Hey, look. An update.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
I scrambled down the hallway, trying to reach the elevator before the doors closed. It was always busy on Fridays. People were going out to restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters, or the movies. It only took a few seconds for the elevator to completely fill up. And, despite my "career", I was horrible at running in heels. I tripped halfway to the elevator, my shoe coming off in the process. I stood up, not bothering to smooth my dress, and hobbled back for it. I contemplated just keeping it in my hand while I ran, but it would be more awkward trying to run when one foot was three inches taller than the other. I slipped the shoe back on my foot and continued to rush at a safe but hurried pace.
The other bad part about Fridays (besides spending every single one alone while the rest of my building went out on the town) was my neighbor, Mrs. Stanley. She lived a few doors down from me, and had taken on a sort of mother role, even though she was easily in her seventies. She heard how my ex—no, I could think his name. I wasn't that affected—Mike and I broke up, and was worried for me. She would drop by every night for the first week, checking on me and making sure I was okay. Of course, she refused to understand that I was perfectly fine, and that I was the one to dump Mike. Now, she kept her visits short and secret. She would come over every Friday and Saturday night and knock on the door to see if anyone was there. The first few times, I answered and let her come in. But after a while, I began to avoid her like the plague. I hadn't seen her for two weeks, and I think she knew I was hiding from her.
As I rushed down the hall, Mrs. Stanley opened the door and walked out into the hallway, blocking my path.
"Isabella!" She called out in a friendly voice. I could tell that she wanted to talk. Great.
"Not now, Mrs. Stanley. I'm running late." I tried to move to her left, but she mirrored my move, cutting me off. She appraised my appearance, smiling.
"You have a date! Oh, I'm so happy for you, dear. I know it's only been a month, but you've still been so lonely. I can tell. Who is he? Or she. You know I'm not one to judge." I could see where she would get that impression. I did seem dressed for a date. I opened my mouth to interrupt her rambling, but I decided to play along. Maybe if she thought I had a date she'd leave me alone.
"I don't know who he is. A friend set us up. And I'm running a bit late, so if you don't mind—" That was all it took.
"Oh, of course, dear." She stepped aside to let me pass. "Have fun. And don't forget to tell me everything when you come back." I didn't respond to that, too busy trying to make the elevator.
"Hold the elevator!" I called out, hoping someone would hear me. I was still less than halfway down the hall. I ran faster to the elevator, missing it by seconds. I swore, slamming my fists against the doors. I could've waited for it to come back up, but there were ten floors below me, and the elevator was bound to be intercepted in that time.
I slipped off my shoes, holding them in my hand, and scrambled to the stairs. I was much faster without my heels, so I made it down the stairs in few minutes, not stumbling once. I kept my shoes in my hand as I ran through the lobby and out the door. That was a bad choice. It had just stopped raining, and the dirt of the city was matted against the damp concrete. I hated the feel of the damp pavement, but I knew putting on my shoes now would be worse. I stepped towards the street.
"Taxi!" I hung out into the street, waving for a cab. I got one about a minute later, sliding into the back seat. With my luck today, I was glad I didn't drop anything into any puddles outside. I dropped my purse, coat, and shoes on the seat next to me, telling the driver the location of the meeting, the basement of a small community theater downtown. There was a box of tissues next to me. Someone must have left it there earlier. It was a gift from heaven. I wiped the bottom of my feet, getting the grime off. The cab parked in front of the theater, and I got out, tossing a twenty at him. I didn't want to wait for change. I was late enough as it is. I walked to the broken down theater, wondering what the meeting was for.