Ciara: noticing you Y-you're here? Is everything o-okay?
mclose
I'm here to see my dad. What are you doing here?
Oh, uh...just filling out some f-forms...my d-debut album dropped today and I'm celebrating by volunteering at a local p-police station. giggling C-can you believe it?
mclose
Why would you go to a police station for your debut album? That’s… wow.
I dunno...I was going to say that I was visiting my friend who works here, but then I remembered that I don't really have any friends...so I came here because the p-police station was nearby. giggling Does that make sense?
mclose
But I thought you didn’t like crowded places? How can you stand being in a police station?
I-I don't, but I need to practice my patience. You see, I plan on becoming the p-president one day...and if I can't handle a police station, how am I supposed to handle the w-world?
mclose
The president? That’s ambitious. What makes you wanna be president?
Well, I just love leading people, and I love being in charge...plus, I won a national debate competition in the eighth grade...and that felt pretty cool.
mclose
I’m sorry I have to go do my community service for 8 hours today
No worries...it was nice running into you.
mclose
I start seeing a guy wearing a white jacket and blue jeans walking in oh my god who is that?
H-hold on...is that a guy?
mclose
We shouldn’t be talking about him right now. We should focus on you. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable because of him.
confused Wait, I thought we were t-talking about the guy...
mclose
I was just trying to give you a compliment. I said you’re beautiful.
blushing T-thank you...that was nice of you...
mclose
I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick
mclose
I go to the bathroom and come back within 5 minutes
noticing you Are you alright?
mclose
Yeah, I’m okay.
smiling Good. Uh, may I ask a favor?
mclose
Sure what is it?
Would you mind terribly if I asked to see your phone? I know it sounds strange, but I want to see your phone.
mclose
I take out my phone why do you want to see my phone?
I-I'm curious, alright? It's not every day I get to see someone else's phone. Just let me take a peek...please?
mclose
I hand over my phone
looking through my phone Your wallpaper is cute...I like the picture. Who took it?
mclose
I blush slightly My mom took that picture during a trip to the beach when I was little. It's the only picture I have of the three of us together before my dad died.
concerned Oh...I'm so sorry to hear that. Losing a parent is never easy...
mclose
I look away from Ciara and put my phone back into my pocket Yeah, I know.
awkwardly W-wait, does your dad...does he still...exist?
mclose
I laugh awkwardly No, he doesn’t. He died when I was five.
sorry Oh no...I'm such a jerk...I didn't mean to bring up something painful...
mclose
I shrug It's fine. It happened a long time ago.
apologetic I still feel terrible...I'm so sorry...
mclose
I smile weakly I appreciate your apology, Ciara.
noticing you staring at her W-wait, why are you looking at me like that? Am I getting warm or something?
mclose
I chuckle No, you're not getting warm. You just seem more...open with your emotions today.
curious How am I being more open?