I open my eyes again. Bright light fills the room.
I check my watch, which displays a hologram reading 08:00. It’s a Lasalle watch, and as the owner’s daughter, I got it for free. There are definitely perks to being a company owner’s daughter.
I sit up and use my phone camera to take a look at myself. I’m still wearing a white T-shirt from last night with black shorts. My blue eyes are squinting in the light, and my hair is messy.
I run my fingers through it before getting up to brush it. Thankfully, my day is free, as I leave for work at 16:45.
I change into clean clothes and grab something to eat. I choose the usual ramen. Without my coffee, I’m too tired to cook anything, and I live alone, so no one cooks for me.
While I cook the ramen, I make myself some coffee with cinnamon roll flavored creamer. Mmm. It tastes just like the cinnamon rolls from the bakery I used to go to when I was a young kid, Sweets and Treats.
Unfortunately, Sweets and Treats relocated, but they had so many good things. Desserts as far as you could see. Donuts here, eclairs there, frosted rolls somewhere else. I went there frequently, and my mouth watered every time.
We went there so much and ordered the usual, that the bakers memorized it. And I, in turn, memorized the name of the lady who we frequently saw in the bakery, Sofia.
She was there for me when I graduated eighth grade. She was there for me when I started my first job.
“You take care out there, okay?” Sofia set a hand on my shoulder and looked at me with her hazel eyes. “You’ll meet lots of new people, encounter lots of different opportunities. You’re growing up, and you’re gonna be in the working world for a long time, so make sure you love what you do and it pays well.”
I nodded. I continue to take her advice. I do love what I do, but it really does get hard for me sometimes. Especially when several eighteen-year-olds I know work from home or don’t work at all.
At least I don’t work until the evening at my dad’s work fifteen minutes away from here.
Now that I’m more energized, my head starts to clear, and I eat my finally cool chicken ramen. The flavors consume my tongue.
I spend the rest of the day either in my room, which has beige walls filled with Sequoian band posters such as Violet Echo, Ghost Lake Revival, and The Grey Days, a black carpet, and a queen-sized bed with a dark red comforter and several blankets and pillows, or on my comfy dark grey sofa, on my phone or watching various TV shows. Of course, I take breaks to eat.
By the time I actually start to think of how late it’s getting, I check my phone. It's 16:43.
I drive to work and pass by all the scenery of people’s houses and colorful plants. It looks like a painting come to life. Blues, greens, violets, you name it.
When I get to Lasalle, I don’t feel like I’m there long before my dad hands out an invitation.
“It’s addressed to you, dear.”
I open it.
“To whom it may concern,
We are having a party and want as many Sequoians as possible to come. We plan for people to interact with each other, have fun, and make friends. It’s a party for everyone, where everyone has a chance to do what they like and want, and a fresh start for some.
Please join us at 669 Pista Montanha, Division 4, on September 29th at 17:30. We would be very happy to have you.”
Looks like I got what I wished for. And today?
I look up, and everyone seems to be staring at the letter, then at me. “It’s something about a party,” I say.
“Are you going?” Samuel, the 19-year-old electronic repair guy who had a crush on me a few years ago, asks.
To be honest, I’m looking for any sort of opportunity to party and get rid of my frustrations. I nod. “It’s been kind of a long month for me.”
“Then get all the rest you need, Nicolle, and party away!” says Dad.
There’s a long silence, but Samuel breaks it. “Oh! And tell us how it is!”
I nod, and leave for the party calling it “a day off”, which is basically true.