Slowly and reluctantly, I uncover my face. I blink, close my eyes, and blink again. Streaks of sunlight penetrate the window and blind me. I glimpse at the glowing and radiant sun peaking above the horizon out of my window. It extended its vivid light across the deep crimson sky. Its dazzling and inviting rays flowed through the window providing warmth to my body. I sit up, drag my feet off the bed, and rub my knuckles onto my eyes. I stretch my arms above my head and yawn. I watch my legs dangle above the off-white polyester carpet.
I sat there for a few, admiring my the comfort on my room. I looked at the multiple greenery surrounding my bed. I bought these at some huge warehouse store a year or so ago. That fact that their still living is a testimony to the tenacity of life rather than my green thumbs. Were it not for Brooke coming over and dumping the cup of water in it's other wise parched soil, I'm sure it would already be brown. As it is, the plant is teetering between this life and being compost.
The lower leaves are dying but the top is still forming new leaves, shiny and small. A few brilliant green shoots are coming from the soil too, perhaps they come from the stressed out roots, I can almost imagine them growing nodules under the soil.
I finally got out of bed and headed towards my bathroom. If it weren't for my father's will, I would've never been able to afford this house. He died of liver failure about a year ago. It was tough living without him, he protected me from anything. Even the itsy bitsy spiders like crawled out of their hiding places.
I smiled at the memory.
My mom however, I guess you can say she had it worse after he died. It was just me and her living together during that time and she was constantly distant from me. I always asked her why and she just ignored it; ignored me really. Not to long after that, she just...left. I woke up one day and her stuff was gone. Her room was empty. All she left was a note, "I'm sorry, I can't stay here anymore. You're 18 now Ivy, you don't need me. Love you always."
Little did she know, I did need her.
I took the purple translucent toothbrush from its holder and spread a line of paste on the white bristles.
As I brushed my teeth, I thought about the man from my job. He was incredibly handsome and seemed so mysterious. Something I guess every girl would want to explore.
I finished up in the bathroom and walked back to my room. My room floor was extremely messy so, I picked up a few of my shirts and a couple socks off the wooden floor. I threw them into a corner of my room which already had grown into a stack of dirty clothes. I know I would eventually get around to cleaning but, I have no energy to do it.
Ever since I've been living alone, I rarely want to anything anymore. I barely go out and if I do, it's with my best friend or going to work or just jogging. I was convinced I've got depression once I started seeing signs but, an old therapist said he disagrees. I believe it's gotten a little worse and if I was to see him again, maybe his answer would be different.
I opened my curtains and open my window a bit to get some air in. The sun instantly blinded me and I squinted from the shock of its brightness. Once my vision came back to normal, I noticed a few trees rustling from my backyard below. My eyebrows furrowed as I waited to see what'd emerged. I'd hate to admit but, my heart was beating incredibly fast. Seconds later, a raccoon comes out of the green bushes next to the trees.
Which was odd, seeming as it was morning and raccoons are nocturnal creatures. I continued to watch in curiosity and made a small smile when the creature looked up at me. Maybe it thinks I'm the creeper from staring? It slowly goes back into the bushes and makes them rustle again.
My phone started buzzing, catching my attention. I picked it up and saw it was Brooke. She usually calls me in the morning to make sure I get out of bed.
"You up?" She questions.
"Of course I'm up Brooke, if I wasn't I wouldn't have been able to pick up the phone." We both laughed noting my sarcasm.
"Alright, alright just checking-" I plug my headphones into my phone and pick up my purse from bed. "-anyways, I'm outside so hurry the f*ck up."
I smiled and hung up the phone. I placed my phone, charger as well as my portable charger, gum and lip balm in my small purse. My bare feet thump against the wooden stairs and I slipped on my vans when I got to the bottom. I open the hallway closet and pulled out the fall necessities. Grabbing my keys that were hung on a nail, I locked the door behind and headed to Brooke's old car.
It was a green 1969 Chevrolet Bel Air. Something her grandfather gave to her as a birthday present.
"Get in loser, we're going to work." She exclaimed while turning the engine back on. I laughed at her Mean Girls reference. It's one of my favorite chic-flicks.
I hopped in the passenger seat and closed the door. I didn't bother to put on a seat belt, seeing as our job was no longer than a 10 minute drive. I took the liberty of turning on the radio but, the dial fell off. I giggled which made Brooke embarrassed.
"Listen Ivy, just use the plyers in the glove compartment." She said rolling her eyes.
I playfully punched her arm and opened the box, taking out the silver clamps. I twisted the skinny screw which was one covered by the dial. I skipped through the stations until I heard the beginning beats of Put Your Records On by Corrinne Rae. It was from 2006 and I'm pretty sure alot of people have heard it since then.
Brooke laughs.
"Oh my God! This brings back nostalgia." She says with a huge smile on her face.
At the same time, we started singing along to the lyrics,
"Three little birds sat on my window
And they told me I don't need to worry
Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet
Little girls, double-dutch on the concrete
Maybe sometimes we got it wrong, but it's all right
The more things seems to change, the more they stay the same
Ooo, don't you hesitate-"
Suddenly a black van appears out of no where.
"Brooke, watch out!" I yell making her swerve our car to avoid hitting the van. The car skids aganist the black pavement and I grip the handle above the window. I squeeze my eyes shut until we come to a stop.
"Ivy it's okay, we're okay." Brooke assured me while holding my hand. I opened my eyes slowly and saw a crowd near our car to see if we're okay. I took a deep breath in, "That was-"
"Yeah.." She finished my sentence. We were close to work so she just tried to find a parking spot where we originally stopped. We got out and she locked the doors.
"You go inside and clock in for me, I'm gonna go pick something up at the pharmacy."
I nodded and proceeded to walk the rest to work. I tied my scarf around my neck to make me less cold. That ride was definitely a close one. If we weren't so distracted from the song, Brooke probably would've seen the car coming. I've should've wore my seat belt. I should've just-
I sighed, rubbing my temples trying to southe my now thriving headache. I wait for the light to turn green so I would walk. It seemed to take forever so, I pulled out my phone to check my work schedule. I get out early today at 4:00 pm. I saw the light turn green and started crossing the street. I was about to turn the corner of the new block when someone bumped into me, making my phone fall onto the grey concrete.
The sound it made when it made contact with the floor was heartbreaking. I was grateful I had a protective screen on. As I reached to grab it, a male hand reached first and lifted it. I look up and lock eyes with the man I was thinking about earlier.
I instantly blushed.
He similar clothes to when I first met him. But instead wore a fitted cap and no glasses.
"Nice to see you again, beautiful." He said with confidence.
I smirked at his compliment.
"Thank you, stranger." I responded while reaching my hand out for my phone. His face drew confusion.
"You never gave me your name...just your number." I giggled trying not to sound too eager.
He pondered for a moment, almost as if he was being reluctant to give me his name.
"Uh-Harry." He finally stuttered out. He placed my device in my hand and briefly created a spark. He made it seem like he didn't feel it too.
I told him I was actually headed to work. He nodded and said he was on his way there.
"I actually wanted to see you again. I couldn't stop thinking about you." His voice sounded a little deeper.
"Oh really? What have I done to have you think so much about me?" I smiled while looking into his eyes. They were much darker than when I've seen him before.
"Nothing. I craved to know you better." He returned his smile and put his arm on my shoulder. His mouth twitched, and I was pretty sure he was fighting a smile.
There was something about the way he did smile; the way butterflies seemed to escape from the pit of his stomach and the way the sun had somehow toppled down from the sky and made a home right there in his heart. He had the kind of smile that made you feel happy to be alive and just that little bit more human.
We continued to have small talk until we reached my workplace. The door chimed and I hung up my coat on the employee rack. I rubbed my hands together trying to get some warmth into cold fingers.
"You can sit anywhere you like, Harry. There's no one really here yet." I said expecting him to be standing at the door but, he had already taken his seat. The same spot, must be the view of the window.
Seeing as there was no customers, I took the time to place new desserts in the glass showings. I placed the cakes carefully in their respective spots, sneakily licking any icing that may have fallen onto my fingers.
The door chimes and I snap up with a smile but, when I realize who it was, my smile faded.
"What do you want Chris?" I sighed. I continued to stock the glass case.
"C'mon babe don't be like that..." He trailed on while running his hands through his hair. I noticed he grew a beard since I last saw him. He knows I prefer him with the beard too. It looks good on him.
"Don't babe me Chris, we have dated in months. So why are you here?" I questioned with my hands on my hips. He didn't respond so I turned around and put on my apron.
"...I miss you Ivy. That's why. I miss me and you together." His face filled with sorrow.
I walked back to the counter to face him. I looked into his brown eyes and could tell he was in emotional pain. I tried not to let it get to me.
"Well you should've thought about that when you cheated on me with that slut from the theater." I barked back. My voice clearly having anger beneath it.
"I regret it! I really do, I'm sorry Ivy. It shouldn't of happened and it was a one time thing. Please Ivy, give me another chance." He grabbed one of my hands over the counter and placed it in his.
I know the saying, "once a cheater, always a cheater." But I kinda believed him. He sounded genuinely regretful.
I looked towards the back looking to see if Harry was still there but, he was already staring back at me. I gulped nervously.
"I'm gonna give you one more chance but we're starting as friends. I can't just let you get back with me like nothing happened." I mumbled looking at his lips.
He leaned in closer, "Are you sure you want to be friends first?"
"Y-yeah, friends." I managed to stutter out.
Chris placed his fingers under my chin and lifted my head up. Our eyes locked and he licked his lips before kissing me. My eyes fluttered closed as we kissed slowly. He put his hand behind my neck and kissed me a little more passionately. It was sweet and reminded me of the good and happy times in my life.
The bakery door loudly slammed closed and the chime shook violently after it. We jumped back in surprise. I turn my head towards the window and Harry was gone.
I wiped my lips with the back of my hand, "That's not gonna happen again, Chris." I said ajusting my apron.
He chuckled.
"Sure it isn't, Ivy. You still have my number?" He said walking towards the door.
I nodded a yes. He smiled with his pearly whites and ran his fingers through his hair again. Once he left, I sat onto the chair.
Chris had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course the blush that accompanied it was a dead give-away. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, it made the girls fall for him all the more. I rubbed my eyes and sighed.
The door rang again and I snapped my head towards the direction.
"What I'd miss? The line was long." Brooke said while holding a pharmacy bag.
I smiled and rolled my eyes. I then wondered why Harry left so abruptly...
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