Oh wow. As if this day was not already perfect enough- there goes my bus. Well it's a walking exercise for me today- or rather running. The bank clock was showing 10:04. That gave me 16 minutes to sprint 20 blocks if I wanted to keep the decent job I somehow managed to get a hold of, at least for the sake of feeling worthy to keep it; it's not like I would show up tomorrow. I started walking faster, bumping into people, tripping over my own feet, until I managed to start a steady pace of a somewhat jog. I jogged through the crowd and got lost in the feeling of spring air smashing against my face, numbing my lips and nose. I did not even want to begin thinking about what my hair would look like. I turned into a small street with barely any people walking along. I tidied my hair, wiped a cold tear from my eye and walked into the building to my left. It seems I was two minutes early, so I took that time to catch my breath, walking around the reception. I looked into my pockets and grabbing my ID card, sliced it through the recognition machine. Having not yet made my second step towards the elevator, I heard a voice behind me.
"RAY!!"
I shut my eyes and faked my best smile possible. "Hey Dana! Sorry, I don't have the transcript ready yet, I'm going to finish it tonight I promise".
"Don't worry about it! You've been great. Hey, me and the girls were wondering.. We're going to have a girls night out, you know, celebrate how great this season started off. So we were hoping you'd come along".
No sorry, got an appointment with that guy dressed in black tonight. "Oh I can't make it tonight I've got a dinner, maybe some other time".She opened her mouth to protest but the elevator ringed and the doors opened wide.
"Well, I'll see you around.." I half-smiled and pressed the button for the third floor. My eyes got blurry at the thought of tonight and I sighed as I heard her footsteps walking away. Out of nowhere, a hand appeared between the doors and stopped them from closing. Letting out a gasp, I jumped back in surprise and then apologized as the doors opened wide again and a boy got in.
"No, I'm sorry. I don't usually go around sticking my hands between doors - and that was more painful than I thought. But I'm in a real hurry" as he smiled, I couldn't help but stare. He was tall, almost a man but there was something innocent about his face that gave away the fact he was no older than 20. That was not what made it hard to look away though. He had something familiar about him, as if I'd seen him before but I couldn't remember from when. My mind was burning, spinning, searching all the dusty corners of my memory - I knew this boy, I knew exactly who he was; I just couldn't remember. Noticing my awkward stare, he turned and half-smiled, as I quickly glanced away. Shit this elevator ride is already taking forever.
So my first hint is that he's a Mr. Popular. One of those guys who can't walk into an elevator without having their phone ring. I knew the song he had set as a ringtone, the melody rang in my ears; but he picked up before I had any more time to think on it. The third floor bell rang and the doors opened. Not even bothering to smile I walked out and turned left. There was nowhere to go but a huge white wall and I knew that, but I'm not the type to go walking down a hallway with an audience behind me. I felt the tremor as the doors closed and then rushed down the hall. I opened the first door on my way and as always, I was the first one there. These people have no idea of getting to work on time - or at least not partying too hard in order to get up the next morning. I shoved my bag and coat in a corner and grabbed the file I was working on. First name that popped up was Jesse. Born in Los Angeles, both parents singers at after-midnight clubs, participated in many Opening Acts. Uh. What was I even doing? Isn't there a to-do list you're supposed to have right before you die? I don't really have one but I'm sure as hell it wouldn't be filing out ambitious kids under my boss's whiskey breath and hearing studio recordings all day.
Next up was Nathan, born and raised in the Netherlands, went to college for two years in the States, has been going on tours with his band consisting of four members all around Europe. Not too exciting. I closed my eyes, trying to picture their names in bulletin boards, in posters. Suddenly, the studio door cracked open and I looked up, my eyes half-closed and my brain numb from all the background research. It was the elevator guy. " Excuse me, you can't be in there".
He looked up surprised, and as soon as he realized who I was, smiled in relief, "Sorry, I am just trying to find my jacket, it's not upstairs and I thought I might have left it here last night". Last night? What was he doing here last night? Whatever the reason, recording rooms were out of limits and I sure as hell did not see a jacket hanging around.
"Well I'm sure it's not in there, the room is empty" I pitched higher.
"Found it".
Ouch. Okay Ray, just breathe - either way you won't be doing that for much longer now..
Turns out, all my co-workers had indeed gone partying once again so I spent the first two morning hours alone, approving possible studio recorders. I almost quit my job, after having three drunks laugh at every word that came out of my mouth for the last five hours, but I kept my nerve just thinking they would realize my quittance tomorrow. At last it was almost five so I started heading home determined that nothing would distract me from what I was focusing on all day today. I rushed out of the building hoping to avoid any familiar faces and was caught by surprise at how cold it was. Wearing just a T-shirt and a light coat, I could feel Goosebumps down my spine. There was a violent breeze now as the sun was setting, so I decided to take the bus instead of walking. First stop was the pharmacy. Here we go.
To my surprise the traffic was much less than what it seemed like so I arrived in less than five minutes. There was another two minute walk from the station, since it was in a rather unpopular street which buses don't follow a route on. I felt the breeze lessen, and froze in the middle of the sidewalk, noticing the sound I was making unconsciously. Was I just singing elevator boy's ringtone?
Alright, all I had to do now was act cool and happy.
"Hi!" I smiled with a high-voice I never knew I had.
The cashier looked up from her magazine and smiled back, "How can I help you?".
"Umm I'd like a box of sleeping pills please?".
"Does your prescription mention what kind suits you best?" Shit. I don't have a prescription, I researched this and they never mentioned anything like that. Sleeping pills are a person's choice they don't have to go to a doctor, I read it, it can't be true, they're the only way for my pain to finally end; for everything to be over.
"Ma'am?". I look up, sweating- please don't mess up.
"Actually, I talked to my uncle about it, he's a doctor in Europe and he told me if you could recommend the strongest ones, because I really am facing a problem, and that would be great". I sigh and hold my breath smiling waiting for her response.
"Sure dear! Let me get you a box from upstairs, I'll be right back". I don't believe it. The words still float in my ears; I can't absorb my success. As soon as she comes up, I pay and leave, thanking her, making sure to look as happy as possible, avoiding to talk anymore than needing in fear I might mess up again. The breeze now feels like it is lifting me, all my problems are finally solved, I finally got the courage to help myself. In somewhat excitement I start heading home walking, and open the box to take a look at what I'm going to be facing. As soon as I open it, I'm relieved. They're pretty small, and pink. I stare at them confused, panicking, thinking about this decision but I know there's no turning back. I put the cap back on and twist it to close but I can't quite get the grip of it. It's still half open so I take it off again and try another way. Before I know it, I'm shuddered, dropping the box and spilling all of the pills on the sidewalk.
"SHIT". I turn my head furiously shrieking in anger and pause and stare at the sight. This is a masterpiece of irony. "WHY ARE YOU HERE AGAIN? WHY DO I SEE YOU EVERYWHERE I GO TODAY?".
His eyes stare down at the pills in confusion and up into my furious face with recognition. He smiles in astonishment, " Duuuude! You're the elevator girl!".
YOU ARE READING
Tears made of Sun (Emblem3)
Novela Juvenil19-yr old Lauren, also known as Ray, is ready to end it all. Ever since she moved out to California her pain has been getting stronger and harder to deal with. Until a knight in shining armor comes in her life, quite clumsily, who coincidently happe...
