Green Eyed Daydream #Wattys2016

Chapter 51

Carrie's POV

It's Monday morning, and I'm in a meeting with all the copywriters and art directors trying my best to focus on the discussion at hand, instead of the painful misery that is my life. Considering the fact that I didn't sleep all night, and my heart is torn to shreds, I think I'm doing relatively well...that is, I am not having a violent sobbing fit, or rocking back and forth on the floor in a fetal position. I look around the long oval table, and observe my coworkers with a sort of new appreciation.

Susan is to my right, she's an art director, and someone I truly admire. At first, I found her completely intimidating. She's got what's commonly referred to as a "bombshell" body, a gorgeous face, and a sassy attitude. Plus, she's incredibly talented, quick witted, and has no problem talking back to our boss. Susan has sort of taken me under her wing here at Valent, and I feel lucky to have her in my corner. Another stand out feature about Susan is that she is very proudly single and loving it. I guess I'm going to have to take some lessons from her in that department.

Bryant is to my left, he's a senior copywriter, and looks like a male model. He's one of those men that I suppose some people might describe as "metrosexuals"--that is, it looks like he spends a considerable amount of time and money on grooming and haberdashery. But I for one appreciate it, from an aesthetic standpoint. He's a nice enough guy, but his creative ideas always seem to have just a tad too much machismo for my taste.

Across from me is Lucas. He's actually relatively new at Valent, like me, and out of everyone here, he's probably my closest ally. His cubicle is right next to mine, and we often take our lunch break together. Sometimes he brings me a hot chocolate in the mornings. It seems that he's always in a good mood, and I could really use some of his positive energy right about now.

This meeting is taking forever, and Martin, our lead, is taking way too long to explain a pretty basic concept. I glance over at Lucas, and watch as he mimes committing suicide with a finger gunshot to the head, and I nearly laugh outloud.

While Martin continues droning on, and attempts to fix one of his Powerpoint slides, I mime tying a noose around my neck and hanging myself. Lucas gives me a toothy grin, and I smile back at him. Yes, it's totally childish and unprofessional, but I am way too sleep-deprived and exhausted to care.

Suddenly Martin shuts off the projector, and closes his laptop.

"I know you're probably bored with my little spiel here, but those are the basics of what the client wants, so if you have something to contribute, please do," Martin says, adjusting his thick-rimmed glasses, and staring at us.

"How about this," Bryant begins. "Imagine, Kate Upton, running on the beach...slow motion, of course...clad in a tiny string bikini...the waves of the ocean crashing against the sand, and then she's rolling around on the wet sand, and getting all dirty, and--"

"And what in the hell does this have to do with toilet paper?" Susan interrupts Bryant's little fantasy.

Bryant rolls his eyes. "Well, I thought having Kate roll around in excrement would be a little too on the nose," he says sarcastically.

Susan leans on the table so she can see Bryant better. "What about Henry Cavill running shirtless on the beach instead of Kate Upton? I mean, women are the target demographic. They do most of the shopping for families, and their homes. Wouldn't they respond better to a male?"

"And what do you think?" Martin interjects, and suddenly everyone is staring at me.

"Oh...uh..." I struggle, as I realize the question was directed at me. Come on, Carrie. Speak! "Well, I think Susan has a good point...I mean, if Henry Cavill came on it, I'd buy it.... I mean, if his image was on the package...I mean, the toilet paper package..." I can feel my face burning, even as I hear several people around the table snicker. "And I didn't mean 'came on it' like...like..."

"Like what?" Lucas asks, smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh, forget it. You're all sick," I huff, wishing for the floor beneath me to swallow me up.

Martin frowns and shushes everyone. "Let's reconvene around three this afternoon, and you can show me what you've all come up with."

On the way out Lucas nudges me with his elbow. "So, Henry is the type that gets you going. Good to know."

"Oh, shut up. You are the absolute worst! I know I was making a total idiot of myself, but you couldn't let one go by, could you?"

"Don't be embarrassed, Carrie. Own it. You want to shag Superman--that's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Oh, I am not embarrassed at all...and you want to know something else?" I beckon Lucas with my index finger. When he leans closer, I whisper. "Not only would I absolutely shag Superman, but I'd invite Captain America to join in and make it a tag team event."

Lucas' jaw falls open, and he stops in his tracks, watching as I walk away smiling.

Back at my desk, I get right to work, and start creating several storyboard ideas for the new client. One idea has aliens trying to figure out the purpose of toilet paper and failing...it's kind of silly. And the other idea I have is a wife asking her husband to pick up toilet paper, and he brings home sandpaper...because it's all the same to him...and she shakes her head and rolls her eyes because that's just what she expected from him since he's such an idiot...just like all men. Idiots. Just total bloody morons. No, worse. Liars, and cheaters, and manipulators. Just horrible human beings. All of them. Without exception.

"Hey, I brought you a muffin from the snack bar," I hear Lucas' voice. "It was the last of the blueberry ones, so I snagged it for you, since I know how much you like them."

I look at his smiling face and feel guilt gnaw away at me for my horrible thoughts. Of course not all men are awful...just the man that I am hopelessly in love with.

I sigh, and take the muffin from Lucas' hand. "Thanks," I say, and begin picking at the berry on the top.

"You okay?" Lucas asks, leaning against my desk. "You seem kind of down...but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he adds.

I meet his friendly blue eyes and attempt a smile. "Oh, I'm fine. Just been having some insomnia lately. Sorry if I'm a little crabby."

"Well, I'm about to go out get a smoothy, wanna come with?"

"Don't you have to work on some storyboards? Martin is going to chew you out if you don't have anything to show him by three."

Lucas waves his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about me. I think better on the fly. Come on, Carrie. Let's go for a little walk. It helps get the creative juices flowing."

I decide that some fresh air will do me good, so I agree to go with him.

Lucas always takes the stairs. He thinks most people are extremely lazy and modern day conveniences are largely to blame for it. He tells me that if I want to, I can take the elevator and wait for him in the lobby, but I choose to get some exercise along with him. We are only on the fourth floor after all.

When we finally make it to the big staircase in the lobby, I realize that I left my jacket at my desk.

"Oh, crap, do you mind waiting while I go get it?" I ask, as we're making our descent.

Lucas removes his suit jacket and drapes it gently over my shoulders.

"This should keep you warm," he says, smiling at me. I can't help but smile back. He really is such a nice guy.

Suddenly I hear a booming sound of a familiar voice cut through the clamour of the lobby...and my heart stops.

"Hey, Carrie!"

I look up, and as if led by instinct, among the crowds of meandering human shapes, my eyes  instantly find Tyler. His jade eyes piercing me with deprecation.