"An empire is falling
In just one day
You close your eyes and the glory fades"

I get to the store just before it's time to open. Like literally one minute before. My alarm didn't go off and Kay and my mom were still in bed. I hate being late, but technically I'm still on time. Right?

I expect Aimee to already be there but when I unlock the door and enter, all the lights are off. Well I guess I'll just have to start getting the store ready by myself.

30 minutes later I hear the front door open and look up. I see Aimee walking in while texting on her phone. I'm surprised she never bumps into anything. One time while I was texting and walking in a grocery store I almost hit my head on one of those things that weigh the fruit.

Aimee still has not even looked at me.

"Good morning Aimee." I really try not to roll my eyes as I tell her.

"Oh, hi. Sorry I was late. Just that I was busy texting Chris." She says it as its a valid reason to be late. In other places I don't think it would be okay to come in late and just be like "I was busy texting, but now I'm here." But her uncle is the boss so she gets more freedom.

About an hour later customers start to come in and it stays steady.
My phone starts ringing and as I silence it I see it's Emma calling.

Ever since I told her about yesturday, she has been bugging me to tell Nate that I like him. The thing is, we are friends now and I don't want to make it awkward for him. Ugh. I'm just going to forget about. Just have to keep reminding myself he's just a friend.
One that makes me feel like I have butterflies in my stomach and my heart race everytime I see him. Okay thinking about that is not helping. I'm just going to distract myself with work today.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That plan didn't work since it has now slowed down and there's nothing really left to do. Its almost five in the afternoon. Plus Aimee keeps looking at her phone, I'm sure expecting a phone call or text from Chris. Which reminds of Nate. Crap. This is stupid.

I hear a door open and am surprised to see Emma walk in.

"Hey Em, what are you doing here?"

"I forgot my wallet in my locker. I was going to go out then realized I didn't have it on me. Will you come with me Audrey?"

I look at Aimee and she's busy taking selfies so I think it will be okay to go to the lounge for a little bit.

I start walking with Emma and as soon as I enter the lounge she closes the door.

"Call him or I will. I will be like hey by the way, Audrey likes you."

"First, you don't have his number, second he doesn't like me and third, I don't want to mess up our friendship."

"Well, maybe I'll run into him. And why do you think he doesn't like you? Remember when you first met and he asked you on a date? Plus I've seen how he looks at you. Trust me, he likes you."

"He was probably kidding about the date. It was just a bet." Trying to move on I ask her "So you didn't forget your wallet? You just made that up?"

"Actually, I did leave it behind." She turns and unlocks her locker,pulls out her white and blue Kate Spade wallet and shows it to me.

"See? Now, look, about Nate, I'm just saying, give it a chance. You might be surprised."

I just sigh.

"Changing topics for now. Because I do not feel like talking about it, what are your plans for today?" I try to brighten the mood.

"Well, I'm planning to go to the movies with Matt." Emma lights up. They are officially dating now. I haven't met him yet but I can tell she's happy.

I'm about to tell her to have fun when I hear voices.

"Well, I guess there's some customers here." Emma guesses.

"I think so too. I better go help. You know Aimee won't."

"Yeah, unless its a hot rich guy." She laughs.

As we make our way to the front, we can hear Aimee giggle and say "Chris! How did you find me?" That name sounds familiar. Wait isn't that-

"Isn't that the guy she never shuts up about?!" Emma looks curious and stops walking. We can't see them from where we are.

"I thought she was making him up. Oooo, lets see who this mysterious Christopher is!" Em adds.

Before, I could have cared less, but Emma has made me interested to see what this guy looks like.

We both start walking and try to act natural.

Emma is in front of me and she suddenly stops. "What the heck?" I hear her mutter. She turns and looks at me weird. Why is she acting strange? I side step her and see Aimee talking to Nate. Wait what? I thought she was talking to that Chris guy. I turn to look around and I don't see anybody else in the store.

"Uh, hi Nate." Emma speaks and they turn around and notice us.

"Hey Emma. Hey Audrey." Nate smiles at me.

"Chris how do you know them?" Aimee says "them" as if we were nobody. Wait, again why is she calling him Chris?

Emma voices that question out loud "Nate, why is she calling you Chris?"

Nate looks at me and starts to speak until Aimee pipes in and sneers "Because that's his name. Christopher. Duh. His middle name is Nathan."

"Wait your Chris?" I finally speak and ask him.

"Yes. But-" He starts but I don't let him finish.

I turn to Aimee, "This is who you have been talking about these past few days?"

"Yes." She smiles at him then continues, "How do you guys know each other?" She doesn't look happy that we know her boyfriend. Oh crap, are they actually dating? I knew I was stupid to like him. He would have never been with someone like me. And why did he tell me his name was Nathan yet she calls him Chris. I don't know anything right now. Im confused and my head is starting to hurt.

"We are, uh friends. Audrey and Nate, I mean Chris met awhile ago. Then I met him after. Huh, crazy small world" Emma answers her.

"I actually prefer that people call me Nate." Apparently Christopher adds. He keeps looking at me but I avoid his gaze. I just want to punch a wall. Or him. Or even Aimee. I'm never violent so I'm surprised that thought entered my mind.

"I came to-" he gets interrupted again.

"To visit me! Aww he's so great! Audrey you can go home since it's not busy." Aimee then gives Chris a big hug. I can't stand seeing that for some reason.

I take my out "Okay, I'm leaving. See you later." I go towards the back, grab my stuff and start to leave. I hear footsteps behind me and figure it's Em. I still don't stop walking.

"Audrey wait!" Its Nate. I mean Chris. Ugh. I don't know what to call him. He catches up and grabs my arm gently "Can we talk? I have to explain several things."

"Look, not right now, Chris slash Nate."

"Please."

"Leave her alone for now okay? Lets go Audrey." Emma appears behind him. She starts walking to her car and tells me to come with her.

He lets my arm go with a look of sadness in his eyes. I almost change my mind and decide to stay and listen to him. Then Aimee comes out and asks him to come back inside with her.

Thats when I follow Emma, get in her car and she starts driving away.

"Well, thats weird. So is Nate a millionaire? Are he and Aimee together?" Em whispers that last part.

"I don't know." Is all I say. Right now there are more questions then answers. I told him where I worked and he never said he knew her. And he came to visit her! Was he just playing with me? Is this some joke?

"All I know is that he lied to me and things are not making sense." I add.

"Maybe there's an explanation." She suggests. I don't respond.

Its quiet for awhile and I notice she's not going towards my house. I ask her where she's going.

"You are coming to the movies with me and Matt. It will be fun. I am not taking no for an answer. Plus, you need a distraction."

"Okay." I don't fight it. Even though I just want to go home and forget this mess. I knew he could break my heart.

Chapter Note: I hope you liked this chapter! What do you think Nate's explanation is?