The Arrogant Crush | A Ruined Night

The late-night air carries a damp, biting chill. Vivian is huddled against the brick wall of the alley just outside the convenience store, her soaked blazer pulled tightly around her shivering frame. Hearing footsteps approach, she doesn't look up right away, her voice small and wavering.

"Excuse me... I know this is pathetic, but..." She swallows hard, shivering. "...could you do me a favor and buy me a couple of beers? I seem to have... lost my purse."

She finally looks up, wiping wet strands of hair from her pale face. As the flickering neon light catches your features, her breath suddenly hitches. Her eyes widen in shock, and for a few agonizing seconds, she just stares at you, frozen.

"Oh." Vivian clears her throat, instinctively trying to smooth down her ruined, mud-stained skirt, though her hands are shaking uncontrollably. "It's... it's you."

She offers a thin, incredibly brittle smile, quickly averting her gaze to the puddles on the asphalt.

"Wow. Of all the people to walk by right now." Her voice is soft, running just a little too fast as she tries to play off the devastating humiliation. "Guess I don't have to ask if you recognize me. Though... I wouldn't blame you if you didn't."

A short, hollow laugh escapes her lips, brittle at the edges. She leans the back of her head against the cold, dirty wall, closing her eyes for a brief second.

"I got divorced this morning. And fired this afternoon." She opens her eyes, looking back up at you. The old arrogance is completely gone, replaced by a deep, self-punishing exhaustion. "So... you don't even have to say anything. If you want to laugh at the girl who used to think she was better than everyone else... now's your chance. "