Suspicious Note

Fahmeen's POV:

We were eating out at our favourite restaurant. It served Asian fusion; my favourite was the spicy chicken dumplings and sweet and sour chicken. I allowed myself to indulge this evening after the emotional turmoil which was this week. The steam permeating from the bamboo steamer misted my face as I lifted the lid, to reveal four little dumplings. I sat on the red coloured bench with my mother and sister opposite me. The tables were black and large lightbulbs decorated the ceilings.

"And here is the rest of your order." The waiter winks at me as he places the dishes down. His cheeky smile amused me. The tag on his shirt read, Aston.
"Will that be all?" He asks, making eye contact with all of us.
"Not that's fine thank you." My mother replies and he takes his leave. I catch his glance as he walks past me.

Eating this food took me to my happy place. Spending time with my family took me to my happy place. I look around the restaurant and I see customers opening the door. I fight to stare as I see Rolf and a woman on his arm.
The wounds from this week slowly open.

I go back to my food, stomach suddenly full. My mother notices,
"Why are you not eating?"
"Not hungry anymore."
"Oh look, it's your teacher isn't it?" I don't look up but just nod.
"I'm going to the toilets."

I stare at myself in the mirror. Thankfully there was no one in here but me. I wiped away any tears and forced out a harsh breath.
"He's already over you. It's your turn."
I dressed nice for tonight, I'm glad I did. A black dress and heeled boots. My hair was out and I gave it one last fluff and walked out of the toilets. As I'm walking to my table I already know where he's seated. He's staring at me, I can feel it. I ignore him. Before I sat down, I stole a glance at his date. Of course she was beautiful.

It's uncomfortable for us both. They're seated only a couple of tables away, and he's facing me. Every time our eyes meet, I avert my gaze. I sense his frustration as he continues his conversation with her. I feel like an idiot. Played and toyed with. I won't deny the jealousy too.

Aston, the waiter is smirking at me as he impressively balances a few glasses in his hands. I smile at him as he's going past our table and suddenly he trips and drops the glasses. Unfortunately for me, all over my dress.

"I am... so sorry." He quickly says reaching out for me. I stand immediately, checking the damage.

"It's okay." I giggle, I'm finding all of this funny. Especially his worried and guilty expression.
"Here, let me help you." I take his hand.
"I'm so sorry." Aston says again to me and my family.
"She'll be okay, just please help her out." My mother suggests to him. She winks at me and I hold back my laugh.
"Come with me." I don't think it's necessary to hold the hand he's held out for me but I would like to. I take it and he's smiling and walks ahead.

I'm going past Rolf's table and he's stopped eating, having watched the entire scene. His fists are clenched and he's looking into my eyes, searching me. Concerned. I have to look away and concentrate on where Aston is taking me.

We are at the back of the restaurant and he offers me one of his spare work shirts.
"Please let me." He's standing with the shirt open, waiting for my answer. I nod and smile.
He comes behind me and I'm suddenly aware it's just the two of us back here.

I'm wrapped in a towel, only a bra underneath and thankfully I opted for leggings with my dress today.
"I can leave-
"It's fine." I put my hands through the arms of the shirt and drop the towel, sure he hadn't seen anything from behind. I step away and turn around to face him.
"Thank you. For the shirt."
"Don't thank me, please. I'm sorry again. I was... distracted." He licks his lips.
"But at least we'll have to see each other again."
I don't catch on.
"I'll need my shirt back."

Rolf's POV:

I watch her walk back to the table, wearing a shirt that looks a lot like a waiter's shirt. The waiter has his hand on her back and they're smiling and laughing.
"What's wrong?" My date asks and I feel guilty for everything tonight. For asking her out in the first place as a selfish distraction, for how I've been handling things with Fahmeen. I can now see how poorly I've dealt with... us. No, not the woman opposite me but the girl across the floor.

The evening transitions to night and trouble is leaving the restaurant. She stands with her family and I can't take my eyes off of her. Classes have been difficult with and without her. My lunches are now always off school grounds. Unfortunately that means I had to come across something going on between Emilio and Fahmeen. The frustration that someone could be threatening to spill our relationship spurred me to act the way I did. I believed giving her the cold shoulder, to push her away should cool things off. I didn't know if I wanted to keep away from her temporarily or forever. But I think what I've done will make it forever.

Fahmeen's POV:

We leave the restaurant. I hear someone shout,
"Give me a minute!"
And Aston appears besides me. My family go to the car and I'm standing with this waiter who has the cheekiest smile I've ever seen.
"I figured I should give you my number. So you can return my shirt." He's amused and he's made this night brighter for me.
"Of course. How else shall this shirt get back to you." I take his number and say goodbye. I watch him jog back in and Rolf along with his date seem to have finished.

I walk towards the car and open the door. Rolf is hurrying towards the door to get outside. He's begging me to wait and I can't. I get in the car and hide my tears as mum drives us home.

...

Fahmeen's POV:

It was the next morning and a Monday. I wasn't feeling today at all, mostly because I had English first thing. I close my eyes and see Rolf with another woman. My heart feels heavy and I thought I'd have run out of tears by now. My phone alerts me of a text message, it reads,

Hey it's Aston.
The one who ruined your dress :(
I kinda need my shirt ASAP even though you suited it better ;)
Tell me when and where, I'll be there

I smile to myself and text him to meet me after school today.

I'm ready for the day and make sure the wanted shirt is in my bag. I washed and dried it in the nick of time. Thank the lord for tumblr driers.

I see the regular hustle and bustle of students wandering around and rushing through the entrance of the academy. Georgia walks up to me, I'm smiling because I feel like I haven't seen her in ages.
"It's been a while since I've seen your face." I say hugging her.
"Feels like it doesn't it."
She shivers loudly because of the cold and we begin walking into school.

We take seats next to each other and the rest of the class eventually get here. We were taking our punctuality seriously but the Professor wasn't, it seemed.

"He's late." Georgia remarked.
"For once." I defended.
"Hey do you see that random piece of suspicious looking paper over there?" I ask looking at a single note on his desk. Georgia follows my sight.
"Hmm that's weird. Looks very suspicious." She laughs and I join her.

Rolf walks in and everyone goes quiet.
"I see all your courseworks, I'm impressed." He seems to be in better spirits. He walks to his own desk and sits down.
"You can start writing. Just shout if you need me." Everyone gets their heads down. Even Harriet. I ask Georgia,
"Should we tell-
"Ssh look." She whispers and we both watch as Rolf finds the note. He tenses, opens it up and reads. His mood takes a dramatic turn. It was like a dark cloud was above him. He clenches his jaw and takes a deep breath. Whatever was on that note must be bad news. He scrunches it up and shoves it in his desk drawer.

Me and Georgia look at each other and she raises her eyebrow.
What was on that note?