AN: Hey readers, whomever you may be. Thanks for reading my little story here! I noticed that I have a few hits so I decided to go ahead with the next chapter. I'm still not sure if I'll keep this story up in the long run, but knowing that some people are reading it really has made my day! I'd love to receive some reviews, but just seeing the number on the hit counter going up is good enough for me. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Two: Quitting

The next morning, Jack woke up feeling like he’d just had a bad dream. He was still in his jeans and t-shirt, and he just generally felt uncomfortable. Glancing at the clock he saw that he was two hours late for work. “Screw it,” he mumbled.

He got out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom where he turned the shower on and peeled his clothes off. When the water was hot and the bathroom was steamy, he climbed into the cubicle and allowed the water to wash away all the grime left over from the previous day. Running his fingers through his damp hair he wished that everything really had been just a bad dream, but there was no possibility of that happening. When some shampoo got into his eyes he brushed it off as The Universe adding insult to injury. Jack stayed in the shower until the water started to cool down of its own accord.

When he finally did step out and get dressed, he decided that he needed to figure out what to do about Andie and his job. Jack went into the kitchen and seated himself at the small table with a bowl of cereal and the day’s newspaper. As he read, he felt a feeling growing within him that seemed to scream that he should just quit the job. If he was honest with himself, the position he was in was going nowhere fast. When he was hired at “Level Up”, he was promised various raises, benefits and the promise of a promotion. While he had indeed been promoted within six months of being hired, that was four years ago and he’d not heard any talk of a raise or second promotion since then. Andie, meanwhile, had moved up several positions in the company while hardly putting in the same amount of effort as Jack. The thought of this ground on Jack’s nerves further so he attempted to focus on his cereal instead.

After breakfast, Jack grabbed his car keys and coat and then left the apartment to go to the office. He was going to quit, and he figured he had better get it done before he changed his mind. The thought of finding a new job was not one he wanted to dwell on, but neither did he want to submit himself to the torture of watching Andie and Hunter ravish each other all over the office. As he sped through the city, Jack kept his eyes peeled for job opportunities, but it seemed that no one was hiring. Even the fast food chains did not have ‘help wanted’ signs taped to their greasy windows.

By the time Jack arrived at Wayne tower, he was feeling quite nervous. He was a tough guy but confrontation with authority bothered him, and he was certainly not a quitter under normal circumstances. “Pull yourself together,” he said to himself through clenched teeth as he jogged into the building. He stepped into the elevator and breathed deeply, calming himself so that he wouldn’t fly off the handle with his boss, Mr. Devon. With an irritatingly cheerful ‘ding’, the elevator arrived at “Level Up” and Jack stepped off. Hands in the pockets of his jeans, he strode into the office with his head held high, pointedly ignoring the whispers of his co-workers as they watched him approach Mr. Devon’s office.

Una, Mr. Devon’s secretary looked nervous when she saw Jack nearing her desk. “Hello Mr. Levine,” she said. “Mr. Devon is expecting you.”

Jack nodded curtly and then let himself into the office of his superior. “Take a seat, Jack,” said Mr. Devon, gesturing toward the leather chairs in front of his massive glass topped desk.

Jack seated himself and then said, “I’ve come in to announce my resignation. I can no longer work here.”

Mr. Devon nodded, his eyes focused on Jack’s. “I understand, Jack, and I feel that I must apologize. You’re one of the hardest workers here, and it was unfair for you not to be promoted to a higher position.”

“Why didn’t you promote me, if you don’t mind my asking?” Jack asked, leaning forward and glaring just a little bit. He was known for his glare and the way it made people feel uncomfortable. He sincerely hoped that it made Mr. Devon squirm, even if only a little.

“I didn’t promote you,” sighed Mr. Devon, “because of purely selfish reasons. I liked the work you were doing in graphics and I didn’t want to have you leave that team. That part of the magazine was crumbling before you came along, and I didn’t want it to fall to pieces without you.”

Jack nodded slowly, taking this in. Having the reason for his failure to be employed did not take away his anger. So many thoughts of how to react raced through his mind, ranging from leaping up and yelling at Mr. Devon, to throwing his crystal paperweight through the window, to just glaring at the man behind the desk until he crumbled. Finally, he decided that the best move would be to just get up and leave. “Goodbye Mr. Devon,” he said, rising up from the chair and heading for the door. “I think you’ll understand if I don’t stay for the customary two weeks.”

Jack went straight to his cubicle and gathered up any personal belongings. He didn’t believe in decorating his work space with cheesy photos or trinkets, so there weren’t many things to pick up. Within in minutes he was ready to vacate the building for what he hoped would be forever. On his way out of the office he could feel the stares of all his former co-workers, but he did not stop to address their questioning eyes. It was none of their business and they could draw whatever assumptions they please. He was gone now, and their idle gossip was of no consequence to him anymore.

After putting his belongings in the trunk of his car, Jack decided to drive to his sister’s house to let her know what was going on. Jack and Jayda Levine were not only brother and sister, but best friends as well. From the time of his birth until the present day, Jayda had been looking out for Jack and he always did his best to return the favour. Their lives and personalities were very different, but their sibling bond always kept them close. As he pulled up to Jayda’s small suburban home, he mentally prepared himself for what she would say when she discovered that Andie had dumped him. For as long as Jack and Andie had been dating, Jayda had been rooting for the relationship to fail. She hadn’t said this directly to Jack’s face, but he knew her well enough to know that she didn’t like Andie at all.

Before Jack could even reach the front porch, the door flung open to reveal a smiling and flour covered Jayda. “Jack!” she exclaimed, jumping off the steps and into her little brother’s arms. “I haven’t seen you in two whole weeks!”

“I know, and I’m sorry,” he apologized as he hugged, and carried Jayda up the steps and into the house. Once inside, Jack put Jayda down and she got her first close look at him. Immediately her facial expression changed from one of joy and surprise, to one of concern that only a protective sister could show. “Before you start interrogating me,” said Jack, guiding her into the living room, “just let me say that yes, I know you told me so.”

Jayda half smiled and half frowned. “You and Andie are through, then?” They sat down on the overstuffed sofa and Jack nodded in the affirmative. “You’re right, I did tell you so. I am still sorry though; I know that you truly loved her.” Jack nodded again and then they fell silent.

“I tried out your method of venting,” said Jack after a few minutes.

“Oh yeah? And how did that work?”

“Well, it really did make me feel better to get out all my frustrations, but I didn’t expect the person on the other end of the phone line to call back.”

Jayda burst out laughing. “The person called you back?! That’s never happened to me! That’s so funny, Jack.”

Jack allowed himself to smile a little bit. “I guess it was a little bit funny, but it was also really awkward. It was a girl from some broccoli place and she seemed really concerned. I didn’t really know what to do, and she wants me to call back at some point to let her know if I’m okay or not.”

“Interesting,” comments Jayda with a thoughtful smile. “So are you going to call her back?’

"Of course not; I don't know her!"

"Who cares! The girl obviously cares for you, so it would be decent of you to let her know you're alright. Imagine how you would feel if you got some random call from a girl whose life was falling apart. Wouldn't you be worried too?"

Jack couldn't argue with Jayda's logic. "Fine," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'll call her back."

Jayda smirked and then got up from the couch. "Since you're here already, would you like to stay for dinner? It's nearly five o'clock already and I'm starving!"

"Yeah, I'll stay," answered Jack. "What are we having?"

Jayda, who was already in the kitchen, called out in response, "Nuggets and fries with rice pudding for dessert."

Jack smiled as this was his favourite meal. While Jayda prepared the food in the kitchen, he decided to get his phone call to the Broccoli Girl over with. He picked up the phone book and searched for Broccoli's Books. He thought it an odd name for a book store, but he was certain that was what Edyn had said when she answered the phone. "Maybe it's a recipe book store," he mused aloud. After flipping through the phone book for nearly five minutes, Jack gave up the search for her number. Frustrated, he tossed the phone book onto the coffee table and then went into the kitchen to talk to Jayda until supper was ready.