My eyelids felt swollen and pained as I lifted them slowly. The sun was bright against the clean white walls, only hurting them further despite its beauty. "Ow.." My hand presses against my lower back as I groaned softly. The floor had been too harsh on my poor back.

I drag my eyes to my alarm clock, "1:00" I sigh in relief, "She's gone." Memories of last night made my chest hurt. How could the person who saved me treat me like trash?

With a pained groan, my body finally lifts up off the floor and makes its way to the bathroom.

My tear stained cheeks and swollen pink eyes made a soft gasp leave my lips. It's been a minute since I've seen myself like this.

I was hoping to never see it again.

My fingers shook as I grabbed my towel and began washing my face, scrubbing away all the dirt I could. Despite all that happened, it felt good to clean myself up. It felt like a restart button.

"Focus, Jocelyn." I look myself in the mirror, "You have one hour to get ready for this interview." I hold up a finger as I lean in closer, "You are going to do your very best today and keep your chin up. No more tears. We have to do better." I scold myself lightly and feel a smile lift on my lips. "Go get dressed and don't be late." A small giggle left my lips as I feel my positive energy start to seep back in.

"I got this."

________________

My hands slowly rubbed down the knitted black material of my dress. It was form fitting but it's dark color revealed nothing and still held a professional look. My heels were black with good tips that matched my hoops and even the scarf that held back my curls that defied gravity in a giant poof over my head.

"It's a bad bitch party you cannot get in! Imma t-" My alarm interrupted my singing, reminding me of the interview to come. I quickly scoop up my purse and coat before rushing out the house, not forgetting my keys and to lock the door.

My eyes land on Dion's Apartment and I hesitantly stop, "No.. yes?.. no.." I mumble as I eye his door. I kick it gently three times and listen for movement.

1...2...3..4...5...6...7...8...9...10

Nothing.

"He's probably at work.. like I should be." I shake my head before rushing to the elevator, my tissue ready to press the nasty button. I slowly count down from twenty seven as I wait for the familiar beep.

"Hi." I jump as a mans voice comes from behind me. I turn around and smile politely, "Hello." His deep blue eyes held mine as he smiled down at me. He had to be 5'10 at least from the way I still had to look up. "You look nice.. My name's John." He holds out his hand and I stare at his for a moment before looking up at him with wide eyes, "I-I'm Jocelyn.." I mumble softly and he hums before tucking his hand away in his pockets. "You live here?" He steps closer and I slowly inch away, "No.. Just visiting." I look back towards the cursed slow elevator and inwardly groan.

"You have a boyfriend?" He steps closer again. I slowly look him up and down. He wasn't ugly. Deep brown hair, stubble, blue eyes, tall, lean but you could see a bit of muscle through his black shirt.

"Yeah.. He lives there." I point to Dion's room and the guys eyes widen, "You're Dion's girl?! I knew he was talking to somebody but damn... Nice to meet ya!" He smiles wildly and I half return it.

"Yeah.. I'm who he's.. talking to.." My heart sunk lower and lower as I imagined him with another girl. He hadn't said anything to me but yet again, who am I to be in his business? After all, I'm just his neighbor.

I'm just his neighbor.

The elevator opened with a soft ding, letting me step on. I look to John who stood in the hall, "I wasn't getting on.. I was just going to talk to you.." He chuckles and I nod my head, "Okay.. Bye.." I wave and smile lightly before hitting the level 1 button and letting the doors close.

Tears fought to be released but I held them back as I stared ahead. I sigh loudly and fist my hands at my sides, doing hate we I can to hold back the flood of tears threatening to ruin my makeup and what's left of a semi-okay day I had left.

My feet were quickly to step off the elevator and open the front door of the apartment building. The fresh air did make me feel better as I began my three minute walk to the building. I whip out my phone and follow the gps until my feet stop outside a large mechanic shop. I frown deeply and look at my attire, "I'm a bit dressed up.." insecurities begin to control my thoughts as I compared myself to the building and the people who most likely reside inside of it.

"It's a male dominated work force and you're scared of men! Are you dumb?!" I mentally scream as I watch a big burly man step outside. The stereotypical bald head with billions of tattoos littered all over his body. I groan inwardly, "Maybe Alicia was right.. A nice quiet job in retail does seem nice right now.." My eyes slowly scanned the building before I sigh and then turn back to the direction of home.

"Jocelyn!" I freeze at the familiar voice and look back at a smiling Dion, his hands and face covered in grease but somehow he remained handsome and model like.

"He has to be the only man to make dirt look attractive."

"Hi." I wave lightly and watch him approach me, his hands wiping on his jeans as a grin painted his lips, "You came." His voice sounded relieved, making my tummy flutter. "Yeah.. I'm a bit scared tho.." I mumble the end and he hums softly, "Walk wit me.. I'm on my lunch break." I look at the clock on my phone, "My interview is in a few minutes.. I can't be late, Dion." He waves me off, "Tell his ass that I held you up." My eyes widen but I don't object as I follow him down the street.

"What was your job before this?" His voice was soft as he looked down at me. "I was a nurse..." He snaps his fingers, his head nodding as if the world finally made sense, "I can tell.. your so soft and kind." My cheeks heat as I nod my head.

"Have you done receptionist work before?" His pace slowed down, making a more comfortable pace for me, "Yes.. My mother would organize weddings and I would help a lot. I find it relaxing." He hums softly and leads me around the corner, "Let's talk in here." He nods to a smoothie place.

I love smoothies.

I'm actually addicted to strawberry banana smoothies.

"Okay!" I could barely keep my excitement in as we walk through the colorful door and looked at the pretty menu. "Why do you think the position should be given to you?" He asks and my mind draws a blank. I look down at my feet and slowly rock on my heels, trying to think of any reason at all.

"I want to get better socializing and I think I could really help out." I spoke slowly, thinking over each word so that I don't sound too selfish. Dion hums softly, "Ain't nobody qualified enough.. atleast not close to you." A smile lifts at my lips as I shy away, "Thank you." He chuckles, "Stop being cute an' order." He nudges me gently to the register where an employee eyed Dion.

I clear my throat lightly as I look at the board. She huffs softly before looking at me, "How can I help you?" I point to the board, "C-Can I have a strawberry banana smoothie, please?.." Her finger jabbed at the screen before she looked back up at me, "Thickness?" "E-Extra Smooth and medium please.." My eyes widen slightly at her attitude but I brush it off as Dion steps up behind me, "Same thing." His breath fanned my ear, making me almost jump. I nervously draw circles on the counter as the girl punched in the order, her eyes lingering on me before looking back at Dion, "Yes sir.. Happy to help." She smiles cutely, her dimples sticking out.

"Total?" I ask and her eyes snap back to me, "It's on the sign.. 20.97" my brows furrow at her tone but I brush it off as I move to grab my purse but his hand on my waist stopped me, "I got this." He handed her a twenty and went in his pocket for a dollar but I quickly grab some cents in my purse before counting it out and putting it in her hand, "Ninety seven cent." I count aloud and blush as Dion chuckles, "Wow.. Got me a whole ass sugar mama." I couldn't help the laugh as I gently wave him off, "Least I could do since you paid for most." He hums softly and leads me over to chairs as the girl begins working on our smoothies.

"Do you think I'll get the job?" I look to him as he pulls out the y'all chair for me. I frown and place my heel on the bottom before securing my hand on the table, "Dangit.." I mutter before two large hands grab my waist and hoist me up to sit on the chair. My cheeks burned as I looked up at Dion who had a goofy grin on his face, "You already got it, shorty." I puff my cheeks at his dumb joke, "I'm a little below average and it's okay." His eyebrows raise slightly but he covers it with a smirk, "Look at you gettin' all big." He snaps back and I can't help my giggle as I wave him off, "I'm serious though.. Do you really think I'll get it?" His eyes roll lightly as he takes the seat next to mine, "You already have it." I frown, "How do you know?" His finger moves to the name tag on his shirt, "Dion Miller." I read slowly before my eyes widen, "You dummy!" I smack his arm gently and watch him burst out in laughter.

"You went through the whole interview and ain't even notice." He shook his head as he eyed me, "You Somethin different." I sigh softly, relief flooding my body as I hugged myself, "I know." He eyes me for a second, a soft sparkle dancing in his deep brown orbs, "I like it." My cheeks burned as I held eye contact, "I like y-" "Order 21!" The girl screamed from behind the counter, her face still angry.

I move to get up but his hand stops me, "You like what?" He questioned, making my eyes widen. "Smoothies.." I quickly correct myself and he hums softly before climbing out his chair, "I thought you said you liked me.." He mumbles softly, looking confused. I look at my hands as they nervously play in my lap. He gently tapped the table in front of me, "Because I would have said I liked you back." A smile practically ripped my face in half as I looked up at him, "W-Well then I like you.. a lot." He chuckles, "I like you a lot too."