Living Dolls

4Kyle

I couldn't seem to keep my hands off my tie for the life of me. Every few moments in between greeting everyone, I keep scratching my hair and twiddling with my blouse cuffs and tie. God, I bet I look the most messy out of everyone here.

It's been a week since getting the invite, and I'm finally here. Holy crap, it still hits me hard. I'm just an intern, but the Anzos actually invited me to their yearly ceremony. Even some of their full time workers didn't get here. It should have struck me with happiness, but instead, I'm just more nervous. Why would they invite me, I wondered? The train of anxiety, here we go. Try to make myself as presentable as possible, trying so hard that I wreck it all.

No secret either, that the rest of my coworkers, those both above and blow me, though mostly the former for obvious reasons, were in anger over the fact that I was allowed in. Just an intern for three years, while the rest worked longer, rose higher.

Those above me, I never spoke with them, so I was pretty much left alone. Just simple greetings and idle small talk, and then it was over. And I had to stay here for hours, didn't want to leave abruptly, that would be rude.

The entire experience is so surreal. Parking near the Anzos house, walking through their gate and yard, going in their house, going in their ballroom, surrounded by all those higher than me. It's nerve wrecking, but I keep trying to push it aside with the thoughts of I'm here. Hardly anyone in my level can get here. Be happy.

"I heard you'd be here," The voice at my side said, and I damn near jumped a full foot. "Had to come and see, what a surprise. Great to see you."

Though seeing the familiar face of Luise did ease the smallest of my concerns, it doesn't make up at all for what she said. Heard I'd be here. Were people already whispering about the atrocity of me being here? Had they already-?

"Kyle," Luise spoke more clearly, I snapped out of my trance. "So, where?"

I blink, "I-I'm sorry, what?"

I can see in her eyes, the irritation of the realization that I was yet again somewhere else. I really need to work on that. "How'd you manage to find parking here? It took forever with me, and others just came in talking about the same problem."

My knees were still shaking, so I tried shifting my weight, "Oh. Yeah, it was a bit of a problem, I had to go a little farther down, but even then I stole the parking of someone who just moved out."

"Won't be surprised if we all get bomb boarded with parking tickets." She began to relax herself as well, which was a good chain reaction, more than normal. We both begin to lean back against the wall as more people come and go in front of us. "I remember I got one because I parked at the curve. I was hoping I wouldn't get caught, it was so awfully packed everywhere."

"I heard that they opened up one of their garages?"

"Not for us." She snickered, "They only allow a few in there, but even still, the garage itself is still mostly empty, I hear. So, how you liking it here? First celebratory ceremony you've been to, huh?"

What a condescending question; of course it is. "Yeah. I'm a bit nervous, I still have no idea why..."

She gives me a sly smile, "What an understatement. No, but don't worry, seriously. This is my third time being invited, but I remember my first time. It is scary, especially since that was after-..." Her words go to a halt, face falling at the close mention of her younger brother's disappearance. Uncomfortable, I start twiddling with my tie again, waiting for her to collect herself. She does, but her smile still seems nervous, "It is weird, but easy to get used to, after just a couple of minutes. Isn't your Uncle helping you out here?"