Begin Again Season Two
Episode 12: Black Friday
"I'm glad you agreed to get out of the house with me," Jenny said with a smile as she and Scott walked around the mall. It was black Friday and she hadn't wanted to shop alone. Lily was available of course, but there was no way in hell she was shopping with her.
"I'm only here because I need to get Christmas gifts for everyone before I head back to Boston," Scott replied.
Jenny knew Scott was feeling down, and she was hoping this trip to the mall would cheer him up. After all, shopping always cheered her up. Though, she supposed it was different for a straight man to shop than it was for a woman.
She latched onto his arm, and rested her head on his shoulder. "It's so nice having you in New York. Forget Boston! Come live here permanently. Heck, if you don't want to live with Lily and Dad, which I don't blame you one bit if you don't, then you can come to Hudson and live with me. I could use a roommate to keep me company anyway. I have a two bedroom apartment. I was using one as a work room, but I'd gladly give it up if it meant my brother coming to live with me." She smiled up at him with hope, and batted her eyelashes pleadingly.
Scott looked at her and sighed. "I'm sorry, Jen, but I don't think I'd be that great of company. I've just been really down lately. I wouldn't be a fun roommate."
Jenny clung tighter to his arm, and smiled up at him. "All the more reason to come and live with me! You can keep me company, and I can keep you cheered up!"
Scott smiled weakly at her. "I'm sorry, Jen, but no. I need to go back to Boston and be back in my own apartment. I need to have time to myself. Heck, maybe I'll even travel. I need to try to find myself again and explore life without Veronica."
Jenny sighed. "I understand. But will you at least promise to come visit me a lot?" She pouted, and batted her eyelashes again. "Pretty please?"
Scott grinned at her. "Sure."
Jenny grinned in return. "So, where should we head first? They have a good sale going on at Saks. I suppose I could get Lily a new business suit for wearing at Bass Industries. I'm not exactly her biggest fan, but Dad will throw a fit if I don't get her anything for Christmas."
"Why do you hate her so much?" Scott asked as they headed down toward Saks.
"Do you even need to ask?" Jenny asked, looking at him in surprise.
Scott shrugged. "Apparently, yes."
Jenny rolled her eyes. "They way she treats Dad is annoying. He loved her so much and she just threw him to the wind—on more than one occasion at that! I mean, look at you. She got pregnant with you, and didn't even tell him. Instead, she just goes off to France, or wherever, and had you, then gave you up for adoption without ever planning on telling our father about you. Heck, if it hadn't been for your grandmother, Dad might still not know about you, nor would the rest of us!"
Scott shrugged. "I've forgiven her for that. Sure, it hurt my feelings at first, but she was young, and didn't know what to do. Who knows what even you might have done in a situation like that."
Jenny rolled her eyes again. "I know how to use protection. Anyway, I wouldn't have given my child up, nor would I have tried to keep it a secret from its father."
Scott stopped Jenny from walking, and placed a hand over her shoulder. "Well, regardless of what you would have done, or what Lily should have done, I've forgiven her. If I forgave her, can't you?"
Jenny stomped her foot. "It's not just that though! She came back into town and hooked up with and married several different men including William. Then she was with that old, disgusting creep Bart Bass. She cheated with my father, made him believe they were getting back together, then still married Bart. Then Bart supposedly died, and my dad is suddenly good enough for her. But no. She can't just treat him well and make him happy. She hides the fact that she has cancer from him, her husband mind you, and secretly hooks up with William behind his back. She says she only kissed him, but I know they must have done more. My father is naive and believes they only kissed, but I'm not stupid. I know better. Anyway, she shouldn't have even kissed him! Then she goes back to my dad once she realizes she's made a mistake. He stupidly takes her back, and she ends up turning all bitch on him and leaving him to marry Bart again, who surprise, isn't really dead. She even had the nerve to blame my father for that breakup. Then, when Bart really does die this time, she still goes back to William. I hate her. Our father deserves so much better than her. She'd going to break his heart again, I just know it!"
"Wow. You really don't like her. It's even worse than I thought," Scott replied.
"She's never given me any reason to like her," Jenny stated simply.
"I think you should give her another chance. Sure she's made mistakes in the past, but so has our father. What about him leaving poor Lisa at the alter for Lily? And secretly dating her before he even told Lisa their wedding was off?" Scott raised an eyebrow. "You can't possibly condone that, can you?"
Jenny shook her head. "Of course not! Lisa was good for him and he threw her away for Lily."
"But you forgave him, so why can't you just give Lily a chance and forgive her too?" Scott asked.
Jenny pouted. "I'm getting her a Christmas present, aren't I?"
Scott sighed. "At least try to have an open mind when it comes to her. People change. Give her the chance to prove that she has."
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever, but I can't make any promises."
"All I can ask is that you try. Now, let's go to Saks before all the good stuff is gone." Scott smiled and winked at Jenny.
Jenny grinned. "Now that's the spirit!" She took his hand, and practically dragged him to the store.
Scott laughed as he tried his best to keep up with her without falling flat on his face. "Wait up!"
~Begin Again~
Scott helped Jenny pick out a pretty business suit for Lily. It consisted of a white blouse, and a red skirt with matching red blazer. Scott even bought her a beautiful white gold ruby necklace to go with it.
"She'll love that necklace. It will look pretty on her. See? I'm trying." Jenny smiled weakly at Scott.
Scott smiled in return. "It's a good start. Now, to top it off, you should tell her in person how beautiful she looks in it."
"I didn't say anything about beautiful," Jenny said, wrinkling her nose. "I said pretty. There's a difference."
Scott was the one to roll his eyes this time.
Scott had also chosen a new watch for Rufus. It wasn't a Rolex, but it was still amazing quality. He planned on getting the back engraved.
They then went to other places to shop. Jenny got Serena a Michael Kors purse, and Scott got her a generous gift card to Christian LouBoutin. For Dan, they went in together on a golden pen, and a coffee mug with his name written on it in real gold.
"We should also get him a notebook, and a big gift certificate to the book store, and maybe some of that imported coffee he likes so he can drink it with his new mug," Scott suggested.
"You want to go to the bookstore and get the certificate?" Jenny asked. I want to go to Neiman Marcus to get this really cute lace purse that's on sale."
"For Blair?" Scott asked.
Jenny wrinkled her nose. "Hardly! I'm getting it for me."
"Tis the season to be greedy," Scott joked.
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Relax! I'm going to get Eric some nice shirts and dress pants for his work there as well. I'm not just shopping for me. Maybe I'll find Chuck something nice as well."
"All right. I'll meet you in there after I get the notebook and gift certificate for the book store," Scott told her.
"Okay," Jenny agreed, before walking off to Neiman Marcus.
Scott sighed. Jenny was a handful. He knew she was there to keep an eye on him, but it looks like he was going to have to be the one keeping an eye on her.
He walked into the bookstore. He searched through the notebook section and found a nice one with Shakespearean quotes all over the cover. He picked one up, then and headed toward the registers. He didn't like that Jenny hated Lily so much. She had been planning on picking Lily out an ugly brown tweet pants suit. Scott had to push her into buying the prettier and better quality suit that came with a skirt instead of pants. He knew the red would look far more beautiful on his mother than boring and drab old brown. He was sure she'd prefer the nice cotton/viscose/silk/elastane mix to nasty old tweed.
Scott waited in line. There were only two lines, and they were both long. He chose the shortest line. He wondered why they didn't have more help on Black Friday. Every day from now until Christmas was going to be packed, he knew.
When he finally got up to the front of the line, he saw a help wanted sign. Yeah, you think? he thought to himself.
"Will this be all?" the cheery middle aged woman behind the counter whose name tag read Betty asked him as she scanned the notebook.
"I'd like a gift card with fifty dollars put on it please," Scott said politely. He thought about the job as she was ringing him up. He could sure use the extra cash. He wasn't as rich as the rest of his biological family was, and this years Christmas gifts were proving to be quite pricy. He supposed he could work from now until Christmas. The sign did say they needed seasonal help. He looked at the cashier. "May I please have an application as well?"
"Sure, Darlin'!" Betty said, smiling a cheery smile and handing him an application. That will be fifty-five dollars for the notebook and gift card please."
Scott handed her over a crisp fifty dollar bill as well as a five dollar one. "I would hope it wasn't fifty-five for the application!" he teased.
Betty chuckled. "You're funny! I like you. We could use someone with a sense of humor around here." She winked at him.
Scott smiled back at her. "Thanks. I'll fill this out and get it right back to you." He held up the application to show what he was talking about.
Betty nodded. "You do that, Darlin'."
Scott grabbed the bag Betty handed him, then headed over to a section of pens available to buy. He took one, then sat down with his application at one of the tables in the cafe part of the bookstore, and filled out his application. He then got up, put the pen back, then waited off to the side of the line so that he could quickly slip Betty his application. He wasn't about to wait in line again just to give her his application!
Thankfully, she saw him, and paused from ringing someone out to grab his application. "Thank you, Darlin'! I'll be sure to put a good word in for ya. I just so happen to be dating the person in charge of hiring." She smiled and winked at him.
Scott grinned at her. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
"He'll be calling ya!" Betty said before going back to ringing out her customer.
Scott left the bookstore suddenly feeling a little better than he did this morning when Jenny had to practically drag him out of bed to go shopping with her.
~Begin Again~
"Do you think Daniel will like the first edition of Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls I got him for Christmas?" Lily asked as she and Rufus shopped together.
Rufus nodded. "Are you kidding me? It makes my gift of a new laptop seem lame." He kissed the top of her head. "That was so wonderful of you to get him that book. He'll be so excited when he opens it."
Lily kissed Rufus in return, only on the lips. "He'll love his laptop as well. It's a good thing you gave the owner of the Apple store such a great deal on that painting. If you hadn't, who knows if he would have let you have the laptop before it goes on sale to the public in January. Daniel will be thrilled!"
Rufus grinned. "Plus, since it's not on sale to the public yet, he won't already have it."
Lily nodded. "Exactly! Now, what do we get Charles? It's hard to shop for someone who already has everything he could possibly need."
"Well, how about we get him and Blair a seven day cruise to Australia as a surprise?" Rufus suggested. "I once over heard Blair tell Serena that Australia seems like it would be a cool place to visit. Scott and Jenny will both be leaving soon, and we'll have rooms available again. Henry can stay with us."
Lily grinned. "Or we can do a fourteen night. That way they can have plenty of time to explore Australia and New Zealand!"
"If they don't mind staying away from Henry for that long," Rufus quipped.
Lily thought about that for a moment. "Or what if they wanted to bring Henry along with them?"
Rufus thought about it for a moment. "We can ask them what they'd rather, and book it right after Christmas."
Lily clapped her hands. "Sounds perfect!"
"Look, there's Scott and Jenny!" Rufus said, pointing to Scott and Jenny, who were exiting Neiman Marcus with their arms covered in shopping bags.
Lily smiled. "Let's go over and say hello!"
So, they did.
"Scott, Jennifer! What a surprise running into you here." Lily pulled her son close, and kissed his cheeks.
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, big surprise meeting us at the mall when I told you guys we'd be going to the mall for the Black Friday sales."
"Jenny, knock it off!" Rufus warned.
"I just meant, I didn't expect to run into you. We left at different times, and it's a really big mall. It's just funny we happen to be around the same part of the mall at the same time," Lily said calmly. She hated that Jenny disliked her so much. She didn't want to snap at her or give her any more reason to dislike her. If it were anyone else, she'd give her a piece of her mind for acting like such a brat. However, Jenny was her soon to be stepdaughter, and Rufus' daughter. That meant something to her, and it was important to her that she and Jenny got along—for Rufus' sake if nothing else.
"Sorry," Jenny said, clearly souly for her father's sake. She shot Lily a super forced smile, which showed Lily, she wasn't very sorry at all.
"So, did you get all your Christmas shopping done?" Lily asked, trying to change the subject.
Scott nodded. "Except for Henry and Chuck. I don't know what I could possibly get them. Henry's been given everything in the world he could possibly want, and Chuck already has everything as well."
"Well, I'm sure whatever you get Henry, he'll love. He's a little boy. Little boys love cars, toy boats, anything. Just pick something you know he'd like. I'm sure he'll appreciate it because it came from you," Lily assured him.
Lily noticed Jenny rolling her eyes at this, but she chose to ignore it. Instead, she tried to turn the tables, and get Jenny on her good side—at least for the time being. "So, Jennifer, what would you like for Christmas? Anything special you have in mind?" She smiled and winked at Jenny.
Jenny smiled brightly. "Actually, Lily, there is something you could get me that would be the best Christmas present ever!"
Lily smiled as well. She knew talk of a present would do the trick! "Name it!" she said, eager to hear what present she could get Jenny that would put her back in Jenny's good graces. That is, if she was ever in her good graces to begin with.
Jenny narrowed her eyes at her. "For you to not marry my father so that he can find a woman more worthy of him to marry. Maybe he could get back with Lisa. As far as I know, she's still single. She is far better for him than you ever were or ever will be."
Lily's face fell. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Jenny." It was all she could manage before walking away. She didn't even wait to see if Rufus was following behind her. So badly she wanted to shake Jenny senseless and ask her what the hell her problem was. Even so, there was still another part of her that was sad. Rufus' daughter hated her. She was going to marry Rufus, and his daughter, the most important person in the world to him, didn't like her. What if Rufus chose not to marry her because his daughter couldn't stand her? If that happened, well... Well, she didn't know what she'd do. Rufus was her life, and without Rufus, well... She didn't know. She couldn't bare to think of life without Rufus. She loved him too much to let him go. If Jenny didn't like it, well, that was just too bad! She only hoped Rufus felt the same way.
~BA~
"Lily, wait up!" Rufus said, catching up to me after about a minute. I wondered what had taken him so long to catch up with me. Was he telling off Jenny? Was he just not able to find me? Or was he working up the courage to break off our engagement?
Rufus put a hand over the back of my shoulder, and I turned around to face him. I had tears in my eyes, and I was embarrassed. I had tried to wipe the tears before turning around to face him, but he was too smart for that. He still saw the dampness in my eyes.
Rufus took me in his arms, and held me close against his chest as he gently stroked my hair. "I'm so sorry she talked to you like that. Don't listen to her. You're going to be my wife. I love you, and she's just going to have to accept that."
"Really?" I asked, looking up at him, my hand on his chest. "I was afraid you might leave me since your daughter doesn't like me. I know as a mother, our children must always come first."
"Yeah, well, in case you haven't noticed, Jenny isn't a child anymore. She only acts like one." Rufus grinned at his own joke.
I smiled politely, but I was still a little worried that maybe he was just putting on a brave front for me, then would later change his mind.
"Hey!" Rufus gently said as he lifted my chin up so that I was forced to look in his eyes. "You have to stop worrying, all right? Don't let Jenny get to you. I'm not going to leave you. Me marrying you is not putting Jenny in any danger, so I'm not choosing her over you on this one. Yes, she's my daughter and means the world to me, but you're going to be my wife, and you also mean the world to me. There's no way in hell I'm letting you go again. Not after all the years it took me to finally make you mine!" He smiled at me.
This time, I returned his smile sincerely. I gently stroked some hair out of his eyes. "I love you so much, Rufus. I just couldn't bear it if I lost you. One thing about letting you go so many times is that it made me realize what an idiot I was, and how, try as I might, I simply cannot live without you, nor do I ever want to."
He gently kissed my lips. "Well, you're never going to have to find out what that's like!" He held me close to him again. "I love you, Lil. More than you could ever imagine. I have from the day I first laid eyes on you, and I never stopped."
I felt tears in my eyes. How could I have ever doubted his love for me? I should have known... "I love you too, Rufus. In fact, I love you more and more with every day that passes."
He kissed me again, and smiled at me. "Ignore Jenny. She'll come around. If she doesn't, well, it's her loss."
"I'll try my best," I said.
We began walking along when Rufus saw a big sign for fifty percent off all eyeglass frames.
"I'm due for a new exam too! I'm going to go at least buy some new frames. They can always fit me in for an exam later if they can't today," Rufus said to me. "I'm very picky about my frames. It might take a bit. Would you like to look around, and I'll just call you when I'm ready?"
I nodded. "Sure. This will give me the chance to get you a few things."
Rufus smiled, and kissed me. "Good idea! Why don't we just meet back in an hour? That way I can shop for you as well."
"All right. And just so you know, a girl's best friend isn't only limited to diamonds," I joked. "We like any kind of gems, really."
Rufus laughed. "I'll keep that in mind." He smiled and winked at me. "And, for the record, a man's best friend is a dog. I've always liked Bull dogs, but I'm not picky."
"Oh goodness! I don't know how Waffles would feel about that!" I said. I knew Rufus loved dogs. He had once told me about a childhood Bull dog he had once had and loved. Still, I didn't know if I was ready for that kind of commitment. At least cats basically took care of themselves as long as they had the means to do so.
"But, if you would rather not have a dog, I could also use some new flannels and sweaters. It's getting to be the season of cold weather and snow, so they would be much appreciated!" Rufus said.
I smiled. "I'll keep that in mind," I said, taking his line. I smiled and winked at him in return.
We kissed.
Rufus then looked at his watch. "We'll meet in the food court at one, then we can go out to lunch."
"Okay," I agreed, giving him one more kiss.
He then left for the eye glass place, and I went shopping for Rufus, and I'll admit, I was also on the look out for a few new things myself.
I was just walking along when I happened to spot a dress in Bloomingdale's window. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, and knew it would be perfect to wear to the Christmas ball. It was floor length and red with a beaded and sequined bodice. It was perfect! I saw a sign in the window that said it was half off. Even though I could afford to pay full price, I still got a thrill of getting big discounts just like any other person.
I quickly headed into the store to grab my dress and buy it.
I ran into a sales clerk and asked her about it, and she informed me that the one in the window was the only one left, but I was welcome to it if I wanted it. Of course I told her I wanted it. I could always have it tailored if it was too big on me. If it was too small, well, I was Lily Rhodes. I'd think of something.
She got it off the mannequin, and I was thrilled when she told me what size it was. It was my size! It was the only one left, and it was in my size. It was like it was meant to be. Merry early Christmas to me!
~BA~
"So, did you get the glasses you wanted?" Lily asked as she and Rufus headed out of the mall.
Rufus nodded. "I sure did! Of course they were too busy for appointments today, but I have an appointment set up for Monday. They are keeping my glasses so they have them when they need them. I already paid for them and got the discount though."
"That's good. I found a lot of nice things today—especially after you were gone. I got the most beautiful dress for the Christmas ball," Lily gushed.
Rufus raised an eyebrow. "No offense, Lil, but a dress isn't really my style. You might want to rethink my Christmas gift."
Lily smirked, and playfully pushed Rufus. "You know what I meant!"
Rufus laughed. "So, you're buying yourself Christmas presents now?"
"It's for before Christmas, so it doesn't count as a Christmas gift." Lily raised an eyebrow of her own. "What about you with your eye glasses?"
"That is a necessity for my eye health," Rufus said. "But, I'll admit, I found a nice new pair of boots for myself." He grinned.
Lily grinned too. "Don't worry, I also bought you some wonderful things."
"And I bought you some wonderful things. I'll let you peak if you let me peak." Rufus wriggled his eyebrows up and down at her.
Lily smiled, but rolled her eyes. "Nice try."
Rufus pouted, and they got into a cab.
"I'll just sneak a look later," Lily joked.
"You will not!" Rufus said. "I could sneak a peak."
"I'm hiding yours," Lily said.
"I'm hiding yours!" Rufus assured her. He then turned to the cab driver and gave them their home address. "Let's drop our bags off first, and hide them before lunch," he then said to Lily.
Lily nodded. "Good idea!"
So, they headed back home.
Lily was glad to see that Jenny and Scott were home.
"Good! You're home. Now I can show all of you the beautiful dress I got for the Christmas ball!" Lily said, her smile big.
"Oo, let's see!" Scott said.
Even Jenny smiled. "Where did you get it?"
"Bloomingdale's," Lily replied as she pulled the dress box out of the bag, then opened the box, and carefully pulled the dress out.
"Wow, that is going to look so beautiful on you, Lil! I love it!" Rufus said, eyeing the dress up and down. "The slit up the leg and that see through part over the collar bone, are..wow! You're going to be smoking hot in that dress!"
Lily grinned at him. "I'm glad you approve." She smiled and winked at him.
"Yeah, Mom, you'll look great in it. I can hardly wait to see you in it," Scott told her, smiling sweetly.
Lily smiled back at him. "Thanks! I'm going to wait until the event to put it on though. I don't want to risk anything happening to it." She turned to Jenny, deciding one more time to try to get on good terms with Jenny. "Do you like it, Jennifer?"
Jenny nodded. "Sure! It's really beautiful. I like the sequins and bead detailing on the bodice." She walked over and carefully felt the material. "It is good quality too."
"It sure is!" Lily said with a smile, glad that Jenny was finally being decent. "Hey, have you two eaten yet? Rufus and I are going out to lunch. You can join us if you'd like. We'd love for you two to join us."
"Where are you going to eat at?" Scott asked.
"We haven't decided yet," Rufus said. "Where would you guys like to eat?"
"Anywhere's fine with me," Scott said with a shrug. "I'm actually starving."
"I've been wanting to try that Luigi's place out. That wasn't here the last time I was in New York," Jenny stated.
"Well, then, let's go!" Lily said. "Luigi's it is!"
Scott and Jenny then grabbed their coats.
Lily smiled at Rufus, who smiled and winked at her in return as if to say, "See? I knew she'd come around!"
Lily grinned. Who knew? Maybe all it was going to take to get on Jenny's side was a little patience and kindness. Of course, she'd also have to make her love for Rufus visible, but she had plenty of love for Rufus, so when it came to proving her love for Rufus to Jenny, she wasn't worried. Things were finally looking like they were going to work out, and Lily planned on keeping things that way if she could help it!
~Begin Again~
Scott was surprised to get a call that night that he had gotten the job. He guessed Betty really had put a good word in for him! He was excited to be getting some extra money. He figured that maybe, if he liked the job well enough, and the money paid well, he could stay a little bit longer in New York after all. He was still sad, but it did feel nice being with his parents.
Dinner had gone well that night. He had scolded Jenny after Jenny had told Lily the best Christmas present Lily could give her was to break up with Rufus.
"Why did you say that to her? Did we not just talk about you being nicer to her?" Scott snapped at her.
Jenny shrugged. "I'm sorry, okay? Something about her just irks me!"
"She was trying to be nice, Jen. Cut her a break! She really loves my father whether you think she does or not. Just stop being a jerk to her! I'm already stressed out as it is lately, and the last thing I need is for you to make it worse by being a snot to her, all right?" I snapped.
"Fine. I'm sorry. I'll play nice," Jenny said, her head hung low.
"You better, or I'm leaving before Christmas," Scott had warned her.
Thankfully his threats seemed to have worked. Jenny had been very pleasant about the dress, and was pleasant during lunch too, as well as the rest of the night.
It was now the next day, and Scott was ready for work.
"I'm so proud of you!" Lily said, hugging him before he left. "I think this job will be good for you."
Rufus nodded. "Yes! I hope this will help keep your mind off things."
Scott nodded. "Me too."
Jenny grinned. "Call me when you know what you're break time is. I'll come to the mall, and we can eat together in the food court."
"All right," Scott agreed.
So, after a few more hugs and goodbyes, Scott left the apartment. He was half nervous and half excited about starting a new job. He was more excited than nervous though. After all, extra money was always a good thing.
~BA~
I got tot he mall and headed to the bookstore. I was excited to learn what needed to be done. On the phone, they told me I'd start working that day. I'd only need to be trained for an hour. I needed to learn where each genera was, and I needed to learn how to use the computers. I have always been fast learning when it came to computers, and I have a very good memory, so I didn't think it should be a problem. I was told that, if all goes well with my training, and I pick things up quickly, I could be working the registers in no time.
I entered the store, and looked around for anyone I could check in with.
I saw Betty, and she smiled big at me and waved. She walked over to me since she was behind the help counter instead of the checkout registers this time. "Hello, Scott! Welcome back! See? I told you I'd put a good word in for you!" She playfully nudged me and smiled at me.
"What word did you put in?" I joked, knowing my sense of humor is what had made her want to put a good word in for me.
She laughed. "Oh, Scott, you're too funny!"
I smiled. Apparently, it didn't take much to make her laugh.
"Well, I have to get back to work, but I'll go get someone to train you. You wait right here, Darlin', all right?" Betty said before heading behind the help desk, and picking up the phone to call someone in the back room.
I smiled at her, then browsed some of the books nearby. It was the horror genera. I could think of a few horror stories of my own.
"He's coming right out to train you!" Betty said.
"All right, thanks!" I said with a smile. "What's his name?"
"Travis," Betty said. He's a hard worker and a good kid. He looks to be around your age. Who knows? Maybe you two will end up becoming the best of friends!"
I smiled weakly. "Maybe," I agreed lightheartedly. Of all names for the kid to have. Gosh, even just his name made me want to throw up. Maybe he'd let me call him T. Then I wouldn't have to use his full name, and therefore I wouldn't have to be reminded of the scum that killed my girlfriend.
"Ah! Here he comes right now," Betty said.
I followed her gaze, and my stomach lurched as I saw the person that would be my trainer.
He came over to me and smirked. "Well, well, if it isn't Scott Rosson!"
I felt like I was going to throw up. "You got to be kidding me," I said. There, standing in front of me, was none other than Travis Freeman. Who, ironically enough was definitely a free man.
"You two know each other?" Betty asked, sounding delighted. She clearly didn't know who either of us was, media wise.
"You could say that!" Travis said.
"Wonderful!" Betty said, clasping her hands together and smiling big. "See, Scott? I told you you two would be the best of friends!"
I smiled at her. "I wouldn't count on that," I said underneath my breath.
Travis led me away from Betty. "So, it looks like I'm your new trainer, and we're coworkers now!" he said, placing am arm around my shoulders.
I roughly pushed his arm off me, not caring if Betty saw. "Don't count on it! I snapped. "I'm out of here." I then headed for the door without looking back.
~BA~
"Hey, don't go," Travis said, grabbing Scott's arm.
Scott whipped around to face him, and roughly pulled his arm way from him. "You've really got to stop touching me!"
Travis crossed his arms over his chest. "Or what? You'll try to shoot me again?"
Scott looked around, turning bright red. "Sh! Someone could hear you!"
Travis lowered his voice. "Come on. Let me train you. We can keep it strictly professional. We won't mention what I did, or what you tried to do. You need the money, don't you?"
Scott paused for a moment. "What do you care anyway?"
Travis shrugged. "No one but old bags work here. I want someone my own age to work with."
Scott crossed his arms over his chest as well. "I'm sure others my age will start working here now that my job spot is open. Have Betty put in a good word for someone else my age."
"I could really use a friend, all right?" Travis stated.
"What about your drag racing friends?" Scott asked bitterly.
Travis shook his head. "They were never my friends. Besides, my father won't let me hang out with them anymore anyway. He pays for my apartment, so I kind of have to listen to him until I can afford one on my own."
"Dude, you killed my girlfriend and ran! What makes you think I'd ever even consider being your friend?" Scott snapped.
Travis looked down at the floor. "Just stay, all right? We don't have to be friends. We can just be civil to each other during working hours."
Scott thought about it for a moment. He hated Travis. He couldn't believe he was even considering staying. But he needed this job, and well, Travis wasn't acting like a total jerk. He still couldn't stand the guy, but why should he let Travis screw him out of a good job?
He looked Travis in the eyes. "I have no desire to be your friend, but I will keep this job. I don't want to make Betty look bad after she put a good word in for me."
Travis grinned. "Great! Now let's get to work. I'll show you where everything is first, then I'll teach you how to work the computers."
Scott didn't trust Travis as far as he could through him. He planned on keeping an extra close watch on him while he was here. He wasn't about to let Travis hurt him again. Not ever again.
Author's Note: I see most of you find my story boring, and now hate it. I'm sorry I was not able to live up to the first one. I'm kind of bored with it myself, so I apologize. I've lost my desire to write fan fiction. I'll try to hurry this up, then I'll be finished. There will be no more Begin Again after this one. I am officially canceling it. I'm no longer pleasing the fans, so it's time to hang it up. Thank you all for your reviews anyway. I appreciate them, and am glad to know what I'm doing wrong. I think I want to mainly stick to originals after this. I'll try to move things along. There will be more Rufus and Lily and Jenny vs Lily after this chapter. I have one more Scott thing that needs to be done too. I'm sorry that it bores you guys, but it's an idea in my head I have to get out. Thanks!