“What’s so funny?” I cover my eyes to block out the light.
She just giggles and shakes her head. “I think the better question is what exactly were you dreaming about?”
I sit up on the couch to make room for Alanna, my face flushing with embarrassment. “Oh God, what was I saying?”
“Well, I only caught the last few bits and pieces, but something along the lines of how beautiful you think he is. So tell me…” She flutters her eyelashes dramatically. “Is this another dream about Gabriel, the sex God extraordinaire?”
“Oh, geez.” I curl my knees into my chest. “I was dreaming about him again. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s been way too long.”
Alanna smiles playfully. “I find it rather amusing actually, and so much better than watching you have your usual nightmares. This is nice for a change. I think it’s a sign… there’s only one way for you to get it out of your system.”
“And what exactly is that?”
“You should go straight to that big fancy building of his, storm into his office, and fuck him relentlessly right on his desk.”
“Jesus, Alanna, you can be so crude sometimes.” I laugh. “What happened to you looking out for me huh?”
“I am looking out for you.” She winks. “You’ve come a long way. And I think this is a good time to ease yourself back into it. Just remember to keep it casual.”
“I’m not even his type,” I protest. “And I don’t want to think about it anymore. I just need to get out of this apartment because I’m going crazy with boredom. I was hoping tomorrow night my super popular BFF might be able to actually book me into her schedule for some girl time.”
“Of course my darling, anything for you.” Alanna grins. “So what part of town shall we tear up tomorrow?”
“I’ll leave that up to you, you always know where all the hot guys hang out.” I stand up and stretch my tired muscles. “But for now I’m dragging my ass back to bed, so I can get to the courier office first thing tomorrow.”
“Always so motivated.” Alanna chuckles. “Go to bed and get some rest because you’re going to need it for tomorrow night.”
I plod down the hall to my room, collapsing onto the single mattress on the floor and curling into the blankets around me.
***
The next morning I’m woken by the annoying sound of my cell phone. I reach to the nightstand beside me, knocking some of the contents to the floor as I fumble for it in the dark. I check the screen and frown when I realize it’s only six-thirty.
“Hello?” I whisper groggily.
“Victoria!” Marvin’s voice booms through the speaker. “Where the hell have you been? I tried calling you five times last night, you never got back to me.”
I roll my eyes at my overly dramatic boss from the courier service. “Jesus, Marvin do you even know what time it is? You never call me this early. I fell asleep early last night and I must not have heard you call.”
“Well, I don’t care what you were doing last night, all I care about is that you’re here at 7:30 sharp. I have an important delivery I need you to make this morning.”
“Alright fine, 7:30 got it. See you then.”
I shut the phone and crawl out of bed. It’s unusual for Marvin to call so early, and even stranger that he demand I make a delivery. We have about ten couriers fighting for work, so I don’t really get it. I wonder what could possibly be so important.
I make my way to the bathroom and go through the motions of having a shower and brushing my teeth while still half asleep. I apply a few dabs of mascara and my usual Red lipstick- the small amount of makeup I do wear on a daily basis. By the time I’ve dried my long hair and run my fingers through it to tame my wild curls, I realize I have five minutes before I have to leave.
I dart back to my room, throwing on a pair of skillfully shredded leggings, my Cherry Red Doc Marten boots, and matching red leather jacket. This is one of my usual work outfits because my boss doesn’t care what I wear, so long as I get the parcel there on time. I developed my own sort of style when I finally got away from Eleanore, and its one thing I refuse to bend on.