I close the file and then go to the door and press my ear to the glass and wait for the voices to fade. When they do I slip out and try to walk as calmly as I can back out to my truck. I get behind the wheel and I sit there for all of three seconds before I give in and send her a text.
I was never one for patience.
Chapter Seven
Rosabelle
I take another screenshot and send it to Rie. I have no idea how to respond to Blaze’s last text. We have been texting back and forth since last night and I’m all aflutter.
Rie: He’s flirting with you! Chill out. He wants you bad.
She’s been saying that since he sent me the first text. I click back over to the text Blaze sent me that says he still has glitter on himself and he can’t get it off.
Me: Sorry! I had no idea how much my friend put in that tail and on me. I think I’m still wearing some myself. My hair might still be a little blue too.
I reach up, touching my hair and wanting him to have that small warning before he sees me. Rie said we could dye it back to my normal color but she thinks it looks good on me. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. It’s different and fun but it isn’t helping me fit in around the office, that’s for sure.
Blaze: I love the blue but I think you could pull any color off.
He even adds a winky face to the text, making me smile so big it almost hurts my face. I was so shocked when I got a text from him. I don’t know how he got my number but I don’t care. I was about to go down to the firehouse and try and find him myself with Rie’s encouragement. It made me feel good that he found me first. It turned my crappy, depressing night into all smiles.
“What are you smiling about?” Carrie asks as she stops in front of my cubicle.
I look up from my phone that I probably shouldn’t be on, although I see the others on theirs all the time. Besides, it’s almost lunchtime.
“Nothing.” I put the phone down on my desk and she rolls her eyes. I wait, wondering why she came over to begin with. It’s not like she ever wants to chat. It puts me on edge that she might be up to something and I don’t trust any of them after what they did to me at the picnic. I’m still upset with myself for being so gullible. Rie says it’s my heart and that I’m sweet to the core. Fuck these assholes for trying to mess with that.
“You leaving your hair like that?” She gives me a look that lets me know she doesn’t approve of it.
“Yep,” I chirp.
For the first time I don’t care what they think of me. I’m here to do my job. I’m still looking for a new one but I’ve come to terms with the fact that these girls will never like me and I don’t want to be their friend. Why would I after the way they’ve treated me? I’m sure they do the same to others, and who wants friends like that? Not me. I’d rather have no friends at all. I’m never giving up Rie but I don’t need new ones, nor will I be going out of my way for any of them now. I’ve always been extra helpful around the office for anyone that needs it, but not anymore. I’m going to keep my eyes on my own paper until I find a replacement.
“So you want to look like a Smurf?” She laughs at me and I hear a few more chuckles from behind me. I don’t have to look to know the other girls are enjoying this.
“What do you care?” I meet her gaze and she looks taken aback by my question. Or maybe it’s because I’m actually challenging her. I wish Rie were here. She’d be cheering me on.
“I was just nicely trying to let you know it’s not a good look on you.” She narrows her eyes at me as if giving me a silent warning not to mess with her.
I don’t want to mess with her. I want to be left alone. They are the ones that aren’t getting that message.
“Well, I didn’t ask if you liked it so keep your opinions to yourself.” I stand up from my desk, open my bottom drawer, and grab my bag. I’m going to enjoy my lunch date with Blaze and put this out of my mind. I’m nervous and excited about it all at once and I’m not going to let her sour my mood.