When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

get used to seeing her up here more.

 

Besides, it was better.

 

 

''I was so nervous, I practically scrubbed  myself so hard, that I left a mark on my forearm in the shower. See?'' I said pointing out the red mark on my skin.

 

 

''Beats me. I practically cut myself with shaving. That's why i'm wearing long jeans today.'' Rikki replied.

 

''What about Marybella?'' I said as we went down.

 

 

The elevator door dings and opens, as we see Bella standing in front of us near the lobby.

 

She sighs as we head towards the right for breakfast.

 

 

''This is the worst morning ever. I had to wrestle Mark off me when I got up. And my hairstyle is not as good this morning.'' Marybella said.

 

She pointed to her possib bird's nest bun on her head.

 

It looked like a wreck.

 

Bella sighs agian.

 

 

''By far the worst from us all.'' I replied.

 

''What does you mean?'' she asks.

 

''Me and Rikki left bruises on our skin and you have a bird's nest on your head.'' I reply trying not to laugh.

 

 

Marybella starts to laugh.

 

 

Then we follow behind Marybella to our table.

 

It was kinda funny. Her head could fit a whole family of blue jays.

 

 

As Rikki and Marybella hurry to get in line for food, i'm still wondering when the sun's going to come up.

 

This is way to early for any of us to be up prepping for competition.

 

Way to early.

 

 

 

''Alright, everyone let's get started. We'll have early sessions with the bosses this morning. Writers and editors meet with me in the Cabana meeting house. Designers and models, meet with Vanessa in the competition's head quarters private show case room. And photographers outside on the golf course. Then interns, you're with me.'' Lauren said.

 

 

The crowd of employees look back to their plates, as I slurped the last of my drink before i'm dragged up suddenly.

 

Walt, grabs a hold of my hand.

 

His strong muscles had a good grip. I couldn't get free from it.

 

 

I look to see that Rikki and Bella had left our table.

 

 

''Sorry to interuppt breakfast, but we need a minute before our competition meeting in the cabana.'' Walt says.

 

I'm sat down at a different table by him

 

And I notice everyone at the table.

 

 

That's one of the casual problems with being a writer, you get dragged into everything.

 

I sit down as others prepared to listen.

 

 

''Since the competition this year is different. I want to address that our main writer, Elle, will be taking the spot for writer of the year.''

 

''Wait? writer of the year, what does that have to do with me?'' I asked.

 

Lauren leans in to speak.

 

''It means you're our writer representative for FARELLE magazine. It means you're our best shot for winning in the top categories this year.'' Lauren says.

 

 

''So basically the whole world of this competition is on my hands?'' I replied.

 

''Yes. Exactly, and for Sara, she's taking the spot for most experienced intern. While Walt, our new intern is taking the intern course essay.'' Lauren says.

 

 

Jeff interuppts just in time.

 

The nervous knot in my stomach had brewed away.

 

He was my savior.

 

 

''Lauren, I have news.'' he says.

 

He gives me a wink, I smile back.

  

 

Lauren sighs, then leaves to follow alongside Jeff. Leaving me and the other writers and editors behind.

 

Sara finally joins our table as Lauren is clear out of sight. 

 

 

All eyes on her, of course. Most of our intern writers depended on her to make the competition good when it's her turn.

 

But part of the pressure was on me.

 

Lauren comes back in a few seconds.

 

 

''Sorry for the quick message. Jeff informed me about a problem with KARL magazine. Unfortunately they almost lost their best model to suicide attempt.'' Lauren says.

 

''Oh my god, that's horrible.'' Sara shot back.

 

 

''I know,...but back to work. Sessions begin after breakfast in the cabana. All I can tell you is be ready.'' Lauren says.

 

 

Lauren gathered papers in her hands and headed towards the beach with Jeff following beside her.

 

Everyone returns to their tables.

 

Rikki and Marybella bite their lips waiting for me.

 

 

Competition was gonna be even harder today, thank god we get practice beforehand.

  

--

 

''Alright, pull up the word app document and start typing away. You have 15 minutes to write me up a whole chapter on just the nature and beauty of things.'' she says.

 

Lauren scouts the cabana, her eyes touch mine as I glare back.

 

''Begin!'' she yelled.

 

 

"The trees are very pretty. Nothing can replace the thought of beautiful trees in nature...."

 

 

 God, I can't even come up with a good sentence to start with.

 

My frustration grew bigger as I huffed at my possible chapter beginning.

 

 

I tried again, this time typing slowly.

 

 

''14 minutes.'' Lauren says walking by.

 

 

I close my eyes, then look back up at the blank screen.

 

I turned abruptly and looked out into the ocean ahead of me for a bit.

 

 

The beach is so soulful. The water calming.

 

The crashing waves and the crips taste of salt.

 

I had an idea.

 

 

"Though the water may be screaming my name, it's knows it'll brighten the shores with just a little love. Love is the answer, to everything. Believing that somewhere out there, you will have someone's love. Either through a flower, or a simple sweet honey kiss. It's a beautiful thing to be called someone's love....''

 

 

My typing went fast as I continued. The story and dialouge getting longer.

 

I wrote and wrote about the love for the sea, my love for the sea and the beautiful beauty of love for god's sake.

 

 

  

''And time's up.'' Lauren said.

 

She came over to my laptop first, reading slowly but fast with every sentence. Lauren searches the words as I stare at the amazement look in her eyes.

 

It was at least 544 words long, practically almost a chapter.

 

 

But I was proud of my work, how much i've changed to get better.

 

 

Lauren leans up from her position. Her hands linger on my chair as I glare back for my answer.

 

She smiles greatfully then moving on to the next person.

 

 

A smile from Lauren usually means that I surprised her. Maybe even shocked her a little bit.

 

And the nervous knot in my stomach had disappeared.

 

But I knew it was going to come back in a few hours.

 

 

 

''Moving along. One more essay to write. It has to be 2 pages long. Even longer if you prefer dialouge.'' Lauren points out.

 

''This is basically your life in my hands, if you write well...we win and get the the troph. If we lose, then better luck next year.'' she implied.

 

 

Everyone's eyes grew wide as she strolled the aisles of open laptops and interns just 3 tables down. 

 

 

''So I want your fingers to get to work almost. We have to compete, type my little dandelions. Type!!'' she confirmed.

 

''I want you all to write an essay on FARELLE magazine and the lucky chances some of you have experienced.'' Lauren said.

 

 

She was basically pointing a finger at me.

 

Sure I was her favorite, but it doesn't mean she's purposely pointing at me for something I was good at.

 

''Go!'' Lauren said.

 

--

 

''Hey, I brought the tea bags.'' Rikki says as she enters into Bella's hotel room.

 

 

I was too busy looking at the massive spill of clothes on the ground to notice her in my view.

 

How could Marybella focus on the competition, if her room's a mess when she leaves.

 

 

''How on earth are you gonna stay focused, if you come back to a messy room.'' Rikki finally confessed.

 

''Easy, cleaning is my remedy. You guys drink your tea and relax, while I clean up.'' she replies.

 

 

She continued, folding clothes as I sat comfortably on the ground. While Rikki brings water in a pitcher to our sitting spot on the ground nearing Bella's bed.

 

Rikki sets down a tray of 2 cups with tea bags already in them.

 

Aongside sugar packets and the pitcher afterwards.

 

 

''Tea for the tension. Peppermint or ginger?'' she said.

 

''Ginger, I need all the tea I can get before competition.'' I replied.

 

 

The ginger washes over the nervous knot built up in my stomach since the practice sessions.

 

Rikki sighs in relief as we take in a moment of silence.

 

 

I open my eyes after a second to look to my watch.

 

My eyes widen.

 

I take one more sip before setting down my cup.

 

 

''I have to go. I have a massage in 13 minutes, see you during competiion time.'' I said.

 

''Hey, that's not fair.'' Rikki yells after me.

 

''Nothing's fair.'' I said as I exited.

 

 --

 

The relaxing, quiet room flowed into me as my smile perked up.

 

''Is this okay?'' asked my masseuse.

 

''Yes.'' I replied softly.

 

 

My tense muscles loosened as I layed still.

 

The masseuse's hands pressed continuously into my back.

 

 

And the smell of the massaging oil filled my lungs, as I layed happily with a smile on my face.

 

This was the first and best massage.

 

Then, as my thoughts subsided, the timer goes off and I open my eyes.

 

 

''Time's up. Cmpetition in a couple minutes. Get ready, a message from Lauren.'' My masseuse says.

 

Of course Lauren would inturuppt my massage to tell a message.

 

I got off the table, as the masseuse gathers her things and left the room in silence. The table being pulled behind her.

 

I clinged to the sheets on my body.

 

I shuffled around to cover myself up as I streched from my relaxing position.

 

I was comfortable.

 

 

But then I heard the door click.

 

 

Heavy footsteps enter. It wasn't the masseuse's footsteps.

 

I'm was quickly alert.

 

 

Jacob comes into view as I stumble to keep my body covered up.

 

A small smile comes across his face.

 

He probably thought that he caught a glimpse of me before I sat down.

 

 

''What are you looking at?'' I said, unaware of the sound of my voice.

 

I said it a little too quickly and out of nowhere.

 

 

''Why are you covered in sheets?'' he asked.

 

''I got a massage before the competition. It just ended a minute ago.'' I answered.

 

 

I quickly cover the bare exposure of my leg, as I casually tried to remain calm and collected.

 

 

Jacob walks over to where I'm sitting, and leans onto the bed.

 

He nears his head to my ear, as I felt his hot breath nearing my neck.

 

It gave me goosebumps.

 

 

''By the way, if you think I saw anything, I didn't. I only saw your legs.'' he said.

 

 

I quickly got up from embarassment and went to the bathroom.

 

Jacob might have caught another glimpse of me partially flustered from the moment.

 

 

I quickly put on my clothes from earlier, and I gave myself a pep talk as I looked in the mirror.

 

The knots in my stomach had returned.

 

This realization was excruciating.

 

 

Even just for a day.

 

 

''You can do this. You're gonna get out there and win.'' I said to myself.

 

 

I looked at my reflection one more time, then opened the bathroom door walking back into the bedroom.

 

I rush by Jacobs without speaking another word. 

 

Jacob follows behind as my confidence flared.

 

 

I exit our room as I heard the door close behind us

 

 

When I reached the elevators, I grew weak again.

 

The same feeling I had this morning.

 

I slowed down my pace and came to a stop.

 

 

''You okay?'' Jacob says next to me.

 

''Yes, just a bit nervous.'' I replied.

 

 

The elevator dings as the doors open. I walk in and Jacob joins me.

 

Silence grew inside the elevator as it reached the lobby floor.

 

 

The doors open again and I walk out.

 

I see Marybella near the lobby. She's pacing back and forth.

 

 

Rikki had a drink in her hands.

 

It was too late in the day to drink now.

 

 

I sighed deeply and walked over to where she sat. I swiped the drink from her hand.

 

Rikki looks at me, astonished.

 

 

''Hey, that's my drink!'' she says.

 

 

Rikki reaches for it again, but I place it on a nearby tray being taken back by a server.

 

''You need to be sober.'' I said.

 

Rikki pouts, sitting back down.

 

 

As she sits down, I look over my shoulder to see how Bella's doing.

 

 

Marybella's eyes shift to me. Her nervousness overcomes her body as she begins to shake.

 

I've never seen her this anxious before.

 

 

''Bella, calm down, it's okay. We're gonna be fine.'' I replied, sitting down next to her.

 

I rubbed her arms up and down as she bit her nails.

 

She stares at a table in front of us before speaking.

 

 

''How can I calm down when i'm about to go on stage and strut my stuff. It's the first thing for the competition. The fashion show case is a big deal and I have stage fright.'' she replies.

 

She bites her nails again as I tried to calm her down.

 

I put my