SINS OF A KING

4

"This is the kind of fantastic work we do as junior event coordinators," Grace sarcastically proclaimed in the excited tone that Cathrine uses. She had her arms spread wide as though she were showcasing a work of art as she gestured around the town's hall, where we were surrounded by blue and gold balloons that she and I had the duty of inflating with helium.

I laughed, my eyes looking around the town hall. The town hall was anything but ordinary, a charming space that felt more like a boutique event venue than a public building. The polished hardwood floors gleamed under the soft light filtering through tall, arched windows that lined the walls, casting a warm glow over the room. The walls were painted in a light gray that gave the space an inviting, elegant feel. Delicate crown molding traced the edges of the ceiling, adding a touch of refinement that made the hall seem almost too pretty to be a public space

In the center of the room, Grace and I were hard at work, surrounded by bags of colourful balloons waiting to be inflated. The air was filled with the soft hissing of helium tanks as we tiredly filled each balloon, our fingers working quickly to tie off the ends before the gas could escape.

We had started out real excited, but now that we were in the third hour of inflating what felt like a million balloons, dread and annoyance seeped through. Echosmith's Cool Kids played from the speakers, it was now my turn to connect my phone and I shuffled one of my favourite Spotify playlists.

"Ugh, fucking horrible," Grace swore as she looked down at me, getting down from the tiffany chair that she had been standing on. She wore a pair of camouflage baggy cargo shorts with a black tank top, and a pair of black ankle length converse All Stars. Her hair was in a high messy bun and she looked annoyed as she kicked a few balloons away.

"But look at how much we managed to get done," I tried to reason with her as I gestured around the room for her to see our progress. Around us, the hall was already starting to transform. Rows of elegant chairs were neatly arranged facing a raised stage at one end, draped in soft, flowing fabric that gave it a sophisticated, almost ethereal look. Tables adorned with crisp linens and delicate centerpieces were set up along the sides, ready for the final touches. The balloons were the finishing touch.

I sighed, looking down at my phone and the time glared at me.

21:47.

I watched the screen go black before I proceeded, "maybe we could get some food after this?" Grace suggested and I laughed, my eyes looking to the empty Chicken Licken hotwings box that we had ordered just 2 hours ago. My eyes glanced back at her to say, 'now girl...', and she returned the look, "hey, don't you judge me."

She laughed and I giggled, shaking my head.

In the two weeks that I was now working for Cathrine, Grace and I had quickly become really close. We were almost inseparable. She was the more outspoken one, the loud, rowdy, crass one, and I was the quiet and level headed one. We spent a lot of long hours together, spent days and nights hanging out at various locations, getting things sorted for people's big days as the two junior employees. We ran Cathrine's errands, picking up her drycleaners, running around and trying to make sure that the tablecloths we have actually fit the tables, and we "fixed" the printer when all the other older people at the office thought it was broken.

"I can't believe I'm spending my Friday night in this hall, blowing up balloons," she grumbled as she lowered herself down and crossed her legs, ripping up a new packet of balloons and getting back to work. "Mind you, these are our hottest years, Ellie."

Grace couldn't commit to any nickname that she gave me. Ellie, El, Beth, Lisa, and Eli, were all the names that she called me. It all depended on her mood.