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Claire Anderson

♪♪♪

'Cause I'm not perfect, I'm flawed

And if you don't like that, get lost

'Cause I don't want it if it's fake

I don't want it if it's just for show, for show

I just want it if it's real and I'm thinking I should let you know, you know

…

Dear Diary,

"Get back to work, girls!" our boss screamed into the intercom.

Well, it wasn't a new thing. She never lets us spend an extra minute after lunchtime.

I, hurriedly, packed my little makeup items of lipstick, foundation and eye liner into my bag, then stole a last glance at the mirror before dashing out of the bathroom.

My eye bags were hidden now, and I couldn't be more happier.

"Look there, she's coming," one of the girls pointed out as she sighted me from a close distance.

When the girls turned to me, they whispered among themselves, and erupted in a fit of laughter.

I shook my head and walked past them, lowering my face to the ground.

"Shoo! You stink."

"Stop being a bitch, Mia, and leave me alone." Having said that, I kept my bag in the shelf and decided to just walk away.

"Who did you call a bitch?" she yanked my hair.

"Let me go!"

She gripped it tighter. "No, fatty. That didn't answer my question."

"Hey. Just let her go, Mia," one of the older girls intervened.

"Yeah. She is sucking up all the oxygen in her nostrils, and we need to breath fresh air, precisely," a redhead girl, Theresa, complained and all the girls burst out in laughter.

Mia, finally, released her grip. They walked away, not without giving me a disgusted look.

I arranged my hair and went out to clear the tables as they, usually, leave their works behind for me.

I wondered the reason they were employed in the first place.

To frustrate my life more, maybe?

Possibly. I sighed.

…

I couldn't wait for my shift to end. My day turned out long and boring as usual. Living a life on repeat sucks. I had always wished for a change in my life.

Pushing off my sad thoughts, I grabbed a romance novel from my bag and started reading. I prayed not to get caught by either my boss or the girls.

The girls would have me begging on my knees to save my job and make me do their work in return, and my boss will fire me on the spot.

My eyes averted to the entrance door when I heard it open. A new face makes a new customer.

A tall, freaking hot guy, dressed in an all black outfit stepped in, talking on the phone.

I could see the girls drooling over him, shamelessly.

"Oh my–"

"He's damn hot!"

"Isn't that one of the Carter brothers?!"

"No fucking way, girl! I'm in paradise."

They went on and on talking about him while I picked my notepad and pen, then I headed to take his order.

***

Mia was swift that she caught up with Claire, and set her leg behind her. She slipped, landing on the floor and one of her heels broke.

"Suite yourself," Mia said and took the lead.

Meanwhile, the guy had been watching the whole scene, and when he saw Mia approaching him from a distance, he eyed her up-to-down, and looked down at his phone.

The clicking sound of her heels stopped at his table, but he didn't give in.

She placed a charming smile on her face, and began, "Hello, handsome. What's your–"

Before she could complete her statement, he waved her off. She groaned, stomped her feet and walked away, feeling disappointed.

Claire had managed to get on her feet, and shoulder bumped Mia with a smirk, then crushed her toes with her heels, on purpose.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Does it hurt?" She faked sympathy.

For the first time she wanted to stand up for herself, and put people in their rightful places. This was her chance.

Mia rolled her eyes, and tried to walk past her, but Claire gripped her hand and pulled her back.

"Suite yourself, Mia. I know it hurts," she said. They glared at each other for a short while, then Mia ran off to the bathroom.

All other girls felt inferior since Mia got rejected, so Claire summoned courage and approached his table.

His face was scrunched up as he was going through something on his phone, which made her scared a bit.

"Go…good day, sir. Please, w…what's your order?" she stuttered.

He looked up, accessing her body features and his gaze finally met hers. They maintained an eye contact until he finally spoke up.

He smiled.

Did I win his heart? she thought.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Uh… how about I say you?"

She doubted she heard right. "Sorry?"

"You," he clarified, then his smile faded. "Have a seat," he offered.

"No, thank you. I… uh, I'm on duty, sir," she explained.

"Declining my offer, huh?" He sounded annoyed at this moment.

"No, no. It's not what it seems like," she defended.

"Then?"

"I don't want to lose my job, sir."

"And I don't give a fuck or two. Sit!" he ordered, and she flinched.

"O-okay, si–"

"Ethan."

Claire hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should accept his offer or not. But the way he spoke, with so much authority, made it clear that he wasn't used to being disobeyed. After a brief internal struggle, Claire decided to take a chance and seated herself across from Ethan.

He was still looking at his phone, tapping away, and she felt like she was intruding on his personal space. After what felt like an eternity, he finally looked up and met her gaze again.

He pushed his phone aside and looked at her, his blue eyes piercing through hers. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Claire...Claire Anderson," she replied, feeling a bit nervous under his intense gaze.

He nodded. "Nice to meet you, Claire. Now, let's cut to the chase. What's the deal with those girls over there?" He gestured towards her coworkers, who were still whispering and giggling amongst themselves.

Claire couldn't help but roll her eyes. "They're just... mean. They like to pick on me."

"Why?"

She shrugged. "I guess they just like to feel superior or something. It's been going on for a while now."

"Well, they won't bother you again," Ethan said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're coming with me."

Claire's eyes widened. "What? Where?"

"To dinner," Ethan replied, pushing his phone towards her. "Put in your number. I'll text you the details."

For a moment, Claire didn't know what to say. She had never been asked out by a complete stranger before, let alone one as hot and mysterious as Ethan. But something in his eyes told her that he was serious, that he really wanted to take her out.

And so, with trembling fingers, she typed in her number and handed back the phone. Ethan grinned and rose from his seat.

"I'll see you tonight. Don't keep me waiting, Claire," he said, then strode out of the restaurant without a second glance.

Claire was left sitting there, stunned and breathless. As she gathered her thoughts, she realized that this wasn't just a chance to escape her boring life. This was a chance to stand up for herself, to show those girls that she was so much more than just their punching bag.

And with that thought in mind, she grabbed and walked out of the restaurant with a newfound confidence as her shift had ended some minutes ago, ready to face whatever the night would bring.