baby!

one

I was stuck in a rut.

Chin up, I thought, ignoring the tears that were threatening to roll out of my eyes, you'll be okay.

It was becoming increasingly more difficult to overcome my writer's block. My editor, Rosa, was pressuring me to submit the first draft for what would be the third installment of my book series, Corrupt.

It followed the trials and tribulations of scandalised sorceress and socialite Sienna Lockwood as she struggles to make her way in the fashion industry.

I loved writing. I loved Sienna. But no matter how hard I concentrated, I couldn't for the life of me write another sentence about her. Sure, I knew what direction I wanted the plot to take. However, when it came to the actual typing business I was stuck for words. It felt like my brain and fingers alike just shut down and decided they wouldn't co-operate with one another.

Corrupt was a bestseller. I didn't know how, or why, since my writing was mediocre at best. Though I was thankful for all the praise and support I had been getting, I couldn't help but think that I was undeserving.

I'd even garnered a bit of a fan base, and had earned enough money from the entire ordeal to live in a cute little apartment.

However, from the looks of it I wouldn't be living here for much longer. If my landlord increased my rent I'd be pushed onto the streets, and that wasn't a very charming prospect for me. He lived on the floor above me, in the penthouse suite.

Griffin King was a force to be reckoned with. He was cold, distant, and could be downright rude when he felt like it. He was also ridiculously gorgeous. I was positively sure that if he looked at me for a long enough period of time, I'd combust.

Guess I was lucky that my appearance was just as average as my literary abilities, perhaps even below sub-par. I was just... ratty.

I had cripplingly low self confidence, and though seeing a therapist had helped for a while, money was a bit tight and having a semblance of esteem was a luxury I could do without. I was not willing to give up my apartment just yet. It was the first thing I'd ever been willing to splurge on.

There was a knock at my door, drawing me out of my reverie. Quickly wiping away my tears, I got to my feet and opened up the door.

"Nova!" my neighbour, Luca, stood in front of me, mouth pulled up in a huge grin that showed off his perfect teeth, "are you coming to the party?"

I flinched, shaking my head, "sorry, I don't think I can make it today."

I became increasingly aware of the tatty clothing I was wearing under the scrutiny of the charismatic occupant of the apartment next to mine. I couldn't help that I felt more at ease in comfortable clothing. Since I hardly got any visitors, it was easy for me to just laze around in ugly clothes because I had no one to impress.

Luca had probably seen me in much worse attire, anyway. He'd caught me struggling to unlock my front door many a times, when I least expected to be caught jamming my keys into a keyhole that refused to budge.

My mother would be up my ass if she knew that I was living like a broke college student. My lifestyle consisted of pyjamas, tears and packet noodles.

"That sucks, I was kind of hoping you'd come," he seemed downtrodden, but still maintained his optimism, "anyway, if you change your mind you know where I am."

I appreciated the sentiment, but I knew the poor guy was only inviting me out of obligation. He was too nice to not ask me if I wanted to join his house party. I was notorious amongst my neighbours for being slightly reclusive.

In truth, I just felt extremely out of place in situations involving other people. I wished with all my heart that I could easily blend into a crowd and make friends. I truly wanted to be able to start a conversation and go on dates, but I'd have to take fucking antidepressants for that. Medication was not an option if I wanted to cut costs. Happy pills could wait.

"I'm a bit busy, but thank you for the offer. Maybe next time," I smiled, ignoring the disappointment etched onto Luca's face in response to my rejection.

He looked like a kicked puppy. He had the potential of making it big in Hollywood if he could act that well. I almost believed that he wanted me to turn up.

We bid each other farewell and I closed myself into my room, letting out a sigh as I took in my familiar surroundings. Sometimes, I developed a craving for adventure and excitement -- I wanted to explore the world or date multiple men at the same time, maybe both.

A different man in every country seemed interesting.

I snorted.

I could never.

There was a sudden knock at my door and I let out an exhale. I wasn't annoyed, just slightly stressed out by the idea of having to speak to another person. Two people in the same day was not something I could cope with. I was far too used to my life of solitude.

I opened it, wiping any evidence of negativity from my features in an attempt to seem more civilised. I probably already had a reputation for being a raging bitch.

To my surprise, I was met with nobody. Confused, I glanced down the hallway.

There was a gurgle at my feet.

What the fuck?

I felt my heart drop to my stomach, instantly feeling like I was a part of a stupid practical joke. I was just waiting for a bunch of camera men to step out from the walls and declare that I had been Punk'd.

Nobody came.

  Instead, I was standing in an empty corridor with a baby cooing and reaching out for me from a straw cradle.

What?

* * *

im finally writing again!! this has been
so fun to write and im so excited to share it!
thank you for reading
XxX