Close As Strangers

Unlucky Girl

I open up the office at 8AM and I'm usually alone until 10 and then I'm alone again after 8PM until I leave around 11. I finally arrive around 8:10 to start the day. I open up the doors and turn all the computers in my department, making sure everything was shut down properly the night before. I always used to video chat with Cal when setting everything up because it's quiet. I put on my lab coat and badge and sat at my desk with some bone fragments, trying to put them together. 10AM rolled around and then the offices were being inhabited, so I didn't feel so alone. My favorite colleague, Jenna, walked in and saw me working with headphones in. She came over and tried to talk to me but I just brushed her off.
"Not right now, Jenna. I'm working," I said a little harshly. She backed away and went to her station to work. Lunch time rolled around and Jenna came to get me.
"Come, my child. Let Mother Jenna feed you today," she smiled and held out her hand. I took her hand and followed her to her car. "I know something is wrong, and whether you want to tell me or not is up to you. Just know that Cari and I are here for you!"
I sighed, "Calum and I broke up yesterday."
"Oh my god, Liv. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize, but I guess I should have because of your ring. I'm really sorry," she empathized.
"Don't worry about it, okay? I can't let it interrupt my work, I've already almost finished piecing the skull back together so we can get a facial profile," I said, changing the subject. Jenna just nodded and we ordered food. We ate in her car and didn't really talk about anything. When lunch was over I went back to my station to work. I finished putting the last few bits of the mystery skull back together, and that's when Luke called me.
"Hey, Jenna, will you tell Mike that I'm taking my 15," I asked. She gave me thumbs up and I went outside to call Luke back.
"Answer your phone next time," Luke joked.
"Sorry, I actually have work and can't make my own schedule," I retorted.
"Jesus, you actually went to work today," he asked me.
"Well, obviously. I can't miss work because of a stupid boy," I scoffed.
"That's fair," he chuckled, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay because Sierra hasn't heard from you today."
"Yeah, I'm okay, just working. I gotta get back though, Luke. I'll call you when I get home tonight, okay? I love you big brother," I said.
"Okay, I love you baby sister. I'll talk to you tonight. Have a good night."
I hung up and went back to my desk, where my boss was admiring my finished product.
"You really did a bang up job on this. I knew it was right to hire you," he beamed.
I smiled, "Thank you, Mike. I'll take it down to Angela for the facial reconstruction and she'll bring it back to me when it's mapped out and then I'll finish it up."
He just nodded and walked away. I grabbed the tray and took it to the lab where Angela was busy setting out pins.
"Hey Ang, I have this beauty all set up for you," I said. She grabbed the tray from me and carefully examined it,
"You did amazing, Liv," she smiled, "I'll set up the pins and bring it back for you." I went back to my station to finish up some case files and waited for Angela to bring it back. It took her a couple hours and then I spent the rest of the night working on moulding the face. Before too long, I realized that everyone had left, Jenna left a note because she didn't want to disturb me. It was close to 11 and I needed to get home because I had to come back up for work in the morning.