Reach Out & Let Go

chapter 1

Chapter 1
I woke up panting. Been having the same nightmare for the past few months. I can never remember the details of the event, yet I either wake up crying or scared.
"Knock, knock. Rise and shine my little sunshine." Emily said while pulling the curtains back. "Got enough beauty sleep Hun?" I put the pillow on top my face and growled. Emily just pulled blanket, sheets, everything off and smiled. She has been my roommate and best friend for the past few years. She knows about the dreams. She thinks it's due to stress.
"Not really." I yawned. "Again huh? Don't worry about it. Maybe you should take a vacation." I just nodded and started gathering my toiletries then headed for the shower. "I made breakfast, pancakes!" yelled Emily as I shut the door.
I adjusted the temperature of the water, stripped and jumped in. Letting the steamy hot water hit my skin, burning yet relaxing my muscles. I washed my hair and finished showering quickly. I dried off and brushed my teeth then headed to my room. I glanced through my closet and decided on a pair of blue jeans, a fitted white t-shirt and white sandals to match.
I finish getting ready and put on some light make-up then blow dry my hair and put it up in a ponytail. Made my way out to the kitchen and help myself to some pancakes and syrup. "Okay, I'll ask her, bye." Emily hangs up as she noticed my presence by the table. "Ask me what?" Stuffing my mouth with pancakes as I checked my phone. "Jack suggested a double date with his friend Mike." Shaking my head, "Nope, no can do." "Oh come on Jess, just this once. Pleaseee!"
Jack is Emily's college sweetheart of two and half years. He's like a brother I never had. Always trying to hook me up. Thinks I should be enjoying myself, dating and all. This'll be like the hundredth time. After the third date ended horribly bad, I kept making excuses not to go.
"I can't I've work and class. You know that." "But it's just one night Jess." She whined. "I'll think about it. Shit I'm late! See ya!" I downed the last of the pancakes with a glass of orange juice then grabbed my car keys and purse, pulled on my jacket and left.

"You're late again." Luke declared with a stern look. "I'm sorry Luke, I lost track of time." "I don't need excuses Jessica, I need performance. Someone who'll take their job seriously." He replied. "I do take my job seriously. It's just I've a lot going on right now..." "Save it. This is your last warning. Now get to work." With that he left. I've been working for Luke almost four years. Only been late once before, like by five minutes, because Luke wanted me to get him coffee.
I've only been a supervisor for six months. Luke is a hard ass when it comes to his business and employees but he's only like that because he actually cares. I mean, owning a hotel takes a lot of work and dealing with moody; stubborn customers, takes time and patience but it's worth it.

Made my way to the locker room to change into my uniform. "What's up with Luke?" I asked. Rachel just gave me the 'What you think?' look. I just shook my head. Luke's been having problems in his relationship with Grace (a stuck-up bitch) lately.
Rachel started talking about some party she went to last night but I had already zoned out as we made our way out of the locker room.

Finished work about four PM. Usually I have engineering class now, but today was that day. August 23rd. I got into my car and before I knew it, I was pulling up at Henry's Memorial Grounds. I switched the engine off and just sat there for what seemed like hours staring at nothing in particular.

It was already dark by the time I got back to the apartment. I threw my keys on the table by the door, shrugged out of my jacket and placed it on the rack. Took a beer from the fridge and ordered pizza while I made my way to my room. The place was unusually quiet. Seems like Emily was out tonight. After finishing my beer, I stripped and took a quick shower.
I pulled a sweat shirt over my head and got myself another beer. I searched through a sack of DVDs in the living room and decided on a chick-flick movie. I popped the DVD in the player and pressed play. There was a knock on the door. It was the delivery guy; I paid him and took the pizza, got I yet another beer making my way back to the living room.
Half way through the movie, I heard the front door. Then Emily walked in the room and plopped down next to me. "Where you been?" I asked. "At Jack's. Got into another fight but we talked it out. So how was your day?" "Luke bitched about being late. Though it was more like I was his punching bag. Work was work. Got home, ordered pizza and here I am." Em knew today was the anniversary of my sister's death. I never told her exactly what happened that night, or anyone for that matter. I still can't even talk about it with Dr. Wilson yet. We made eye contact and I knew she wanted to ask about it but then she saw the emptied beer bottles on the coffee table and changed her mind.
Instead she finished watching the movie with me then we cleaned up. After that we exchanged good nights and went to our rooms. It was late and cold so I fell fast asleep.