Everything Is Blue

Chapter 12

Monday morning rolled around, and Kimbra slept on and off until her alarm rang.

She prayed that it would stop as she buried her head underneath her pillow, but the loud beeping refused. Nothing she did could muffle that awful sound. The canine didn't even want to drag herself out of bed today. It felt pointless. Work hadn't been all that exciting, unless you considered filing paperwork to be. For Kimbra, it only gave her a migraine. She wanted to be out doing actual science. Work on finishing the C.O.R.E project. That sort of stuff.

But no. This was real life, after all. Sometimes you get stuck with the boring parts.

That's depressing.

She sat up, raking a hand through her unbrushed hair. It felt gross and unkempt, probably from tossing and turning in her sleep all night.

Well, it was time to fix that.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Kimbra began to leave for her shift over at EcoTech. She picked up her car keys off the kitchen counter and headed out the door.

***

The smell of freshly brewed coffee was rich in the air. It reminded Kimbra of the small diner that she used to waitress at after school. How she knew everyone who came in by name and their usual order. The way it felt cozy and had that familiar homey feeling.

I really miss home. As soon as this project is over with, I can move back.

Stopping by the small coffee shop, The Loft, on her way to work wasn't part of Kimbra's schedule for today. But she was tired and needed something to wake her up. Usually, everyone at EcoTech sent the interns to go get the coffee, but Kimbra didn't trust them enough to order the right thing. They'd end up getting her the wrong drink or dump it in her lap.

No, thanks.

She ordered a small vanilla latte, and sat at a table by the window.

A pair of brown eyes wouldn't stop looking at her from across the room. At first, Kimbra just thought she was being paranoid or that her peripheral vision was playing tricks on her. Several minutes passed, and now she was convinced someone was definitely staring at her.

She finally looked up, and saw who it was.

Dr. Ross Spector. Ainsley and EcoTech's rival.

He looked away for a moment as the barista handed him his coffee. The man stepped out of the line, heading towards her. Not something she was expecting from him.

Was she dreaming? Why would she be dreaming about Dr. Spector?

Kimbra stood up from the table, preparing herself for whatever was about to happen.

No, this wasn't awkward at all.

Spector smiled.

Okay. Not liking this.

The man that her boss constantly went off on rants about was headed this way. Just in a few seconds, he'd be standing in front of her. Face to face.

I can still make it out if I sprint to the door.

She almost took a step backward when he approached her.

Kimbra didn't have time, or the courage to react. Dr. Spector stopped and stood in front of her, still sporting that warm smile from before.

"You work at EcoTech, right?"

She was expecting a snarky comment from him, so she put her guard up. "Yes?"