Chapter3

#Chapter3

Scarlett Monroe

We all survive the first week of school, considering that the seven of us could survive. I was acting less moody and more like myself once we settled into our schedules. New experiences and changes are always unsettling when you begin a new journey in your life. Plus, things were less chaotic than they were, which made me grateful.

Walking around the town, I went to see what was here and knew about Aunt Kate’s bakery. I haven’t checked out the college town. I’ve always loved exploring unfamiliar places. Mom was a nervous wreck, considering I would disappear on her. It got so bad; Dad leashed me. No, not the animal kind, but the one they made for kids.

After exploring, I made my way to the bakery, anyway. I was hungry and in need of caffeine. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see the old lady? I walked into the bakery, sounding the bell, and heard someone yell. /"One minute! Someone will be with you!/"

I walked up to the counter and leaned on it, lifting my body and reaching for something. Then saw a pair of sneakers standing there. My head lifted to see Scarlett standing there with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

/"Oh, hey, Scarlett,/" I greeted Scarlett.

/"Did wolves raise you?/" She asked with one hand on her hip and gesturing with the other one.

/"The last time I checked, no,/" I said, still looking up at her. Then she moved towards me, pushing me off the counter. I stood up and looked at her as she re wiped the countertop.

/"I thought your parents raised you with manners?/" Scarlett asked as she finished wiping the counter.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and shrugged. /"They did. I was sleeping when they taught that lesson./"

Scarlett leaned on the counter and put her hand to her jaw. /"You know, for someone serious, you have a sense of humor./"

I leaned on the counter and looked at her. /"Oh, yeah?/"

/"Yeah, that must be why you stammer when you talk. You’re trying to find the punchline,/" Scarlett smirked. What? I gave her a confused look as she sighed, /"Wow, you are daft, aren’t you?/"

I furrowed my eyebrows. /"What?/"

/"I was kidding. You don’t tell jokes, hence why you’re looking for the punchline. You are clueless with women, aren’t you?/" Scarlett asked me.

Damn, that was harsh. Here, I liked this girl, but I may need to rethink that. Okay, so I meet the girls who want me for who my family is or the ones that are bitchy. Yep, that’s my luck.

/"Matt?/" Scarlett questioned.

I snapped back from my deep thoughts and looked at her.

/"You didn’t hear me, did you?/" She asked.

No, I wasn’t paying attention to you after your comment, but okay.

/"I said I was kidding. Wow, you need to relax. You’re so tense,/" Scarlett said.

/"Sorry, I don’t get the concept of treating another person like they’re stupid,/" I stated as a matter of fact. My response took her back.

Then Scarlett chose her words. /"If I thought you were stupid, I wouldn’t assume. I would tell you you’re stupid,/" she said, not flinching.

What? This girl put me in my place with directness. Damn.

/"Look, we can go back and forth all day. You can let bygones be bygones. We could enjoy each other’s company while you’re standing there, pondering the meaning of life. Life sucks, and we die,/" she grinned.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. This girl was something else.

/"Fine, you win,/" I said, raising my hands in defeat.

/"Good, now what would you like to order?/" She asked me.

/"I thought you wanted to enjoy each other’s company?/" I asked her.

/"I do, but I still have a job to do,/" she smiled. I shrugged and ordered a coffee along with a muffin. She brought my order to me, and I took a seat next to a window. I ate it and drank the coffee, watching her as she waited on other customers. I was feeling like a stalker sitting there, watching her.

Aunt Kate came out from the back and saw me. She made her way over to me, taking a seat. /"Matthew! What do I owe to this honor of your visit?/"

/"I was checking out the town and got hungry, plus I needed a caffeine fix,/" I said, holding up my coffee.

/"What do you think of our small town?/" Kate asked.

/"It’s quaint. It’s not like what I expected./"

/"It never is, dear,/" she said, giving me a soft smile.

/"Aunt Kate, can I ask you something?/" I asked.

/"Sure, dear,/" Kate answered.

/"How long has Scarlett been working here?/" I asked.

Kate turned to look at Scarlett, then back to me. /"Scarlett started working here a few weeks ago. She came looking for a job when she arrived. So, I hired her. With Frazier back home, I need a little help. Why?/"

/"I wondered,/" I said, sipping my coffee.

/"Well, Scarlett’s a lovely young lady, who’s friendly and funny. Plus, she’s sweet,/" Kate said to me.

I nodded in agreement. Kate patted my hand as she got back up, going to the back. After a few hours, I left. Scarlett was busy, and I didn’t want to distract her. Plus, it’s not like we were that close, and it would seem weird.

I took a walk until I came across a picnic table and took a seat on the top. I set my hands on it and leaned back, looking at the sky. Sometimes it was beautiful on my own, with my thoughts. Well, that was until I heard a voice as they walked over to me, /"I didn’t take you for the tree hugger type./"

Scarlett climbed on top of the picnic table and took a seat next to me. I sat up and looked at her. /"Shouldn’t you be at work?/"

She looked at her watch. /"Oh, would you look at that? My shift ended ten minutes ago./"

/"You’re very,/" I said, stopping myself as I looked at her.

/"Special? Incredible? Awesome,/" she said to me, batting her eyelashes.

/"Odd,/" I said.

/"Eh, people considered me worse,/" she shrugged.

/"You have now, have you?/" I questioned.

/"Yeah, but what I learned about people is that’s their opinions, and I don’t care about their opinions,/" she said with a smirk.

I looked at Scarlett as she looked ahead. This girl was unfreakingbelievable. I’ve met no one like her, but she intrigued me, and I wanted to know everything about her.

/"Okay, you piqued my interest, Miss Monroe. Tell me something about yourself that no one knows. I will tell you something about myself,/" I said, issuing a challenge.

She thought for a minute, then said, /"I collect comic books./" My mouth became agape, and she looked at me, /"What? You seem surprised?/"

/"I am,/" I said, changing my facial expression to surprise.

/"Okay, I told my secret to you. What is your secret?/" Scarlett asked.

/"I never had a girlfriend,/" I answered.

She turned and looked at me.

/"What? You seem surprised?/" I mimicked her.

/"I am. I figured you would have one,/" Scarlett replied.

/"Nope, never did,/" I said, shrugging.

/"How is that possible?/" She asked me.

/"I never met the right person. I dated, but I’m the type with something like that, I want it to mean something. My entire family is that way. I guess it runs in the family,/" I explained.

/"That is admirable. Most guys get involved with someone to say they have someone, so they don’t look like a big loser. It should mean something,/" she said to me, looking into my eyes.

God, I so wanted to kiss her at that moment.

She looked at her watch. /"I better get back to my dorm; it’s getting late./"

She got up, and I knew if I let her walk away, I would blow any chance I have with her. As she walked away, I got up. /"Scarlett! Wait up! I’ll walk you back!/"

She waited as I ran up to her and walked her back to her dorm. We talked on the way back. She was funny and friendly. She had so much confidence out of any girl I met, and she was beautiful. Once we got to her dorm, we said goodnight; then, I went back to the house.

After I arrived, I caught up with everyone, and we played cards. I didn’t feel like a third wheel with everyone now; it’s because I kept thinking about Scarlett, I don’t know. What I knew is that she was incredible and wish she was mine.