#uni maybe killing me but nothing stops my love for the emilys

[north-noire]

"comforting presence" (mrs. emily painting) henry and charlie, on rare occasions, tend to feel a warm presence wash over them during caitlin's birthdays, or their anniversaries. it sometimes feels like a distant dream for henry.

inspiration;

[nobravery]

The Neighbor — Part. III

a Shawn Mendes Series.

A/N: Here’s Part. III, holy shit it took me forever to write this. Thanks for reading. And feedback always makes me happy. :))) Also tagging @babyshawwn bc of caramels. « PART ONE « PART TWO WordCount: 5,947

In the afternoon, y/n was on her way to go to the library. Alone, because Em wanted to go shopping a bit. The young girl came out of her building and walked. As she was still walking in another street — she wasn’t too far from her destination —, she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Em Found some interesting books in town. Shall I buy them? She was still walking when she read the text message. She was about to reply to her friend, when she bumped into someone. « Oh, sorry, she said mechanically. – It’s okay, they affirmed. » But when she raised her head and saw the person’s face, she startled straight away, her heart dropped to her stomach and her expression changed, within two seconds then, turning into surprise and mostly anger. « Chris?! » Actually he hadn’t physically changed. He was still tall, had still brown hair and eyes. Eyes who were staring at her. « y/n?? » He looked as surprised as her obviously. « What… what are you doing there? he carried on. » She clenched her teeth strongly, trying not to hit him. « What are you doing there?! she asked him violently, pointing her forefinger on his chest, pressing it strong enough against him and making sure to hurt him. » He smirked, making her clench her jaw even more. « I’m on vacation, he simply declared. Don’t tell me that you’d already forgotten that my mom was Canadian? She’s actually from Toronto, my family and myself are spending the week there. Happy Canada Day also! » y/n didn’t reply and continued to clench the teeth. « So what about you? Chris questioned. » She stared at him, with angry eyes. « I currently live there, she replied as calmly as possible. – What, you? Are you kidding me? You, there? » Chris let out a guffaw, whereas y/n was beginning to see red. « Not at all, precisely I escaped a freak who broke my heart into pieces. » She was looking askance at him. « I’m with Emily. In her aunt’s condo. Very nice place. – Well; and do you enjoy the city? » She forced a smile, struggling to contain herself. « I loved it, until I see you. – Obviously– » Chris didn’t have the time to finish his sentence, because this time y/n couldn’t contain herself longer and she exploded with rage. It was too much. She couldn’t stand his presence anymore. « Seriously, I can’t believe– I can’t believe that you fucking asshole are just standing in front of me! You’re supposed not to exist for me a-ny-more! FUCK Chris! I can’t believe… Talking to me as if nothing had happened! – Listen, y/n, I'm– – I’m just thinking now, we’d never had a real conversation about this! It was obviously better like that but let me– – y/n, there are actually people looking at us– – I DON’T GIVE A SHIT! she shouted at him. I DON’T FUCKING CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AROUND! I’m only there for a FUCKING YEAR! And you NEED to KNOW how I FELT when I FOUND OUT! » She paused, her lungs looking for oxygen. « I’d been crying and depressed for MONTHS, Christopher! Do you KNOW?? Do you REALIZE how I was THAT hurt??? How could you– I still don’t get it! With her on top of that!!! I LOVED you, I was fucking IN LOVE with you, and you SCREWED UP! You know what? YOU’RE SUCH A DICK. And I DON’T talk to DICKHEADS. Now, I’ll do as if I’d never seen you again! I’ve no more time to lose with you! I’ve other things to do right now! You don’t exist anymore! I’m going to leave before I hit you! Now take a walk! CLEAR OFF! I hope you’re happy with her! Have a nice life!! And don’t forget to say hello to your BITCH for me!!! » With that, she walked away, pushing him with her shoulder. Now she was striding off, wanting to be as far from him as possible. She was holding back her tears, even if it was something very hard. We could think that he had followed her. She thought Chris had followed her, although they hadn’t seen each other again since they had split up. As she walked, she could feel the wind caressing her face. But it actually prevented her from holding her tears back. So she stopped at the corner of the street, to breathe a little and to gather her wits.

SHAWN’S POV I had seen everything from across the street. Or almost everything. I was on my way back to home — I’d spent some time with friends — when I saw y/n with a guy. She seemed to know him, whereas she’d told me Emily and her knew nobody there. Someone from Uni maybe? No, probably not, almost impossible, they haven’t gone to classes yet. Or someone she met at the library? More possible, given that she’d told me that she had met Emily at this place. But whoever she was talking to, she didn’t seem to enjoy his company. I hadn’t heard what they were saying to each other — because obviously I was too far —, but she was definitely shouting at him, gesticulating, and looked very anger and mad. I’d never seen her like this before. I’d stopped when I’d recognized her. She had stopped in the street. I was wondering why even if I had some idea. Without thinking, I walked back, going up to her. As more and more I was coming closer, I slowed down, not wanting to scare her. She was still there. She hadn’t move. « y/n? » She started in surprise. « Oh, Shawn. That’s you. – Yah, of course, who else do you think it might be? » She was crying. No. No. No. « Him, she sobbed, a few seconds after. – Who? » She didn’t answer. She was trying not to cry even more, repressing all her sadness. I’d never seen her like this either before. She didn’t deserve that. She only deserved to r happy, smiling and cheerful as I usually knew her. Doesn’t besides everyone deserve to be happy? « I just… I just want to go home, she declared, choking her sobs. » I nodded and so we made our way back to our building. As she unlocked her door, I told her that I was just next door if she needed me or something else. « No please, just stay. Stay with me a bit. » I furrowed my brows a little, hesitant. « You’re su– – Please Shawn, she insisted. Come in. » I accepted at the end, but I still thought that she really needed to be alone and above all to calm down. I glanced around the living-room. The apartment looked pretty cosy. Not excessively furnished, so there was quite a few space. « Wanna drink something? she offered me but I declined kindly. » She then invited me to sit on the grey couch with her and I must admit that I didn’t know what to do exactly. I let her catch her breath, before trying to hold a conversation. « Is this okay? » She didn’t speak; she contented herself with nodding. « Who was this guy? Did he hurt you? I continued. » She shrugged her shoulders. It really broke my heart to see her that sad. She seemed hurt. A few seconds later, she placed her hands on her thighs, and she finally managed to speak. « It was him. – Who? – Him. Chris. My ex. » I frowned, confused. What was he doing there? « What? How come…? » She shrugged one more time, and she sighed. « I’m sorry if I– – No, she cut me off immediately. It’s not your fault. » I glanced at her hands, those little ones. Slowly I placed my right hand on her left one, holding it. I stroked the back of her hand, gently. « Hey. I’m here for you if you need to talk. Okay? » She approved, and she smiled at me weakly. Shortly afterwards she started talking, explaining to me her why her ex was in the city and her altercation with him. I let her talk, she really needed to get it off her chest. I was obviously hurt inside. Seeing her in this state hurt me. I just wanted her happy. I wanted to makeher happy. « It’s gonna be alright, eh? I questioned. – Yes, I’m trying to forget for the moment. » Then I asked her if she’d be at my home tonight for Canada Day and she confirmed. « I need to be tipsy. » This made me laugh then I smiled just to reassure her, and she did the same. Yes, finally. Her smile was brighter than the sun and I literally loved it. It made me happy. Now we were staring at each other deep in the eyes. I got lost in hers. They were absolutely splendid. She was. I really liked her. It’s crazy, how a person in particular could make you happy even if you knew them for less than a week. How a simple smile or a look could illuminate your day. How you could feel just because they’re just next to you. This feeling of well-being just because of someone. That was the way I felt.

BACK TO OMNISCIENT POV Shawn had just left y/n’s apartment and so she locked the door behind him. One more time, she had spent an amazing moment at his side. This boy was incredible. Both have known each other for only a few days and she already knew she could trust him. He was always here for her, she’ll never thank him enough for that. She hadn’t gone to the library as she had planned. So she made her way to her bedroom and took a book on a shelf, settled on her bed and she ended up by reading. An hour later, Emily was finally back to the condo, still ignoring that her best friend hadn’t actually reached the library and had passed Chris instead. « y/n? You’re home? » The latter joined her flatmate in the living-room. « You’re already back? Emily carried on. » Her friend disapproved, close to tears again. Emily noticed it right away and asked what happened, hugging her. « Chris is there. » Em faced her, put her hand on her own mouth, with widen eyes and a what? expression, and asked for explanations, leading her to the couch. For the second time in an hour, y/n told her everything about her meeting with her ex. « I can’t believe he’s here! the newcomer yelled, losing her temper, pacing up and down. It’s a real curse! I hope you gave him a rocket the way he deserves!!! This son of bitch! » The other nodded in agreement. Her friend tried to calm down. « I hope I’ll never pass him! Or I’ll hit him without hesitation! » y/n smiled sadly. « I passed Shawn as well, she replied then. – Ah uh? Again? Really, you attract both of them or? » She shrugged her shoulders, ignoring the answer to the question. « But he was here for me. He took me home. We talked. It was really good. – He’s always here, it’s incredible. – I know. He’s so… human… » Em noticed her sidekick’s expression on her face while she was talking about Shawn. She could almost see that there was a sparkle in her eye. Her eyes were talking contrary to her lips. « Hm… You like him, right? » y/n turned to look at her, frowning a little at her mate. « No. » The other exploded with laugh. « You liar. But never mind, I know you’ll never admit it. Enjoy. I’m glad you both are close and that you get on very well. » With that, she joined her room, leaving y/n on the living-room. The latter waited for Em to be completely in her room, before going up to the balcony. She needed some fresh air at the moment. Once she was there, she looked away, facing the usual view. She didn’t take her eyes off the buildings, until she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She grabbed it, and saw, among the notifications from her social media, the text message she just received. Shawn Turn your head! She complied, turning her head to the right. Giving her a wave, from far, he was on his balcony as well, but for how long? He looked as if he was watching over her, and so she felt touched. She had a smile on her face, and he smiled back at her. They were admiring each other, even from far, more than the wonderful view in front of them.

The evening had come rapidly and both Emily and y/n were preparing themselves for going to their neighbor’s place. They knew that there were some of Shawn’s friends who were already arrived, because they had heard them coming. Emily couldn’t wait anymore to have fun and meet some other people, interacting with them, whilst her best friend was rather in the mood to think about alcohol this time. Ten minutes later, they were eventually ready and knocked at Shawn’s door. The latter opened it to them, and he smiled widely as soon as he saw his two young neighbors. « Hey! he greeted joyfully. Hi Em! Hello again, y/n. Come in! » They entered his apartment, where there were already a few people inside. « Look what we brought for the night, y/n said to him, holding a small box out to him. I hope you guys like these. » So he took it, opened it and his face broke into a grin when he realized what it was. « Caramels! he exclaimed. Thank you! You shouldn’t have! – Yah I know this might be weird, but Em and myself are suckers for those candies, there are probably the best thing that the world know, and it makes me feel better to be honest. » He glanced at her, his gaze meeting hers. « Is it okay? – Yes. I feel better, thanks for asking. » Then y/n couldn’t help staring at his shirt. His red shirt. « It's… original, she said. I love it. Good choice. » He chuckled, before thanking her. Then he introduced his two neighbors to his friends, who seemed very nice in their eyes. « Happy Canada Day, y'all! Emily cried. And nice to meet each one of you. » They were having fun right now, and everyone seemed to like the caramels Em and y/n had brought. They had gone on the terrace, taking pictures and contemplating the luminous CN Tower in front of them. They were just proud to be Canadian and to belong to this country, this night so was the opportunity to celebrate the day devoted to it. Hours later, they’d come back into the apartment, music playing, still eating and drinking and dancing and more. As y/n was chewing her umpteenth caramel, beer in the hand, her flatmate, with her beer too, came to her. « All’s right? » She just nodded by way of answer. Several feet away, Shawn was staring at them while drinking some beer and he winked his eye at them. As she noticed it, y/n moved her head from left to right out of despair, with a weak smile. Next Emily left her, and the moment she did, he came closer to y/n. « Having fun? he asked her, standing next to her. » She approved with a hum, glancing at her bestie who apparently had a good talk with one of Shawn’s friends. « ‘think she’ll be on the floor before the end of the night, she commented. As usual. » The others were coming back to the huge terrace, Emily including, so both Shawn and y/n followed, going past the caramels scattered on the table. « Did you taste them? she asked him, pointing the candies with her chin. – Well, don’t hate me, but actually not yet. » She pouted, and stopped him. « ‘kay, you will, in front of me. Wait. » She walked a few steps, reaching the table and grabbed two caramels. She removed the wrapper from one, and took the candy between her thumb and her forefinger, placing it just in front of the boy’s eyes. « Open your mouth now, she demanded. » He complied without hesitation. So she brought the caramel closer to his mouth, and he took it between his teeth, and she removed her fingers. « You’re such a greedy pig, she said as he chewed. » He shrugged his shoulders, still chewing. « That’s fucking good! he declared. » A smile played across y/n’s lips, so he grinned back at her, getting himself lost in her eyes. These hazel eyes he had already seen numerous times. Then she went back on the terrace with the others when she joined her best friend, who was still deep in conversation with the same guy. So she joined the talk as well, while glancing over at the skyline just in front of them. Much later, hours after, everyone was on their way back to their home. It was such a good night and the two flatmates really had fun. The girls were going up to their respective rooms, when y/n stopped, sitting on her bed. « Fuck, we forgot the box. » Emily got changed, and was now already lying on her bed, whilst her friend met her in her room. « Dude, we forgot the box. – Hm? It’s just a box, y/n, the other retorted. We don’t care, you’ll take it tomorrow. It’s very late now. Let’s sleep, I’m tired. – Yah you should sleep. You’ve drunk quite a lot of beer and stuff. » Em saw her bestie leaving, but not to her bedroom. « Where are you going? – Getting back the box now, because I know I’ll forget otherwise, y/n justified. This is my box furthermore. I’m coming back, it’s just next door, I’ll be prompt. Good night, Em. » But the latter didn’t reply, consequently y/n assumed that she just fell asleep right away. She then passed her doorstep, locking the door behind her, reached her neighbor’s one and knocked. He answered the door about ten seconds after, and he didn’t look surprise to see her. « I was pretty sure you’d come back, he declared. » He invited her to come in. He grabbed the small box which was still on the table, and held it out to her. « Thank you. I hope you kept the last caramels. » He just sent a little smile to her by way of answer, and nodded in agreement. « It was an amazing party and your friends are nice. Thank you again. – Glad you enjoyed. » Then the young girl noticed that he wasn’t about to go to bed. « You’re cleaning, right? Want me to help? – No, thanks, no need. You should sleep, it’s late. » But she refused categorically. « As well you should. It will go faster together. – It won’t be so long, so you should let me do it. But if you insist. » With that, y/n helped him to clean up the living-room, putting the stuff away and putting the room and the terrace in order. Nearly fifteen minutes later, everything was finally clean. It was as if nothing had happened there. Shawn and y/n were facing each other now, on the large terrace that they had cleaned at last, being about to say goodbye. « Thanks for your help, y/n. – No problem. Just a small gesture because you were here for me this afternoon. » The young boy smirked, looking down and remembered the day. « Ah yes. I find this natural though. » Then he raised his head, allowing him to look at his neighbor in the eyes. He honestly could stare at her like that for hours. He would never grow tired of admiring her this way. Same for her; she was getting lost in his eyes. These eyes which were staring at hers. He showed a real baby face this time. This same time, he couldn’t wait anymore. He couldn’t contain himself anymore. Slowly, his face came closer to hers, him gazing at her lips quickly. He became too close. He had never been so close to her face before this moment. Step by step, he could see each detail, each feature of her soft skin, even through the night. Then it finally happened. His lips were moving with hers. They were really soft and tasted like alcohol obviously, due to tonight. Still slowly, he placed his hands on her flushed cheeks, then went down and found her forearms as she grabbed his shoulders. A few seconds after, he broke the contact and stared at her deep in the eyes again. « Fuck, I’ve been waiting for this, he whispered as their noses were brushing. » He smiled against her pinky lips. « I thought I was the only one who felt this way, she confessed. » With these words, he sent a little smile to her; he didn’t hesitate anymore and crashed his lips against hers one more time. Their tongues were dancing together for awhile, still slowly. Then Shawn’s hand found y/n’s nape and he stroked it gently. She broke the kiss, and looked down, breathing. He placed his forehead on hers, while their noses were still brushing. « I ought to go now, she murmured. » Shawn shook his head by way of disapproval. « No, no, stay. – But yourself you just said earli– – Fuck what I said, he cut her off, forget that. I just want to be with you, I need you. » She could feel his breath against her lips. Forehead against forehead, noses brushing, he was still stroking her cheek delicately; she closed her eyes, collecting her wits. « Don’t leave. Stay with me, he begged her. Please. » She was hesitant about this. But she finally gave in and contented herself with kissing him again. Next she led him inside his own flat before he shut the picture window behind them. He gently pressed her against the wall, starting kissing her neck as she threw her head back a little. As he moved to the other side of her neck then to her collarbones, she found the hem of his shirt to pull him closer. He kissed her lips again, lingering on them, and right away his large hands reached her hips, gliding under her sleeveless tshirt. It was tickling her, but she really loved his touch. Likewise, her hands pushed his shirt up a bit, and they glided on his back. He whimpered weakly against her mouth and then he broke the kiss, both catching their breath. Next y/n planted a soft kiss on his lips, her hands still underneath his shirt. « We should sleep, it’s late, she reminded him. » He shrugged his shoulders, and he brushed his lips against hers. « I don’t want to, he said, pulling her closer. » She didn’t insist; she just closed the tiny gap between their mouths again. Shawn removed his hands from her hips, making her growl a little. And then he started unbuttoning his shirt, exposing his chest to her, and this sent a chill down y/n’s spine. She laid her hands on it; she could feel his heartbeat. His heart was beating wildly. Then they moved to his shoulders, and let the red shirt fall on the floor. Next they trailed down his back, gently rubbing it, as the two neighbors continued to kiss one another. Shawn kept rubbing her naked sides; then he grabbed the hem of her top and within three seconds he pushed it up and removed it, dropping it on the floor. Straight in he kissed her bare shoulders, her collarbones, the crook of her neck. « Come with me, he whispered and she understood as soon as he spoke. » He gripped her thighs firmly, enabling her to wrap her legs around his waist and she ran her fingers through his brown curls. He carried her to his bedroom, still planting some kisses on her face. When they finally reached the room, he shut the door behind them with the aid of his foot.

Y/N’S POV I just woke up. My vision was blurry, therefore I rubbed my eyes to enable me to see properly. I could see the daylight whose beams were going through the window. Actually I couldn’t move a lot right now. Indeed, I was stuck in Shawn’s arms which were wrapping me tightly. He was still asleep, resting next to me, and I could hear some weak snores and sleepy hum slipping out of his mouth. His nose was brushing the crook of my neck, and so I could feel his breath against my skin. I could nevertheless grab my phone which was put down on the nightstand. I had a look at the time, raising my head a bit, and I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. Half past ten. « What, already? I murmured to myself. » I then noticed three text messages. From Em. Em Where are you? Em Ah no. I know where you are. 🤔 Em Hope you slept well tho. Count on you to tell me… So obviously she knew what I did. What we did. I rolled my eyes and I didn’t answer the messages, I just put my phone down again, and I rested my head on the pillow. At the moment, I felt Shawn moving, what freed me — finally — from his embrace. « Hmmm… he mumbled in his sleep as he freed me totally, and he was facing away from me now. » I lay on my back and I glanced at him. Or rather at his bare back. As muscular as it might be. I came closer to him, wrapping my left arm around his naked chest. I brushed my nose against his back, and I planted like two or three kisses on it including one for his birthmark on his shoulder. Since he was still sleeping, I closed my eyes again, inhaling his scent deeply. And then I remembered this night. Ours. His body against mine, underneath the fine sheets, kissing every inch of me. I could still hear the moans and the gasps that had rung out in the room. I could still feel his warm exhalations brushing my skin. I still had chills. Incredible. I opened my eyes when I felt Shawn moving and turning around, therefore I removed my arm from him. He was now lying on his stomach, facing me, and I stared at him lovingly. He was so cute while sleeping. He looked so angelic. « Hmmm… he grumbled again. What the fuck—What time is it? he asked with his hoarse morning voice, eyes still closed. – Ten forty-six, I replied. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up. And I should already be at my home to be honest. » Shawn rubbed his eyes, opening them step by step, and cleared his throat. Then he gazed at me. « Relax, y/n, it’s Sunday right now! C'mon. » I came closer to him. My nose touched lightly his, and he planted a sweet kiss on my lips while holding me in his arms. « Thank you, he breathed. – For what? » He chuckled and smirked, as if my question was stupid — and obviously it was — and that I should have known the answer. « For… for staying. » I just smiled weakly at him. He maybe had just woken up but he was already looking at me with puppy eyes. Fuck. My hand found his scalp and so I ran my fingers through his rumpled hair. He closed his eyes again, enjoying the touch, and I kissed his forehead. He purred like a little kitten and this was probably one of the cutest things I’d ever seen. Then I stopped and he grunted, pouting. « I should go, if Emily ever came and knocked at your door because she knows I’m here– – No, she wouldn't…? – Oh yes she would. Obviously you don’t know her as much as I do. » Shawn hummed next to me, letting his face sinking into his pillow. I got on his back to lay on it, burying my face into the crook of his neck. I then let my fingers wandering his curls. He turned his head towards me, grinning a little and he kissed the tip of my nose. « You really have to go now? Don’t you want to eat something before? » I shook my head no. « I’m not very hungry. I’ll find something at my place quickly. Thank you though. » I managed though to fetch my bra which was still on the floor, and to sit down on the edge of the bed, to put it on. Then I looked around for my shirt, but I remembered that it was still in the living-room, and I sighed loudly at the thought. « Is there a prob? inquired Shawn behind me; I glanced over at him and he was now lying on his back. – No. Just my top which is actually on the other side. » He couldn’t help laughing and smirking after I said this. « Don’t mock at me, you dork, that’s your own fault. » He sat up straight away on the bed and opened his mouth in a o with amazement, just to protest. « It’s not! he denied, about to laugh nevertheless. » I turned my head to look at him and I smirked back. He got closer to me, and he removed my hair from my nape and kissed it, nuzzling my neck gently. Then he took my hand and he intertwined our fingers. « When will I see you again? – That is to say? » He sighed weakly, still stroking my knuckles. « I would really appreciate another date with you, before going back on tour, he whispered in my ear. » I grinned at his speech, but my smile faded when I realized that it will be certainly long. « When will you be back? I asked. – In one month. But just temporarily. » I shook my head a little. « I’ll miss you, I murmured. I’ll miss my favourite neighbor. – So I’m just a neighbor to you? he said to me, holding me tightly, but he perfectly knew I was joking. – That’s not what you are? – In addition, yeah. » I smiled again, looking at our hands. « I’ll miss you too, y/n, he confessed. » We’d been staying like this for almost three good minutes, before I decided to finally get up even if it was hard. I found my pants on the floor and I put it on. Shawn followed me then. When we reached the living-room, I immediately saw my shirt that was still on the floor. I quickened my pace to take it, and I finally slipped it on me. Likewise Shawn put his hands on his red shirt again. Then he came to me, buttoning it. I took over and I buttoned the two last bottom buttons. « So, he started to say, taking my hands in his, what are your plans for today? – Hmmm, I thought, I have to tidy my room and reorganize it, watching some stupid movies with Em while eating popcorn… and I guess I must listen to my neighbor’s songs because apparently it’s worth it. » He smirked as I mentioned him, looking at the ground; then lifted his head towards me. « Good, you’ll love it! » I nodded in agreement. « What about you? I asked back. – Nothing much, just seeing some friends and probably continuing to settle my flat. And writing some lyrics of course. » I smiled at the idea. Next he moved our hands closer to his mouth and he kissed mine. « See you later? » I answered with a nod again, and he freed my hands. I was going up to the door when he called my name. I turned around straight in. « Don’t forget your box. » He held it out to me, and I took it. « Thank you. See ya later! I’m just next door, I reminded him just in case. » He did nothing but approving. With that, I opened the door; Shawn followed me as I passed his doorstep. I sent a last smile to him before he shut the door behind me.

A/N: Tagging @illumendes because… because. Also I haven’t reread the whole so lmk if there are mistakes, typos and stuff. I’m sorry lmao. Once again, feedback is always appreciated but in any case, thanks for reading! ‹333

[fuck-customers]

scandal: sex and cliques part II

so a while back i posted on here (this post: http://fuck-customers.tumblr.com/post/159274796207/scandal-cliques-and-sex) about the “sex scandal” at my work.

i now have an update! again, it’s long - it’s really hard to simplify it.

first of all, it turns out nobody reported them but becky was offered a senior supervisor position at a new store thats opening in june nearer to where she lives. its in a bigger and more reputable store, and its one of three stores in the country that offer this senior supervisor role. she declines this promotion (hmmm i wonder why) and one of our supervisors (lets call her jane as she becomes relevant later one) takes it instead.

however, someone did report our boss for being lazy at work and he had a visit from our area manager who is a total hardass and yelled at him in the office (i wasn’t in but apparently, according to other staff it was loud). he gets disciplined.

our assistant manager takes charge and makes some changes. she’s a nice lady - but pretty firm, she doesn’t take any shit. she sits down with becky when our boss isn’t in and asks her “informally” talks to her about the group chat she has with the girls and also how her and our boss speak outside of work. im not sure how it goes but becky gets all defensive and blames emily for it all and her and emily have this HUGE argument in the stockroom on a closing shift… 

im not sure what happened but by the end of the week they’ve spoke it over and they’re “friends” again and they’ve both decided to “leave group chats behind”. this is kinda good… it diffuses the clique. the girl i work with who goes to my uni tells me as we meet up for lunch (again) that none of the group of girls really speak to her anymore unless they’re in work, they stop arranging dinner dates and nights outs… its all a bit weird because they all claimed to be the best of friends but hey ho i guess they werent really close. however, this doesn’t really stop the passive bullying of the younger girl member of staff but thats a completely different and off topic story. 

my manager becomes even more reserved at work - our assistant manager basically told us we couldn’t really speak about the whole becky/boss fucking thing anymore which is fair enough because it started creating a lot of hostility and tension… however, becky and him are still as close as ever - although our assistant manager was pretty good at separating them - giving becky different tasks, offering to take more on for my boss to ease the tension and any possible “wrong” relationships.

everyone starts taking all their shit out on our boss - who i mentioned in the past post is actually a pretty sweet guy regardless of how all of this makes him seem. we don’t hit target for the quarter and all the other sales assistants say it’s his fault for being “lazy” - i completely disagree with this throughout because he always tries to remain positive even when he’s not 100% there. we all hear throughout this time that him and his girlfriend finally split and she moved, all the details are very vague but it really just seems like she didn’t love him for the past year or so and just completely cut him out of her life. 

i hear from one of the other managers that he said he was sick of people grilling/disrespecting him. which is fair, anyone would. but it gets to the point where i text him to say i can’t do a shift and offer an alternative solution that he stops replying to me - which is very out of character - and i just have to sort it by myself. i worry that he took it as me grilling him. 

he goes off on sick leave for a week and comes back and just doesn’t look right at all - noticeable weight loss, bags under his eyes, grey looking skin - he genuinely looks like he’s gonna kill himself. regardless, becky is still all the way up his arse and he’s up hers. cause it’s pretty taboo at work, nobody really mentions it but we’re all thinking about it. 

i’m not sure if i’m biased because i really like him and know that his mental health is pretty terrible at the best of times but i honestly just think becky is using him and now he’s trapped… b/c if he tries to break it off she can just scream about how her “big bad boss took advantage of her” or whatever… but y’no i could be completely wrong… maybe he is a bit scummy and lost his girlfriend over the fact he was being scummy with other girls for so long. idk.

my boss also completely denies how much he’s hurting - i opened alone with him last monday and we had some very dry chat. i asked him how he was feeling regarding his mental health as he’s always been pretty open with me about it as he knows i deal with similar demons but he’s just like…”oh im great, moving on and enjoying being a single man again!!! :)” later im a bit less vague with him and tell him im worried about him and again… he’s just like… “nah don’t be worried about me!!! you’re young and have other things to worry about - i have people to worry about me its okay!!! anyway im fine im just a little miffed because we finished down this quarter!!!” i tell him im happy to worry but leave it there because i don’t want to make him uncomfortable.

flash forward to last weekend, jane books a booth at a nightclub and invites everyone out for drinks for her leaving night. shes not leaving for a couple more weeks but wanted to do it before holiday season started. most leave pretty early but myself, becky, a gal we will call susie and a few others stayed out. jane and susie became pretty good friends at work due to the fact they were basically the same person. susie is gay but jane isn’t however, theres always been banter about the fact they’re in love... which continued through this night out. its nothing serious, its all light hearted. well. it was. 

becky starts telling everyone about the fact they made out in this club (they didn’t) and went back to susies to do "whatever lesbians do in the bedroom". y’no, although jane is straight. becky makes up that this happened before at another night out and that jane told her on shift once that she was bisexual. a lot of people shrug it off cos they know its bs but it becomes almost as big as the her/boss story and our area manager finds out - as jane was still working in our store whilst all this happened, and although it was all bullshit, she was punished for letting it go out of hand or whatever and wasn’t given the promotion and instead got offered a standard supervisor position at the new store with the possibility to progress. she declines offer this and susie (who is obviously very pissed) tells everyone that jane wanted to rat out becky/manager but couldn’t actually face doing so because she genuinely actually likes our boss. 

again, if there’s any updates on this again i’ll post! work used to be draining cause of the customers but now it’s draining because of the staff!