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

last year?'' I asked.

 

 

I was anxious to know, even if I wasn't there for competition.

 

I wanted to know if everyone did great, and if we won some sort of prize or something.

 

 

''Actually,...we didn't get to go. Because of you.'' Rikki said dropping her smile.

 

''Why, didn't Lauren take my place?'' I replied.

 

''She tried, but the judges said all writer and editor's of the magazine company should be there. We got disqualified.'' Rikki says.

 

 

The small joy I felt, disappeared.

 

It felt the skies above me fall over quickly, it turned grey.

 

 

Sometimes the skies are grey and I like it.

 

Sometimes, I don't.

 

 

''I can't believe we got disqualified because of me, it's all my fault. Only because of a stupid mistake that I made.'' I finally said.

  

''It's not your fault,"Rikki claimed.

 

 

"Plus we've got better things to take to Brazil this year. So we'll talk later.'' Marybella said rubbing my shoulder.

 

She hurries to her office and Rikki ran to her office too.

 

 

I'm left in the middle of the area, near my reception desk as Roxie approached me.

 

 

She approaches me with a box of her belongings.

 

She had something snarky to say. I narrowed my eyes.

 

 

''Sorry, I had to take you're place. But hopefully, it'll go well at contest in Brazil.'' Roxie said.

 

She gave a nasty look, before she exited through the glass doors.

 

 

''Goodbye, Cruella.'' I said under my breath.

 

I watched as her figure left.

 

 

Suddenly I felt a little more happier, the one who wears Calvin Klein had left.

 

I smiled as I went over to my receptionist desk.

 

 

It's so good to be back at my own desk again.

 

 

''Everything's finally falling into place.'' I whispered.

  

--

  

When I got home I plopped on the couch. I groaned as my tired back tensed from the pillows.

 

Jacob came in as I screamed into a pillow.

 

 

''Work got you tied up?'' he asked.

 

''Yes, I have a full on big commitment to FARELLE now. I proved to everyone that i'm ready to go back to work, and it doesn't feel as amazing as I thought.'' i said.

 

I groaned into the pillow again.

 

 

''Hey.'' he says.

 

''What?'' I said lifting my head.

 

''Wanna go shopping? After being together for 2 years we've never been shopping, at least not together.''

 

 

I smiled as I saw his smile begin to form too.

 

 

''I can't believe they're having a sale on bath and body works.'' I said, picking up 3 different things.

 

''Are you sure we can't just buy one?'' Jacob asked me.

 

 

''No, summer is almost here, I haven't done anything around the house lately. I need to refresh my lifestyle with new things.'' I said, picking out candles.

 

''I'm glad you're getting used to things again, it's nice to see you happy for once.'' he says.

 

''What do you mean by that?'' I asked turning to him

 

 

''It's just that....you're trying so hard to fit back in again. I think you should just let it settle, get used to things being the way they are now.'' Jacob said.

 

 

I turned my eyes down.

 

I couldn't fight back and say something.

 

His words silenced me.

 

 

He was right, I was trying too hard to get things back to normal.

 

 

''You really think a lot of about me, you know that?'' I said smiling to him.

 

''Every single day has passed since I met you, and I still can't stop thinking about you.'' he replies.

 

 

He leans onto a shelf of candles which caught my eye, I slightly smile and look to Jacob.

 

 

''That's nice. About, how I need to just let things flow. But I can't help it. I need to get things back to the way it was.'' I replied.

 

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. But again, it's just me.

 

Always with an opinion.

 

 

Jacob lifts my chin to his eye level, I hadn't realized he was looking at me.

 

''Wanna go see a movie, something to cheer you up?'' he asks.

 

 

A small smile spreads across his face.

 

''Yes.'' I replied, putting a candle back on a shelf.

  

 

 

''Are you excited to see the new Paranoid Scared Straight movie?'' Jacob asked, holding two bags of popcorn.

 

''I haven't watched any movies in a year, of course i'm excited.'' I shot back.

 

 

My excitement was on full power mode.

 

I was ready to finally see a movie after a year of nothing but fights and drama to watch from the cells.

 

 

''Me too. I'm glad we're finally spending some time together. Since you started working again.'' he replies.

 

''Hey, don't bring up work. It's the weekend, remember?'' I replied to him.

 

 

I scrunch my nose to reveal a smile at him.

 

We find our seats.

 

 

The lights dimmed down as we saw the big screen flash with characters and advertisement.

 

A scene comes on which catches my eyes.

 

 

''Hey, is Jail anything like this movie hitting theaters soon?'' he asking, taking a mouthful of popcorn.

 

I knew he was playing around with my mind, and it was not that funny.

 

 

I looked up from my popcorn bag and saw the characters, wild and crazy.

 

Fights break out. Hair being pulled and food being thrown around.

 

I flinch as I watch the seriously bad fight start before it breaks into silence in the theater.

 

 

 

''Something along those lines, except for the cat fights.'' I replied with a smile.

 

It's too bad, he doesn't know what it's really like.

 

But I hope he gets the picture.

 

 

Then, the movie started

 

And I was enjoying it.

 

 

It fades from black to a starting scene.

 

Big soliders approached the main character, as she ran and eventually broke ice caps. She fell in the water.

 

An intense scene to start with.

 

 

''I'm going to use the restroom.'' I said to Jacob.

 

I got up to leave.

  

--

  

I washed my hands vigoriously in the sink.

 

The restroom stalls aren't all the clean or spacious.

 

I keep remembering the toilet that was close by in the cell.

 

 

I shudder at the thought.

 

Besides, I don't think i'm going to be eating my popcorn anymore.

 

 

Just as I turned off the facuet, I took a quick glance in the mirror and saw someone.

 

Bot not just anyone.

 

Sara.

 

 

She looked just as stunned, as I pat dry my hands with paper towels.

 

''What are you doing here?'' I asked sternly.

 

 

She ignored my answer and went to wash her hands.

 

I looked at her furiously, she caught on and didn't look at me.

 

 

Finally I gave up, if I had stared any longer I would have burned a hole into her head.

 

 

Then, she finally had an answer.

 

''I'm here on a date. Nice to see you again, Elle.'' she says sweetly.

 

 

After all this long time, she suddenly shows up out of nowhere and says she's on a date.

 

Can't she remember what she did to me?

 

 

''So how's life?'' I asked, steadying my voice.

 

''Great, how's yours?'' she asked in a tone.

 

 

I replied with a raised eyebrow.

 

''So you guys still a thing, you and Kyle?'' I asked finally.

 

 

The empty restroom sounded alluring with the whirs from the cinema A/C that caught my attention.

 

I turn back from the empty stalls to her.

 

 

''No, I broke up with him. But not neccssarily yet, i'm currently with someone else.'' she responds.

 

''So you're cheating on him?'' iIshot back silently.

 

 

''Not cheating, exploring my options.'' Sara said applying moisturizer to her hands.

 

''So cheating?'' I implied.

 

 

Sara looked up upset, eyes glossed. 

 

''What if he hates me, what if I made a mistake?'' she says.

 

 

She was still the same old girl she was before.

 

But I had to let my anger on her go, it's not good for my soul anymore.

 

 

''No, he wont.'' I said comforting Sara.

 

 

I couldn't believe I was still talking to her. I don't even have to deal with this. 

 

I can just walk away and pretend this never happened.

 

But I stayed anyways.

 

 

I watched Sara wipe her tears.

 

''I miss having you as a friend.'' she said.

 

 

I gritted my teeth at the mention, I didn't know how to break it to her verbally.

 

We weren't really friends, but I guess you can call it that.

 

 

I look down at my feet before looking up again.

 

My eyes shift to her's, not able to show an expression.

 

 

''Well, things happen. You were just doing your job.'' I finally said.

 

 

I finally admit it, that I forgave Sara at this point.

 

She was not a bad person.

 

 

Sara was just doing her job, and that included me hating her forever.

 

But it's worth the grudge.

 

I had to let go.

 

 

''So how's everything with your new date?'' I asked.

 

''It's fine, i'm just glad I got to see you again. I wanted to apologize for forcefully abusing your time, you know, before jail and everything.'' Sara finally replied.

 

''Let's put this behind us. Besides, i'm gonna go back now. I want to watch the rest of this movie with Jacob, before it's over.'' I replied.

 

 

I left the restroom before Sara could say anything else.

 

 

It was quite weird to say there was an awkwardness in the air, but a silent ring in our last conversation.

 

A nice conversation we had, since she locked me up.

 

Things were changing after all.

 

 

The motion on the screen moved along as found my way back to my seat.

 

''Everything okay?'' Jacob asked, as I sat back down.

 

''Yep.'' I replied.

 

Chapter Four: 99 Cent Dreams

 

''Vanessa?'' Lauren says.

 

She's quiet for a second as everyone around her lingers.

 

I watched from my reception desk, as the fashion pre-show was being set up.

 

 

''What's up?'' Rikki says.

 

I turn my attention to her nearing my desk.

 

''Nothing, just watching the model's practice for the pre-show. The big showcase in the magazine face off's. And I have to run the track like everybody else, when Lauren finally gives me a task.'' I respond.

 

 

''Are you really gonna do that?'' she asks curious.

 

''Who expects me to do that in Gucci?'' I said.

 

 

I lifted up my legs showing the boots I took from the big closet earlier this morning.

 

I see Rikki looking down at them in awe.

 

 

''Wow, Gucci must be everything to you.'' she says with a smile.

 

''Well not Gucci, but also Prada and Louis Vuitton and Fendi. And Givenchy-'' I say back happily.

 

 

Lauren continues to yell at everyone, which strikes us as normal to us.

 

Her voice echoes around the area.

 

 

''Wanna get out of here?'' Rikki asks.

 

''Gladly.'' I said prompt.

 

''Great.'' she replied.

  

 

  

''I never expected you Rikki ,as the type to order a girly drink.'' I said.

 

''It never hurts to get a venti iced coffee, unlike you.'' Rikki points to me.

 

I look down to my drink, she was right. 

 

 

But also very wrong.

 

 

''Hey, a soy vanilla latte, extra whip, no cream is an all person choice.'' I shot back.

 

''You know that.'' Rikki replied.

 

 

I stare up at the sunny sky.

 

A gust of wind blows by, I shiver.

 

 

''Can't wait for the warm weather to hit the suburbs, don't you?'' I ask.

 

''Yeah, so ready for summer here in Manhattan.'' Rikki says.

 

 

''Hey, now that we're talking about summer...I figured since i'm back at work and we're talking off FARELLE grounds. We should hang out more, you know since last year.'' I insisted.

 

''Yeah, we should. But I can't choose between central park or a nearby resteraunt.'' Rikki says, as we cross the street.

 

''We can try 90 Rockers again, we haven't been there in a while.'' I replied.

 

 

Rikki and I laugh.

  

I remember the last time we were there, we fought and things ended up getting ugly.

 

But that was last year, this year we make new things happen. With me.

 

 

''Sure.'' Rikki said unwillingly.

 

''I forgot to ask since i've been back. How are you,....since I last saw you?'' I asked.

 

 

Our side by side walk was awkward, it seemed weird to talk to Rikki again.

 

Not even formally.

 

Like we were friends before, and now.

 

 

But it needs to be official again.

 

 

''Well of bunch of neighbors put me in a mental hospital, and I got better and found my peace.'' I said.

 

''You were in a mental hospital?'' I ask, a little concerned.

 

 

''Yep, and with that kind of record, it