The Distance Within

17.

E.

"What's the theme you're going with? Have you chosen a specific one?" I put emphasis on the specific, a roaring headache already making its way. God, I hated these types of customers.

"Yes! I decided with royal blue and silver, or any shiny colour you think will look fancy." There goes another deep breath from me, my pen irritatingly hitting my notepad and my coffee now gone cold.

"Are you sure? We really need to get started if you want this done as soon as possible."

"Yes, of course, don't worry. I've put so much thought into it." She smiles flashing me her pearly teeth, while her high pitched tone filled my office repeating the same words she used last time.

"Okay great, I'll be viewing the other points you have mentioned earlier and the rough sketch will reach you in about a week or two."

"A week or two?!" She gaps out her hand running over her heart, dramatic much?

"Yes, with you consistently changing your theme colours that means I need a new sketch for each," I explain calmly, my lungs suddenly starting to feel they're clogged up.

"Why can't you just change the colours, you're complicating it." I try to set a smile on despite her making me frustrated, my eyes scanning for a tissue on my desk, the coughs getting stuck in my throat as I tried to swallow them back.

"That's...Excuse me." I grab a paper I have laying beside me and cough into it, my throat feeling like it's being shredded into pieces, my lungs collapsing against my chest wall making the coughs firmer and more powerful.

Once they have calmed down, my heart slows down at its steady pace...I send her a small apologetic smile, one that she reciprocated before ushering with her hand for me to complete.

"As I was saying..." My eyes ignore the paper laying, even though in my peripheral vision I could clearly make out the red spot. My heart striking up immediately again, bother filling me. "They wouldn't have recommended me if I only changed the colour scheme with no special theme lying behind." I send her the most professional smile I could through the haze I currently was in.

"Fair enough, we'll I'll be leaving now. I'll see you later Miss Young." She stands up straightening her dress and grabbing her small fancy satchel.

Another smile and nod is sent her way before she was leaving my office.

My face dropping down as my eyes looked at the red spots on the paper I grabbed, throat tightening at the metallic punch still laying in my mouth, my mind blank, confused...because what could it be?

Picking up my phone I decide to set a doctor appointment, knowing it was better than sticking to the antibiotics I got without a visit. The burn of the coughs and the consent metallic presence becoming more often and worse, too unbearable causing sleepless nights and uncomfortable mornings.

However, whoever was calling caught me first. My landline rang loudly in the office stopping me from pressing the green button.

"Hello?" A female voice said from the other side.

"Hi, Evelyn Young speaking. Who's with me?" I ask swallowing down the coughs choking my throat up once more.

"This is Summers Elementary School." Xander.

"Yes, is everything alright?" The more I spoke the more my coughing fit felt harsher, letting them in cut off my oxygen and letting them out burned up my throat.