Rohan was feeling heavy hearted wondering what to do about Annie. He thought she liked him but he didn't know what the next step was. Should he just tell her how he felt or was he supposed to keep asking her out and wait until he was completely sure how she felt? Rohan didn't know how long these things took or if waiting was the best approach. She might get sick of him if he left it too long. She also might not like it if he said how he felt too soon. He sighed heavily as he walked into the staff room to get a cup of coffee.

Sally, Bill, Mercer and Jack were sitting together but Rohan took no notice. He sat at one of the tables and held his head in his hands. It was only when he heard the chair opposite being pulled out that he looked up.

Smiling at him kindly, Sally said, "You don't seem too happy?"

Rohan didn't answer her. He didn't need any of Sally's antics today.

"Is it to do with your friend the waitress? I'm a good listener if you need to talk."

"Sally what's your deal?" Rohan shook his head disbelievingly and sneered, "You treat me like shit for a year and when I finally retaliate suddenly you want to be my friend." He huffed and scowled again, "I don't get you. And what was with all that crap you said to Annie and the bullshit about having your bag stolen. You didn't even have a bag that day. If you're trying to pull your usual shit, just piss off."

Sally sat stunned; he knew about her visit to the café? She wondered if it was the reason, he looked so unhappy. Maybe it had worked and the bitch had broken up with him. She said, "Did you break up with your girlfriend?"

"If I did, Sally." Rohan sighed and shook his head. "You'd be the last person I'd tell. Why are you even here talking to me? I think I'd like you to go away and leave me alone."

"I'm sorry I did that, Rohan."

"So, why'd you do it? Was it just another bitchy Sally thing to intimidate me because it won't work anymore?"

For some reason his words caused Sally to experience a crushing feeling in the middle of her chest. The look on his face affected her in a way she'd never felt before and a surge of guilt and shame washed over her. "I'm jealous of her. That's why I did it. I don't want you to be with her."

Rohan stared at her. Then he sneered. "That's the biggest lot of bullshit I've ever heard. You hate me, Sally."

She took a breath in and let it out again as she glanced away. When she looked back at him her eyes were shiny with moisture. "I know you're not going to believe me, Rohan, and I understand because of all the dumb and horrible things I've done to you, that you're never going to like me. But the truth is I like you. When you retaliated, I realised you weren't a nerd but just a nice quiet shy guy who I'd pushed too far. I've said before that I'm sorry I did those things to you and I mean it. I told your girlfriend that stuff because I was trying to break you up. I pretended to get robbed so she'd see you talking to me but I guess she knows you better than I thought." 

 Sally wiped away a tear. "I'm sorry it was another dumb thing and I shouldn't have done it either but, as you know I'm a person who usually gets her own way by being a bitch. I guess I've been spoilt and I can see that sort of thing doesn't impress you." She cocked her head and gave him an awkward grin before slowly getting up from her chair and leaving the staff room.

Looking curiously after her, Rohan asked himself if there could possibly be another side to Sally Parks. She looked genuine. However, she had looked genuine when she'd said she had been robbed. Rohan exhaled a lungful of air. He didn't need this crap from Sally when his main worry was Annie. He had spent a miserable Sunday wanting to see her again and had even considered going to her unit but thought that might have been too pushy.

Rohan went back to work and tried not to worry what to do next. He'd see her at lunch and work out the next step then.

I wonder if there is another side to Sally.  What do you think?

Photo - BrokeAss Stuart.