Me of Tomorrow

Bad Day

I gave Sarah her usual morning coffee and accepted with wide, unwilling arms the files I have to pour my time on today. She was displeased, to say at least. Why? I'm not quite sure. I don't know if it's because of my utterly sarcastic willingness or just the lingering ache from the heartbreak she has experienced last week. Eitherway, I'm sure she's already formulating some way to make my day a lot worse than it usually is.

"You really should stop being so dedicated to those papers. It's not as if Sarah's going to suddenly credit you or something." Is it just me or this kid's turning into Sarah's clone? "You've worked hard these past few years, Price. I can't believe you're still thinking that you'll get promoted." I hummed to myself carelessly trying to ignore Lauren. Nope, I'm not letting you get into me female human. Fortunately, my lack of response made her give up and she returned to her own personal duties. That girl is extremely rude and I'm pretty sure she'll find her place one day. It's not just today, not today.

Lauren is not the first one to treat me like this. Besides her and Sarah, there has been at least ten people who acted like they own the world who worked with me during my five years here. The most notable ones are; Alexander, he was a fresh graduate like me during that time and we're both aiming for the same position. Obviously, he was the triumphant one but he wasn't at all bad at the beginning. He had a crush on me and maybe I somehow did too. The difference in positions didn't bother us. We'd eat lunch together or just hang out at the fire exit talking about the struggles of work. Until one day, when our co-workers suddenly decided they can't tolerate same-sex relationships. What's worse is that they were all blaming it on me, that I seduced Alexander and made him gay when the truth is, he has been gay all these time and he was the first one that came to me but who was I? I'm no one but the head's lackey. If there's someone they're going to believe in, it's Alexander. It wasn't long until his conscience ate him though, he practically made my life hell at work so not a year in and he resigned then sent me a long-ass message asking for reconciliation. Let's just say I chose to loose one friend. The second one is Martha, the sweet and cheerful Martha. Martha on the other hand has made sure to make her spite on me known since her first day. She's religious. She's the type who thinks gay should be sent away and locked down on a far away island or better be burned at stake. She'd carry her Bible anywhere and display it on her desk enough for me to see everytime I pass her cubicle. The others loved her. She was like a breath of fresh air. She'd bring homemade cookies and share it with everybody else. She'd make coffee even for her colleagues. She's a suck-up but no one complained. Why would they? They're being served to the fullest. Unfortunately, she lost her touch when people found her sex tape online. Five months in and she left. Last but not the least, Hector. Hector is a straight down pervert. He'd hit on everybody including the married ones. He'd feel you up whenever he's got the chance. He was the head before Sarah so no one was able to complain. Not to mention, he's related to the president. I wasn't one of his targets, never was. He's solely interested in women and would never dare touch a man like me unless he was drunk. You can probably already guess how this one went. One night, I was forced to go out with them to the club to celebrate an unknown cause and he drank the most out of everybody. Slowly, each one of them left until I'm the only one there with Hector. We were in a private section of the club and no one can really hear us. He forced me down and attempted to do the wrong did. I kicked him in the balls and escaped. It wasn't me who reported him to the president though. He actually forced one of our co-workers earlier in the day who's married to a police officer. He got arrested the next day and stripped off from his position.

A lot has happened already and it's by miracle that I'm still here. They all came and go; the memories choosing to stay with a painful mark. I'm stupid for staying as well. If I'm asked what I'll do if I can turn back the time, I'd surely take the opportunity to change this pathetic life of mine. I'd go back to that day before I listed my college program choices and write Accounting or something along the line instead of Graphic Arts. Maybe, my life would be better.

"Elliot, you're slacking off!" Sarah might be blind to inquire that. I'm focused on revising one of her works, too focused I didn't even see her approach my cubicle.

"No, sorry, I just got distracted."

She gave me a sneer and slammed some more folders on my table. "Don't even think of leaving this place if you don't finish these. I need them all tomorrow."

I scan the folders and surely, she wouldn't need them all tomorrow. These new ones aren't due until the end of the month but that doesn't really matter, does it? What Sarah says is absolute. I re-organize them and place them at the other side of my desk where another pile was already situated. I guess it's overtime again today.

Obviously, I finished way pass the work hours. Sarah didn't linger nor checked if I actually did the revision on the new pile she gave me so I was tempted to just leave as well but the thought that she'll not be on her best mood tomorrow as well got the best of me. The pile will just add up tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Judging from the amount of papers she has given these past few weeks, I'm not even sure if they were all the approved concepts. Who knows? She might've given me the rejected ones as well just so she can make me work some more. It sucks but I can't really do anything. Not now, not ever.