FOURTEEN

She wanted everything to be perfect for her colleague Abby's first visit to her home. As she moved around the house, wiping down surfaces and tidying up, she noticed that the carpets in the living room were in desperate need of a vacuum.

Lyra had never been one for cleaning, but she knew that Abby had high standards and wanted to make a good impression.

She sighed, realizing that vacuuming was a must-do chore. She headed to the closet and brought out the vacuum cleaner, checking if the dust bag needed emptying. Seeing that it was half-full, she decided to leave it for now.

She plugged the vacuum into an outlet and turned it on, making sure the cord was free from any obstacles before starting.

She dragged the vacuum out of the closet and began to methodically work her way around the room, sucking up dirt and debris from the carpet. The sound of the vacuum filled the space, drowning out any other noises in the room.

She began in the far corner of the room and worked her way towards the entrance, using the vacuum's nozzle to clean the edges of the room.

Lyra noticed that the vacuum's suction wasn't as strong as it used to be, so she checked the hose for any clogs or obstructions. Finding none, she continued vacuuming the carpet, moving in straight lines to ensure every inch of the carpet was covered.

As she vacuumed, Lyra found a few small items like pens, paper clips, and hair ties that she picked up by hand and put aside to dispose of later. She also moved some of the furniture to vacuum underneath, making sure to avoid any scratches on the wood.

Suddenly, she heard a sound outside that snapped her back to reality - the crunch of gravel under tires.

She turned off the vacuum cleaner and walked towards the window, curious about what was happening outside. She saw Abby's car pulling into her driveway, and her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't quite ready for her colleague to arrive just yet.

In a swift motion, she unplugged the vacuum cleaner and rolled up the cord, tucking it neatly away in the closet. She then grabbed the cleaning supplies and put them in a basket, which she stashed under the coffee table. Spotting a stray sock on the floor, she picked it up and tossed it in the laundry hamper.

Satisfied that the living room was presentable enough, Lyra made her way to the door. Along the way, she paused to check her appearance in the hallway mirror, smoothing down her hair and straightening her shirt.

Abby's car was a modest and practical vehicle that got her from point A to point B. It was a compact sedan, likely from a mid-range brand, with a basic exterior design and minimal features. The color of the car was a neutral tone, and it had a few scratches and dents here and there.

Lyra rushed to the door and opened it just as Abby was stepping out of the car. "Hi, Abby!" she exclaimed, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Hey, Lyra!" Abby replied, giving her a big smile. "Sorry I'm late - I got caught up at the store. I bought a few things for us to snack on while we work."

Lyra couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed as she saw the bags of groceries and snacks Abby was carrying. "Oh, you didn't have to do that," she said, feeling a little guilty. "I'm sorry, my place isn't that impressive."

"Nonsense," Abby replied, brushing off her apologies. "Your home is lovely, and I wanted to bring a few things to make our workday more enjoyable. Now come on, let's get to work!"

Lyra couldn't help but smile at Abby's positivity, and together they headed into the kitchen. Abby started unpacking the bags, revealing a variety of chips, crackers, and other snacks. "Wow, you really went all out," Lyra said, impressed.

Abby grinned. "I always like to be prepared," she replied. "Plus, I have a bit of a snacking problem, if you haven't noticed!"

Lyra laughed, feeling her nerves dissipate. "No worries," she said. "I'm happy to lend a hand. What can I do to help?"

"Actually, could you help me put these snacks out on the table?" Abby asked. "I think we deserve a little break before we start working."

Lyra nodded and began helping Abby arrange the snacks on the table.

Abby looked around the room and smiled. "Your apartment is simply lovely, Lyra," she said. "It's so neat and tidy."

Lyra blushed, feeling a sense of pride in her home. "Thank you," she said. "I try to keep things organized."

Abby nodded, taking in the clean lines and minimalist decor. "It's really impressive," she said. "I feel like I could never keep my place this clean. I always have clothes and dishes and clutter everywhere."

Lyra laughed. "It's definitely a challenge to stay on top of everything," she said. "But I find it helps me stay focused and calm."

Abby nodded in agreement. "I can see that," she said. "It's so peaceful in here."

Lyra smiled, feeling grateful for the compliment. "I'm glad you think so," she said. "I really enjoy having a space that feels relaxing and welcoming."

Lura offered her a cup of juice from the fridge

Abby took a sip and settled further into the couch. "Honestly, I think it's just really cool that you can balance work and maintain such orderliness.”

Abby motioned towards her bag. "Oh, I almost forgot - I brought some DVDs for us to watch later on," she said.

Lyra's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That sounds like fun," she replied.

Abby grinned and reached into her bag, pulling out a handful of movie discs. "I brought a few options - some classics, some newer releases. What do you feel like watching?"

Lyra picked up one of the discs and read the title. "Oh, I've been meaning to watch this one," she said. "I've heard great things about it."

Abby nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's a really good movie. I think you'll like it," she said.

Lyra looked through the rest of the DVDs and saw a few other titles that caught her eye. "These all look great," she said. "I'm excited to watch them."

Abby smiled. "Me too," she said. "I always love a good movie night."