INSINCERITY ˡᵘᵏᵉ ʰᵉᵐᵐⁱⁿᵍˢ

2

Rory Sawyer
Twelve Days Later...

"So... she gave you two weeks to get ready for a six-month tour?" Elle asks in disbelief, her eyes squinting in frustration as they dance around my messy room.

The pillows on my bed had been thrown on the floor, along with the big fluffy brown comforter I usually sleep with. Clothes are strung out in different directions, and pairs of shoes are being found one at a time. It looks like chaos.

I stand in the one portion that hadn't been messed with, the corner with all of my pictures on the pale yellow walls. "Yep." I sigh, eyebrows raised from being overwhelmed.

The corners of her lips pinched downward, shaking her head up and down. "God she's such a bitch." She whispers under her breath, leaning against the white painted wood of my doorway. "I don't know how you've dealt with her for this long, Rory."

I shrug, leaning down to grab my favorite jeans from the floor, avoiding eye contact. "I'm just surprised she knew I existed."

"She probably didn't." She says, her face unchanging from what it was before. I can't tell if she meant to say that out loud or not.

I look at her with my eyebrows raised in surprise, not knowing what to say.

"Sorry, that could've been offensive." She smiles wearily. "But she didn't. You were her last option. You said it yourself, she said that her 'favorite writers' were out of the job or something." She uses her fingers to quote Miss. Morra and rolls her eyes with a sigh. "You deserve better than to be last choice."

"I'm glad to have even been a choice." I smile. "Despite me being last, I still have the job."

"I hate that you're so optimistic." She shifts her feet, pushing herself off of the doorway.

"It's called being grateful, Elle." I throw my jeans to the open suitcase on my bed, where a pile of clothes is starting to form.

She steps forward, looking down at my clothes and picks them up one at a time; inspecting each piece of material that comes in contact with her fingertips. She drops a few back to the floor but also keeps some on her arm for, what seems to be, reference.

"What're you doing?" I question, raising an eyebrow at her inspection.

"What does it look like? I'm being helpful." She pauses, raising her clothed-filled arms slightly. "You're already gonna be stressing out this whole week. I might as well help as much as I can."

I shake my head, following after her in pursuit of getting my things together. Lifting material after material in hopes of choosing things that are actually needed. Comfy clothes, nice clothes, pajamas, underwear, literally every outfit I could imagine myself wearing in any situation is needed. I don't have enough room for the imaginary scenarios in my head.

"How many outfits are you planning on bringing, again?" Her eyes flicker to my already filled bag.

"I don't know, that's what's stressing me out. I'm going to be gone for six months and I don't even have enough room for all of the clothes I'm gonna need." I huff, placing clothes neatly on my bed despite my frustration.

"If we put things like chargers, computer stuff, hair appliances, makeup, and whatever writer equipment is needed in a book bag, it should be easier." She walks to my closet, not even minding the mess on the floor, just walking on the clothes that are in the way.

"Writer equipment?" I laugh turning my head in her direction to face her completely.

"I don't know; like a notebook, pens, pencils. I don't know what you guys need." She glances around my closet, finding empty hangers and extra blankets on shelves.

I laugh a bit harder, but I still somehow manage to get words out. "A basic handheld notepad and a computer are usually nice." I pause, when she pulls out my old purple bookbag with a knowing grin. "At least that's what I've heard and seen."

I push my suitcase up a bit making room for my body on the bed. I grab one of the clothes on top of the pile, starting to fold.

Thinking of this opportunity, I stress on what doors it could open. I have still yet to read those papers, and at this point, I could care less what they say. I'm going on this writing exposition; even if I end up being fired by the end of it.

There are so many outcomes for this. Most of them look good if I do the job correctly. So yeah, I'm going on this trip.

"Going through this is going to be hell." I murmur, rubbing my hands down my face.

The backpack is thrown at my side, following the sounds of the springs in my bed creaking. "Hey, at least you've got your super cool roommate to help you."

"Who are we talking about?" I ask jokingly, continuing to fold more clothes. "I have a lame roommate who likes to steal my clothes sometimes, but that's pretty much it."

Next thing I know a pillow is launched at my head, along with the fleeing sounds of laughter. My mouth opens slowly as I try not to laugh. My hair invading my vision like the branches of a tree.

"Hey!" I finally laugh, throwing the semi-folded dress at her, hitting her in the middle of her chest.

Elle raises her hands in surrender, "Alright, alright, but being serious now. I'm gonna miss you, you dork."

I think about the trip once more as I look at my best friend. Thinking about how much I'll miss our tiny apartment and little movie nights on Friday. It's only six months. Six months and I'll be back home safe and sound.

A once in a lifetime opportunity with 5 Seconds of Summer for free, in hotel rooms as I go to places around the country. How could I say no?

"I'll miss you too."

--
i'm on a roll.

i wasn't expecting another chapter to be uploaded for at least another week, but here we are.

i promise we are gonna meet luke soon. I wanted to build a bit of character before I completely dive into characters and the real chaos monsoons. (aside from Rory's bedroom right now)

-rie