The Space Between Us | L.S

Times Like These

Time flowed like cement. It was a sunny, warm fall afternoon; one of the last ones we will probably have until spring. So, no one in their right mind was going to spend this day taking a tour of the stars. I spent the beginning of my shift walking aimlessly around the building praying that my walkie-talkie would go off alerting me that someone was also in desperate need of a tour but now I was inclined in one of the blue velvet seats, staring up at the wide-screen that was hanging above us. When the room was dark and the projector was turned on, the screen showed the galaxy and I took people on a tour through the all-consuming galaxy.

 At first I was so awkward, always hating public speaking; I even forced Jonas to sit in the crowd just for a familiar face but after a few shifts I got the hang of it and people were always telling my supervisor how fantastic and natural I was. Which was a real confidence boost.

I really enjoyed this job, for fifteen hours to twenty hours a week I could talk about something I actually enjoyed. When I returned to Manchester, I began my job search almost immediately. I had accumulated quite a bit of money while I was back in Bristol but after some very unpleasant screaming matches with my Mother, I would no longer be receiving any financial support from my family. Well so I thought, three weeks into me being back into Manchester, Alfie had e-transferred me money to "help me get on my feet" and I burst into tears instantaneously. Alfie and I had bickered all summer with one another, over the silliest things, so this act of kindness was very surprising but very much appreciated. Before this summer, I carried most of my own weight since my tuition was completely covered by scholarships and I could pay half my rent and personal needs with my savings and former job but I was definitely stressed at first with the thought of not having the plush cushion of my parents.

"Just think about it Wendy Anne."

"I'm not even going to humor the thought Mother; I am not moving back to Bristol!" I screeched, scrubbing the plate I had been washing vigorously.

"Dr. Hanns said himself that you would be a key asset to the University of Bristol."

"Which is a great compliment but I love Manchester. I love the university and the community." I tried to calm myself, focusing on the drops falling from the faucets.

"The more time you spend in Manchester, the harder it will be when you move back." I dropped my sponge in shock at her assumption that I would actually be moving back after I graduated. I turned around just to see she was already staring at me.

"I am not moving back here after I graduate Mother, I thought I made that very clear." I said as calm as I could.

"Do not be ridiculous Wendy Anne, of course you are." She scoffed, going back to drying the plate I had almost broke with my vicious cleaning.

"No, I am not. Once I graduate I am going to be looking for jobs there." I said, my facial expression not being able to hide the disgust at the thought of actually moving back to Bristol.

That conversation just catapulted two whole weeks of fighting and awful statements that could never be taken back.

I let the almost bitter, air-conditioned air calm me down as I sprang up from my seat. I looked at the clock on the wall, I still had hours left of my shift. I groaned aloud, the day is stretching before me like a prairie road into the horizon and I can't be bothered to walk it. Taking these eight-hour shifts on the weekends were literally going to be the death of me.

After two weeks of no call-backs from any of the positions I applied for even the ones mainly marketed towards sixteen years old, like the ones where you wear hats with hot dogs on it.  I was my wits-end. In my mind I had two options at that point, call my mother apologizing and hope she would throw me a bone, and first months rent with it or go out to the corner with a sign that read '25 cent blowjobs'. The latter seemed more appealing. 

But like an angel in the form of a 150 character advertisement this position opened up. Which was a godsend because my third option was to see if Sin's was hiring. 

It was the morning before my second to last shift at Sin's, and I was understandably dreading it completely. Though, after an aggressive pep-talk from Jonas that I wasn't a "pussy", as he put it, I was feeling pretty neutral of going in and finishing up my shift. Maybe then I could get some closure on the situation. Yet, as I was making my way to the tram station, my phone started ringing with Sin's caller ID displaying loudly on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hey Wendy, it's Joe."

"Hi Joe, I'm just heading in right now, what's up?"

There was slight commotion on the other end before he said "You don't need to come in for your last two shifts if you don't want to." It was quite for a moment, I didn't know how to answer, my confusion overshadowing my voice. It was a Saturday so our busiest day in the shop. "Uh, you got some paid time off hours you can use." He clarified, clearing his voice.

"Oh." I mutely replied. "Um, yeah okay. I guess I'll see you when I pick up my next cheque?"

It was quiet for a moment and I could hear something muffle over the phone on his side; he had moved his hand over so I couldn't hear what was happening on the other end. I strained my ears to hear the muffled sounds of two voices.

Louis was there.

"You know what, how about I just mail it to ya'? Save you a trip."

"O-oh okay. That works, thanks Joe; bye." I quickly hung up the phone, tears prickling at my eyes. I knew it would be awkward seeing Louis again but was it so unbearable to see my face again?

That was the last interaction I had with Louis; if you could consider it with that. I finally had the guts to block him on social media mid-July just to prevent myself from stalking his page. Now I was working my way through not cringing when I saw something that reminded me of him.

"Wendy, we got a group of five making their way towards you." The scratchy voice burst my thought-bubble. I pumped the air a few times, pressing my hands together to resemble prayer hands, as I thanked the sky.

"Thank you and thank god!" I laughed into the walkie-talkie.

A heat-wave slithered around my body as I walked out of the tundra air that the dome provided. It was the beginning of October and the day should be like the others, cold, damp and cloudy.

As I walked to my tram stop, my black dress pants and black polo stuck to my skin. I brushed my hair away from the nape of my neck to release some of the heat trapped underneath.

A tram stopped in front of the station, letting a couple people jump off. One of which was Will.

"Howdy partner! How was your shift?" He said. I pretended to wrap an imaginary noose around my neck, pulling at it, as my head lolled to the side with my tongue sticking out.

They let out a laugh. "That bad? Great, really selling this shift for me."

Another tram pulled up, and I held my hand over my eyes to shade from the beating sun. "That's me." I said, giving him a farewell smile.

"Hey, me and Jonas' were thinking of going out tonight after my shift. You in?" I nodded eagerly without second thought, ready to turn the day around.

"Yes please! Let Celine know and I'll text Sam." I said before jumping onto the deathbed that was the bus.