Defied

*un-named*

I wake with an ill cold sweat. Damn my luck to get sick with the flu the weekend before I start my new job as an intern for one of the most powerful and wealthy men in the city. I applied for an early internship for a huge marketing company in downtown Seattle. It is supposed to be a huge deal although I am not all that excited about it.

I pull myself out of the bed and make my way quickly the bathroom. I head to turn on the shower without looking in the mirror. I don't want to see the forest monster that I have become. I strip and jump into the shower. The hot water cascading over my body feels amazing. I grab the shampoo and begin messaging it into my scalp. This is what I needed a good bath to bring me out of my sick funk. I quickly rinse the lathering out of my hair and turn the water off. I get out of the shower, grab a towel and begin my morning ritual. I blow dry my hair and run a brush through it. I step back and look at myself in the mirror.

Thank the gods I look better then I feel. My emerald green eyes and shoulder length dirty blonde hair makes my tanned skin fade out. I look so much like my mother yet I'm so much like my father. I'm going to miss my family. Leaving them to pursue my career in Washington. It will be very different living so far up north. I am going to miss the long burning summers and the icy winters of my home state of Alabama. I leave the bathroom and head to my closet to pick out my outfit for the day. I decide on a navy blue t-shirt white skinny jeans and a cropped white leather jacket. This should do nicely for my last day at McGuire's bar and café.

I've worked at McGuire's for two years as a waitress. It doesn't pay much but I don't need much. I live with my brother Mathew in his apartment. He's gone away at college right now. He's going The University of Alabama where he is studying architecture. And while he is gone he has given me free reign over the place. It's a little bigger then I would have liked, but hey who am I to complain? No rent, no bills, all I have to do is pay for food and my phone bill. My mom and dad live in Birmingham. My mom works as a government auditor and my dad is a lawyer.

I'm digging my white stilettoes out of one of my already packed boxes when my phone goes off scaring the skin off of me. I jump and grab for my phone. I look at the caller id it's my mom. "Hi mom" I answer. "Amelia Marie Kendrick!" I wince. Ouch! full name. "Why on earth haven't you been answering your phone?" she screams. I pull the phone away from my ear as she continues her rant. "Mom I am fine. My phone just died that's all." I lie. I've been ignoring my parents since last night when I told them over a family dinner that I was moving to Seattle on Sunday. My parents have always wanted me to go into a medical field or to be a lawyer like my father. All I have ever wanted was to move into a big city and everything just fell into place when I got the job.

"Mom I'm sorry I didn't call, but I can't talk right now I'm going to be late for work." I deploy my secret weapon. My parents are all about work ethic and will not stand in the way of anyone's work. "Amelia you better call me immediately when you get off work. Your father and I have somethings we need to discuss with you before you get on that plane in two days. This is such a big step honey, and we just want to make sure that you are going to be okay and that you know what you are doing. We will always be here for you." She scolds. And all of a sudden I am five again and don't know how to make adult decisions like an adult who votes and has a 3.9 GPA. "Mom I've got to go I'll talk to you and dad later. Bye and I love you both." I reply quickly trying to cut this conversation short. "Okay darling. We love you and remember we support you in all things you do." "Good-bye mom" and I hang up the phone and grab my shoes. Slipping them on I stumble out of the bedroom.

I head for the kitchen. What do I want for breakfast? Lunch? Brunch seeing how it is 11:45 in the morning. Oh no! I have to be at work at twelve! I settle for breakfast to go. A granola bar and a mug of coffee and I am out the door. I head for the elevators skipping my morning workout with the stairs. The apartment is only on the fourth floor so it's not that much of a workout, but hey you try going down it in five inch platforms. The door rings and I am in the vast lobby. It's all windows and marble floors. I say hello to Joe the doorman. He isn't very friendly and I think that's why I like him. "Morning Miss. Kendrick." He nods. He opens the door and I walk out onto the sidewalk.