my face. I peek outside my window and notice the dark clouds hovering over the campus and the trees swaying back and forth in rhythm.