Advice

There's nothing to think about, is there? Even if I know what it is, I can't be too sure. I dismiss the thought from my mind.

Mia: See you tomorrow.

Jordan:... Right.

I turn away from Jordan and walk towards Jason with a forced smile. We start walking away, leaving the store behind.

Jason: The magazine received a lot of good ratings. Some even thought that you were a professional model! It was really difficult to turn their offers down.

Mia: Is that so.. I was expecting it to release a few days later.

Jason: That's usually the case but Winnie is very troublesome. She is never punctual and always delays the photoshoots to the deadlines. If it was in my hands, I would've cancelled our contract.

Winnie? That must be the model I replaced. But her name... Nah, it must be a coincidence.

Mia:....

Jason: So, did anyone recognize you?

Mia: Yeah, one of my friends and quite a few customers did.

I reply vaguely. As soon as these words leave my mouth, I'm reminded of the news I received this afternoon. I still can't accept it, why would our store close down?

Jason:... Is something wrong?

His words snap me back to reality.

Mia: Huh?

Jason: You're not acting like yourself today.

Mia:..!

He noticed? It's not that surprising though, I've been in a sour mood all the while.

Jason: Well?

He peers at my face. I should tell him, it's not good to keep worries bottled up.

Mia: Sweet Treats is closing down.

Jason:..!! R-Really..?

His eyes go wide in surprise and he turns away. Something's off about his tone but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Mia: I don't know why they're doing this, the business is going so well. And, I don't know what I'm going to do now.

Jason:.....

Mia: What do you think?

Jason:.. Huh? Oh, I guess you should look for a better job.

.... What kind of an answer is that? Even I know that. He was quite attentive till I mentioned the store's situation. Is he just worried or does he know something about it? Should I ask him? But, there doesn't seem any way in which he could be connected to it.

Unable to think of another theory, I drop the doubt.

Mia: I don't think anyone would want to hire a person without experience right now.

Jason: We hired you and you did a good job.

I look back up at him in surprise when he says this. I didn't expect that he would bring that up. But, was I really good? Naomi was impressed too, it must've been good then.

Mia: Well, that was a spur of the moment thing and good luck. I don't have any special talents, what is there for me to do?

I look down at my feet in disappointment and continue walking.

Jason:.....

I suddenly notice that Jason has stopped walking when I get a few steps ahead. I about to turn around to face him when he grabs my hand to stop me.

Mia:..!

Jason: You know something that I don't like about you?

Mia:..!

S-Something he doesn't like about me? I already know that I don't have any special traits, why do I feel so nervous then? I timidly move my eyes upward to meet his. He stares at me with a stern expression on his face. As each second goes by, my heart starts beating faster with uneasiness.

Jason: You don't have the least bit of faith in yourself. You always need others to tell you what you're capable of. I don't know if you do this for attention or it's just you being unsure but, you should end this habit. People aren't always going to be by your side to encourage you, you need to be independent.

Mia:.…..

His words stab my heart like a sharp knife. The truth always hurts, doesn't it. This habit has been with me since I was a kid and ceases to change. It's probably because of this insecurity that I fail again and again, it holds me back and in turn increases the anxiety.

I know all of this and yet when he said it, I felt so hurt. He's telling me this for my own sake, but then why does my heart ache upon knowing that there's a part of me that he dislikes?

If only Winnie Watson hadn't.... No, there are no "ifs" here, I should've learnt to be strong emotionally by now. The least I could do about it was to believe in myself more.

For some reason, tears start stinging the corner of my eyes. Damn it! Why do I always cry so easily?! I don't want him to see me so vulnerable and cry in front of him again! I purse my lips and try to hold them back. When I fall silent, he lets go of my hand, concerned.

Jason: I..-

*Screech*

I turn my head to see that there's a bus stopped by a bus stand a few steps away. Hey, that bus goes to my area! This is my chance to get away! I start walking towards the spot, my head facing him.

Mia: My bus is here! I gotta go!

Jason: W-Wait..

Before he can say anything else, I rush towards the bus and get in. I look out the window and see him standing there, staring at the bus in confusion. I shouldn't have left like that.

I should apologise to him later. But, just now, I myself don't know what exactly it was that I wanted to run away from. Was it just Jason or was there something more to it?

The bus starts to drive away and I take a seat by the window, my head held in my hands, searching for the answer...