Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Eight

'Oh my god, my head,' Ecie moaned huskily, pulling down her black stingray oversized square-framed acetate Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses. 'I'm never drinking so much again. I want to barf so badly.'

Lauren chuckled. 'Last night was so much fun. I had a great time.'

'That's because you were busy dirty dancing the whole time,' Esme laughed. 'You got yourself a lot of attention last night.'

Lauren smiled. 'It was about time I let my inhibitions go.'

They laughed.

'I cannot be bothered to go to class today,' Ecie sighed painfully. 'I'm in so much pain; I think we must have tripped getting into the taxi, Lauren.'

'I know,' Lauren said rubbing her arms. 'I think we did.'

'We're never doing that again,' Ecie said rubbing her head. She looked out at Los Angeles and closed her eyes. 'I want to stay here all day.'

Verde walked out onto the terrace with Ed.

'Well here he is,' Esme grinned reaching up to give him a kiss on the cheek. 'Did you enjoy your birthday yesterday?'

'It was great,' he said sitting down opposite Lauren. 'There is no way I'm going to class today.'

'Thank goodness we're all on the same page,' Ecie said. 'I am so exhausted from everything.'

'You shouldn't drink so much E,' Ed said. 'One might think you over do it so much to get over something.'

Ecie opened her eyes then flipped Ed her middle finger. 'I hate you.'

'I love you too,' he grinned. 'Are you working today?'

'Yeah,' Ecie said sarcastically. 'With a hangover like this, getting out here on the terrace is already such a big accomplishment. I'm not leaving this apartment building for anything.'

'Except for maybe a fire alarm,' Lauren said looking at Ecie.

'I'd happily burn alive,' Ecie replied yawning. 'I don't want to move.'

'Did Ross and Emily leave already?' Esme asked. 'I haven't seen them this morning.'

'I don't think so,' Verde replied looking at Lauren who was looking past him. 'They're probably still sleeping.'

'This apartment is going to be renamed "The Morning After",' Esme said. 'Everyone just crashes here after a wild night.'

'We got completely wasted before we even left the apartment,' Ed laughed. 'I'm surprised we didn't end up in the hospital.'

'I'm surprised that I woke up with clothes on,' Ecie said. 'I usually wake up naked.'

'What were you wearing?'

'My underwear,' Ecie said. 'Don't even laugh at me Ed.'

Ed laughed. 'That's an improvement,' he said. 'I woke up to a sock on my face and Verd lying on my arm like an animal. He sleeps like a deranged puppet.'

Esme laughed. 'What is that?'

Ed shrugged. 'I don't know.'

'Did Taylor leave?' Ecie asked.

'He's sleeping,' Esme replied. 'He had to send his friends away because I didn't want them coming up. They stayed out for a bit before he came back by himself.'

'Why do you hate his friends so much?' Lauren asked. 'They seemed cool last night.'

'They like you,' Esme grinned. 'You should definitely hang out with us next time. I hate being there by myself.'

Lauren nodded. 'Okay, that's cool. It's time I started branching out a bit more.' She glanced at Verde who was staring at her. She looked away from him and at Esme. 'When are you guys next hanging out?'

'Tomorrow night,' Esme replied. 'I'll just text you then we can go together.'

'Hello?' Esme said answering her Sidekick LX.

'Is this Esme Woodrow-Thurgood?'

'Yes,' Esme replied. 'Who is this?'

'This is Caleb from Quin and Zabad,' he said. 'I was calling about the job.'

'Oh right,' Esme nodded. 'Okay.'

'Well I was just calling to say congratulations, you got the job,' Caleb grinned. 'You were just what we were looking for and we can't wait for you to join the team.'

'No way,' Esme grinned excitedly. 'Really? I really got the job?'

'You really did,' Caleb grinned. 'We were wondering if you'd be able to start tomorrow night.'

'Of course,' Esme nodded. 'That would be perfect.'

'And you know where to find us?'

'Yep,' Esme replied. 'What time should I get there?'

'Get there at seven then we'll be there to show you around and introduce you to the rest of the staff and stuff,' Caleb replied. 'Come dressed in a black skirt and a navy blue shirt. We don't care what shoes you wear, but you'll want them to be comfortable because you'll be working for about six hours.'

'Okay,' Esme nodded. 'That's great. Thank you so much.'

'No problem,' Caleb replied. 'We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. If you have any questions we'll take care of them tomorrow.'

'Thank you,' Esme said. 'See you tomorrow night.'

'Bye.'

Esme hung up and sighed happily.

'You would never believe what,' Esme grinned coming out onto the terrace.

'What?' Ecie asked looking up at her twin sister. 'What happened?'

'I got the job!' Esme squealed excitedly. 'I actually got the job.'

'That's awesome,' Lauren said rubbing sun screen onto her arms and legs. 'Well done. When do you start?'

'Tomorrow night,' Esme replied sitting down on an empty lounger. 'It's so awesome.'

'Did you just find out?' Ecie asked.

'Yeah,' Esme nodded lying down. 'I'm so excited.'

'Are they going to show you how to pour drinks and stuff like that?' Lauren asked. 'Do they know that you're not twenty one?'

'Yeah,' Ecie said. 'Isn't it like illegal?'

'It's a restaurant and bar,' Esme laughed. 'I'll probably just be waitressing or something.'

'Did they tell you how much they'd pay you?'

'I think it's like eight dollars an hour with tips,' Esme replied. 'I'm working from seven tomorrow night, so I might finish at one or something.'

'We'll definitely show up tomorrow night to support you,' Lauren smiled. 'I can't wait to see you in uniform.'

'What are you going to wear?' Ecie asked.

'He said I should wear a black skirt and a navy blue shirt,' Esme replied. 'I don't want to wear anything too fancy in case I ruin it or something.'

'They'll probably give you a proper shirt when you get there,' Lauren said. 'You can tear it up and stuff and totally style it out.'

'I'm so excited about it,' Esme said. 'My very first job. I know mom and dad would be so proud.'

'Have you told Taylor?' Ecie asked.

'I only just found out,' Esme replied. 'Give a girl a break.'

'Do you think Taylor will be mad?' Lauren asked.

Esme shrugged. 'I know he won't be too happy, but I don't care. I'm just happy that it's taken me almost eighteen years to get a job. I'm so proud of myself.'

'Independent woman,' they giggled.