Chapter 1
I was on the bus to the city and I was extremely nervous to start my first day of my new job. Up till then, I had never worked a day in my life. Well, unless you count helping my mum in the garden. It was my parents' idea for me to get a job and they were the one who got everything set up for me. I guess my mum wasn't to keen on the idea of me just being a couch potato for four months. According to them, all I had to do was deliver mail and packages from the mail room to people and collect more mail an packages to be sent out. Easy enough I guess.
I had four months till my first term at The Central School of Speech and Drama started due to the fact that we decided moved here early. I was going to take my BA (Hons) in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education.
I turned my Itouch on the change the song only to see a picture of me, Ruth, Delilah, Kollette and Yasmine on the front screen. I missed them so dearly. We had been friends ever since I could remember since our mums were practically sisters. We talked about everything together and I couldn't imagine how I was going to get through without them. A little tear began to form in my eye as So by Ed Sheeran started playing. They were so cool and beautiful indeed. But I guess I should be happy that my dad got a promotion after seven years in the same position. It was really a step up for him. I quickly wiped away the tear.
I got the reception and straightened out my leather jacket. I hoped I was dressed appropriately. I recalled how I spent an hour this morning trying to figure out what would be suitable to wear for my first day at work. I quietly handed her my forms and waited as she checked them. I looked around the lobby. The place was really nice. It was clean and bright but it mostly had the usual kind of office furniture. Black leather couches, sides tables made of glass and potted plants scattered here and there. 'Right then, Valerie Ann Rose' she handed me a pass that had all my info, name, date of birth and my number and a picture of me on it. 'I look terrible' I thought to myself as I saw the picture. 'Up the elevator, 3rd floor, turn left and walk straight' she said as she continued typing on her computer without even looking up. 'Thank you' I said softly before leaving.
I followed her exact instructions and found the mail room. I reached for the door but I couldn't open it either way. I looked to my right and saw something that looked like a card scaner. I decied to give it a go. I placed my card infront of it and sure enough I heard a beep and saw that the door was now slightly ajar. I walked in and I was shocked to see someone else inside. 'Er..hello'. 'Aye there love, name's Henry'. He was a rather elderly looking man. He was scrawny and no taller than me. He wore a green sweater and black trousers. He had a grey 'shooter' mustache as well. I shook his hand and he gave me a smile. Immediately he got me familarised with the mail room and what I had to do.
'This job was a breeze' I thought as I pushed the mail cart down the aisle. It was lunch time so the office was half empty. I did this floor then went up to do the other three office floors. Just as I thought, there wasn't really much I did. Other than delivering mails I did do some other errands like passing other people files or notes.
Soon enough, I checked my watch and it was '1.04pm'. It was time for my lunch break. I sat on the table in the mailing room eating my tuna and baby spinach sandwich that my mum had kindly packed for me that morning. My mum was always fussy about my diet and ever since I was young she always packed me lunches for me. I sipped on the remains of my blood orange juice and continued with my work.
I sorted out the different mails according to which level of the office and size. There were also a few parcels. Work was boring and most of the time, Henry was no where in sight. I didn't really mind it though. I wasn't one to be very social. I just listened to my ipod and sorted out the mail while referring to the seating chart of the office. Occasionally there would be people coming into collect things from the printer but once again, I made no conversations. They were busy people I guessed.
I went on my round of collecting letters to be sent out. Once again, easy. I talked to no one but I liked it. I just quietly did my rounds and retreated back to the mail room. I sorted the mail into one bag and brought it down to be sent. I got off the lift and went through the back door to find the mail truck already there. The driver was taking a smoke as I passed him the bag and left.
I went back up to do a bit of area cleaning and to restock some papers. Everything was done so quickly and soon, Henry came back. 'Ya can go now' hee said as he sat down on the table. I took my bag out from the shelve and just when I was about to leave, Henry said, 'finally they hire someone proper' I gave him a confused look but he didn't see it. I decided to just smile back.
During dinner, my parents questioned me about how my job was. I really had nothing much to say. I mean it wasn't exciting what so ever.
