The Splash
Chapter 1 – The Splash
The morning breeze danced through the curtains as the first light of dawn painted the sky. Spark stirred in her bed, frowning as she reached for her alarm clock. It hadn’t rung, and she was already late. A sharp pang of panic surged through her chest , she had a job interview today, one she had prepared for all week.“ Oh no,” she muttered, tossing off the covers. She had stayed up late the night before working on a project, promising herself she’d wake early. Now she was racing against time. She hurried into the bathroom, showered in record speed, and threw on a simple outfit. With barely a glance in the mirror, she grabbed her worn handbag and bolted out the door.
The city was already awake, buses honking, vendors setting up their stalls, and pedestrians weaving through the morning rush. Spark squeezed into a bus and tapped her foot impatiently as the minutes ticked away. When her stop came, she jumped down, but before her feet hit the pavement, a car sped past, sending a wave of muddy water splashing across her. The cold soaked her clothes instantly. Spark froze, then spun around in fury. “Are you blind?” she shouted. “Can’t you see? You can’t even say sorry? You have no manners!” The sleek car came to a halt, and the tinted window rolled down. Behind it was a man whose presence was almost cinematic, tall, dark hair tousled in the breeze, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her. But Spark was far too angry to notice his charm. “Why did you have to splash me?” she demanded, fists clenched. “I have an interview! How do you expect me to go there looking like this?”
The young man’s lips curved into a faint, apologetic smile. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t see the puddle. ”But Spark had no patience for niceties. She brushed him off with a wave of her hand and stormed away, muttering under her breath. She ducked into a boutique nearby, desperate for a change of clothes. The racks sparkled with blazers and shirts far pricier than her budget allowed. Her heart sank. “I didn’t come here to shop,” she whispered to herself. “Just something plain, just for today. ”As she turned to leave, she almost collided with someone , the same blue-eyed man. Her face hardened. “Are you following me now?”His brows lifted in surprise. “No, I”, “Can’t you just leave me alone?” she snapped, storming out before he could explain.
By the time Spark reached the company for her interview, her nerves were frayed. She sat quietly among other applicants, scrolling through her phone to distract herself. She barely noticed a figure walk past her, the familiar presence lingering, but her focus was elsewhere. When her name was called, she forced her legs to carry her into the room. “Hello, Miss… Spark, is it?” the interviewer asked warmly. “You’re here for the internship position?”
Spark nodded, trying to mask her unease. The questions began, but midway through, the interviewer’s expression shifted. “I see you’re still processing your master’s,” he said thoughtfully. “Unfortunately, we’re only taking applicants who have fully completed their programs.”
Spark’s heart sank. She forced a polite smile, thanked them for their time, and walked out with her spirit heavy. Not only had she lost the opportunity, she had spent the last of her money on clothes she didn’t even like. By the time she got home, exhaustion weighed her down like an anchor. She reheated some food, pushing it around her plate more than eating it. Her phone buzzed suddenly. “Spark! We’re having a small get-together tonight. You should come,” her friend chirped. “No, I’m not in the mood,” Spark replied. “Come on, you need a break. Please?”
After a long sigh, Spark gave in.
The next evening, she stood in front of her wardrobe, her eyes landing on a flowing blue dress that shimmered faintly under the light. She paired it with silver earrings and a delicate necklace. For the first time that week, she felt beautiful.
A honk outside drew her to the window. Tyson leaned casually against his car, grinning. “Hey, hurry up, young beauty!” he called. Spark slipped on her heels, grabbed her clutch, and hurried downstairs. “Do I look okay?” she asked nervously once in the car. Tyson’s eyes softened. “You always look good.”
At the party, Tyson guided her in with his arm around her waist. Their friends exchanged teasing looks.“Tyson, is this your girlfriend?” one of them joked. Spark laughed it off. “No, stop playing!”
Inside, music pulsed through the air. They danced, mingled, and Spark let herself enjoy the moment. But during a game of Truth or Drink, tension built. When Tyson was asked who he liked, his eyes flickered toward Spark. Her heart skipped. But when the questions turned to her, Spark deflected, drinking instead of answering. Soon, someone teased, “She still misses her ex.” The laughter stung like glass. Spark’s smile vanished, and before anyone could stop her, she stormed out. Tyson ran after her. “Spark, wait!” She whirled on him, tears brimming. “Why are you following me? Leave me alone! Do you think this is fun? Reminding me of my past? I’m not made of stone, Tyson. I’m hurting!” He reached for her hand. “I didn’t mean
“Don’t rub salt in my wounds!” she cried, pushing him away. For the first time, Tyson had no words. Spark’s sobs filled the silence, her pain raw and unguarded.
