Autumn Leaves

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

     I never knew what paydays felt like but I know how it looks like - going on a shopping spree and buying everything needed. But since I make my own clothes, I shop for materials.

     Anyway, payday was yesterday and today is the day of Ellie's fund raising art exhibit. It's been almost a month since she invited us for this event so time just got a little fast.

     "Where are you?" Andrea said on the phone. I was standing side by side with Sara and Diane - as usual - under the awning of Jamba Juice, sipping on a smoothie.

     "Jamba Juice," Diane answered, nearing her cellphone to her lips as she talked. "How about you?"

     "I'm coming! I could already see your feet!" She said through the speakers of Diane's phone. She finally showed up in a cute floral sundress.

     Sara groaned beside me. "Ugh, finally."

     Just as we were about to leave, the man sitting on the table beside us stood up. He removed his sunglasses and lowered his drink from his lips. He adjusted his shirt and patted it before he looked at us.

     I almost jumped when I knew it was Ivan, creeping out on us.

     "Wait for me, ladies," he said as he hung his sunglasses on the collar of his shirt.

     Andrea gasped. "Sir Ivan, what are you doing here?"

     Ivan scowled and gasped dramatically. "I wasn't invited?"

     I patted Ivan's hard arm. "Well, you're here. You didn't tell us you were coming." It's true, though. Ivan only asked us what it was and when it was and for some little details. He didn't actually told us he was coming.

     He sighed in relief to add another dramatic effect. "That's great because we could use my car."

     We drove from Jamba Juice to the art exhibit where the fund raising would be. Once we arrived, Ellie welcomed us inside the wide hall. She gave me a huge embrace and a handshake to every each one of my officemates.

     I introduced each one of them to Ellie starting off with Diane.

     "Ellie," I said and motioned towards Diane. "This is Diane Young-"

     Ellie held the arm that I used to introduce Diane. "Wait," she furrowed her eyebrows together. I know what's going on in her mind. "Diane Young? Like, the Vampire Weekend song?" Told ya.

     Diane scoffed in a joking manner. "Everyone says that!" She complained.

     "That's because it's true - I've looked it up on Google." Andrea rebutted.

     Sara just laughed and introduced herself instead. "Anyway, I'm Kusahara Dawson. Just call me Sara like how they do it."

     Ellie smiled. "Nice to meet you, Sara."

     "And that's Andrea Koenig," I motioned towards Andrea who was on the other side of the world - beside Sara who was beside Diane who was beside me.

     Ellie's confused look was back again. "Koenig? Like, the last name of the vocalist of Vampire Weekend?"

     I laughed and put my hand on her shoulder. "Yes. Shut up, will you?" I advised.

     She sighed and shook her hands. "I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous that no one will auction my piece."

     I gave her another embrace. "It's okay. I will spend all of my pay for your painting. But you know I'm just kidding."