2. Fate must really hate me

(2 months later)

‘Western ExecuTrain University’ is a horseshoe-shaped three-story building that encloses a huge courtyard. There are two medium-sized trees in front on either side of a sidewalk that leads up to the entrance of the building. This university is one of the prestigious campuses in New York and getting admission here wasn’t easy. But with the help of Mathew, Scarlet’s dad, I was able to enroll here. Few students were loitering around here and there outside the building, laughter, and chattering surrounding the atmosphere.

 “Are you ready?” Scarlet asked, bouncing on her heels beside me in excitement. I looked at my best friend with a smile forming on my lips.

 “So sweetheart, are you ready?” Daddy asked. I was hiding behind daddy’s leg, overwhelmed after seeing a lot of students of my age. Some were crying not willing to leave their parents’ side while others seemed nonchalant. Scarlet’s father was trying to encourage crying Scarlet. Today is our first day at preschool and to say I was nervous was an understatement.

 “Daddy, I don’t want to go,” I said to my father, looking up at him with saddened eyes. He sat down on his knees and held my shoulders.

 “Don’t worry. I promise you’ll love this place. Give it a try sweetheart. What did I say-”

 “Secret of success is to never give up,” we said in unison.

 “That’s my girl” he kissed my forehead. “Besides Scarlet will be with you the whole time. So you won’t be alone. Always be there for each other okay?” 

Scarlet has been my best friend since childhood. Her parents and mine were good friends which automatically connected us both. We did everything together and our friends and family back in Worcester called us 'two musketeers'. But when we turned fourteen, Scarlet’s dad got a better job in New York. Even though we were sad and broken that we couldn’t see each other anymore, we still called each other during weekends and shared everything that happened in our lives. 

I can’t deny that one reason that I came to New York was because of Scarlet. She is the only one that I’m so close to after my parents.

 “I’m nervous,” I said to her, chuckling lightly. She hugged me and promised to be with me as she doesn’t have any classes today. Scarlet started her class last semester and she met her boyfriend Andrew at that time. 

***

 "Hey, Kitten!" someone whispered in my ear from behind. I rolled my eyes and shut my locker before turning around to face Andrew. My class has ended five minutes ago and I was packing my things.

 “What do you want?” I asked annoyed. From day one itself, I was skeptical about him. Andrew is a flirt, he flirts with everyone that has breasts. I tried to warn Scarlet, but that girl is head over heels in love with him. Once he even tried to seduce me when Scarlet wasn't around. From that day on, I was disgusted with him. Whenever he looks at me, I can feel him undressing me with his eyes.

 “I will drop you at home” he offered.

 “No thank you. I’m heading to my workplace” 

 “Oh, then I will drop you there. Can’t let my girlfriend’s best friend catch a cab when I am free” he smirked.

 “I’ll manage. Besides, don’t you have class after half an hour?” I asked, remembering his schedule that Scarlet showed this morning. 

 “Half an hour is plenty of time, kitten,” he said, throwing his arm around my shoulder. I shrugged his hand away from my shoulder and stepped away.

 “As I said, I’ll manage” I gave him a tight-lipped smile and walked away from him. Gosh, I hate the way he talks and don't get me talking about the nickname he calls me when Scar isn't around. I swear one day he’s going to land himself into trouble. I just hope he doesn’t drag me along with it.

 ********

 Evenings are always busy in 'Petit Monde', the cafe I work, but today it was more stressful as one of the staff was on leave and I had to manage his table as well. Two hours into my shift, I was already tired and my feet were aching due to the high heels. Heels were the part of the uniform here which I didn’t like but I can’t exactly complain to my boss about it, can I? 

 “May I take your order?” I asked, holding my pen and notebook. 

 “A plate of waffles for this little princess here” a lady ordered. I smiled at her cute daughter who looks around 4 or 5 years old. 

 “Is that all, ma’am?” I asked.

 “Oh, can you please give me a glass of wine right now?” 

 “Sure” I went back to the kitchen and filled a glass of red wine before returning to the table. But on the way, a naughty boy stuck his leg out which made me stumble on my heels. I let out a small screech, the wine in the glass I was carrying spilling out.

I looked up in horror and noticed a young man glaring at me, red wine spilled all over his expensive-looking suit. His tablemates, all wearing similar expensive suits and watches had a look of horror on their faces. Uh-Oh! He stood up from his chair and damn, he’s so tall. I barely reach his chest and that itself is so intimidating.

 “Watch where you are going” the young man spat out, his fist clenched.

 “I’m so sorry sir, I’ll clean up the shirt for you” I apologized quickly. People around us started staring at our little commotion and I wasn’t comfortable by the attention.

 “Call your manager” he gritted out.

“But sir, I can-”

“I don’t want to talk to you. Call your manager” he said loudly and I stepped back a little frightened by his authoritative tone. I cast my eyes to the floor and nod my head, my hands trembling slightly. 

 I waited near the corner biting my nails due to nervousness while my manager talked with that man. I still don’t get why he is making a big deal out of it. I apologized to him numerous times and even offered to clean his shirt. It’s not like I did it purposely. But he is not even ready to listen to me. What a douche. 

 After ten minutes, my manager returned back. “So?” I asked, crossing my fingers tightly.

 “I’m sorry, you’re fired,” he said and my mouth opened in shock. F-Fired?

 “What-Why?” I spluttered out still in shock. Just because I spilled wine on him, accidentally mind that, I’m fired?

 “He precisely asked me to fire you for your substandard behavior”

 “It was a mistake. I apologized to him”

 “I did my best to convince him. But…” he shrugged his shoulder. 

 “Please don’t fire me. I will be extra careful next time” I begged. It wasn’t easy to get a job in New York and when I got it, I’m fired? Fate must really hate me. 

 “He is our regular customer and has a lot of influence. I don’t want to put my business in danger because of you if he knows I disobeyed him. He’s not very good when it comes to these matters” my manager said.

 “B-But, please-”

 “Please leave. I’ll settle your salary right now” he said and left. I let out a sigh in disbelief.

 My perplexity soon changed into anger from the pity looks that I got from my co-workers. By the time I changed back into my usual clothes, I was fuming with anger. I still couldn’t believe that man got me fired. What the hell! After my payment was settled, I went up to that young man still seething. He looked up at me as soon as I neared him. Anyways I got fired, might as well give him a piece of mind. 

 “Thank you so much for getting me fired. I really appreciate it” I said to him sarcastically. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

 “You deserve it. Your silly mistakes can ruin this restaurant’s reputation” he said shrugging his shoulders. 

 “Deserve?” I said in astonishment. “Listen here asshole, I said it was an accident. But it seems like your the thick-headed brain doesn’t understand”

 “Mind your language miss,” he said, a vein on his temple bulging out. 

 “You are an asshole,” I said and I did something which I know I would regret later. I took a bowl of pasta from his table and dumped it on his head. Everyone looked at me in horror and that man’s eyes were closed, his fist clenched. Before he could do anything to me, I dashed out of the restaurant. 

 I kept on running and only when I was at a good distance away from the restaurant, I slowed down and started laughing. Did I really do that? When the hell did I become so aggressive? I couldn’t believe I did that. It was a foreign action to me, but I’m feeling content.

***

 “Oh my god” Scarlet started laughing so hard as soon as I finished telling today’s incident.

 “Oh, I wish I was there to see that,” she said, still laughing. 

 “I kinda feel bad for him,” I said, chuckling.

 “Well, he deserved it. You lost your job because of him,” she said, huffing. I nodded my head, agreeing with her.

 “Now stop worrying about it and eat your food. I see you haven't eaten anything since you came back from work.” She said handing me a plate with scrambled eggs and toasted bread. My stomach grumbled and I immediately dug in, giving Scar a toothy grin.

(Two days later)

“Karrie,” I heard the distant voice of Scarlet from afar which made me turn around. I waited for her to catch up before walking towards the last class we have for the day.

“Did you hear about the club party that Queen Bee is hosting tonight?” She asked me while catching her breath.

“You mean Queen Bee as in Melissa? Yah I did, what about that?” I asked her having a slight idea of where this conversation was heading.

“Aren’t you coming?” She asked me with expectations evident in her eyes.

“Umm... No, I guess I'll pass.” I replied with little interest.

“But why? Aren’t you interested in coming? I know you haven't been to a club before. So this is the chance, Karrie.” I made a face that clearly showed my reluctance.

“Look, I know what you’re afraid of but I promise you it won't happen. You're safe, trust me,” she said with determination in her eyes. 

“But-”

“You’re coming. Period” she said before leaving me dumbfounded in the middle of the hallway.

Huh? Now, what have I got myself into?