Julian's POV
Saturday was a disaster. Magnus had abandoned me for a blind double date, and I couldn't help but worry he'd get himself into trouble. But honestly, I didn't care. Not really.
As I trudged along on my walk at 5:58 pm, the quiet streets seemed to echo my melancholy. I hid beneath my dark hoodie and grey sweatpants, my headphones a shield against the world. The sky, however, was a different story. The setting sun painted the horizon with hues of orange and peach, a breathtaking sight that made my heart ache.
I reached for my phone to capture the moment, but the photo didn't do it justice. I wished I had a better camera, one that could freeze the beauty of that instant.
As I approached the entrance of a nearby bakery, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries, transporting me back to the days when my ex-girlfriend, Marcia, and I would visit this very bakery together.
My heart sank at the thought of running into her. But life had other plans.
As I entered the bakery, the worker behind the counter looked up, and my world came crashing down. "Hey, Julian. It's been a while."
Marcia. My ex-girlfriend. Standing behind the counter, wearing a bright smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
My mind reeled as I struggled to compose myself. "Marcia? You work here, now?" I managed to stammer, trying to sound calmer than I felt.
"I started a few weeks ago," Marcia replied. "I needed something to do, and my mom knows the owner."
I raised an eyebrow. "Your mom knows the owner?"
Marcia nodded. "Yeah, they're old friends. She helped me get the job."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. Marcia's mom was a control freak, and I wondered if she was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
"That's cool, I guess," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Marcia's smile faltered for a moment, and I glimpsed the awkwardness she was trying to hide. "So, what brings you here today?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
I shrugged. "Just grabbing something to go."
As I browsed the display case, Marcia chatted with me about the different pastries and sandwiches. I tried to respond politely, but my mind was elsewhere.
When I finally made my selection, Marcia rang me up with a bright smile. "That'll be $5.50 please."
I handed her the money, and as she gave me my change, our fingers touched. It was a fleeting moment, but it sent a spark of electricity through my body.
"Thanks," I muttered, feeling like an idiot.
Marcia's smile softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of the girl I used to know. "Take care, Julian."
I nodded, my throat constricting with emotions. "You too, Marcia."
As I walked out of the bakery, the sweet scent of pastries still lingering in my nostrils, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. But for now, I just needed to take care of myself and move forward, one step at a time.
As I sat on a bench outside the bakery, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. "Can't believe I just ran into Marcia," I thought to myself. "I wonder what was on her mind." The encounter had left me feeling unsettled, like a puzzle with missing pieces.
I gazed down at my hand, and my attention was diverted by a tiny ant crawling on my skin. "Ugh, these dumb bugs just had to taste me," I muttered, shaking the ant off. I nursed my hand by sucking on it, the minor pain a distraction from my thoughts.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but reminisce about Marcia and me. We had met in Shanghai China, during a family trip. My dad had taken us along on his business venture, and I had stumbled upon Marcia while trying to help an old lady with her WiFi.
I had apologized and quickly retreated, feeling like the shy protagonist of a romance anime. We hadn't spoken again until we bumped into each other at this very bakery. She had initiated the conversation, and we had become fast friends. A few months later, we started dating, but our relationship had been short-lived. She had dumped me, leaving me feeling like a cookie melting into hot chocolate. The memory still stung, but I couldn't help but wonder what could have been. I couldn't help but wonder what Marcia was thinking. Did she still think about me? Did she ever regret breaking up with me?
"Julian?" a voice called out to me from my left, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Marcia. I turned my head, and our eyes locked, making my heart skip a beat. "Hmm?" I responded nonchalantly.
She had her handbag with her, so I assumed she was heading out. She seemed hesitant, but finally, she spoke, her words grabbing my attention. "I didn't think you'd still be here, but since you are... there's something I've been meaning to say to you. I'm sorry."
"For what?" I asked, still trying to appear nonchalant.
Marcia pointed to the empty space beside me on the bench. "May I...?" she asked. I nodded, and she sat down, sighing as she gazed at the ground. An uncomfortable silence fell between us, the tension building with each passing second.
"You're probably trying to keep your cool, even though you're unhappy with me being here," Marcia said, her voice low but steady. I remained silent, prompting her to continue. "I should've explained myself before breaking up with you on your birthday. It was messed up – fucked up."
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye, her words igniting a fire within me. I tried to remain calm, but my eyebrows began to wrinkle in anger.
"Why'd you do it?" I asked, my voice husky with a hint of anger. "You dumped me on my birthday. Who does that?"
Marcia adjusted herself to face me. "I don't want to break you and Magnus up, but... he's not as innocent as you think he is." The mention of Magnus made me look her straight in the eye.
"What are you talking about?" I asked sternly. Marcia hesitated before answering, her expression stern. "Magnus and I were dating in secret. I only broke up with you because he wasn't okay with the idea of sharing me with you–"
"We?!" I yelled, my head spinning from the bombshell. What was she talking about? "Magnus did this? And he lied to me?"
"No! I mean... yes. Let me explain the whole thing..."