State of Grace - Jack Hughes

007

Allie

I got to the apartment to unbelievably late. My class ran long, I had to stay for a group project meeting and my car wasn't loaded enough. I had dinner with a few of my friends before leaving for Jersey. I was already late, so I didn't think it was worth driving on an empty stomach. By the time I rolled out of the parking garage it was 8:30 at night, and I got to the apartment at midnight. I am so grateful that the landlord was able to leave my key in the lockbox. I found my one suitcase with my bathroom basics and outfit for work and stomped up the stairs from the lot to the elevator.

I found the unit, 513, I swiped the fab on the pad and waited for the greenlight. The door is a welcoming shade of blue. The door opens next to the kitchen, with a small alcove to leave our shoes at the door. The kitchen bleeds into the living room, with two doors on opposed sides leading to our bedrooms. I picked the room on the left-hand side. The window overlooks the surrounding neighborhood that is only lit by a few remaining streetlights.

My body hits my new mattress, which is on the floor and wrapped in plastic. I found my sweatpants buried in my bag and a huge t shirt to sleep in. I don't even have the energy to remove the plastic from the new mattress and just fall on the bed. No pillow. No blanket. Just sleep.

My alarm starts ringing at 6 this morning. First day of the rest of my life. I shuffle into my bathroom and turn on the shower. I hate- no despise- morning showers, but I could not bring myself to do it last night. The shower is warm, filling the bathroom with steam. I wish I had more time to enjoy this, but I need to hustle out of the door to get to MSG and get coffee beforehand.

I am grateful that my first day in the office was not a game day. That is too much pressure. For non-game days and days with no client meetings, I get to dress fairly casual in the office, which I really value. I decided on a pair of light wash jeans, a long black sleeve, and new air forces. I did not throw the old ones away, just got new ones specifically for office days. I adjust my necklace that I wear everyday with little A imprinted on it- it never leaves my neck- and silver earrings. 99.99% of my jewelry is silver, it's a rare occasion I switch to different metal. I fix up my work bag with my laptop, id badge, parking permit and a fresh water bottle.

Just like that it's 7am and I have just enough time to get a snack and a coffee from Starbucks before beginning my commute into the city. I pick up my phone off the charger, "Oh crap," I mutter to myself. I meant to text Jak when I got into the apartment. All I could focus on was sleep.

Jack Hughes 

good morning!

i meant to text you when i got here but it was so late i just passed out

don't apologize

how was the drive?

agonizing i left soooo late

i got here at 12

damn and youre up already

already walking to the car for work

youre going to do great

let me know how it goes?

ofc

im kinda terrified