Chapter 10

Rowie decided to have an over time. Clyde was already preparing to leave. He noticed the uneasiness in Rowie's face. It felt like there was something bothering her. She kept on glancing at the time like she's late or something.

Clyde approached her. "Hey, I need to go." The shock on her face didn't go unnoticed by him. Something was really bothering her. That was when Clyde had a second thought on going home.

His aunty told him about Rowie having a hard time, though he didn't know what that was. He couldn't help but worry about her. She looked vulnerable to him.

"Oh, right. Take care on your way home." Rowie smiled.

Clyde stared at her, trying to read her mind but failed to do so. She looked away and tried to focus outside but Clyde's stare was so distracting.

"Do you need something else?" She asked, getting more and more conscious around Clyde. He was making her conscious.

"I know it's none of my business. But you seem to be in deep thoughts. Do you have any problem? Do you want me to work overtime as well?"

Rowie smiled, appreciating his kindness. "I'm okay. I was just thinking about something."

Clyde stared at her, again. She sighed in defeat and said, "I was wondering if my -- ahm..." she searched for the right word to say. "Date? -- if he is still waiting for me. I'm an hour late, though."

Clyde nodded and smirked. "Why don't you go, then? I'll cover for you today."

"What?" Rowie's eyes widened. "No! You don't have to do that. I mean..."

"You're going to let your date wait? Or, you're going to ditch him? Come on, that's rude."

"But --"

"Look, I'm trying to be nice despite the fact that we've only met this morning. If you're still doubtful, count this as a favor. Pay me back when I need your help in the future. Deal?"

She thought about it a little. When she saw the determination and encouraging look on his face, she gave up. Sighing in defeat, she said, "Okay, deal."

With those words, he smiled. She pouted in return and walked straight inside the changing room.

Rowie almost forgot about the movie with Shin. She was so focused on working that it slipped out of her head. Thinking about him, waiting for her, she couldn't help but worry and feel guilty.

This was the first time that she's going to be late. She didn't really mean it. There were so many things that were occupying her mind but she couldn't think of anything to say to excuse her.

"Good luck on your date." Clyde smiled and waved his hand on her.

"Thank you."

Wearing her jeans and a red blouse, she walked out of the store. Some girls were still hanging outside. It's not that crowded unlike an hour ago. That's a relief. Clyde wouldn't have to deal with so many fan girls by now.

She took a cab to go to the movie house. She didn't want to be late any further. It was almost 2 hours since the time planned.

Can we still watch the movie? Rowie wondered.

When the cab stopped, she headed out and entered the movie house. There were still so many people inside but she doubted that the movie was still on showing.

She didn't gave up, though. She almost ran while searching around -- hoping to see Shin with these many people. As the time went by, her hope of seeing him got blurry.

It was impossible. It was impossible to find him with this crowd. And it was impossible for Shin to wait for her for almost two hours.

She sat on an empty bench to rest. She wiped the sweat on her forehead and sighed.

It was really impossible.

I let an opportunity like this to slip. It is my fault, though. I didn't appear on time. It's too late, Rowie sighed.

Her phone rang. She picked it up when she saw her Mom calling. Before she could speak, she heard her Mom sobbed. Her heart started pouncing inside her chest real fast.

"R-Rowie baby," she started.

"Mom, what's wrong? Is it about Dad, again?"

"No, baby. I-It's Raven. We're here at the hospital. I'll tell you when you get here, o-okay?"

Rowie nodded even though her Mom couldn't see her. "I'm coming, Mom."

She immediately stood up and ran. All that's on her mind was to get to the hospital promptly. Her little sister needed her. She fought back a lump in her throat to stop herself from crying. She remember how worried her Mom's voice was. What could have happened to Raven?

"Rowie..." she stopped on her track but didn't face the person who called her. She knew the owner of that voice. Even though she didn't know him well, she knew that that deep voice was his.

"I thought you wouldn't come." He said. Relief was evident in his voice. Seeing the girl he likes made him forgot that he waited for two hours. He couldn't be happier.

When Rowie didn't face him, he ambled near her, calculating her reaction. When he reached her, that's when Rowie faced him. Shin's eyes widened and his mouth dropped a little. Rowie's face was wet with tears. Her nose was red and she looked uneasy.

"Shin..." she whispered. Her lips started trembling out of worry, guilt and sadness.

Shin touched her shoulder and looked at her with worry. "Are you okay? Is there something wrong?"

Rowie didn't answer him. Instead, she left him with words that made him confused and more worried. "I'm sorry."

Without saying any other words, she ran outside the movie house. He wanted to follow her and made sure she was alright but something stopped him. Something was telling him not to go and not to stop her but he didn't know what it was. That's why he decided to stay where he was and let the girl he likes slipped through his fingers.