Is Your Bedroom Ceiling Bored?

16

Working at your job was something you used to keep your mind off of everything. Life had been so stressful lately. Even when you were watching your favorite movies with Juliette in her attempt to try and cheer you up, your mind couldn't help but wander. You kept thinking about Grace.

You felt scared to message her. What if she doesn't want anything to do with you? Sure, you no longer wanted to be affiliated with her in a romantic light, but you were hoping she would want to be friends with you after you told her everything.

Everything. That was what was on your mind. You couldn't help but have a dazed state of mind when you were selling books to customers.

It hit you how tired and depressed you must've looked whilst you reflected upon the recent events. Then a middle aged woman snapped you out of your drifting mind.

"Huh?" You asked, with heavy eyes. Your lack of sleep was apparent. To hide this, you straightened your spine and put a fake smile on your face. "Hi, would this be all for today ma'am?" You asked as you took the book she was handing to you from her hand.

You glanced at the cover. It was Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken - the second book to The Darkest Minds series. The same series that Grace was reading. Your stomach sunk when you saw it and your nose stung. Little things reminded you of her and it hurt. It felt like you were being impaled with a dagger to the heart. It was like a constant reminder of how selfish you felt to be dragging her along when she was so clearly tired too.

All Grace ever was, was a distraction.

"Yes! Thank you." Said the woman. As you were scanning the barcode on the back of the book, she spoke up again. "Do you think this is a good book? My teenage daughter wants it and I just wanna know if it's bad for people her aged."

"Uh, no." You began. "I read that book when I was younger. I don't think it's too inappropriate for a teen." You said, telling her what she would like to hear, not going into detail. You were pretty sure a white woman like her wouldn't like her kid to be reading anti-government shit, but it's whatever. All you could care for at this moment was the foggy memory of Grace's teary eyes.

"Okay, good." The woman told you. After she played she left the store.

Your phone buzzed and with a groan, you pulled it out of your back pocket. You so desperately just wanted more time to think, but your face softened when you saw that it was Karl.

Hey u work at barnes and noble right?

What a strange question.

yea why

Why would he be asking?

no reason, just forgot

You were confused but decided to let it slide. You quickly sent a quick reply back as you felt a tap on your shoulder.

alr? 😭

"Hey, do you need somethin'?" You asked when you saw it was your manager who was trying to get your attention.

"You seem tired." She said, concern tracing her voice and gaze.

"I am." You replied with a chuckle to try and brush it off.

"Take an early break. Just get back in forty minutes." Your manager said as her hand rested gently on your shoulder.

"Forty?" You asked, taken aback. Your usual lunch break was about twenty minutes, forty seemed a bit generous.

"Don't make me make it ten." She joked with a smile.

"M'kay." You said, smiling along with her. "Thanks."

"It's no problem." She began. "I'm just being a decent human being. No need to thank me."

"Okay. Thank -" You started to say but cut yourself off with a laugh when you realized the irony. "I - I'll get going now."

"And I'll take it from here." Your manager told you as you began to walk to the Starbucks that was connected to the bookstore where you usually ate.

You went up to the counter and began to speak to the employee. "The usual?" Asked the cashier you knew. You smiled and nodded.

"Yup."

As you waited for your food and drink, you went and sat down near the window, on a bar stool, as your mind began to wander. Maybe your phone can distract you right now. Distract yourself from your distraction.

Opening up Instagram was a mistake. The first thing you saw was a picture of Grace she posted this morning. The caption read "You don't love me anymore."

She was obviously talking about you. You were about to text her something, an impulsive apology, hating the feeling of someone hating you. Suddenly, the familiar cashier called your name before you could even begin to type anything, them calling you for your food.

"Thanks." You said, emotionless as you walked back to your stool.

Sitting down with a sigh, you took being interrupted as a sign to not text her at all. Maybe you should wait a little longer.

"'Scuse me, ma'am, are you okay?" Asked a familiar voice from behind. A voice from the past. You slowly spun around on the bar stool and saw Karl of all people.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" You exclaimed. "Oh, my God, no way!" You laughed as a smile spread across your face.

"Long time no see." Karl said with a laugh, it was different in person. It just all felt more real. You could see his smile ten times better than your stupid android phone would let you while on face time.

"Fuck, can I hug you, man?" You asked as you stood up and off the stool.

"Course!" Karl said with a smile just as bright as yours. Maybe it was brighter since it seemed to brighten the entire restaurant. All you knew was that it definitely brightened your day.

After you got permission you immediately pulled him into a tight and loving embrace. It all felt so nostalgic, reminding you of the days at school when you would have some sort of oral presentation and you would get nervous. He always hugged you before those classes. It was always warm and comforting.

His arms were a place you could fall asleep in. You were finally happy in his arms. It was always the peak of your day when you would be in his arms at last.

It was the peak of your day then, and it's the peak of your day now.