Ally

"Ally!" Monica yelled as she shook my shoulder. "Hello? Are you with me?"

"Sorry, I didn't hear you." I lied. Monica has this high pitch voice that you cannot ignore, especially if you were within her vicinity. But, I was elsewhere.

"Are you okay? How was New York?" Monica lowered her voice with a concerned look in her eyes. She stood next to me, watching me towering the glasses on top of each other.

"We ended it," I confessed. An audible sigh escaped me. A relief in disguise.

"Oh hun, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think I'm okay. It had to be done. If I stayed, I will always wonder what if and I don't want to live the rest of my life regretting the things that I didn't pursue. I love Nick, you know that. But I needed to find myself and I couldn't find it with him. And neither could he."

I stared blankly at the dark tiled floor as those words sunk in. I couldn't find it with him. It was the hardest thing to say out loud and I knew I hurt him with those words, but I needed to be honest.

"And he cheated on you," she added. I felt the stinging sensation of the salt sprinkled on my wound, reminding me of that glorious part of our relationship. "Look, you don't have to explain yourself to me," Monica squeezed my shoulder as if she was taking the negative energy off of me.

"It wasn't all of his fault, I —."

"Can you stop defending him? I don't give a shit what you might have said to him that made him do it. He still cheated." Megan shook her head with a frown directed at me.

But it wasn't just what I said to him. It was what I did to him. To us.

"Honestly, I just want to focus on myself. Lately, I've been thinking about all the things I should be doing while I'm young and I felt like I couldn't do it when I was with Nick. I still love him, but I don't think I'm in love with him anymore. All I know is that I want more. Does that make me selfish? Because that's how I feel. A selfish bitch."

"Nope! Putting yourself first is never selfish. In fact, I think it's an act of bravery." She smiled with reassurance.

"Ahem." The clearing of a hoarse throat made me and Megan jump for our lives. We both gasped for air as we turned around and saw Ryan standing behind us. How long has he been there? How much did he hear?

"We've got customers," he said as he glared towards the front door and back at us.

"Sorry," I apologized and quickly walked away towards the entrance to attend to the customers.

I worked as a server that first night I came back from my vacation. I received a text from Ryan with my work schedule for that week and my promotion from stepping off of the podium and onto the floor. I was getting the hang of it. I enjoyed it more than being a hostess. It was more engaging and fun. But the tip was definitely a big part of my enjoyment.

It was such a busy night that I barely had any time to stop and check my phone. I purposely silenced it the whole day because every time I checked for a new notification, I found myself drowning in a sea of disappointment as I stared at the empty ocean waves screensaver.

I had an hour and half left before we closed. I couldn't wait to drop dead on my bed and not feel a damn thing. I just wanted to be numb. But I couldn't help it. I was ready to feel the same dissatisfaction I had been feeling the whole day. To my surprise, a tingling sensation flowed through my chest as I re-read that one worded message on my phone.

1 New Message (Harvey Elias Hughes)

Harvey (7:02 pm): Hi

Holy shit. He remembered.

I didn't think he would remember. Although I was constantly checking my phone during my trip to avoid any unnecessary confrontation with Nick, Harvey kept his words. He didn't text me at all when I was in New York. I haven't heard from him for a week now.

Me (8:03 pm): Hi....Has it been a week already?

Of course it had been a week. I've been checking my phone all day for his text or call like an idiot, which led me to silencing my phone because it was driving me crazy.

Harvey (8:04 pm): One hell of a week.

Me (8:05 pm): I can't believe you remembered.

Harvey (8:05 pm): of course I remember. And if you're wondering, it's a Yes.

Me (8:05 pm): What? Yes to what?

Harvey (8:06 pm): Yes, I'm still very much interested, even though I was ghosted for a week.

I couldn't contain myself. I giggled like a silly girl. I could feel my smile defying the elasticity of my face.

"Here, wipe that drool off of your face," Megan teased, handing me the napkin that she just folded. I laughed at her gesture and pouted my lips in defeat.

Me (8:07 pm): From what I recall, that was your idea.

Harvey (8:07 pm): I figured it was either that or you blocking me. The former was definitely a more tolerable option. I think a treat is in order.

Me (8:07 pm): Lol a treat? What are you? A dog?

Harvey (8:07pm): Woof. An obedient one. So, dinner tonight?

Me (8:08 pm): Wow, you don't waste time at all, huh?

Harvey (8:08 pm): Well, I did ask for a rain check. Also, you put me in the dark for a week, I think you owe me for that.

Me (8:08 pm): Correction, you put yourself in the dark for a week.

Harvey (8:08 pm): Dinner it is! Where should I pick you up?

Me (8:09 pm): haha. You're unbelievable. But, as much as I would love to, I'm working right now until 10.

Harvey (8:09 pm): Do you really think I would let your work get in the way of our first date?

Me (8:09 pm): Who said anything about a date?

Harvey (8:09 pm): When a man asks a woman to go out for dinner, that's generally considered a date.

Me (8:10 pm): You just have an answer to everything, don't you?

Harvey (8:10 pm): I've had a long week to prepare.

My face hurt from smiling too much. I felt the heat burning my cheeks. I looked around to check if anyone had noticed how much of a clown I turned into. I was regretting having to work until close tonight. I wished Ryan would just close an hour early, but the night was so busy. We still had several reserved tables on the list. The dark clouds were slowly hovering over my head. It was just not meant to be.

Me (8:11 pm): Restaurants will be closed by the time I get off work. Unless you plan on taking me to a 24 hours drive thru McDonalds.

Harvey (8:11 pm): Do I strike you as a cheap date kind of guy?

Me (8:11 pm): I don't know. I don't really know who you are.

Harvey (8:11 pm): Don't worry, you will. Stefani Steakhouse, let's say 10:15 pm. Can I pick you up after work?

Me (8:12 pm): Actually, I can meet you there. It's just in the next plaza from my work.

Harvey (8:12 pm): I know. That's why I suggested it. I did my research.

Me (8:12 pm): I guess you really did put that week to good use.

Harvey (8:12 pm): sure did

Me (8:12 pm): Please don't dress up. I don't wanna feel underdressed since I'll be wearing my work clothes.

Harvey (8:13 pm): No worries, I bet you'll still look astonishing.

Me (8:13 pm): Astonishing? You're a silly man Mr. Hughes.

Harvey (8:13 pm): Did that make you smile?

Me (8:13 pm): Maybe...

Harvey (8:13 pm): Then silly I am. (; I'll get ready now and see you soon beautiful.

I blushed as I re-read the message and cited the word astonishing out loud.

"A-S-T-O-" I jumped as Megan started spelling it into my ears. "What?!"

"Oh, I thought you were wondering how to spell the word astonishing. I was just trying to help a friend out," she winked.

A/N: It has been a LONG time since I've been on wattpad. 2020 has been a crazy year to say the least. I hope everyone is safe.

I'm excited for whats to come for Ally and Harvey!

***Don't forget to vote and leave your thoughts in the comment box. Thank you! Gracias! Maraming Salamat. Merci. Grazie. Xièxiè. Arigatō!***