Some Day After

Three

After lunch, he just became more annoying and then made me late coming back from lunch. Elise and Georgia kept asking me how it went but I bottled up. The rest of the day passed in a blur.

After I got home I kicked off my shoes, walked over to the couch, grabbed a pillow, stuck my face into it and screamed.

I threw down the pillow and sighed. I flopped on the couch. I was way too tired to deal with today. I checked my phone. Today was Wednesday. I had two days to come up with an answer and give it to him. What was I going to do?

"What kind of stupid movie shit it this," I said loudly, and covered my face with my arm. I don't know how long I lay there, but it was nice not to do anything.

I sat up and sighed. I had to keep myself busy.i went to my room and changed into a pair of sweatpants and a big T-shirt. I went back into the living room and flipped on the tv. I slipped through the channels until I found one about fixing cars. I tossed the remote beside me and grabbed a pillow and snuggled into it.

They were doing a complete engine swap. They took an engine out of a brand new v8 Camaro and put it in a 1967 mustang. They also redid the stereo system and put a box system in the trunk.

"Amateurs. The box system is going to fall apart and sound so bad. They should have made it out of-" I stopped myself. Talking to myself wasn't going to make them change what they were doing. I flipped the channel and ended up on some cheesy rom-com.

I yawned and snuggled further into my pillow. The movie was about a girl who was trying her hardest to make it in New York and a guy who was super rich and stuck up and they end up helping each other and falling in love. How cheesy.

"Too bad that doesn't really happen," I mumbled groggily. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

***

I was sitting in my room, my childhood room. The one at my grandmothers.

Why was I at grandmas?

I was flipping through a magazine and landed on an article. Something about some young and rich guy. I couldn't see his face. It was blurred. But I felt a tightness in my chest. A sinking feeling.

My face felt wet. I touched cheek and pulled my hand back. There were tears. Why?

I put the magazine down and climbed off my bed. I walked over to my mirror and looked at the photos on it. It was of my brother and I. And one of my parents. Another pang in my chest. Why was I hurting all of a sudden?

I walked into the hallway and looked around. It was all familiar, yet completely foreign. I walked down the hall and to the stairs. I was about to walk down them.

"Alena."

I turned and saw my brothers face. He had worry written all over it.

I was about to say his name, but I realized, I didn't know it. Why couldn't I remember my brothers name? I couldn't say anything. My throat felt like it was closing up. I felt like I was in a right area. I backed up, terrified, and I fell down the stairs.

***

I woke up with a start. My breathing was ragged and my eyes were blurry. I blinked several times and I could see again. I was still in my apartment. I haven't left my couch.

"Alena?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. I turned and saw my brothers face.

"Adrian," I breathed. I knew his name.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Worry broke across all of his features. He moved from behind the couch and sat next to me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, pulling me into his arms and holding me tight.

I sniffed and rubbed my eyes. "I don't know. I know I had a nightmare but u don't know why or what it was about. That's weird. I forgot," I frowned. I swore it was really vivid. How could I have forgotten already?

"Well you are okay now. It's not real. I'm here now. Don't worry," he petted my hair.

We sat like that for a few moments. It was nice. I always had my brother by my side. I was luckier than most.

After about ten minutes and sitting like that, I gently pulled out of my brothers arms and looked at him.

"I got a job offer from that rude guy," I said.

"You mean the one who asked you on a lunch date?" My brother laid back into the couch and relaxed.

I nodded. "Yup. He told me I have until Friday to answer him. Said it's better job opportunity and more money and I get a step up. But that also means working for that asshole. I mean I do wanna get away from Tanya but would I wanna change Tanya up for Mr. Asshole?" I shrugged and picked at my sweatpants.

"Well, make a pro and con list."

"Adri, I'm not thirteen. I'm not picking between Jerry Walker and Tommy Wabowski," I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah why did you choose Tommy again? Jerry was so much nicer," Adrian nudged my knee with his.

"Focus, Adri, focus," I said, snapping my fingers in his face. He swatted my hand away.

"I'll bite you. But I am serious. Write the pros and cons of each job, compare them, and see which one stands out. That's really all I can tell you. Now, I stink of fancy food, of the most idiotic people. So I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. You should go to your room and sleep."

Adrian got up and patted the top of my head and went to his room. I got up and walked to my room, turning off the kitchen light.

After I closed my door, I waddled over to my bed, throwing myself onto the soft mattress. Sweet sweet softness.

And then my phone rang, breaking my happy moment. I sighed and pushed myself up again bro my elbows. I grabbed my phone off my bed side table. It was a number I didn't recognize.

I slid my finger across the answer button. "Hello?"

"Hello, Alena."

I knew that voice. I didn't respond. I just hung up. How annoying. How did he even get my number?

Ba-ding!

I looked at my phone and it said u had a new text message. I opened it up.

Unknown: Well that was rude. I was just calling to have a lovely conversation.

I snorted and ignored the message. I put my phone on charge and put it on silent. I flipped off my lamp and crawled under my sheets.

I snuggled into my blankets and pillows and sighed happily. This was my happy place. I didn't want to leave it.

My eyes became heavy and I could barely hold them open anymore. I slowly sank into a deep sleep.