Shattered: The Hearts That Can't Move On

Chapter One: Commencement

Chapter One: Commencement

Her vision turned black. She was trapped, surrounded by strangers screaming and holding cameras.

"Ella! Ella! Look over here!"

"How do you feel about being in the Cover Girl magazine?"

"Ms. Stone, are you having a romantic relationship again?"

"Did you have a fight with one of your relatives?"

'Ella,' she thought. 'That's my sister.' Her vision came clear and her light brown eyes widened, alarmed that she was now facing her sister.

She was tall and gorgeous. Her vanilla blonde hair went down to her waist, right in the middle of her short red dress. Her hazel eyes glowed like glittering stars in space. Her skin looked flawless, tanned and silky from head to toe. Ella looked like a beautiful goddess. Tension filled the air when she spoke,

"Jocelyn?"

Everything about her is irritating. She hated it.

She turned the opposite way and ran. She didn't want to face her sister. Not ever. She could still hear that voice, calling her name in the distance.

"Jocelyn! Jocelyn, please wait!"

Jocelyn's vision flashed white by the cameras around her. 'No! Go away!' She violently pushed away the people encircling her. Suddenly, more people appeared and surrounded her, making her feel claustrophobic. 'No...go away...help...' Her vision went hazy and the voices all around her started to fade before she fainted on the red carpet. Emma's voice echoed in the distance.

"Jocelyn! Jocelyn!"

"Jocelyn!"

"..celyn!"

"JOCELYN!"

Jocelyn whipped her head up from the counter, surprised by the sudden voice coming from her 67 year-old manager, Pepe Antonio da Villeton. He owned one of the most famous restaurants in New York City called Antonio's Pizza Rama. Thank the lord she was back to reality. She never wanted to experience that dream again. Suddenly, she received a powerful thump on her head by her boss holding a dough roller.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to sleep on the job?!"

Pepe's voice was extremely loud; it made her ear splitting apart. His shouting attracted the people inside the restaurant, making her situation worse.

"Sorry, Pepe. I didn't have enough sleep last night..."

"'Not enough sleep'?! This is the fourth time this week I caught you doing this!"

Noticing the people looking at their direction, he sighed, calming himself down a little. "Jocelyn, at least try to stay awake. Sleep a bit more early next time."

Jocelyn pressed both hands over her eyes, feeling worn out after that nightmare. "I'm sorry."

"...Did something happen recently making you lose your naptime? Do you want a break?"

Although Pepe's a strict middle aged man, he is also sympathetic. Whenever someone in the job is having a tough time, he's there to assist you, if it's not related to the job. But get the man angry, you'll end up having broken bones in every inch of your body. That's why Pepe's one of her favorite people. He seemed more like her grandfather than her boss.

She shook her head. "I'm fine. Nothing really happened, Pepe. I promise I'll try to get some more sleep tonight."

"Alright then. But be prepared 'cause you'll be delivering tomorrow."