The Axis My World Turns On

Rage

She was annoyed and frustrated about all of this. If it weren't bad enough that she was manhandled into her engagement, now Carmilla was being forced into a one-night stand with whomever she could find that was not her fiancé by her fiancé. When she imagined her and Laura getting engaged, she imagined the night going in the direction of corny, happy tears, a pie celebration per Perry, and some emotional Hollis speech- even though Laura knew the proposal was coming. Carmilla never expected to go home that night unable to sleep comfortably only to spend the next half of the day trying to think of any girl in her building interesting enough to handle an entire night with. No matter how hard she tried, they just didn't catch her attention.

The receptionist wore too much perfume and spoke publicly about her sexual encounters. One of her designers was in an open marriage with a lawyer, and Carmilla would rather not cross that line without a level of comfort; or, risk getting sued. There was a custodial worker that had a nice smile. She always made sure her office had that crisp air scent about it. But she wasn't on tonight, not until the weekend. She didn't have many options; and she was not ready to consider using an app. It didn't help that Laura text her to plan on eating lunch alone today so that she could talk to Danny about going out tonight. Just another thing to make her angry.

Of all the people Laura could choose to sleep with, it had to be Danny Lawrence. It couldn't be some stranger from off the street? Anything was better than Lawrence. The idea of the jolly green giant being so close to Laura made Carmilla want to choke up blood. Laura was in such a vulnerable position to get hurt again; and, what's worse is she was running right for it.

Frustrated, she put down the plans for a new structure and decided to go grab a sandwich for lunch. There was no way to focus with all this on her mind, and she would need a clear mind to finish those plans. Maybe meeting her team for the start of the painting process would give her some relaxation time.

The walk to the diner was too short to think through. There wasn't enough room in her brain to complain about the situation she was pulled into and figure out her sandwich order in one short stroll. Lucky for Carm Perry knew her well enough. She wasn't even in the door fully before she heard Perry calling out from behind the counter.

"If you wait by the counter, I'll have your turkey club out to you in just a moment." Perry smiled at a customer as they thanked her for their meal and walked out before turning her attention to Carmilla again. "I heard you ended up engaged after all...not that I applaud the delivery or the request there after. But what I can't believe more than anything else is that you would go along with this!"

Wow. Word got around quick.

Carmilla huffed, handing Perry her card. "Have you ever known me to win against Laura when she really wants something? Have you known anyone?"

At that, Perry shrugged with the usual mother hen glare, taking the card with her into the kitchen. Carmilla rolled her eyes, turning to the drink cooler for a bottle of water when she caught glimpse of a familiar face, and the hair color to match. It seemed she was aware of Carmilla as well when she approached her with a bright smile, freckles, and all.

"Carmilla Karnstein. What are the odds?" She was face to face and never would she have thought it possible. "How have you been?"

"Jude. Wow. You look exactly how I remember you...I'm well, thank you for asking. How about you? How's cinematography treating you?" Carmilla placed her bottle of water on the counter for Perry, who came out of the kitchen covered in inquisition.

"It's nice. I can't complain. I run my own radio show and I'm a producer and editor for a few youtubers." Jude offered a hand out to Carmilla with a playful gleam in her eye. "I can honestly say that you look the same. Though I spent a lot of time staring at you while you tried to subtly avoid physical contact with me."