The alarm yanks me from my dreams. Why does it have to come so early? And why have I never learned to rise when it goes off the first time? Nope, not me. I must wait until the snooze triggers at least four or five times before I’m roused enough to kill the alarm. My day might start off better if I can just learn how to get up, on time, and with a chipper smile on my face. Needless to say, morning people annoy me.
The office is another thing that takes me off guard each morning. The colored walls are a visual nightmare. It looks like Rainbow Bright went on an acid trip and painted every inch.
By the time I get to my office, I feel overstimulated and groggy. To calm back down, I spend at least an hour on e-mails. One of the problems with working for an international company is that while I’m sleeping, someone is still on the clock. At least sixty e-mails patiently wait each morning before I can look at the pile of mail and interoffice messages on my desk.
E-mails and messages are the easiest part of my job. I don't have to give a quick response, which gives me time to find the answers. I had my inclinations of what to expect with this job but I was way off.
I go from one confused situation to the next as I try to blend into the florescent background. Any time that I’m stopped by someone, they seemed shocked when I can’t give a response. Their annoyed expression questions why I’m even part of this organization. It makes me wonder if this is how every other new hire feels.
All day of stressing over things that I’ve never seen, reports that appear to be written in a foreign language, and people that always want something more than I am able to give, makes me wish for five. Each painful day is a reminder that I have at least forty years before I can retire.
"Addie," The secretary calls as she lightly knocks on my door.
I still have no idea why I have a secretary. Amy spends her time catching me up to speed and she does it with a smile. Sometimes I question why she isn't my boss.
"You have been requested for a departmental meeting with the CEO," Amy continues, "It starts in ten minutes."
Frozen to the desk, all I can do is stare as my hands leave sweaty marks on the wood. Why is there a meeting? I still haven’t meet with anyone. From the look on Amy's plump face, this meeting wasn’t scheduled.
This is it. They are going to realize that I don't know what I am doing and fire me. I can't blame them. I would have fired me after the second week.
Collecting all the reports, I race from the office. Amy hands more documents as she leads me into the direction of the boardroom. It is a special room designed specifically by the new CEO.
He took over the company from his father but doesn't have much to do with the day to day operations. I've been told he’s young.
The CEO’s secretary walks me into the almost empty room. A man looks up. His face amused as he lays down his pen. The boy from the diner I realize as I take a few more steps into the room.
"This is Addie," Marie states as she points to a chair.
Sitting in the rich leather, I turn my attention to the walls while the man continues to watch me. The conference room is painted so vividly that I feel like I'm sitting at a cherry table in the middle of the forest. It’s even harder to get my head around than the fluorescent walls.
"Still don't feel like going for a run.”
This guy has got to be crazy. Really though, I am curious, what is it with running? I scoured for any information on running crews or running events. There’s nothing.
If this is his pickup line, he should try something else. My favorite line from a man involves would you like to go out for dinner or drinks. It’s simple and to the point. I really like food and not sweating through my clothes on a date. Running isn't something that I will ever find enjoyable.
"Nope," I respond opening my notebook and watching as others file into the room.
Most of the staff inhale deeply as they look in my direction. I take a deep breath but only smell the stale, office air. This has been happening way too often and makes me consider if I should change my shampoo. The diner boy chuckles while watching me sniff a piece of my own hair. I glare but he smiles.
"Mr. Johnson," one of the older staff says, indicating the young man.
Out of disbelief, I lean back and hide. This young man cannot be the CEO, Adam Johnson. He's barely older than me. Maybe I should reconsider that run. It might help me keep my job for another month or two.
"I call this meeting to order.”
Throughout the entire meeting, I continue to glance at Adam, who happily returns the gesture. Why was I not able to find a picture of this man? I might have sounded less thoughtless.
"Meeting adjourned," I hear, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Part of the staff flees the room, being called to handle some issue that, of course, I know nothing about. The rest linger, catching up on small talk.
After collecting my documents, I feel Adam’s presence behind me. I watched him walk around the table so I can't say I’m surprised.
"I would like to welcome you to the company," Adam states as he offers his hand.
His hand eclipses mine. The hardness and deep calluses seem a little strange for a guy who's supposed to spend most of his time in an office. He continues to hold my hand while his deep hazel eyes hold my gaze. Slowly pulling my arm away, his fingers finally release mine.
He looks at my arm, evaluating my response. I could probably claim arthritis for pulling back from an extremely long handshake. It seems a lot nicer of a reason than you freak me out, don't touch me.
"Hmmm," He states, his attention turning to an approaching department head who I haven’t met.
Both glance at me before exchanging a look and politely excuse themselves from the room. On the way out, the older man turns, sniffs in my direction before continuing to lead Adam away. There is something about this company that I have yet to figure out. Actually, there is a lot about this company I have yet to figure out.
The only thing I know is the first place I’m going after work is to get new bath products. It must be me. Most people in the company, in the town, seem to take a few deep breaths before looking in my direction. I've never been considered a smelly kid but, things do change. Hormones maybe? Excessive stress, probably.
Eventually the clock releases me and I fly home. I’m starting to realize that by looking for something new, I gave up a lot of old in the process. Everything that was normal and seemingly boring at the time, I crave. To say the least, this new life is very isolating.
The apartment is the only link I have of my old life, which includes a lot of old furniture. It really isn’t my style but I don’t have money to furnish an entire apartment and my mom was more than happy to give it up. The smell of home lingers inside every piece, making me feel secure as I cozy into my favorite spot.
The apartment is completely different from what I expected. When I called, I was told a studio was the only thing available but when I walked in, the manager all of a sudden remember that there was a one bedroom available for the same price. I couldn’t say no to a larger apartment.
The situation still baffles me. He stood inches from me, inhaled, and never broke eye contact. It was yet another reminder to get pepper spray.
I might be close to the busiest part of town but my backyard is the woods. It’s very relaxing. All of my cares vanish as I listen to the birds chirp and animals scurry.
A branch crunches in the distance. My eyes remain closed. The softness of the snap can’t pull me from my moment of relaxation. Another snap sounds closer than the first.
"Oh shit," I snap and scurry towards the back of the chair before freezing.
Standing less than ten feet in front of me is a full-sized black wolf. With my fright sensation in full force, I’m unable to move. I don't know what to do, other than stare.
The sleek black wolf appears amused before turning to the woods. Three more wolves emerge from the forest line.
Fear releases me. I dash into the house as quick as my legs can take me. The chair collapses in a noisy fuss on the deck as the glass door slams behind me.
The four wolves move closer to the apartment. Silently, we stare at each other. They are waiting for me to do something and I’m waiting for them to leave.
I don't know how to get rid of wolves. I’m sure a shock gun works but neither possessing one nor knowing how to shoot one, the only weapon I have is to tell the wolves to shoo. Yep, that’s exactly how dangerous I am. Shoo, as if that would work.
Eventually the wolves recede. They’re calm as every part of me quivers. The beating of my heart is so fierce that I seriously wonder if I’m having a heart attack.
Not only do I have to worry about getting fired and my creepy landlord but now I get to deal with a wild animal problem. The best way to spend the rest of my night is to throw in a frozen pizza, find a calming movie, and contemplate taking up drinking as a hobby.