Lost Again [Revised]

~+~One~+~

Bobby picked up what she was thinking and gave her a shake of his head and a small chuckle. "Sure thing, doll. What about you, boy?" He faced Jasper, his eyebrows raised in a questionable manner.

"I'm good, Bobby. Thanks for asking," Jasper replied.

"No problem, it is my job after all," Bobby retorted, chuckling heartily as he disappeared behind two wooden doors to grab Cerise a water. Jasper turned to face her when Bobby left.

"So, who's the chick that's been angering my dear friend?" Jasper asked teasingly.

Cerise's mood turned sour. "It's the same chick that you've been gushing and praising about all day," she grumbled, her face devoid of any emotion.

Jasper's face fell. "No way. She's going to get screwed over out there."

Cerise scoffed, "Thanks buddy for looking after your 'best friend'." She crossed her arms over her chest and released a heavy, irritated breath.

"But at least I know you'll be fine. You always win. Even your first match you won. This girl is a newbie going against the best player around," Jasper argued on the newbie's behalf.

"Well, this newbie challenged me, not the other way around. And she knew I was the best. I'm not going to forfeit if that's what you're asking by the pleading look on your face. My dignity and hard work isn't going to be destroyed by her," Cerise fought back, her voice almost to a shout. She stood up before her temper got the best of her. "Tell Bobby I'll be in my room," she said before walking behind the bar and into the kitchen Bobby escaped in to. She saw him hovering over the stove, a spatula in his hands as he waited patiently for the burger to finish cooking. Cerise's glass over water stood on the counter opposite of him.

She glanced at the aging man before her. He was the only man she would consider a father figure. From his thin white tendrils of hair to his arthritis bitten hands. Sighing, Cerise grabbed her water and gulped it down, swallowing heavily after wards. Bobby grunted with amusement, acknowledging her presence with a wave of his utensil. He then flipped the patty over.

"What are you doing back here, girl? Why aren't you with the boy?" Bobby asked, turning his face for a brief second to give Cerise a worried look before returning to the burger on the stove.

She shrugged carelessly, even though she fully well knew she cared. "I don't want to talk to him right now. Figured I'd let him cheer for the new girl by himself," Cerise muttered, raising herself to sit on the counter across from Bobby.

The old man sighed, removing the burger from the stove and placing it on a plate with a bun. He added other ingredients before stacking fries beside the burger and ringing the bell. An employee dashed over, grabbing the plate and attending to a costumer sitting at the bar.

After washing his hands, Bobby stood beside Cerise grabbing her hand in his. "Listen to me closely, dear. It might sound strange but maybe Jasper is just tired of you winning. Maybe he wants a new change in scenery and have someone beat you for once. However, have you thought that maybe, he knows this girl? He might be hoping she'll have a chance because he knows her too."

Cerise pondered the idea. "There's a possibility that's the case. Him of all people should know though, that I'm not going to willingly give up my title. I'm called the 'Death's Angel' for a reason. And Jasper should understand that. I don't know, I'm probably just making a big deal out of it."

Bobby nodded, releasing her hand and reaching for the empty glass of water. He refilled it for her and handed it back. She took it with a grateful smile. Bobby glanced at the clock. "You should probably head in there. It's four now, and knowing you, you're going to want to warm up." He shook his head with a jolly laugh, most likely reminiscing how much Cerise warmed up before a fight.