The Swap // Denis Stoff

1

It was a freezing cold morning in Ukraine and I absolutely hated it. I hated pretty much everything about winter to be frank. We all know that feeling you get when you get into the shower and the second you step out you are baltic and just want to crawl back into bed again. Well, that's me today and I am not in a good mood at all. I can feel my nose running like a tap and the tips of my ears freezing up. I felt bad and I bet I looked even worse.

As I rush along the path I throw my scarf over my shoulder, covering my mouth. I'm on my way to work and at least that's something that's keeping me going today. I work in a recording studio and I love my job; I get to meet so many amazing new people and I have so many friends. My boss is the best guy around and I am basically being paid to have fun.

I trod into work, kicking the frost off my my shoes as I step through the door. I feel my face light up as I clock my boss, David, Standing before me with a mug of hot chocolate. 

'How long have you been standing there for?!' I chuckle.

'Well... since you're always bang on time I'd say about 30 seconds' He laughs as he carefully hands the mug to me. It's filled to the brim with lovely hot chocolatey goodness and a cheeky little bit of whipped cream on top. He knows me so well.

'So what's on the agenda for today?' I ask as I wrap my hands around the mug, taking a sip from it.

'Well...' He mumbles, looking away from me. He completely avoids the question and walks away from me. I follow him, not asking any further until we get into the recording studio. He sits down, places his own mug down and crosses his legs, looking right into my eyes. This must be something serious.

'Are you firing me for being too damn good at my job... or something...' I laugh nervously at my own terrible joke, feeling my hands go clammy with sweat. I'm nervous, and I don't know why. I am so comfortable with this guy it's all too unreal.

'They're coming back...' He says loud and clear. I feel my hands tensing up and a wave of nausea comes over me. I know exactly who "they" are.

'But why?' I ask sharply. 'They're recording in America now. Why would they come back here? That makes no sense!'

David shrugs his shoulders. 'I don't know. All I know is that I can't turn them away because whether we like it or not, this is work, and people pay me... and I can't say no because I don't want to not get paid and be homeless and live on the streets... oh and if I have no money I can't pay you. You see my problem?'

I crack a smile at his dramatic reason, however I can't shake the dread off.

'Made ya smile there.' David winks. 'So what I was thinking... if you would like to take a holiday... for two weeks... starting tomorrow?'

I laugh out loud. 'You have got to be joking me! I can't take a holiday. I practically live here. When I am on a night out and drunk I always end up coming here before I go home to my actual house! I would get bored within five seconds and come crawling back and we both know it.'

'Well ok... I tried. But seriously, you can make yourself sparse at all costs. I care for you, ya know?'

'I know you do.' I say, standing up and grabbing my mug. 'And I care for you too... and that's why I'm going to stay here and continue to do all of your dirty work whilst you sit on your ass doing nothing!' I laugh as I dart away from him. He stands up and flips me off, following me out of the room. I dash out of the room with my mug in hand and turn around, laughing at David. However, when I turn back around I smash into something.

'Oh my God I am so sorry!' An unfamiliar voice almost shouts. My mug falls to the floor and shatters everywhere, spilling hot chocolate and cream all over the floor. I feel myself gasping as I look up, my eyes widening at the sight before me. A guy... whom I've never seen before in my life.