'Well, well well, look who it is. In the flesh herself, not Head chef, Brooke.' Steve declares as the others laugh.

Derek doesn't laugh and glares at his friends. 'Shut up.'

I take a quiet deep breath. 'What do you want?'

'Shouldn't you be saying, welcome to Byron's Boba? What would you like today?' Steve says in the fakest enthusiastic voice.

'No. What do you want?' I reply bluntly.

'Ooh, a fruity black tea with strawberry pearls,' One of the guys says.

'A green tea with rainbow pearls.' Another says.

I begin typing out the order making sure I give the perfect look of annoyance and "some" degree of enthusiasm.

Steve smiles noticing my annoyance. 'A fruity green tea with black popping pearls. What 'bout, Dare.'

'A classic milky tea with black pearls,' Derek says. His tone was a lot more serious and straight than usual. 'Guys, head to a table. I'll pay.'

Steve and the others thank Derek before sitting at a table on the far right. Making obnoxious sound effects as they walk off.

'$24.50, sir.'

'Brooke, we need to talk.'

'$24.50 sir, you need to pay.' I hold my fake smile.

Derek sighs before paying with his phone and taking his receipt. 'Brooke, we need to-'

'I don't finish until 9:00 pm. Till then, have a decently good day.'

Derek doesn't reply but rather nods his head and walks off to his table. I head to the back and switch jobs with Tessa. I can't stand Derek, Steve or anyone right now.

***

'See you next week, Brooke.'

I head out of work, feeling my bones crack as I stretch. It's around 9pm and I feel listless.

'Brooke!'

'Jesus!'

I flinch as I see Derek appear out of the shadows, laughing at my tired and embarrassed state.

'Piss off, Derek,' I say walking the other way.

'Wait wait. Sorry. It was just so funny. I can't help laughing.'

I ignored his laughter feeling my cheeks heat up. Screw Derek and his annoyingly cute laughter.

'Hey Brooke, I gotta ask you. Do you get scared easily?' Derek smirks seeing me increase in walking speed.

'No! I'm actually the bravest person in the world!'

'Oh really. Humour me, how brave?'

'None of your business! Why the hell are you even stalking me back home.'

I stand on the sidewalk, arms crossed, glaring.

The smile fades and he raise his eyebrows. 'Let's be honest with ourselves here, you were supposed to get that position.'

No control on my face as I smile in victory. Crap. I'm way too obvious.

'Of course. I'm too good at this stuff.' Smiling confidently before reminding myself I don't have the position.

'Brooke, I feel there's something sketchy going on with Mariah. For you to not get the position and rather her is quite...strange.'

I feel my heart sink. I know that full well. Everyone knows that it's weird, but I'll be a bad friend if I get jealous and mad at her.

'I don't question the potential. I rather face reality head-on and come up with new goals.' I lie.

'Then what is this new goal?' Derek has a serious look. the sort of look that has me feel the need to be more honest.

'I-i don't know.' I murmur.

'Brooke, be honest with me, are you alright? Cause knowing you, you're probably beating yourself up for not getting Head Chef.

I hate that he's calling me out like this. I don't respond but rather stay silence. We both don't speak leaving this moment of pure silence.

'Mariah is a good chef. We might just be underestimating her and she's actually a great leader and cook. I don't appreciate that you're insulting her like that.' I lie again before walking off.

Derek looks at me and I know for sure he's annoyed at my lies.

'Anyways, have a decently good night. Those eyes of yours need to rest with the way you've been over-glaring.' Derek scolds me again, once again flicking my forehead.

Only this time, I don't resist. I think I'm sick with the way I am acting. Derek notices my resistance and pulls my face closer. I feel my heart stop and I can't help but close my eyes.

What the hell is he going to do.

I hear a chuckle. 'Why are you closing your eyes?'

I open my eyes to see Derek's cocky smirk.

Gosh darn it, I fell for it.

'See you Monday, Brooke.' He whispers before walking off.