priorities-2

12

"You said you were visiting your parents!" Carrie shows me an article. "You werein DENMARK?""Just hanging out with my bud!" I say casually."You KNOW Slasher?" Ted's agog."His real name is Elliot," I tell Ted."Wow that's so cool," Ted says."The novelty wears off after a while. Carrie's dating his brother who's a deadringer, but bald.""Hunter got tired of being chased by Elliot's fans," she explained, "so he shaved hishead. He's mucho cute!""Oh," Ted said."So how was your trip that you didn't tell me about?" Asks Carrie."Fun. I read 'What Happened in Vegas Didn't Stay in Vegas' on the plane whichwas such a hot book, I told Slasher about it and he offered to shag me. So, we shaggedall night and then went to his concert the next day. Then I flew right home.""You and Slasher?""It was no big deal," I tell Carrie. "I expect nothing to come from it, it was just a bitof fun. We're friends, 'buds.""It's just you've been through a lot," she says concerned."Ted and me both," I agree. Ted nods vigorously. "I'm not hooking up with anyoneany time soon," he agrees."Right! Me too! I like being single," I admit."Do you want to," Ted propositions me."Ya okay, no,' I tease.

Our first day of work is exciting. No training involved. Carrie and I are given twosections to secure as a security guards, a more experienced person is assigned inbetween us. We are at the lowest level in front of the Plexiglas. Tonight, is a hockey game. We are instructed to guide people to their seats and not let the fans go right up tothe ice. Other than that, we have a perfect view of the game. Toronto is playingMontreal. I can practically touch the players, it's so much fun. I have to stay calm andnot cheer with the audience in case someone is watching me.Carrie and I are allowed to leave once our sections are void of people. We rushhome to go to bed so we're not tired for class in the morning. Toronto plays Montrealagain tomorrow, so we have to get our homework done, eat dinner before we're expectedback to the stadium for our next shift. It doesn't leave us any spare time until there's alull between venues.

The second game, Carrie told me she thought she saw Alex and Melody but shewasn't sure. They were two levels up but in her section. I haven't spotted anyone yet,and I don't care, I'm spending every free second peaking glances at the game. I can'twait until there's a concert! This is the best job ever; I never would have even thought ofapplying for something like this if it wasn't for Ted. We don't see Ted; he's working nearthe players change rooms.We have a couple of days off and then Edmonton plays Toronto. Carrie's acting allcool, but I know it's going to be hard for her to see Brandon. I've cyber watched him andhe's still with Sheila. She hasn't asked, so I haven't said anything.

Carrie and I get sections together when Edmonton comes to Toronto. The playerscome out onto the ice for warm-up. Brandon looks amazing in his Jersey. He recognizesme when he starts circling his half of the rink. Toronto is on the opposite side. He wavesto me and I wave back. That's when I sneak a point. He glances over and spots Carrie."Carrie!" I shout out. She turns to me; I point to Brandon. They lock eyes. Thechemistry is so strong, it's amazing the ice doesn't melt. The next thing that happens isgob smacking. She snubs him to do her job. She pretends this isn't bothering her, but Iknow it is. 

Edmonton wins 

Everyone eventually vacates our sections and we go home. She doesn't mention itagain. Later that night she calls Hunter and they plan a visit. Her mood picks up alongwith multiple text messages that she doesn't share with me.Toronto travels to Edmonton so we have a break. Carrie takes off to New York tosee Hunter, and I'm left alone with Ted. We decide it's time to search for a newapartment. We have go-sees lined up: a building and a basement. If I get to choose Iwould much rather live in a building that has in indoor and outdoor pool, than astranger's basement but that's just me. We check out both and then pick the apartment.Obviously, we text pictures to Carrie making her believe she has a choice. We fail toexclude the huge closet and new kitchen in the pictures of the basement apartmentensuring she picks what Ted and I want which are the pools at the building.Ted drives us home and we search for our gazillion year old landlady who'splanting daffodils in front of our place, "Hi," I say brightly."Oh, hi dear," she doesn't bother turning around to look at me. I have some ratherunfortunate news," she tells me yanking on a weed that doesn't look all that difficult toget out, "I'm going to need you to move out at the end of the month, I can give you anextra month if you need it to find a place. I have a new stud-muffin who's asked me togo steady with him.""Oh, that's nice, where did you meet him?" I ask."We met at the Plan You're Own Funeral place just down the street from thecemetery. That's usually where I take my walks, I decided to drop in. He was making hisfinal arrangements when he said if parked next to me, he might rise from the dead. (Ithink she's referring to his weapon!) I thought such a smooth talker, I should give him achance while we're alive!""That's so sweet," I smile. Ted nods in agreement. "Did you shag?" I tease not surewhat that means."Well of course dear," our landlady smiles, Ted kicks me."We'll be out at the end of the month," I reassure her."That's great dear!"We go inside, Ted looks at me shocked, "You asked her if she shagged, do youeven know what that means?"