Fervor.

four.

It’s nearly 7, and the sun is setting down when I wake up. Immediately, my stomach growls; I haven’t eaten anything all day.

I rush to my small kitchen and heat up a frozen pizza. While I wait, I check my phone to see a text from Rebecca; a friend I met at a bar. I met most of my friends at a bar, which is rather sad really.

She’s asking if I’m going to see her tonight, but I decide to ignore the text because I’m still unsure if I want to go anywhere.

The oven beeps the pizza ready, so I grab a slice and sit on my couch while I flick through the channels. Minutes later, Jimmy is calling me. I groan and mute the TV before picking up.

“Hey,” I say

“Hey, it’s Jimmy. You’re coming tonight, right?”

“I don’t think I’m feeling it Jim” I don’t want to tell him how I plan to spend my evening. Watching movies and drinking.

“Nah man, you have to come. It’s been weeks. I swear people think you’re dead. Plus, you promised me” there’s a hint of whining in his voice

“I know I promised you. I just… I don’t know” I sigh

“Don’t you want to celebrate your accomplishment?” little does he know that his attempt at getting me to say yes backfires as I stay quiet

“Vanessa?”

“I didn’t get the promotion. I got another job” my voice is monotone

“Oh, well” he awkwardly coughs “that’s still good though….right?”

“Yeah, in a way”

“Vanessa, you still have to come. It’s a Friday and I refuse to let you sit home alone and do nothing after all your hard work”

“Jimmy I said I’m just not feeling it” I know his intentions are good but I don’t like it when people push too much

“Jeez, your routine of staying home every night really stuck to you, huh? Now you’ll be one of those boring people who live in the city but choose to stay home? This is so not you”

I hated how his words ring true. Since when do I spend my Friday night’s at home instead of partying?

I nod, though I know he can’t see me. So I let out a deep breath “Alright, yeah, I’ll come. The Wrong Bar, right?”

“Like always”

We say our goodbyes and I run my hand over my face, annoyed. Because I’m still not in the mood.

*************************

Monday morning, I wake up with a groan, remembering that I have to pick up a potentially arrogant man from the airport. I’m not really looking forward to meeting him.

Sure I basically spent my entire Sunday brainstorming impressions to give him. I went back and forth between using friendliness, or authority. In the end, I gave up and decided my personality will depend on his first impression. I’m taking this assignment way too seriously and maybe that’s because it gives me a sense that it’s just as important as the one I’d lost.

I take a shower, and throw on warm clothes because of the autumn season. Realizing that I’m running out of time and I know there’s traffic; I quickly eat breakfast and make a to-go hot chocolate. I can’t be late; I despise late people and I’m not going to be one of them.

I go to the garage and jump in my old used beetle car. I rarely use it, and it looks like it needs a new paint job. Harry seems like someone who’s loaded and owns the finest of cars, so I can’t help but imagine him making fun of the junk I have. Of course, I wouldn’t let him get away with any sort of demeaning treatment.