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

one time I was almost hauled into jail, I was selling candy on the streets in Queens, where I grew up. The police caught me and thought that I was stealing candy from the store.''

 

 

A small laugher escaped my mouth, that's what made me laugh.

 

My friends.

 

It was nice to have Rikki back in my life and to hear her words again.

 

 

I knew, from the moment that I met Rikki, her words would always put a smile on my face.

 

 

''I miss hearing you laugh.'' Rikki says.

 

She gestures her hands on my arms.

 

 

Marybella pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear.

 

Rikki cleared her throat.

 

"I remember this one time. I was at a band concert and people were all getting chased, because we found out it was illegal to play there. And I was high at the time, so I thought the police were partying. And I jumped on one officer's back and I acted like a horse rider. " she said.

 

 

We all laughed louder this time. The stories maybe dumb, but they're funny.

 

"So besides your stories. Tell me about,....um...FARELLE. I totally forgot." I said breaking the laughs.

 

"FARELLE is okay, but there is something you need to know." Rikki said.

 

 

"What?" I asked.

 

"Ruby got in." Marybella and Rikki said.

 

"What, she got in?" I said eagerly

 

 

"Yep." they both said.

 

"I can't believe it." I said almost dazed.

 

 

I'm happy she's in. I prayed that she'll get in FARELLE and now she has.

 

Even from those moments we talked back then.

 

 

"Oh my god, I can't believe it. I can't wait to see her when I get back." I said.

 

I turned to the both of them, there were no smiles on their faces.

 

It was dead silent, like I said a forbidden curse.

 

 

''Oh...Elle. You went to jail, and they hired somebody else. You might have to fight for you job back." Rikki said.

 

"I should have told you earlier.'' Bella said suddenly.

 

 

Rikki and Marybella gave each other a look.

 

A saddened look.

 

 

"What?" I said, turning my head back and forth to them.

 

"Ever since you got sent to jail," Rikki started.

 

"You've been off the employment list. You have to apply to get back in." Marybella finished.

 

"What? But i've worked there for years, they can't do that to me." I said looking at Rikki and Marybella.

 

 

"Sorry." Rikki said shrugging her shoulder.

 

''Really...truly.'' Bella said.

 

 

Marybella holds my left hand and nods her head.

 

I couldn't believe the one job that I loved so much, was taken away.

 

Something I loved dearly was no longer labeled as mine.

 

 

"No. We're gonna do this now." I said getting up.

 

I marched towards the FARELLE building.

 

"Elle!" Marybella got up in surprise.

 

 

Rikki and Bella jog behind me, as I power walk to the bulding.

 

 

''Shouldn't you rest. I mean you just got back right now. Don't you-'' Bella suggested.

 

''No. I'm getting my job back.'' I said abruptly to her.

 

 

They're both shocked at my demeanor.

 

 

''I will not sleep until I reclaim my spot at FARELLE. I worked hard to be inthat position and I will not let myself believe that I don't work here anymore.'' I replied sternly.

 

They both silently agree. Marybella clapped in respone, unannounced.

 

 

They pace behind me as we near the doors of FARELLE.

 

 

I had missed going to work here everyday. But I didn't realize the building had grown so big over the year.

 

They must of renovated.

 

 

''Everything is so different.'' I whispered, nearing the elevator.

 

 

There were more bright lights and less white aesthetic colors nearing the glass doors.

 

I no longer remembered anything that was famaliar here.

 

 

And sometimes I would wonder, if I made a mistake. 

 

What if I was suppose to let FARELLE go?

 

 

"Elle you can't just walk in like this, you need to make an appointment. Even if you don't work here anymore." Marybella said following behind me.

 

 

But I can't let go of FARELLE.

 

Not yet.

 

 

"I dont care, I still work here and my appearance is gonna make a change." I said before busting into the glass doors.

 

I come face to face with everyone.

 

 

All the new people and interns looked at me startled

 

Nothing felt right.

 

 

What if this was a test?

 

And I failed.

 

 

I turn to my left and saw someone sitting at my reception desk. There's shock in my face for a second, as my mouth drops open.

 

 

The woman was much more classy looking than me. But she looked young enough to be my age.

 

This was not right at all.

 

 

Being in FARELLE again becomes addicting, when you've enjoyed it more than you've been heavily involved with someone.

 

It's hard to sit back and risk that peace with FARELLE.

 

 

I looked all around to see if I could find Lauren. Then, finally I spot her.

 

She walks towards me, nearing my way.

 

 

"Lauren." I say.

 

She's surprised to see me, as if nothing happened.

 

 

"Hello Elle, it is so nice to see you again. It's been so long." she said, then embraced me into a hug.

 

 

I pushed her back gently, to not fall into her happy trap.

 

Her face looked upset before I could say something.

 

 

I took a step back to regain my confidence.

 

 

"Lauren, why do you have someone sitting at my desk and what happened....to everything?" I said, waving my hands around at the new layout.

 

 

"Uh, Elle?" Lauren asked.

 

"What?" I said back to her.

 

 

"You don't exactly work here anymore, you got fired." she said.

 

"Only because I didn't return," I replied, cocky.

 

"You're reckless." Lauren said.

 

She didn't hesitate.

 

 

I was not sure if I heard her right.

 

Inside, I was devastated.

 

And on the outside, I knew clearly what she said.

 

 

Never in my life had I ever got fired.

 

I usually quit or something, but not randomly fired after one year in jail.

 

 

"I can't be fired, I still work here. I just went to jail for a year and i'm already fired?" I shot back.

 

"Well, technically you were fired 10 months ago, we started your 2 week period for your extraction from the employment list. And it was either having an intern take your place while you're gone or get fired.'' she says.

 

 

''You couldn't have got Ruby?'' I replied.

 

"How do you know about Ruby?" Lauren questioned.

 

I gesture to Marybella.

 

 

Marybella hides her face behind a curved palm, in emabarassment.

 

 

''And you never came in after the 10 months, so say hi to Roxie." Lauren said.

 

Lauren caught my attention when I turned back to her.

 

 

Her right hand slowly waves to the young lady at my reception desk.

 

I slowly turn my head to give 'Roxie' a death stare.

 

 

And she had no problem returning the favor back to me.

 

Fiesty.

 

 

"I was in jail!" I turned back to Lauren

 

"Yes I know, and everyone knows. But i'm sorry for that sudden announcement. But the board made me do it." Lauren said apologetically.

 

 

I took a deep breath, as she continued to talk me into a situation.

 

 

There was nothing as negative as this.

 

It was going to ruin my reputation.

 

This is my chance to get back into work, and i'm not going to blow it over a simple frustration.

 

 

"Fine, when I can start working again?" I said to Lauren.

 

She paused, giving an expression.

 

"Well, you'll have to apply to get back into the writers department. And you'll have to work as someone's assitant till we can give you back your orginal spot here. You have to work your way up." she replied.

 

 

"Assiant, Assitant Manager. Writer. Writer and Editor." I counted in my head.

 

"That's four positions till i'm back in my original spot." I said to Lauren.

 

"Sorry, I don't make the rules. But what are the consequences, if you're gonna apply and it doesn't work out? New positions." Lauren said.

 

I rested both my hands on my waist, pulling my jacket back.

 

 

"You'll work as Roxie's assitant, at Sara's old desk. And you'll have to help with the regular interns this year, before the new ones come in.'' she starts.

 

 

I glare at her, trying to hide the anger I felt.

 

But it somehow escaped.

 

Lauren tries to add something on to ease up the tension between us.

 

 

''But on the plus side, our new summer magazine is coming out." Lauren said smiling at the end.

 

"That's great. I'll go apply online." I said walking away.

 

 

So I pushed through it, and I left the tension behind to focus on my new job.

 

I needed to start working again, and I can't let everything get to me.

 

Chapter Three: Girl with The Great Personality

 

I applied again and started immediately.

 

 

I walk out of the room where I got my supplies for the position, to enter the glass doors.

 

Lauren was there, smiling, as I came in.

 

 

''Welcome to FARELLE, the most elite-''

 

''Cut the intro, just let me go to my desk.'' I replied.

 

 

She stops, putting her hands on her chest.

 

She looked upset.

 

And I didn't mind. I had seen enough.

 

 

But I could tell the negative vibes were radiating off my voice. And I hated to see Lauren, even slightly, today. 

 

''Good luck.'' she said to me, before disappearing.

 

 

I didn't like the idea of working at Sara's old desk.

 

It triggered me.

 

Working next to someone who was planning your downfall.

 

 

It really bites me in the ass.

 

And summer's coming up? That's even more work to think about now.

 

 

I sighed, as I tried to calm down.

 

''Come on Elle, get it together.'' Roxie said silently.

 

 

I slightly turn my head to her. 

 

Try not to be angry. At least you have your old job back.

 

 

I turn to my desk, Sara's old desk.

 

"Now, only 4 more years to go. Until i'm back in my position."

 

 

What a way to get demoted. But at least I can work my way up.

 

 

My thoughts are interuppted as Roxie makes an entrance from her desk.

 

"Alright, since you're a new assistant. You should do as I say and nothing can go wrong. I'm Roxie and i'm your boss." she says.

 

She extends her hand for me to shake.

 

 

I glare at her for a second. I hated her already.

 

Her matte red lips and happy smile made my blood boil.

 

 

This was not happening, she was not going to take my spot.

 

 

I pace to her slowly, as I finally answered.

 

My hand shakes as it meets hers, I struggle to keep my calm once we clasp hands.

 

"Hello Roxie, I hope that you know that I was the best writer and editor of FARELLE magazine. So don't think you're gonna fill my spot so soon." I said, confident

 

''Was. That seems about right.'' she replied, before stepping aside to leave.

 

 

I needed to get back to who I was a year ago.

 

But that's impossible.

 

I still don't get it. I thought the world might have changed., but only a little bit.

 

 

But it did. A lot.

 

And i'm sad about it.

 

--

 

I was feeling nervous about working again.

 

Stares from past employees. Everyone giving me the eye, saying "you went to jail"

 

 

I can hear the chant of their spirits taunting me.

 

Every intern gave me looks, as if I did something wrong.

 

 

And that gave me stress.

 

I might need to see someone about this.

  

 

I hear footsteps near me, as I watched everyone work like usual.

 

Marybella came up next to me.

 

 

I turn from my desk and look ahead. A couple interns give me death stares, as they pass by.

 

Bella comes into my view before I can even say anything.

 

 

"Don't worry, it's fine. They don't know about you coming back to work." Marybella whispered.

 

 

Just then I saw Ruby, and my eyes lit up.

 

I remembered, she was working here now.

 

 

That lifted my mood.

 

I'm so glad she's here.

 

She can make my day better.

 

 

"Hey Ruby." I said, almost loud enough to be heard.

 

 

She turned and gave a slight smile.

 

She said something to a group of interns passing, then walked over to me.

 

 

I looked like a huge weirdo, just smiling as she approached me.

 

I just couldn't help the joy of her seeing me again.

 

I