SAM ~ Tuesday 5:53 am
Tuesdays were never her days. Back in elementary school, on tuesday, she had an early math class followed by chemistry. Needless to say those weren't exactly her favorite classes. To top that all off, her (well meaning) father signed her up for one of his "very nice colleague's" piano lessons. Which, of course, happened to be on a Tuesday well into the evening, and she had to commute to his house.
Seeing his proud smile when he came to pick her up however made it all worth it in the end. Unfortunately his so called friend was a total creep, but she never realized that until much much later. She never knew what exactly happened but her father had cut him off pretty fast. She received a profound apology, and also one new spanking Nintendo DS. Good deal.
She remembers that on one summer tuesday she came downstairs to make breakfast and found her cat lying on the couch in pain. She called her parents ,of course, but by the time they arrived from work, the kitty had already passed. She spent the next few hours on the patio staring out at the sun, eyes shining with tears, holding back sobs that made her throat hurt.
It was a sort of a first for her. She never lost anyone close to her before and this loss in particular hurt deeply. Little did she know, this "first" was one the many she would eventually experience.
Her grandmother passed 4 years later and she's a bit ashamed to admit, she didn't cry. It sparked a guilt that came back to her on sleepless nights, one that had her turn and stare. She truly loved her grandmother, she did. But when the time to say goodbye came, she felt mostly... empty. No red eyes, runny nose or a trembling lip. After all it is the human nature to adapt, even to something like loss.
The thing is, when you meet someone new, you usually don't bother yourself with thoughts about their departure from your life. When a close friendship starts, it's a feeling that cannot be ever replaced. Exciting and new it brings forth all the possibilities for the future, all the fun to be experienced.
Meeting the Washington twins was one such amazing experience. They transferred to her local high school when she was 15 (and 7 months but who was counting anyway). With their parents moving around so much, the twins were accustomed to a frequent change in their environment. It seemed like they were both each others best friends, and were okay with keeping it that way (much opposite from their older brother Josh, who was an enigma all by himself)
The girls caught her attention almost immediately. Twins they were, but as easy to tell apart as day and night. With their clashing personalities and styles, it seemed they were almost trying to be as different as possible. Approaching Beth was the second scariest thing she had done in her life (apart from killing some wendigos). While Hannah, sweet shy and timid looked scared of everything around her, her sister looked ready to take on anyone, anything (even the whole world) to protect her.
Once she realized Sam was not a threat, and just wanted to be friends, she introduced her to her twin, whuch in turn got Sam to introduce her own friends as well. After that Josh got into the mix with the older students and the rest was history.
But early on, it was just her and the twins. She remembers one october evening, sitting in the plush chairs of their at home movie theater, watching movies and laughing into the night. The mess they made was benefiting of three fifteen year old girls who had too much time on their hands, and too little respect for anything. She's pretty sure she saw the cleaners glare at her when she visited again, but that was probably a warranted reaction.
But as it is widely known, tuesdays are the days she hates the most, meaning she has to be at the clinic at 6 am sharp. Not much time to think about old friends. Even less about the one she killed with her own hands.
Pulling up into the parking lot, she watched the sun shyly peek its head out behind the tree tops. Another day full of worried owners bringing in their pets. Oh and of course, a butt load of paperwork.
Since Mary was already in, there was no need to unlock any doors or get the lights going, not that it was a part of her job in the first place.
She quietly slipped into her office and closed the door. Getting her laptop out she checked the calendar and saw her first client was scheduled at 7am sharp. A Chihuahua it seemed.
She was hardly a pencil pusher, and some time to herself seemed very much deserved. The office was as quiet as can be, with the morning light shyly shining through the window and the only sound that could disturb a human being coming from the water cooler out in the hall. While the calmness was appreciated, it also filled her with a low sense of anxiety.
Her mind can often take control of itself and lead her to some places she'd rather not be in. Fingers a little limp, she reached for her phone, eager to get her mind off of the stillness of everything.
She could watch something or she could just.. go on social media. Without wanting to think too much about it, her fingers pressed down on the Instagram icon opening up her old highschool account. One that.. Hannah persuaded her into creating.
Her parents were a bit.. old fashioned when it came to social media, so Hannah offered to create an account with her in secret. Young Sam had been so scared that she refused so many times, until Hannah promised her there was no way her parents would know. She remembered her heart pounding in her ears as she pressed the 'create' button. Looking back on it, the worries that plagued her mind were so little, so insignificant. But oh how she'd give so much just to have them again now.
The main page must have been pretty interesting, since she had been staring at it for a good 15 minutes now. Oh what a great way to use her free time. Her account looked about the same as it did in highschool meaning... pretty dead. She posted a few hiking photos and some pictures of her meals but. That was all. She mostly used it to talk to her friends, or rather, to like or comment her more invested friend's photos.
The following tab had been opened unconsciously and she blankly stared at the names. Both Hannah's and Beth's accounts were there, both without any new updates for more than ten years. Well as were possibly everyone else's except for... Jessica. She actually made a post just yesterday. Seemed like a shot of the sunset, most likely taken from car, with the caption "Made a full recovery!".
She and Jess had never been close but Sam had half the mind to like the post, make a comment, even call the girl, anything at all. It was a sort of helpless feeling, the small gnawing screaming at her to reach out, but the fear of rejection and her own hesitation if she even wanted to reach out stopped her.
"You dumbass" she muttered, placing the phone down and rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands. She should be focusing on her work not.. on whatever this was.
Sighing, she grabbed her best daughter' mug from her desk drawer and headed out into the hall to get some coffee from the lounge. As soon as she approached she saw a head pop out of the reception booth.
"Good morning doctor Giddings" Mary smiled at her brightly, braces showing. Sam gave a quick smile in return before busying herself with the coffee pot.
"Hello Marry, I trust you had a decent morning? As decent as can be with you having to get here so early at least". Mary just nodded reaching into her pocket to place an envelope on the desk "Its honestly fine. I'd never get a working experience like this otherwise, and I'm genuinely happy to help".
Sam, now with her cup filled, turn back around seeing an envelope being offered to her. Bewilderment crossed her features, as she couldn't remember anyone sending her mail directly to work.
"This one arrived shortly after i got here. Apparently it's an express delivery for you". Sam gently plucked the envelope from Mary's fingers, turning it around in her hand. No sender.
"Thanks. Did they say who's it from?" she pondered as she took a sip of her coffee, letting the flavor melt on her tongue. "Mm mm" Mary shook her head "Sorry".
"That's fine, thank you as always Mary. You've proven to be the most helpful" she shot her another quick smile before making her way back to her office in a hurry. She could not remember giving anyone her work place as an address so the only way the letter got sent here was if... someone looked her name up on the internet, and the first place that came up was the clinic.
That seemed a little... creepy to say the least. All that was on the outside of the envelope was her name and the address. It was light so it seemed unlikely to have anything inside besides, well a letter. But, she had work and that came first. Slipping the letter into her bag she grabbed her keys and went to the room reserved for admitting the patients, directly connected to the waiting room.
She tidied up the place, making sure she had her gloves and everything else necessary ready. Then, just as she drained the last bit of her coffee (which tasted a bit bitter at the end) she heard the front door opening signaling her first patient arriving.
Mary's bright greetings and instructions were mutely heard as well as the person's agreement. Then footsteps followed by a soft knock on her door which she responded to with what she hoped was a professional sounding "come in!"
She grabbed the spray bottle ready to sanitize the table and thought back to her calendar. Who was her first patient today again?Ah right.
The door opened. "So today you're here for your first checkup with the little lady hm? Has her behaviour been strange at all lately? Anything that has you worried?"
Wiping away the last bit, she looked at the now squeaky clean table, proud of herself, but got no reply. Strange. She was sure she heard someone come in. Glancing up at the person, she had to to do a double take, heart jumping into her throat.
"Sam?"
EMILY ~Tuesday 9:00 am
As much as she loved her job, she still appreciated the days off. While work took her mind off of almost anything else, she could also spend hours reading at home, relaxing in a bath or just simply watching whatever piqued her interest.
Even so, waking up in her house all alone didn't quite help with the deep set feeling of lonely ness. She couldn't even remember the last time she had guests over, much less the last time another human being spend the night with her.
But life is what it is and there's no point in pondering about the past. If she wanted to get some company, she very well could, but Emily didn't need company. After all, even the people who you think are the closest to you, will turn their backs on you the moment you become an inconvenience. Instead of getting a bullet in her brain, she'd rather make sure to be prepared to take care of herself.
The large window in her downstairs kitchen revealed the glorious seaside. Seemed like the waves were mild today, perhaps feeling drowsy just as she did. Making her way to the counter she put some water to boil and grabbed the green tea (best brand she could find) from the cupboard. She hardly ever drank coffee, nor alcohol anymore. Having your head clear is the best way to be prepared in life. As well as clearing your mind regularly. Meditation and dedication as she liked to call it.
Pouring the water in, she took a seat at the counter, still staring at the ocean. Nature was a beautiful thing, unpredictable, yet without any emotions. It was a strong force that always found a way no matter how many obstacles were in it's path. She hopes she's at least a little similar. No matter her insignificance in the long run... she wants to make sure she's got complete control over her own life.
Maybe that was the reason she and Matt split not long after the "incident". As much as it made her feel like a horrible human, she never truly had much feelings for him. Dating him was a sort of way to get back at Mike. She admits, it was a childish way, but... he hurt her and she hated that. She disliked how unhappy she felt the days after they ended things, how lost and insecure he made her feel. And so she woved to not let anyone make her feel that way again.
And Matt was... for the lack of a better word a hindrance. She couldn't really become what she needed to be with him following her around like a lost puppy. So she tried to break it to him as gently as possible and, to her surprise, it seemed like he already knew.
Even after breaking up they spend time together for a little while longer, just to make sure they weren't dependent on each other anymore, and then went their sperate ways. They still kept contact after all these years, and he always invited Emily to his games, which she accepted, if her schedule allowed it.
Frowning Emily picked a red pear from the fruit basket on the table and opened her planner. She tended to get lost in her own head when she had nothing significant to do. Taking a bite of the pear she flipped through the pages to reach today's date. Hmmm. It seemed that apart from having to approve some new covers, today was truly a free day. She could start the little bit of work around six, giving her about... 9 hours of free time.
Maybe squeezing in some yoga would be nice. Making a home cooked meal, and reading a good book would suffice as well. Yes that seemed like a good idea. Still a productive yet relaxing way to spend her day.
Making her way upstairs to her bedroom, she opened the closet and threw out her excercise clothes. In the process of putting them on her phone started buzzing. "Just my luck" she groaned and went to grab the phone, dressed in a sports tank and pajama pants.
The number of the caller revealed it was a company phone, but one she knew very well. Rolling her eyes she accepted sighing "did you forget it's my day off today? I'd rather spend it peacefully thank you very much"
Hearing the chuckle from the other side followed by a "Hope you're doing well too Em. And no this isn't actually about work, but i have no other way to reach you. Never gave me your personal phone number, remember?" she stopped in her tracks.
"Right, right. But that was for a reason Chris. Do you actually need something serious" She frowned, forcing her pants on as best as she could with only one hand.
"Well here's the thing, right. So we're having a little highschool get together, and i kiiiinda hoped you'd come along". Before she could open her mouth to say a flat "no" Chris continued in a begging voice.
"Come on, Em. You hardly do anything else than work. Seeing everyone else again could be a good experience don't you think?". Pausing with only one leg in her pants, curiosity got the best of her.
"Who exactly is everyone? I hope you don't mean Mike". She huffed putting the call on speaker as she threw the phone on her bed, finally properly dressing. "Uh well" came the hesitant reply.
Eyes narrowing she stepped closer to the phone. "You've got to be out of your mind Chris, why would I ever want to see that guy again" she hissed.
"I dunno, but letting go of your past grievances is a great way to move forward in li-" She swiped at the 'end call' button, abruptly ending it.
Huffing she put on her jacket. 'Unbelievable." She sighed, starting to tie her hair back "I give him a spot in my company and this is what i get in return?' she thought angrily, stomping down the stairs.
Her phone buzzed again from her pocket signaling a message from none other than Chris.
9:13am
-its not gonna be just mike yknow
9:13am
-we let most of the others know as well
9:13am
-think about it okay? everyone would love to see you
9:14am
-especially jess i think
She rolled her eyes, but came to a stop, thinking. Meeting the others could actually be kind of nice. As far as she was concerned, they were the only close friends she ever made. And if seeing Mike meant she could finally show him his place after all these years, well maybe a meetup wouldn't be such a bad idea. And, after all, this time she was better prepared to handle anything that life threw at her.
Deez