Blue Hair

The Package Pt. 1

I'm awaken by five rings of the doorbell, who could be here at this hour? Sleepily, I drag myself out of bed and down the long staircase. I unlock the two locks on the door, just to see a package. The mailman didn't have to wake me up just for a package. Jeez. I pick it up and head back inside. I can open it in the morning, I guess. I go back into my room and close the door behind me. I put the package On my nightstand, and fall back asleep to the sounds of the cool wind blowing against my window. I dream of Josh, but only to see him fade away as I wake up. I stretch my arms, then get up to go eat some cereal. I watch whatever channel was on the night before, and chill. I remind myself to open the package when I get home, and walk out the door, locking it behind me. I get into my car and drive downtown to the recording studio. We're still working on what my next album should be, and coming up with some ideas. "Should we make another concept album?" My songwriter asks. I don't use her to much at all, her job is basically help me rhyme. Such as in "Empty Gold," she helped me rhyme the verse, "But baby don't let winter come, don't let our hearts freeze." Again, I don't use her to much. Her name is Kayla. "I'm not sure, or we could, or do a mixed album, like something from the eighties." Anthony adds. Anthony is my manager, and helped me create the Badlands. "What do you think, Ashley?" Kayla asks. "I'm not sure yet." I reply, and both Kayla and Anthony roll their eyes. "What?" I ask confused. "It's just that, you've been distant lately Ash. We've been deciding to either do another concept album or an oldie album for a month now. I'm tired of having the same conversation." Anthony answers. They both give me half smiles, and look down at their shoes. "Oh." Is all I can say. I've been wasting their time. Oh. "It's alright Ashley. Are you ok?" I pause. I don't want to tell anyone... But Diane. Diane has been my best friend since college, and I was going to meet her the day I met (you know who) but she was a no-show. "I'm fine guys, really." I explain. They both shrug and continue the conversation for many hours. It's finally time to go home. I grab some Panda Express on my way back and sit in my kitchen, eating it alone. I see the sticky note I left for myself earlier saying, "PACKAGE IN YOUR ROOM." I finish my food and dump my plate into the sink. I run upstairs and grab a pair of scissors from my bathroom. I cut the tape from the package and open it. Wrapped in bubble wrap, a really tiny note with the word "I'm". I check for a return address, but it was empty. I wonder who would go through that much trouble just to send me a note. Weird... I throw the box in the trash and leave the note on my nightstand. I slowly but surely fall asleep, listening to the crickets chirping outside my window.