Chapter Two
There was something different in the air the next morning. According to the news people it had something to do with a very high concentration level of pollution. Something about there not being enough rain to properly cleanse the air. They were probably right, it was foggy after all, but I like to remember that time as slightly mysterious. As if the world was trying to cover itself up, and making everything shady. Those who owned cars had to be careful, those who wanted to stead had their opportunity to properly blend in with everything, and those, like me, who wanted to escape the monotony of life, could walk around and left to their own devices.
The party, for next Saturday I was told, was not really something that was in my mind too much, but I was looking forward to it. I knew it was going to involve a lot of drinking, now that Sirius was of age, there was nothing stopping him from getting plastered at every party he attended or hosted. So, that was where I was heading at the moment. On my way to buy some liquor.
I'm a bit small for my age, and I don't look too old, but I think there's something about my eyes that make people know I'm not a minor. It must have something to do with the war. I hate it. Kills my innocence.
"Hi, Robby. Do you have the box ready?" Robby is the probably the only legal seller of both muggle and wizard beverages. I think there are a few more other stores that deal with those under the counter, so to speak, but I consider myself a good girl. He points to a box of mixed drinks, from Firewhiskey to the traditional Guinness.
"If you want Lily, we can deliver it to the place." He says, while smiling, and I smile back. Thank God. I write him down the address of the party, Sirius place, and thank him. I know he normally charges for this, but I think he quite fancies me. He's not that bad looking either. A bit rough around the edges. I thank him again and walk out. Now on to more serious affairs.
-----
"Can you please get that thing to shut up? It's driving me insane. I swear if it cries for one more minute... am I paying you to keep him shut off, or not?" Comes the rather shrill voice of Morgan Frill. She's the head of the department of cosmetics in the popular underground wizarding warehouse, Clarisse. And when I say head I don't mean the person in charge, but the face that everyone pretends is in charge just for the sake of the real boss who really is a nice guy, but married a complete bitch, for the sake of wealth continuity. Personally, I think she's the most absurd human being in the planet, not taking into consideration those who want to purify the wizarding race, don't even get me started on those creeps. No, Morgan delves into a whole new level of idiotism.
Now, I don't know her that well, and frankly, I'm not really interested in knowing her. But, I do know that she was raised by her father after being abandoned by her mother and that if there was something she wanted she got it. By any means possible. She grew up spoiled and continued with her spoiled existence until she married Argent Frill, a wealthy man who doesn't really care about her, but pays her to go on with her spoiled existence.
I work for a sports company (actually I co-own it, it's small, but we have some pretty big clients, so there's no worry), and I usually don't have to deal with prissy people such as her. People like her only come into the store to buy the chic gym clothing and anything with a big name label we get. So when I saw a maid with a baby stroller, another one with two baby handbags, and yet another one with a crying baby enter the store I knew someone in the store was going to have one of those days. When I saw who was bringing that entourage, I knew it was going to be me. And that she meant business.
Rich people only deal with owners, but they bring the money, so I won't complain. Out loud, anyway.
After scarring the poor girl carrying the baby, she decides to grace me with her attention, and I smile dully.
"Lily, my my, you're pure bones. Are you sure you're eating correctly? Maybe you shouldn't diet." I see the girl who's trying to calm the baby down flinch at her boss's complete lack of control, but turn my gaze back at Morgan.
"Morgan." I nod.
She huffs slightly, why?, I don't care, but I don't pay heed and lead her to my office. It's only the store office, and it's not the best one in the place, after all I rarely use it so why primp it, but I like it. It looks like something completely me. The lamp are glued upside down on the desk, and everything is very modern art, no plants, no faces, no real figures, everything in red, blue, yellow and green. I sit in my chair and point to the one for get and she sits in the tip as if ready to go already.
"What do you want?" I ask bluntly. I've always been that way, and I don't want to change. People who beat around the bush annoy me to no end.
"The Flarewar Competition is in a few months, January if I'm not mistaken, and you know that my husband is one of the majority stock holders of the company that hosts it. Now the athletes were supposed to be clothed with Ando's Sporting, but as you know that company now has an extremely bad reputation since that singer/actress Veronica Wills pressed charges. Can you imagine a rash on her, the nerve? As if making those synthetic clothes would earn them more money, see how much they've lost now."
"Anyway, we need a whole new wardrobe. You probably know all the publicity your company is going to receive; after all, these games are only second to the Quidditch World Cup. I will have all the details sent to you if you accept to look them over and I will send someone to work out the details with you. You will look them over, will you not?"
She stopped her speed talking to look at me, and I slowly nodded. Content she continued.
"Fantastic. I will send them early tomorrow to your home, I don't trust offices. After you look the documents and the requirements over, just pass by the office and everything will be sorted out. You know the procedure. It's been nice seeing you Lily. Do try and eat some more."
We said out goodbyes, and she left as quickly as she came. Oh, Morgan may be a bitch, but the Flarewar Competition was something I'd never even hoped my company to be a part of. This is going to be so fun; I couldn't wait to tell Suzzanne.
------
"Would you like some chips with that miss?"
"No, thank you. And instead of the giant Coke, can I have it diet please."
"Bottle or can?"
"No, the same cup as the coke, just instead of it being the normal coke I want the diet one."
"I can't do that, miss. Diet only comes in cans or in bottles."
"But I want it in the cup. The giant one."
"I'm sorry, miss."
"Fine. Fine! Give me the normal giant coke."
"No chips, hash brown?"
"No, no chips, no hash browns."
"You're buying the combo, miss?"
"Yes, I'm buying the combo, no I don't want chips, and no I don't want hash browns."
"You will pay the same amount if you get the chips or the hash browns."
"But I don't want them."
"Then buy the burger and the coke separately."
"Do you sell the giant coke separately?"
"No."
"Then I want no hash browns."
"Would you prefer nuggets?"
"No nuggets, no hash browns, no chips. How much?"
"That would be £3.25."
"Thank you."
I pick up the tray and head towards the open booth next to Suzzanne, who's laughing her head off.
"I don't know why you come here." She says between gasps. After the great Flarewar news, I called Suzzanne and we agreed on going to eat out as celebration. Trust me to crave fast food.
"I like the burgers." I mutter, as I look around the tray. Nothing. "The little bastard didn't give me any ketchup. I'm going to kill him."
"Hold it, girl. Calm down." She says holing me back buy the shirt. "I'll get it. You're in no condition to ask for anything right now."
Angrily I bite my burger. I think they have a special training to annoy people. If it weren't for the fact that I'm practically addicted to this junk, I would never be willingly submitted to this kind of abuse. How I would love to smack the tray on his head on the way out. As soon as I think that, Suzzanne comes back with three packets of ketchup and a box of chips.
"I don't know why you don't ask for chips. These things are fantastic." Shut up. I think as I take two packets from her.
Even though we were excited about the Flarewar project, we knew it was going to be hard work. So as we ate, we discussed all the people that were going to be involved in planning it out. This was probably the biggest thing the company had been asked to do, and the publicity that would come from it was going to be enormous. Not that I was complaining.
We talked over all the details and even managed to talk a little about the small reunion on Saturday. Everything was going fine, and I had almost managed to forget about the annoying attendee. When we were done eating, and it was time to head back to work, I smiled.
"Oh no, what are you planning on doing." I hear her ask from behind me. I ignore her and pick up my tray. Heading towards the trash can my smile widens and I begin to throw the trash away. When everything on the tray is inside I give it one final push and let go. Bye, bye tray.
"Oh Lily, you did not just do that." She laughs. Looking back I see the annoying one frowning at me and I grab Suzanne's hand.
"Oh, shit, come out. I think he saw me."
Giggling stupidly we run out of the place. At least I can be a bit mean before going to work.
There was something different in the air the next morning. According to the news people it had something to do with a very high concentration level of pollution. Something about there not being enough rain to properly cleanse the air. They were probably right, it was foggy after all, but I like to remember that time as slightly mysterious. As if the world was trying to cover itself up, and making everything shady. Those who owned cars had to be careful, those who wanted to stead had their opportunity to properly blend in with everything, and those, like me, who wanted to escape the monotony of life, could walk around and left to their own devices.
The party, for next Saturday I was told, was not really something that was in my mind too much, but I was looking forward to it. I knew it was going to involve a lot of drinking, now that Sirius was of age, there was nothing stopping him from getting plastered at every party he attended or hosted. So, that was where I was heading at the moment. On my way to buy some liquor.
I'm a bit small for my age, and I don't look too old, but I think there's something about my eyes that make people know I'm not a minor. It must have something to do with the war. I hate it. Kills my innocence.
"Hi, Robby. Do you have the box ready?" Robby is the probably the only legal seller of both muggle and wizard beverages. I think there are a few more other stores that deal with those under the counter, so to speak, but I consider myself a good girl. He points to a box of mixed drinks, from Firewhiskey to the traditional Guinness.
"If you want Lily, we can deliver it to the place." He says, while smiling, and I smile back. Thank God. I write him down the address of the party, Sirius place, and thank him. I know he normally charges for this, but I think he quite fancies me. He's not that bad looking either. A bit rough around the edges. I thank him again and walk out. Now on to more serious affairs.
-----
"Can you please get that thing to shut up? It's driving me insane. I swear if it cries for one more minute... am I paying you to keep him shut off, or not?" Comes the rather shrill voice of Morgan Frill. She's the head of the department of cosmetics in the popular underground wizarding warehouse, Clarisse. And when I say head I don't mean the person in charge, but the face that everyone pretends is in charge just for the sake of the real boss who really is a nice guy, but married a complete bitch, for the sake of wealth continuity. Personally, I think she's the most absurd human being in the planet, not taking into consideration those who want to purify the wizarding race, don't even get me started on those creeps. No, Morgan delves into a whole new level of idiotism.
Now, I don't know her that well, and frankly, I'm not really interested in knowing her. But, I do know that she was raised by her father after being abandoned by her mother and that if there was something she wanted she got it. By any means possible. She grew up spoiled and continued with her spoiled existence until she married Argent Frill, a wealthy man who doesn't really care about her, but pays her to go on with her spoiled existence.
I work for a sports company (actually I co-own it, it's small, but we have some pretty big clients, so there's no worry), and I usually don't have to deal with prissy people such as her. People like her only come into the store to buy the chic gym clothing and anything with a big name label we get. So when I saw a maid with a baby stroller, another one with two baby handbags, and yet another one with a crying baby enter the store I knew someone in the store was going to have one of those days. When I saw who was bringing that entourage, I knew it was going to be me. And that she meant business.
Rich people only deal with owners, but they bring the money, so I won't complain. Out loud, anyway.
After scarring the poor girl carrying the baby, she decides to grace me with her attention, and I smile dully.
"Lily, my my, you're pure bones. Are you sure you're eating correctly? Maybe you shouldn't diet." I see the girl who's trying to calm the baby down flinch at her boss's complete lack of control, but turn my gaze back at Morgan.
"Morgan." I nod.
She huffs slightly, why?, I don't care, but I don't pay heed and lead her to my office. It's only the store office, and it's not the best one in the place, after all I rarely use it so why primp it, but I like it. It looks like something completely me. The lamp are glued upside down on the desk, and everything is very modern art, no plants, no faces, no real figures, everything in red, blue, yellow and green. I sit in my chair and point to the one for get and she sits in the tip as if ready to go already.
"What do you want?" I ask bluntly. I've always been that way, and I don't want to change. People who beat around the bush annoy me to no end.
"The Flarewar Competition is in a few months, January if I'm not mistaken, and you know that my husband is one of the majority stock holders of the company that hosts it. Now the athletes were supposed to be clothed with Ando's Sporting, but as you know that company now has an extremely bad reputation since that singer/actress Veronica Wills pressed charges. Can you imagine a rash on her, the nerve? As if making those synthetic clothes would earn them more money, see how much they've lost now."
"Anyway, we need a whole new wardrobe. You probably know all the publicity your company is going to receive; after all, these games are only second to the Quidditch World Cup. I will have all the details sent to you if you accept to look them over and I will send someone to work out the details with you. You will look them over, will you not?"
She stopped her speed talking to look at me, and I slowly nodded. Content she continued.
"Fantastic. I will send them early tomorrow to your home, I don't trust offices. After you look the documents and the requirements over, just pass by the office and everything will be sorted out. You know the procedure. It's been nice seeing you Lily. Do try and eat some more."
We said out goodbyes, and she left as quickly as she came. Oh, Morgan may be a bitch, but the Flarewar Competition was something I'd never even hoped my company to be a part of. This is going to be so fun; I couldn't wait to tell Suzzanne.
------
"Would you like some chips with that miss?"
"No, thank you. And instead of the giant Coke, can I have it diet please."
"Bottle or can?"
"No, the same cup as the coke, just instead of it being the normal coke I want the diet one."
"I can't do that, miss. Diet only comes in cans or in bottles."
"But I want it in the cup. The giant one."
"I'm sorry, miss."
"Fine. Fine! Give me the normal giant coke."
"No chips, hash brown?"
"No, no chips, no hash browns."
"You're buying the combo, miss?"
"Yes, I'm buying the combo, no I don't want chips, and no I don't want hash browns."
"You will pay the same amount if you get the chips or the hash browns."
"But I don't want them."
"Then buy the burger and the coke separately."
"Do you sell the giant coke separately?"
"No."
"Then I want no hash browns."
"Would you prefer nuggets?"
"No nuggets, no hash browns, no chips. How much?"
"That would be £3.25."
"Thank you."
I pick up the tray and head towards the open booth next to Suzzanne, who's laughing her head off.
"I don't know why you come here." She says between gasps. After the great Flarewar news, I called Suzzanne and we agreed on going to eat out as celebration. Trust me to crave fast food.
"I like the burgers." I mutter, as I look around the tray. Nothing. "The little bastard didn't give me any ketchup. I'm going to kill him."
"Hold it, girl. Calm down." She says holing me back buy the shirt. "I'll get it. You're in no condition to ask for anything right now."
Angrily I bite my burger. I think they have a special training to annoy people. If it weren't for the fact that I'm practically addicted to this junk, I would never be willingly submitted to this kind of abuse. How I would love to smack the tray on his head on the way out. As soon as I think that, Suzzanne comes back with three packets of ketchup and a box of chips.
"I don't know why you don't ask for chips. These things are fantastic." Shut up. I think as I take two packets from her.
Even though we were excited about the Flarewar project, we knew it was going to be hard work. So as we ate, we discussed all the people that were going to be involved in planning it out. This was probably the biggest thing the company had been asked to do, and the publicity that would come from it was going to be enormous. Not that I was complaining.
We talked over all the details and even managed to talk a little about the small reunion on Saturday. Everything was going fine, and I had almost managed to forget about the annoying attendee. When we were done eating, and it was time to head back to work, I smiled.
"Oh no, what are you planning on doing." I hear her ask from behind me. I ignore her and pick up my tray. Heading towards the trash can my smile widens and I begin to throw the trash away. When everything on the tray is inside I give it one final push and let go. Bye, bye tray.
"Oh Lily, you did not just do that." She laughs. Looking back I see the annoying one frowning at me and I grab Suzanne's hand.
"Oh, shit, come out. I think he saw me."
Giggling stupidly we run out of the place. At least I can be a bit mean before going to work.