Liv was afraid. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to face her troubles. The drama. None of it. But she knew she had to.

She took a deep breath and braced herself for what was to come. Pulling the handle and opening the door she stepped out of her car, her foot kicking up dirt that lay in the gravel. The cold wind blew through her lime colored North Face. Head down, Liv trudged up to the door and pulled it open hearing that happy trill of music play that seemed to say 'here I am! Come serve me!'. Liv rolled her eyes. She loved her job, working at the famous Cow Lick was one of the best things that had ever happened to her. Liv had been painfully shy and awkward. Any sort of social interaction made her squirm in discomfort. Eye contact when speaking with someone? Nope. Never happened. Her eyes were glued to the floor like it was the most decadent piece of cheesecake.
But now Liv is known as the "Sass Queen". She really changed and it was all thanks to the people at the Cow Lick.
She loved it but today she did not want to be here. As quietly as possible Liv slipped in the door towards the kitchens. She walked quickly back to the office and stood there pretending to play on her phone until it was time to clock in.
4:56 pm....
'Breathe Liv breathe.' She stepped out of the room and walked over to drive thru. Looking at the counters she could see strawberry remnants and splattered chocolate sauce that no one had bothered to clean up. The blenders were a mess. Hardened candy and ice cream covered its shiny steel surface. Liv wrinkled her nose in disgust. Organization and cleanliness was something Liv loved. She got extremely anxious whenever something was out of order. Before clocking in Liv began scrubbing the counters clean. She tried her best to get all of it off the blender but it was caked on and completely stuck. Liv thought back to the day she had  came to work and saw Jason working drive through for her until she arrived.

He obviously hadn't seen a wash cloth in his life and was incapable of using one. The counters and blenders were caked with all different sorts of candies and fruits. Liv looked down at the floor and saw what looked like a rouge chocolate shake that decided it didn't want to be drank today. Liv laughed and walked up to a very flustered Jason.
"Listen I know you're an 18 year old manager who thinks it's beneath you to clean but seriously." Liv gestured to the mess that lay before her.

Jason sighed, "Please tell me you're on the clock."

"Yes, you're salvation has arrived." Liv laughed and stretched out her hand to grab the headset from him.

A wide grin spread across his face, "You have no idea how much I love you right now."  Jason happily handed over the headset.

Liv laughed and slapped him lightly on the shoulder, "Yeah yeah, I love you too."

******************

"Look who's working off the clock again!" A guy's voice rang out with mock authority.
Liv snapped out of the memory. She laughed quietly and turned to face Jeremy. His dark brown hair was just visible under his mandatory work hat, and his warm chestnut eyes glinted with amusement.
"You're not in charge of me Jer." Liv flipped her long,  golden hair over my shoulder dramatically.
Jeremy grinned devilishly and pointed towards his chest, "Liv what does this name tag say?"
Liv squinted at the name tag pretending to have trouble making out the black letters lay out against the white background which was also splattered with dried ice cream. "Hmmm not sure...".
"It says assistant manager Jeremy." Jeremy smiled like he'd just won the argument.
"Yeah that doesn't mean anything to me Jer, sorry." Liv shrugged trying to keep from laughing at his disappointed face.
Jeremy opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by a new voice.

"What's going on?"

They both turned to see Jason standing behind them, a small smirk on his face. Jeremy spoke, "Liv's cleaning off the clock again. What if my girl got hurt Jason?" He turned and glared accusingly at Liv.
Liv shoved him, "yeah I'm definitely going to get hurt by cleaning the counters." Liv rolled her eyes in mock irritation. It was impossible to actually get mad at Jeremy.
Jason looked over at Liv, his face a mixture of emotions; humor, and something else...
Liv looked down at the ground but she could still feel his stare burning into her.
"Uh, I'm going to the bathroom." Liv rushed past Jason as fast as she could without making it too obvious. Liv burst into the bathroom, her breath coming out in gasps. 'Calm down. Calm down. It's fine. Forget him.'
She began to pace, staring down at the dark brown tiled floor then up into the lights on the ceiling until her eyes began to see dark spots dance about. Finally she stopped at the sink and gripped the sides of the white porcelain, her fingers instantly cold. Just as she did she pulled her hands back quickly and washed her hands, letting the warm water wash over her, hoping it would cleanse her of her problems. Just as she was pulling a paper towel free from the dispenser  she heard the door creak open. Liv turned to see Bella walk into the bathroom. Bella was tiny, she thighs were about as thick as a two liter bottle of Coke. She had been bullied a lot when she was in middle school and had developed an eating disorder, she was still trying to over come it and it's been years since it had happened.
Liv took a breath and tried to smile convincingly, "Hey what's up?"
Her smile wasn't convincing. Bella stared her down, her eyes shadowed by her purple-black bangs,  she was just barely five feet tall and Liv towered over Bella but she felt her resolve wavering, "What's wrong?" Liv asked, getting irritated.
"I was going to ask you that." Bella paused, "Jason asked me to check on you." Bella gave an apologetic smile.
Liv scoffed, irritated that Jason had done this, "I'm fine. He doesn't need to worry about me, I'm not his responsibility."
"Aw Liv you know he doesn't see you that way. He cares about you, if you don't realize that then you're stupid." She laughed a bit at the last part, trying to lighten the mood.
This is what she didn't want to hear.
Liv pressed her lips together and turned towards the mirror, staring down into the sink, "Bella, I kind of just want to be alone right now." Liv looked into the mirror to peer back at her friend. Bella's face fell, she opened her mouth as if she were about to say more but then changed her mind and slowly walked out of the bathroom.
She let a few minutes pass then she pulled herself together and left the bathroom all the while giving herself a little pep talk. 

                        ****************

After Liv went back to work everything seemed to go by smoothly. She was on drive thru which she absolutely adored because of the headset. Whenever she was little Liv has always thought it was the coolest thing to be a secretary in an office with one of those and take calls. Now she thought fondly of that memory and it reminded her of her childhood when things seemed so much simpler. Also Jeremy was her with her all night helping her handle to hoard of customers. His comments definitely took her mind off of everything. They laughed and joked all evening. Jeremy always liked to make Liv squirm so he asked her really odd and personal questions, "So will you text me as soon as you have your first kiss?"

Liv laughed and shook her head, "Why exactly do you want to know that?"

Jeremy shrugged, grinning, "Why not?"

"Okay sure." Liv held up her finger, signaling him to wait and took the next customers order. If she didn't take the order quick enough the stupid ringer would continue to go off nonstop, like a child who doesn't get their way and they ask "why?" over and over and over again until they make you want to scream and pull out your hair.
After she'd taken the order she turned back to Jeremy, "Will you go make that while I take the money?"

"Sure."

Liv turned and opened the door, a cold blast of winter air blew in. She tried not to snatch the money from the guy and slam the door shut but dang! It was so cold!

"Here you go babe." Jeremy said as he slid the strawberry sundae across the newly polished countertop.

Liv turned quickly and laughed, "Um what was that?"

Jeremy smirked, "Nothing babe." And slung his arm around her shoulders.

Liv threw her head back and laughed. She slipped out from under his arm and walked away, still laughing. Just as she rounded the corner she saw Jason looking her way and she knew instantly that he'd seen and heard everything. The look in his eyes told her that. There was hurt and jealousy. Liv walked off and smiled to herself, 'serves you right.'

                           ************
It was nearly closing time and Liv was proud of herself. She'd gotten through the night with minimal association with Jason. Whenever he spoke to her she'd reply swiftly and quietly or just pretend she hadn't heard him at all. She didn't like things being this way but this was the best she could do. Jason had a difficult relationship with this girl named Cami. Liv had tried her best to help him through it all, but nothing she said helped. One day while they were at work he had asked her saying he couldn't be her anymore.
       **********
"No," Liv answered. "Nothing is happening between us until you and Cami break up officially."

Jason ran his hand through his hair and sighed, "Okay. Yeah you're right. I'll do it tonight, and I'll call as soon as I have." Jason leaned over and kissed her quickly on the forehead, and smiled at her as he turned to walk away.
****************
"Hey Bella?" Liv ran over the sinks and began helping Bella hang up the containers she'd just washed.

"Yeah?"

"Do you need a ride home tonight?"

"Sure that would be great. Eric is out of town." Bella scowled.

"Oh really, where did he go?" Eric was Liv's ex boyfriend. He also worked with them at the Cow Lick. They'd only been together for about two months before Liv ended it. Everything was too hard. He was a senior at Lincoln High, and Liv was a junior at North High. Unless they happened to work together they never got to see one another, which made things difficult. Shortly after, Eric and Bella began dating. Everyone had thought that would strain Liv and Bella's friendship but surprisingly it didn't. They were still really close. Also, Liv and Eric were best friends. They just weren't meant to be in a relationship.

Bella sighed dramatically, "He's in Kentucky for a..." Bella's voice trailed off.

Liv knew this had to be one of Eric's many nerdy trips, "Why is he there?"

Bella took off her glasses and pretended to clean them, giving herself more time to think, "He's at a, uh, card tournament."

Liv shrugged, "Ok what is he playing, poker?"

Bella shook her head, her purple-black bangs falling in her eyes. "Yugioh."

Liv's hand flew to her mouth to try and keep herself from laughing, but she couldn't. Between laughs she said, "Oh wow. That's-that's uh, awesome. Terrific."

"Liv! He's such a geek." Bella put her head in her hands and sighed.

"Hey you know what?" Liv asked, her voice patient and sympathetic.

Bella looked up and waited for Liv to continue. "You're right. He's a total geek. Better get out while you can!" Liv said jokingly and grabbed the sinks hose and sprayed Bella from her hip all the way down to her shiny black shoes. Laughing, Liv ran off before Bella could enact her revenge. Just as she had gotten out of spraying distance she saw Jason sitting it the office, his elbows against the table and his head in his hands. Liv debated, 'should I ask if he's ok? No no no no. Yes. No. Ugh!' There was a war going on in her head now. Liv stood in the doorway debating, and just as she was about to walk off and leave him alone, Jason lifted his head and saw her.
"Liv?"

Shoot. "Oh hey. Umm you okay?"
Jason had taken his hat off so his black curls were sticking this way and that. He effortlessly ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, "no. No I'm not. Why have you been ignoring me all evening."

Crap. "I haven't been." Her voice cracked.

"Liv I know you, and yes you have." He looked into her eyes, begging her to say something. Liv stared back into his and was once again enchanted by how beautiful they were. They were blue, blue and clear just like the cool waters in Cozumel. His eyes sparked like lightning whenever he got excited, and when he was sad there was no sparkle, it was almost as if the life drained out of them, just like now.

"What do you want me to say?" Liv knew he was one of her managers but there was never that sort of boss-employee vibe between them. Jason was eighteen, a freshman in college, going into premed. That was something the two shared. They wanted to be doctors and travel the world. They wanted to go to Greece and see all of the beautiful monuments and statues. They'd talked about this before, back when things were good between them. Jason had been Liv's best friend, they told each other everything. Liv became his counselor when it came to his insane girlfriend, Cami. Liv thought back to a conversation they had had while texting late one night after working together. Jason had asked, "where would you like to travel? If you could go anywhere in the world?"

"Greece. It's so beautiful."

"Me too! If we became doctors we could definitely go."

"We would have the money for sure."

"Let's go."

"It would be fun."

"I'm serious. We could do it. You and I. You'll be graduating in a little over a year so I'm thinking senior trip?"

Liv and Jason made a pact that they would go. Everything seemed so simple then. Sure, Liv really liked him but it wasn't about that. They just worked well together. They had fun.

Liv shook the memories away and tried to focus on their conversation.
"-want you to tell what's wrong." He looked at her pleadingly.
Liv instantly got angry, 'how could he not know?'
"Jason you know what the problem is, you just won't admit to yourself."

Jason groaned and put his head in his hands again. When he finally looked up, Liv instantly felt bad for getting angry. His face was stricken, his eyes were glossy as if he were on the verge of tears. And his eyes....they looked so lifeless, even word than before. Just stood and grabbed Liv's arm pulling her into the small office that was just big enough for the desk and computer, and safe for the money and a spin chair, and closed the door behind her. Jason ran his hands through his hair again and said, "Liv, I couldn't do it. I wanted to but it didn't feel right. I have been with Cami for over three years and I just didn't have to heart to throw all of that away."

Liv had her arms crosses against her chest as if she could protect herself,  keep herself from breaking apart. "Okay. Can I go back to work now?" Liv hoped he'd say yes because this is exactly what she didn't want to hear.

"No, I'm not finished. You need to hear this, please?" His eyes pleaded with her to stay and listen, Liv nodded slowly. "I flirted with you. A lot. I know that. But I didn't do it for some kind of game. I did it because I had- have, feelings for you. I never knew that anyone could be as fun with me as Cami. But then I met you and everything changed. I meant everything I said. I want to go to Greece with you. I want us to be doctors together. Have our own practice and everything."

"I don't think that's possible anymore."

Jason sighed, " I know that. And I'm so sorry. I still like you and want to be with you but I hurt Cami and I have to make things right with her."

Liv laughed even though the situation was not at all funny, "then this," she gestured to them together in the office, "needs to stop. No secret meetings. No feelings being brought to the surface. I'm not going to do it." Liv understood him. Understood why he wouldn't leave Cami. Understood why he felt like he had to stay with her out of guilt. It all made sense to her. So she couldn't even blame him. She blamed herself for having these feelings for him. "Jason, we need to be honest here. Admitting feelings for me doesn't help me. Doesn't help you or your relationship with Cami that's basically being held together by silly string. You need to focus on her right now and you can't do that if you're professing your feelings for me."

Jason looked stunned. He opened his mouth and closed it, then did it again. Finally he was able to get words to come out, "I know. I know, I just-"
BEEP
Dang it. Liv's headset went off. She quickly pressed the button and began speaking to the customer, "Thank you for choosing the Cow Lick, what can I get for you?" She looked back at Jason once more before leaving the office and receiving a strange look from Jeremy. Jeremy being Jeremy, he probably thought they were in there making out. Liv shook her head at him and he went off to make the four large peanut butter sundaes the customer just ordered. 

                          **********

Liv got home just after 10 o'clock. She hasn't spoken to Jason anymore that night. She avoided eye contact with him. Maybe that was childish but she didn't care. She was doing it for her own sanity.

Liv felt a soft vibration against her leg and looked down at her phone. It was Jason. Liv took a shaky breath, her hands trembled as she picked up her phone and began to read the message- "Liv, I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to finish our conversation. I know that I have really messed up. But if you let me I'd love to find a way to make it up to you. Please text me back soon......"

Liv set down her phone. She knew that Jason would be hard to get over but she was finished playing games with him. Yes, he was once her drug but there's always rehab.