Insane

•Chapter 8: First Time•

My sleep is interrupted by my cell phone buzzing under my covers. I crinkle my face at this disturbance but my eyes remain shut to avoid the bright light. "Where the hell...?" I grunt as my arm brushes through the whole bed. A sudden thump on the floor causes my eyes to open wide. "Oh there it is." I lean over across the bed and pick up the phone that's now in inertia. My eyes adjust to the bright light and I scan my notifications.

"Good morning! Coffee today? @2:30?" I can always hear people's voices when I read their texts and I could hear Henry's gruff voice perfectly. My eyes shift to the top of the screen to see the time, "1:27?! I need to get ready!" I jump out of bed, grabbing the attention of my four legged companion. I get to the bathroom and start to prepare myself. It's been two days since the incident with the doll and I believe it's behind me. I think the doll was the only thing left in the house that left the eerie vibe. Fortunately, my new job starts tomorrow and it's a new start from there on.

-
The rattle of the phone shakes the house and I rush downstairs to silence it. "Hello- Hello?!"

"Scarlett? Hi, I'm Daniel Kit"

"Uh huh..."

"Oh I'm sorry! I forgot you missed the meeting! I'm your assistant now."

"Meeting?! What meeting?!"

"The meeting for new hires, it's ok don't worry. You didn't miss much." His voice was high pitch and sounded almost as if he hadn't gone through puberty.

"I think I've heard of a Daniel before but I believe he's a manager like me. From another department maybe?"

"Oh yes," He lowers his voice and gives out a forced laugh. "Actually, that used to be my job but you do have more qualifications than me. Therefore, I am now your assistant."

My eyes widen and I cover my mouth, "Fuck! I took his job! Why can't you just keep your mouth shut for once Scarlett, come on!"

I let out a guilty grin, "Oh goodness I'm sorry, I would've never thought that they would make you MY assistant I should've-"

He cuts me off with his enthusiastic voice, "No! It's not a problem at all! I just wanted to make sure we weren't strangers when you walked into the office tomorrow morning that's all." He let's out a laugh.

I respond with a sarcastic chuckle, "Well, in that case, that's very sweet of you... and um, I can't wait to start working with you. Ok?"

"Yes ok, bye!"

"Uh-!"
I apart the phone from my ear and stare at it in awe of his speedy disconnection. I extend my hand to place the phone back to its stand and my eyes tumble to my watch, "2:25?!" I place the phone and grab all my things.

-
I tap the steering wheel nervously as I stare at the car clock. 2:58. "Why does town have to be so far away?!" I pout.

Traffic finally cools down and I pull into the café. I see Henry sitting at an outside table turning his coffee cup trying to waste time reading all the warning labels. I sigh at the sight of his boredom. "Hey!" I yell from the parking lot. "Hey! I'm so sorry!" I push my sunglasses up to the top of my head. Henry corrects his slouching and lifts his head to find the source of the yelling. "Huh? Oh! Scarlett, hey!"

"I thought you forgot about me." He opens his arms wide and he pulls me into a tight hug that feels like a warm blanket. "Well, I thought you were going to forget about me and just leave. I'm so sorry for making you wait for so long. Can I buy you another coffee?"

"Oh! No no! I'm fine thanks." He says, holding a hand up to prevent me from buying another.

"No really, I think I have a gift card somewhere in here." I begin to scavenge through my purse to find a solitary gift card covered in dust or old spilled face power.