Last night I cried myself to sleep. Rosie had put me to bed and she kept silent, listening to my pathetic sobbing. Isaac was in our room as well as he refused to leave me like this and leaving Rosie on her own with my broken soul. 

 - If I only knew it was him. I am so sorry, Scarlett. I really am. - she said patting the blanket which was covering my whole body and head. I didn't want them to see my face all red and teary with my eyeliner all over my cheeks. 

 - Shut it. - I said drowning in my own sobbing. It is not her fault. I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing. But I should have known that it will happen. It was my fault and being drunk is not an excuse for my reckless behavior. Eventually, I fell asleep.

 "No matter how hard you try, the first love you will never forget." 

No. Dad. Please. Don't! Don't say this! 

"No matter..."

"Never..."

"Forget."

 I woke up by the phone buzzing. I canceled my alarm and looked at the clock. It was seven. My work was starting at twelve but I always preferred to get up earlier and have plenty of time to get ready. I stood up and checked myself in the mirror. My eyes looked more tired than ever. I had bags under them. I should probably take care of that but first I will take a shower. I grabbed my stuff and clean clothes. One quick glance at Rosie's bed before I opened the door. She was peacefully sleeping in Isaac's arms. They looked good together but I was afraid that this may end badly since Isaac hasn't been in a serious relationship and Rosie - she has never been in one. They should probably talk about what the hell is going on between them but this is not my business. As long as she doesn't end up hurt. 

The water was hot and refreshing. It was definitely relieving after last night and the dream. Again. My father's words. How I wish he was wrong. I will prove he is wrong. I will move on. I have to. I put on my clean clothes and got into my room. I grabbed my make up bag and put on concealer and foundation. I felt like I needed it since my face was puffy after all these tears. I read a few chapters of "White Nights" before it was time to leave for work.

 "Here my tears are falling, Nastenka. Let them flow, let them flow - they don't hurt anybody. They will dry Nastenka."

Will they? Will they ever? What about the memory of them?

 I got inside the coffee shop and put my hair in a ponytail so it doesn't bother me during my shift. I made espresso for myself and took a sip of it when Susan came.

 - Hey, hon...Scar! - Did I do something wrong? I thought I was supposed to have coffee.

 - I am sorry, I will pay. - I blurted out.

 - No, darling. Your eyes. What happened? Are you okay? - Oh, that. Maybe the facade couldn't cover my broken soul after all. 

 - It's nothing, really. - Susan looked at me with a sad smile. 

 - You can take a day off if you want to. 

 - No! - I need to work. I need a distraction otherwise I am sure I am going to spend my day crying. There was no way I am not working today. - I am fine. Please, let me work. - She nodded in an understatement.

 The shift went quite well. I managed to distract myself. The customers were mostly old people and they were very nice. I have always admired old people. They were sweet and understanding. Today came an old lady who I recognized from yesterday and Susan told me that she often comes here and orders the same - a double coffee with a croissant. She asked me if I could wrap some chocolate muffins for takeaway. She wanted them for her grandchildren. I wrapped them up for her with my biggest smile and handed them to her. 

 - Thank you, sweetheart. I hope your life is as sweet as those chocolate muffins. - she said smiling brightly. I hope so too. 

 My shift was soon over and it was already six. I had two hours to get to my room and dress up for my date. How come I had a date, I never agreed to. When I got into the room, Isaac had already left and Rosie was drawing on the floor, surrounded by pencils and papers. 

 - Hey. - she greeted. - Are you feeling better? 

 - Yeah. So...you and Isaac? - I asked and gave her a wink.

 - We never really talked about it. It just happened. We fell asleep. That's it. - she responded and kept on drawing.

 - Sure it is. - I looked through my wardrobe and decided to put on a navy blue dress which was knee length. 

 - What is that for? - she looked at me. - Scarlett in a dress? - I looked at her and giggled.

 - Don't you approve? - I asked, raising my eyebrows. As far as I remember she always murmurs me for not wearing dresses more often. Just like my mom.

 - Of course, I do. But there must be a reason behind it I am waiting to hear. 

 - I might have a date. - I shrugged. I knew she was going to freak out since this was my first date in ages.

 - A date? - She definitely freaked out and stood on both of her feet. - With who? How come? Do you like him?

 - Jeez, Rosie. First of all, it was not my choice and no. I don't like Chase. - I explained what happened at the party before I met her as she was curling my hair. I took a final look in the mirror and at this time, there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to see Chase hiding behind a bouquet of flowers. However, the bouquet was not wrapped and it looked like the flowers were picked very randomly.

 - Good evening! - he said. - I thought since you are not into dates that you probably don't like flowers. So my excuse is that these flowers I picked from random gardens. 

 - You stole them? - I asked in disbelief.

 - More like getting them on sale for a good reason. - he smiled and I laughed. He was right, though. I never liked flowers. It just seemed so disrespectful. It is like the boy is trying to get away with it because he doesn't want to put a thought in what to give to a girl. But this...was something else. Rosie waved goodbye and I left with Chase. 

 - Where are we going? - I asked.

 - Well, I really wanted to take you on a nice dinner in an expensive restaurant but I am a student...

 - And this is definitely not my style. - I added.

 - And that. So we are going to a trashy pub where we will get the basic fish and chips which go along perfectly with a beer. - he said and I couldn't help but laugh. It was going quite well for now. 

 He parked the car and we got into the pub. He ordered fish and chips and two beers as he promised. 

 - You look beautiful. - he said.

 - You just ruined it. - I said back.

 - Maybe but it is true. - He shrugged. - So tell me more about yourself. 

 - What do you want to know?

 He asked me basic questions as what is my favorite color, food, song, season, when is my birthday and all kind of stuff that might be on your mind.

 - What do you want to do with your life, Scarlett? 

 - I guess I want to write a book. I have always loved writing and reading. - I responded, taking a sip of my beer. - What about you?

 - I am already working on a book of mine and I hope it gets published.

 - What is the genre? - I asked. We had a lot more in common than I expected. If he wasn't already writing the book, I would say that he is telling me all these stuff just for me to think that we are alike but he told me all about the script and it seemed like he had put a lot of work on it.

 - Why horror? - I asked him. It was unusual. The one thing that is hard for me to write is horror. I find it extremely difficult to get under the reader's skin and scare him and put tension at the same time. 

 - I just like these type of books. - He shrugged. The conversation was light and I had an amazing time. In the end, I insisted on paying my part of the check but apparently on a date you are not supposed to do that. After a few minutes drive, I noticed that we are not going to the dorms.

 - The dorms are not in that direction. - I said.

 - They aren't. I wanted to show you something before we finish this date. - he pulled over in the middle of the street and before I opened my door, he did that for me and gave me his hand to get out of the car. 

 - You don't have to do that, Chase. 

 - But I want to. 

 I had no idea where we were. I looked around but it was pitch black and a sudden light threw showing the beach. Chase was holding a torch and he grabbed my hand, walking closer and close to the water. His palm was gentle and warm. He was so careful like if he wasn't he was scared that I might break just like glass. We sat on the sand staring at the waves hitting the shove. It is peaceful. 

 - Why here? - I looked at him.

 - No one comes here. In this big city is good to find peace somewhere. - moments of silence passed. - Here, take my jacket. - He said as he took his jacket it off and put it on me. He must have felt I was shivering as I was only wearing a dress.

 - Chase... - I started talking not really knowing what I am about to say. He was so...God, I don't even have words to describe him. Pure. - I don't think I am ready for this. - I blurted out, looking down. Soon enough I felt his thumb brushing my cheek.

 - I never asked you to do something you don't want. I only want a chance. Okay?

 - Okay.