Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I walked inside my apartment with 3 coats on my right arm and coffee on my left hand. It was a struggle opening the door but I managed to do it just fine. The trip home from the dry cleaners today was a little interesting.

There was a couple in front of me on the line to get some coffee. When they were next to order, the guy went on his knees and proposed. It was a sight! It was my first time to witness someone proposing and they're literally in front of me. I'm so glad she said yes because it would've been awkward if she hadn't.

Apparently, they met at the coffee shop 5 years ago today. They ordered the same drink and grabbed that one drink at the same time. An absolute meet-cute.

I dropped the coats beside me as I sat on the couch. I took a sip of my PSL. So good. They were just released today and I made sure to get one since I have been checking their coffee shop's Instagram account every now and then to know PSL's release date. Tasting it now makes me more excited about Fall. It's my favorite season and I can't wait for it to finally hit.

Today just keeps getting better.

My phone began ringing from my small sling bag, which was still on my shoulder. I checked to see who's calling – Hailey.

"Hey, Hailey. What's up?" I said as I picked up the phone. I took another sip of the coffee.

"Not much, just checking up on you."

My eyes narrowed at her question. Weird. "I'm okay. How about you? Everything good? How's Josh?" I asked.

"We're fine," she replied nonchalantly.

I raised my eyebrows in suspicion, "Really?"

She chuckled, "Yes, really! I was folding up the laundry, sorry if I sound emotionless."

"Okay." I said and took another sip of the PSL, "So what's the real reason?"

I stood from the couch then went into the kitchen. The PSL is still hot so I placed it on the table and removed the lid for it to cool off.

"Um, nothing really. I just want to know how you're doing," she said then there's a long silence.

Son of a bitch!

She's asking how I'm doing because of what happened last week.

"Oh, would you stop?" I said exasperatedly.

"Stop what?" she replied feigning innocence.

"Just stop bringing that boy up. And yes, I'm referring to him as a boy because that's what he is. It's been a week now since that whole drama. I've moved on. You can do it too."

"I'm not saying anything, Lauren!" she said defensively.

"Oh, come on. You think I don't know you?"

She laughed, "Alright, alright, you caught me."

"Duh, 'course I would!"

"Well, last week was really sumthin, huh?" she said teasingly.

I shook my head, "Please stop."

"Oh, Lauren, kiss me!" she said dramatically.

I laughed, "That's not what happened!"

"Oh, so now you're thinking about it?"

"You brought it up!"

She got serious, "You told me you made out."

"Yeah." I felt my face heat up. Gosh darn it, I'm not blushing!

"So... Is it French?"

"Hailey!"

"Oh, does that boy kiss with tongue?" she said in a naughty tone.

"Oh my God." I rested my palm on my forehead.

"So, it is!"

"No, I didn't say that!" I pleaded.

"Come on, Laure. What are best friends for?"

"Oh, I can think of a lot of things but not that."

"Oh, pleaaaasseeee."

"I already told you everything last week. What more is there for you to know?"

"But you didn't give me enough details."

"How much more detail do you need?"

"Every. Bit. Of. Detail." she paused at every word for emphasis.

I rolled my eyes, "Goodbye, Hailey."

"But –" I ended the call.

I placed my phone on my right jean pocket then grabbed the PSL off the table. I looked over the window as I drink. It's a lot easier now since it has already cooled off a bit. Mm, so good.

I noticed that the leaves are starting to turn orange now. I have to make plans to go to Central Park when the leaves start falling.

My phone rang again. I shook my head then picked it up.

"Hailey –"

"Hello, Ms. Grant. Is this a good time to talk to you?"

I closed my eyes in embarrassment, "Yes, of course! May I know who this is?"

"This is Alicia Deveraux from MGC Models."

"Hi, Ms. Deveraux," I said quite taken aback. Why did I not check the caller ID before picking up?

"We have received your application through our Careers webpage."

"Yes, I have submitted my application there." I nodded.

"Upon review, you are qualified for an interview for the position of Accounting Associate."

"That's great. When will the interview be?"

"Uh, yes, I'm calling to see when you're available?"

"I'm free anytime this upcoming week."

"Great, so we'll have you on Thursday."

"Okay," I said as I nod.

"Please be here by 10 AM for the initial interview and we'll see where to go from there. I'll send you the company address and other details and requirements for the interview via email."

"Alright, I'll be sure to check it."

"Okay, so do you have any more questions? Clarifications?"

"Uh, nothing, for now, I'll email you back in case I have questions regarding the requirements."

"Great, see you on Thursday, Ms. Grant."

"I'll be there, Ms. Deveraux."

"Bye," she said then hung up the call.

Wow.

Before I knew it, I was pressing on Hailey's name on my phone.

She picked up after 2 rings, "So... ready to tell me more?" she said teasingly.

"MGC Models just called me," I said in shock.

"What?!"

"Yeah, what's embarrassing is that I thought it was you. I thought you were the one who called."

"Oh my God," she interjected.

"And I'm just so glad she spoke before I said anything more than your name. Oh my God, that would've been so humiliating."

"Lauren, I told you to always check the caller ID before picking up your phone!"

"I know, it was so dumb of me. I just assumed it was you."

"Haven't you learned enough from College that assuming is bad? I mean come on, you had to learn it the hard way. Remember all your failed quizzes and exams?"

"Yeah, never assume unless otherwise stated. I know." I felt like I was reciting to my mother.

"So, what did they say?"

"She said I qualified for the position and they want me to go in on Thursday for an interview."

"That's great! Congratulations, honey!"

"Yeah, I guess so. I'll see how they are on Thursday."

"Yes, do it! And if you don't like the environment, remember you can always decline."

"Yes, thank you, Ms. Human Resources."

"Hey, anytime," she said with a chuckle.

"Hey, I was thinking..." I said, changing the topic.

"Hmm?"

"Let's grab a bite to eat tonight. Nothing fancy. I just want a night out with you and Josh." I suggested.

"You want a night out with us or are you just lonely?"

"Hey! I really want to spend time with you. But it also didn't help that I'm always eating alone." I frown.

"Oh, you poor baby," she said in a baby voice. "Alright, we'll pick you up at 6:30."

"Really?" my eyes brightened with delight.

"Yes, you're lucky we don't have plans tonight. But we'll just wait for you downstairs, I don't want to walk all 6 floors."

"Hey, the elevator's fixed."

"What? Finally!"

"Tell me about it." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, took them long enough. Alright, I got to go now, I have to tell Josh we're all going out. We'll see you later." she said.

"Okay, but I mean it when I said nothing fancy. No drinks. I just want to eat like a kid. Burgers and fries kinda night."

"Okay, okay, we'll take you out, kid." her voice sounded very much like a Dad.

I laughed. "Alright, take care later. Bye!"

"Uh-buh-bye," she said then dropped the call.

I finished drinking the PSL then tossed the empty cup in the trash. Speaking of trash, I remember the coats in my living room with all the plastic still wrapped around them. Since Fall's about to come, I don't really need the coats to still be covered with plastic. I went back to the living room to remove the plastics for recycling then turned on the TV as I sat on the couch.

"Axel James and Samantha Henriques... Hmm, what do you think, Stacey?"

I looked at the TV and there were pictures of Axel James on my screen. Great.

"I don't know, Allie, I mean they were just spotted together outside Ferguson Models, L.A. but there's no denying they look good together." Stacey nodded.

"Definitely no denying! So, what's the verdict? Do we ship?" Allie looked at Stacey.

They looked at each other then to the camera. "We ship!" they said in unison with bright smiles.

I rolled my eyes then turned the TV off. On second thought, I can fold up the plastics without background noise.