melodies at midnight (a.g x m.j)

the year is 1977

Ariana ~ July 7th, 1977

I outstretch my arms lethargically as I let out a mighty yawn. The horrible noise of the New York traffic blares right in my ears. God, what a terrible way to wake up. I glance over at my alarm clock for the time.

11:00 am

That's honestly 8 in the morning for me so I feel better about myself. I step out of my bed, opening the blinds and peering out the window. I observe the people outside living their life for a few moments before I hop in the shower.

After I'm all washed up, I go into my small kitchen and make myself a grilled cheese. Right when I sit down and practically have the sandwich in my mouth, the phone rings.

A sigh leaves my mouth as I rush over to the telephone, picking it up swiftly, I ask "Hello?"

"Ariana?" The familiar voice has me internally groaning.

"Susan, what can I do for you today?" I lean against the wall, just waiting for her to ask me the painful question that I know is coming.

"I know today is your day off and I know how hard you've worked for these past few weeks but Tatiana called in-"

I scoff and my pose immediately straightens up. "Again? How does she keep getting away with this? I don't understand what's happening in her life to the point where she's just allowed to call in every day." I roll my eyes out of frustration.

"Ariana, she's only 17. Take it easy on her." Susan replies, I can hear the sympathy in her voice and truthfully, it's making me sick.

"But that's not my problem. Why is she even working at 54 at 17 if she's not going to show up for her shifts?" I know a lot of these places hire underage people all the time but the underage people usually have the motivation to work.

"I don't know, all I know is that she can't come in for her 10-3." Hearing that puts me at slight ease, a 5 hour shift is a cakewalk. However, I had a really good plan to spend my night watching musicals, not being around drunk messes while everyone's taking bumps.

I kiss my teeth in annoyance & fiddle with the phone cord. "Nobody else can?" I question but I already know what the answer is going to be.

"Not a single soul." Susan states dryly. She can get on my nerves sometimes but she truly is a great boss.

I huff to myself, readjusting my posture. "Fine."

"Thank you-"

"But on one condition." I keep my tone ominous.

"And that is?" I hear her laugh through the phone.

"You buy me dinner this shift and the next one." I smile to myself.

"You got it." Delight is apparent in her voice and I'm glad I could help her out. "I'll see you tonight, thank you once again, Ariana. You're one of our best employees."

"Thanks, Susan. Bye." I hook the phone back to the wall and sit down, scarfing down my now lukewarm grilled cheese.

•••

"It's good, Mom." I hold the phone to my ear as my other hand tries to apply my mascara perfectly to my lashes.

"Any big hot shot music people want to talk to you yet?" She asks, causing a little pain to my heart.