Siren

Stop and Smell the Flowers - Chapter 1

2 Years Later

I wake up to the smell of bacon and eggs. Man, my neighbor might as well be my roommate and share some. I look at the clock on my bedside table. 7:03. Shit. I'm going to be late for my first day of work. I need time to shower, eat, and all that. I also might need to leave some spare time in case I get lost. Hopefully I don't.

I turn on my lamp, as the sun has not yet risen. I get out of bed. The hard way. My feet get tangled in the sheets and I fall to the side of my bed, hitting my head on the cold, metal bed frame. "Son of a bitch!", I yell. There are a couple of knocks on my door. "Yes?", I answer.

"Everything okay in there, Ma'am?"

If the hall guard watching the main hallway heard me, then I must've yelled louder than I thought. Maybe I woke a few people. What's new? I can't be quiet, no matter how hard I try. "Yes Arthur, just a little accident. No worries."

"Alright, be safe and have a good first day, Miss." Arthur's footsteps trailed off back into the main hallway, before I got to reply.

I pulled the sheets off from around my ankles, and whisper yelled at them. "Thanks a lot," and with that, I got up and went to my dresser.

I opened the first drawer and pulled out some under garments and pantyhose. I took my new peplum dress off of the doorknob and entered the bathroom. I took a quick five minute shower, got out, and I proceeded to pack my stuff while I dried off.

Once I was dressed and my cherry black hair was tamed, I put on some Vans and winked at myself in the mirror, satisfied with my outfit. I fed my fish and admired them for a couple seconds. "Bye Phil, take care of Dan." I giggled. It's a little strange, my goldfish are my only friends. I live a lonely life, but I've gotten used to it.

I grabbed my stuff, and locked the door. I enter the main hallway and playfully stride for the elevator. "Thank you," I looked to Arthur. "Good day sir." He smiled and politely tipped his hat.

When the elevator dinged, I whispered open sesame and the doors opened. The child in me never really left. I headed out of the apartment building into the colourful Autumn streets. The sun was halfway up, but a lot of streetlights were still on.

The air felt soothing on my skin. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold. Not many people find 60° weather lovely, I don't quite understand why. I smiled as I inhaled the smell of the seasonal flowers and fallen leaves, the gas of vehicles, and the bakery's fresh treats. This is what I've been waking up to every morning since I was a little girl.

My stomach requested I grab a bite. I strolled to the bakery and collected myself a cream cheese bagel and a strawberry daiquiri flavoured Fuze. I didn't dare take any chances and skip breakfast on a big day, not after what happened on my first day of college!

I then headed to my sky blue Fiat, which was peacefully resting in one of the spots reserved for government workers and labouring students. Oh, it really is a beautiful car. Its size is perfect, especially for the city.

It was gifted to me from a beloved professor who was friends with my parents. Maybe you're wondering, why? Well, I graduated college in 2 years and with honours. I didn't have much left in my pocket other than a few sticks of gum and lint.

Anyways. He, out of good graces, gifted me the car and enough money for a year's worth of rent and some extra for whatever I wanted. He told me, it's no problem. This is what I get paid in about 4 months. He also told me that if I needed any cash, I could have some. Sadly, he passed away about a year ago. I wish the doctors had found the issue sooner. He was the grandfather I never had.

I put my stuff on the passenger's seat and plopped in, the calming scent of vanilla and pumpkin spice greeting me once again. Taking a glance at my phone, I realized that I'd been taking my sweet time. I have 15 minutes tops to get to my new job. I need to get out of my "stop and smell the flowers" habit, or else I'll be out of this job as quickly as I got in. I put the stick in gear and accelerated off. 7:32. I must be there by 7:45.

"GPS Signal lost," my gps attacked.

I screamed, "HOW THE HELL AM I TO GET TO WORK, YOU ASSHAT?!" An older man the next lane over looked at me with concern. I faked a smile, just as the light switched to green.

"Darlene is now shutting down. We apologize for this inconvenience." Freakin' Darlene. Should've looked at the reviews before buying her. I rarely need her, but when I do, she usually fails.

7:43. So much for looking responsible.