Shattered

Hazel (e)

Hazel
4.
A semi was beeping in my dream. Backing up straight toward my little, silver Prius. But that's crazy because behind me was at least a good hundred foot drop, the sparkling city lights of the busy New York streets directly below. Cars the size of ants were backed up along the streets, people just the same. If I fell, it wouldn't just be me getting crushed. What I want to know, though, is how my car got stuck on the top of a skyscraper.

I was doing my own beeping, laying both hands against my horn, but the truck didn't seem to hear. It just kept backing closer, closer, closer...

My eyes sprung open. My alarm was going off with that same incessant beep as the truck in my dream, my heart about jumping out of my chest. I glanced around the dark room—just to be sure. My eyes fell on my phone.

6:17

My alarm has been ringing for two minutes?

I sprang from the warmth of my bed, nearly tripping over unpacked boxes as I shift around my room for the light switch. I had less than an hour to be at the coffee shop.

Quickly, I shower, dress and shove my dark hair into a messy ponytail. With a single glance in the mirror, I looked...presentable. Save for the bags underneath my eyes and the flushed, bleary-eyed expression.

I guessed that'll do.

On the way out the door, I spot my portfolio sitting untouched in the same chair I had left it since I moved in. A portfolio filled with my future—the only reason I wanted to move in the first place.

Fashion and drawing was the only reason for coming to the city. If mom and dad had tried to talk me out, told me it was better off if I stayed home, I probably would have listened. This move felt more unsure and more demanding than anything I'd ever done, and the ever-present anxiety that had sprung on me the moment I arrived, formed inside my stomach all over again. That familiar pool of dread.  I shook my head and sighed.

Carefully, I flipped through each piece as the doubt gnawed at my insides. Would it be enough? I ran my fingers over a sketch of a dress, frowning slightly. I wanted to believe I was doing everything right, or at least what made sense.

I had to at least try, but if I couldn't get in to my Gucci or Calvin Klein dream job, I didn't know what I'd do.

Chase's eyes followed me the whole way to the counter when I stepped into the coffee shop. It wasn't a long trek, but I sure felt the short distance with his penetrating stare.

Glancing at my watch, I did my best to ignore Chase and the uneasiness growing inside of me. It was a miracle I actually made it on time. I'd hailed a cab on last minute thought, but should have assumed the early morning traffic would keep us at a stand-still for a good ten minutes.

Chase looked different. I couldn't help but notice his flushed complexion, unfocused gaze, and his balance teetering as he poured a customer's order. Although I didn't think much of it, I couldn't help but hear the warning bells chiming in my head as I watched Chase disappear to the back and not come out for several minutes.

I texted my boss of my sudden suspicion, and as Chase reappeared, I quickly hid my phone and scurried to the counter to widen the distance between us. Chase noticed, the corners of his mouth tilting upward ever so slightly.