[|]

Months Later

"You're fired."

I've heard these words too many times and each time I did, it made me sadder than how my life was. I needed this job to save up for next year and here I was, losing it because I had been late again due to lectures.

"Okay, ma'am," I said to the elderly lady and took off my apron before leaving the office. I walked to the locker room and locked myself in it then rushed to the bench where I sat and started to cry.

"Why is my life like this?" I whispered dejectedly and wiped the fallen tears off my cheeks. "I'm just in my first year in college and I'm already having debts here and there."

I had not been able to get the scholarship for some reason and it ruined my dreams of going to the prestigious college I wanted to attend. Coming to this college in California had been a second choice for me and I reluctantly accepted help from Maddy who paid for half of my tuition while Axel had paid for a room in a residential building within the school campus. I was grateful for their help but I had strongly told them not to help me again.

With that notion, I found different jobs to do. I even washed the laundry of the students in the residence building and cleaned some rooms, as well as balancing meager jobs outside school. Yet, none of them fetched me enough to pay for my tuition fees next year and a place to live.

I sighed and thought about my parents. They had not even cared about me when I told them I was going to college. They had argued that I was ungrateful and inconsiderate all because they didn't have the money to take me to college. I ended up leaving and since then, they haven't spoken to me. I was glad though.

I rose from the bench and took off my uniform then opened my locker and took out my clothes. I changed into them and walked out of the restaurant through the backdoor and strolled away from the restaurant with a heavy mind.

My phone rang in my purse, making me stop for a second to take it out. I sighed when I saw it was Maddy calling. Maddy was attending the same college as I was and she was always around me which was difficult because I couldn't hide anything when she was around me. She could sniff my problems without me saying a word to her.

"Hello," I said in a bright tone after accepting a call.

"Hey, Jackie! Are you on campus right now?" She asked.

"No. I just left work," I replied.

"You left work early? That's weird."

I bit my nail when I realized my slip up. I couldn't let her know I lost the only job I had.

"Yeah, I finished my shift early. Anyway, why are you asking if I'm on campus?"

"Oh, that. Someone wants to meet you and I was wondering if you were close by. We are at the restaurant close to your faculty building. How soon can you get here?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, as I was thinking of who she wanted me to meet. The last thing I wanted was a new person in my life. I was happy with just her and Axel and didn't want anyone else around me. Too many people meant too many poke nosers, which I didn't want.

"Alright, Maddy. Just give me ten minutes," I said and ended the call. I was too exhausted and had planned to head straight to my residence building to rest.

I had lectures very early the next morning and I was not interested in any sort of hanging out, plus exams were coming up in two months and I needed to read more to pass. I didn't want to fail any classes in my first year.

[|]

As soon as I walked into the bustling restaurant, my eyes scanned around for Maddy who I immediately spotted in the corner of the place, close to the window. I walked over to where she sat at a table, alone.

"For a second I thought you wouldn't make it," Maddy said and motioned for me to sit.

Maddy had not changed one bit, she was still the beautiful woman that she was with long brown hair, light brown eyes that sucked you in, and pearly white teeth that shimmered when she smiled so bright.

"Where's this person you wanted me to meet?" I asked once I sat down.

"He went to the restroom. He should be back any minute from now," Maddy said and I nodded my head.

Not even up to ten seconds, someone stood beside me. I tilted my head to look up and inwardly gasped at the handsome guy beside me. He was tall, had strong features, and a face that suited fashion magazines. He had brown hair that stopped at his broad shoulder and a chiseled jawline with some stubble growing around his jawline. When he looked down at me, I felt mesmerized by his green eyes.

"Jackie, this is Clark Barr, and Clark, this is Jackie Garner, the one I told you about," Maddy said and he smiled, beautifying his features.

"Hi," he said in a deep voice and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

I eyed it before clasping my hand around his. I smiled when he squeezed my hand a little before he released it and sat beside Maddy who was grinning.

"So," I said, not wanting silence to make things awkward between us.

"So, Jackie. Clark here is my senior in my department. He's two years above me and I've been friends with him since he was my tutor during the first semester," Maddy said and held Clark's arm.

My eyes went to her manicured fingers wrapped around his buff arm before looking at her face.

"Wow," I said.

"Yeah and he's heard so much about you since he's my boyfriend and all," Maddy said and I blinked at the news.

"B-boyfriend?" I stuttered. Since when did she have a boyfriend?

"Yes, we've been dating for two months now. Sorry for not telling you... We decided not to say anything about it to anyone but since you're my best friend and all, we decided to tell you."

I smiled, happy for her. I wish I could have a boyfriend of my own but I didn't trust myself to be with anyone.

"Congratulations, guys," I said, smiling wider.

Maddy giggled and wrapped her arms around his torso while Clark shook his head with amusement on his face. I looked away from them when my phone vibrated in my bag. I fished it out and smiled at the text from Axel.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw him calling. I excused myself and went outside, but I ended up colliding with someone, making me drop my phone.

"Watch where you're going!"

I froze at the familiar voice. It couldn't be. It can't be possible.