Break:Do Or Die Sequel

Chapter 2

"Good job, Sean. That's all I need from you today." He looked full of wry and walked off slowly unbuttoning the rest of his shirt. A familiar scent of male body wash trailed behind him as I flipped through Misty's portfolio.  

Sean Benoit.  

5'11. Graduated from Florida State University. Modeling for a good amount of big names in men's attire since early 2014. I looked up and saw him with the other models back joking. He probably is used to be center of attention since early childhood, too. 

_______________ 

I stepped on the elevator, searching for my keys to my car. Lunch was okay, but I needed real food. A ding echoed around me as I stepped off into the parking garage. The garage was full of cars starting and eagerly speeding off away from work. I told myself I would cook tonight but my body was screaming from exhaustion.  

As my car inched towards the exit all I could hear was the bass of a Young Thug song growing louder until the noise was able to vibrate inside my car. A red Camaro with a black strip on the hood pulled up behind me, at least 3 people in the car.  

Too hype for a Wednesday afternoon.  

I rolled my eyes and headed to the bank before I could even talk about eating elsewhere besides my house. Interrupting my food fueled thoughts, my phone rang and I saw Mom's name pop up on the caller ID. Did I really want to answer? I gave a slight sigh and decided to answer. 

"Mom, if you're trying to -" 

"Rose called." 

My heart was sinking lower than I felt this morning. It had been years since I had spoken with her. Maybe once or twice during college but no contact in the recent years. "Why?" 

"She's the one hosting the reunion and she didn't have your new number so she called me." 

I typed in my account PIN into the ATM, trying to focus and not lose the sanity I had left for the evening. "Well, I'm not interested in attending the reunion, like I said." 

"Rose said she wanted you to speak...at DJ's memorial. The entire family will be there." 

The street lights guided me out of the bank's lot as whirls of memories spun around my head. I wasn't prepared nor interested in openly speaking about the death that's caused my life such misery. My feelings compared asking a veteran with severe PTSD to openly discuss what caused his night terrors. "Send me Rose's number so I can personally tell her my decision so she can stop harassing you."  

My mom chuckled a little bit. "I don't call it harassing. But I'll do that for you, sweetheart."  

We said our 'I love you' farewells and went about our ways. As I arrived to Anchos Southwest Grill and Bar, my thoughts went directly to if my mom was attempting to understand her wistful daughter. I shook off my depressing thoughts at the sound of my growling stomach. 

The atmosphere seemed a little hype for a hump day but with my mind so far gone, I could easily block out all of the noise surrounding me. My lemonade arrived, red wine following shortly after. Waiting on my food, my eyes took attention to my Facebook page on my cell phone. Photographs and statuses regarding kids, relationships, social and political drama, and, of course, Jesus.  

"You know, Facebook can kill brain cells if you look any harder at that screen," a familiar voice stated nearby. 

My eyes moved upward to the sights of Sean making himself comfortable in the seat across from me. He signaled to a few other models he would be over soon. I sighed and laid down my phone. "I don't fancy certain people visiting me outside of work." 

"Well, I'm not certain people. I saw you walk in and you looked worried." 

I closed my eyes and exhaled with a smirk. "I don't worry. I'm professional everywhere I go. Never know who I might run into." 

"Like me?" He could see my look of unamusement. "Okay, I get it. You're deep in your career. But on a serious note, do you know what a smile is?" 

"Excuse me?" 

Sean moved a loose dread from in front of his face and tucked it away. "You go around with this look of hostility that has everyone looking at you like the Evil Queen. You put these walls up around you like you're doing now but I bet you're just as soft hearted as ever." 

I took a sip of my wine and looked back at Sean. He had the athletic wear on from his arrival on set today, most of his dreads in a bun. There was no indication that my 'hostile' personality was phasing him on his face. But he acted like he knew what was going on in my life as if he was supposed to be my Prince Charming. 

"Sean, was it?" I began, pretending like his name didn't stick with me from our meeting earlier. "I am flattered you came over to speak with me, seeing as I am sitting alone; However, I like what I do. My life is dedicated to my artwork, and I don't need saving from it." My fingers wrapped around my glass and gracefully took another sip. I almost forgot I asked for lemonade too. 

"Well, I don't intend on saving you. Only you can save you from yourself." He looked away with a smile near the kitchen door, a waiter exiting towards the table. "I'll leave you to eat your food, but I won't forgive myself if I don't tell you the truth." 

"And what might that be?" 

"That although you're on the scary side, I think you're beautiful." 

I sat in silence as the waiter appeared in front of me with a plate of food. He began to walk towards his friends, not paying my silence treatment any mind. "Thank you." 

"You welcome," both the waiter and Sean said in unison.  

My silence started again as I was once again alone at the table. Before taking a bite, I subtly looked over to see Sean and the models smiling and joking, Sean looking partially over towards me. Staring back at my food, a feeling of lightness started coming over me that I hadn't felt in years. My stomach let out an even louder growl than before. 

Or maybe it's my hunger.  

But still. There was something about Sean's presence that had a familiar aura I once had known. One, that reminded me of when I first met DJ.