The Wars of Our Worlds

Lukewarm

August 2022

Only Emily and the people at NY headquarters knew a secret. Keeping it a secret was already implied; even though few were prepared to keep secrets. She had known a few co-workers who could barely restrain themselves from talking about their day. Such mundane interactions seemed to be needed, not that it bothered her. Afterall, her red hair and murky green-blue eyes, and freckled pale skin did imply she was soulless.

It has been a long time since the press had to keep butter fingers away from typewriters or keyboards. Emily has grown a thick skin hide and quite an efficient filter when it comes to sensitive things. She had hoped to not break this rule and savored every bit of sanity left in the world. She didn't want to take her life too seriously, yet. While Kathy, her sweet chocolatey brunette was around. Oh, sweet chocolatey Kathy.

"Want to go get wasted after work?" She smirked mischievously at Kathy, who sat next to her. Kathy returned her equally heated, mischievous gaze and smirked.

"I don't know. I am packed for the week," Kathy gave a breathy sigh as she leaned back and closed her eyes for a short bit.

"Why don't you let loose, girl?" She egged Kathy to relax, Kathy always took everything seriously. Emily wasn't deterred by Kathy's seriousness, knowing she was really a playful gal.

"Seems tempting, might make me want to let loose for once," She mocked Emily for speaking in that tone, giving off a little laugh

Emily was satisfied with Kathy giving into her wishes. Her dirty little desires her grandmama would have smacked her on the back of the head for. No, bad thoughts, must not think such filth. It was as if her Grandmama was there with her, reading her thoughts. Emily felt no remorse this time, Grandmama only made her feel remorse and guilt twice. She was leaving it at that.

It was later that day, Emily wore her silky pink one strap dress along with her black heels. She heard a knock at the door and went to go open it. It was Kathy in her black party dress and red stilettos. Emily knew she was in for a fun time. Kathy never took that outfit of the closet ever since she did the weather reports on the weather channel.

Emily smirked at the thought of the dress being stained with the scent of liquor and sin. The sin that lurked at The Supernova nightclub was indeed made real by the ungodly consumption of alcohol and drunk people making out, mostly 21-year-olds. Emily really liked that thought, she stored it up in her good thoughts to think, along with her other almost make out sessions back in high school.

They both arrived at Supernova nightclub. The bouncers asked to see IDs, both of them looking well over 21 years old. The bouncer inspected their face then let them pass. As soon as they entered, everything was a blur of light and laughter.

Just one more. One turned into two, two turned into three. It all turned black, and as soon as she fell she felt nothing. Moments later Kathy noticed and picked up her intoxicated co-worker and asked for water.

Em...Em...ly...Emi...

Emily was knocked out and looked sick in the face. Kathy carried her out and hastily put her into her car before she drove to Emily's apartment.

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It was 5:30 AM the next day, Emily felt an ungodly pain in her head and body, with a craving for the weird food. Last night lasted until 2 and it was nothing but a blur, she felt hot all over. Kathy made her feel hot. Emily ignored the heat and dozed off again. She woke up again, checked the time on her phone, 15% and 9 AM. Emily decided the pain was mellowing down, she sluggishly got up, pain still traveling through her joints.

After what seemed like forever, she got dressed in her most casual clothes, went out and walked to Danny's Diner. Danny's diner was her favorite, the servers never judged, and the manager always seemed friendly to her. Emily entered in, the smell of hashbrowns, eggs, and maple bacon wafted through the air, Emily sat down feeling welcomed. Not feeling all that hungry she brought her laptop to kill time and browse the usual gossip.

A server walked up to her, "The usual?"

"Yes please, Railey" Emily chirped with the most friendly smile she could paste on.

" One small plate of Hashbrowns, maple bacon, and a toasted blueberry bagel with a sunny-side up egg"

While they were making her small plate of breakfast Emily lingered online, scanning for any juicy celebrity gossip. Before she was pleased to see her feed with only gossip she saw alarming news from NY. Her ex published this. Hot, and hardworking Alex Brown. All the alarm systems in her brain turned on. Emily didn't hate her for this, but her future plans of saving the few she can are going to get even more jeopardized. She wasn't going to trust her co-workers from then on. Not even Kathy. Sweet, sweet chocolatey Kathy. Kathy gave her chocolates every Valentine's day.

I want to make the world a better place. Unlike you, Alex.

+10 Sweet, sweet Kathy points.

-2 Fine and smooth as European chocolate points

Emily dug around her pockets and found a chocolate heart...wrapper. She felt some weird melty substance on her fingers. It was the chocolate from this Valentine's day.

You are the peanut butter to my jam. I love you. -Kathy

The crumpled up wrapper declared in fine, pink print. Yeah right, Alex didn't love her. Kathy wasn't any different. Emily hoped this was true, having already dated other people, and all of them being as fine as European chocolate. Her breakfast had arrived. Emily ate as diligently as possible before she gave up and went HAM on the food. Not leaving a scrap of food, she left a generous tip and walked out into the cool and breezy New York morning.