*March 25th, 1911
Lauren’s POV
I was unusually happy about going to work today maybe it was because of the new employee that had arrived a week ago. I would spend the workday doing my job and having a light conversation with her and it made the nine hours go by fast. Her name was Camila and I had learned she was the same age as me, 17. Her family had recently immigrated here to the United States to make more money just like a lot of the other workers here. Her mom was working in another factory where they paid her a little more but there were no spots left for her that she had to come here to help her family. Camila was beautiful with long brown hair and glossy brown eyes. I think the first time I saw her, I felt like I forgot how to breathe.
“What floor?” Asked the elevator operator.
“Ninth.” I answered. The elevator went up stopping every few floors for the others. Finally when we arrived at the ninth floor, I saw her already at the table. I got out of the elevator and took my place in front of her.
“Hello Lauren.”
“Hello Camila.” Thats how each day started, with a simple greeting.
“Only a seven hours today.” Camila said happily.
“Yeah, saturdays are the best.” I answered.
“What do you usually do with the extra two hours?”
“Go home and help with the chores.” The conversation went on like this till we found a different subject to talk about. The conversations with her were simple but they were my favorite. She would always make me laugh at least ten times during the workday. Not a simple giggle laugh but one that made the others around me tell me to hush.
“Lauren, my dad told me a joke he heard the other day from his friend. He didn’t understand it at first because he doesn’t speak much english but when he told me I explained it to him.”
“You learned English fast. So what’s the joke?”
“Yeah, I studies a little before we came here but my parents don’t know much. The joke was why is six afraid of seven?”
“Why?”
“Because seven eight nine.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I see why your dad might have trouble understanding.”
“Yeah, he didn’t know what eight was and I had to translate it for him. He had pretended to laugh when he heard it and when I explained it to him, he took a while to understand him.”
“I feel like you’re better at being here than I was. You have been here for a week and you’re smarter than I was.”
“I think that its because I love to read and I decided to teach myself a little bit of english with a book my parents worked hours to buy me. They always said education was important. They were hoping that here I would be able to go to school but we have to work instead. When we first got here I was the one who helped my parents find a place to stay and locate jobs. Where did you learn to speak english?” I couldn’t believe that she was both beautiful and smart.
“A some ladies that I used to work with helped me each day learn a little each day. They didn’t know much either but taught me what they each could. They said I was young and that I could still do better in my future. I then switched jobs because this one payed better. I’m glad now that I did switch because I met you.” That made her smile and I think I saw a small blush form in her cheeks. From the light from the windows I knew it was almost time till we would be able to go home. Camila and I continued to talk till we heard a loud scream.
“Fire!” I turned to where I heard the lady scream and saw the fire rising from the floors and getting bigger. I looked at Camila and she was scared. People began to run to the door and tried to open it but it was locked. They banged on the door pushing hoping to break the lock but it was without vail.
“What do we do?” Camila asked with eyes beginning to fill with tears.
“I’m not sure.” I looked at where the fire was coming from and it was getting bigger. I saw a women coming from the flames her arm caught on fire. Shrieking. There were women all around yelling at the top of their lungs most in different languages. They were all cries of help. The screaming was stopping me from being able to think straight. I felt Camila take a hold of my hand and looked at me with scared eyes, asking for help. I knew I couldn’t let her down. I looked around the room again and saw women beginning to go on the fire escape.
“There.” I said. We went to the fire escape and women were pushing trying to get on it. I pushed our way through and helped Camila get on it. I was about to take a step when I saw the women ahead begin to fall. It was collapsing. Camila began to fall too but I was able to grab her arm. I still felt the pushing from behind coming and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to bring her back up. She was dangling and I was trying to pull her but I knew I wasn’t strong enough. I felt her arm begin to slip from my hand. Suddenly a woman grabbed Camila’s arm and helped me pull her up.
“Thank you.” I said to the kind women. She nodded before she frantically looked around the room again. I looked around the room too and the fire had increased and made its way to the door. All the women who had been trying to get it open were now consumed in flames. It was getting harder to breathe and there weren’t any other ways out of the building. The smell of burning flesh made me want to throw up.
“Lauren we’re going to die aren’t we?” Camila asked me with tears in her eyes.
“No, there has to be a way out of here. I’m not going to let you die.”
“Lauren there is no way out. The door is in flames and the fire escape fell down.”
“There has to be a way.” I looked around the room again. The women were running around frantically. Then I saw it, I saw two women jump. I felt my stomach tying into knots.
“Its the only way.” Camila said. She was looking at the women too. I knew what she meant, that it was either that or a slow burning. I grabbed her hand and we slowly went towards the window.
“Camila before we do this, I have something to tell you.” It was getting harder to breathe but I knew I had to say it.
“What is it?” She asked.
“I love you. Since I first saw you, I fell in love with you.” She looked at me and smiled.
“I love you too.” I smiled. I gave her hand a squeeze. I hadn’t been happy since I came to the United States. I hadn’t been happy working in this at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory. I hadn’t been happy till I saw her. Now I was going to die happy. Holding the hand of the one I loved.
“3, 2, 1.” We jumped and suddenly everything was black.
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A/N I got this idea during history class. I tried to keep the story as historically accurate as possible even thought I know I failed. I hope you like it. If you don't want any more sad stories you should give me some suggestions. -S
