Maybe Things Aren't So Bad After All
1045 Words
Known as the wallflower with the beautiful long hair and dark eyes hidden three-quarters of the time by horn-rimmed glasses, Jessica was one that did her job extremely well, yet when people asked just who Jessica Brooke was, no one seemed to know.
Jessica refused to have the events of this day ruin this shot for her. This day was to prove to her managers that the experiment she had been working on had a realistic potential of changing how the world today used energy.
Trying to stand up, Jessica’s eyes worked hard to focus on her friend and co-worker.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
Kelly’s green eyes widened.
“That was a nasty spill honey. You were out for a good two-three minutes. Everyone here has been worried sick!””
“Really?”
Kelly began to help her up off the pavement slowly. “Yes.”
With wobbly legs, Jessica braced herself up against her good friend’s arm much to the delight of the rest of her co-workers who continued to stand by with nothing to say. (Fix sentence)
This wasn’t the kind of attention Jessica wanted. She needed to lighten the mood.
“Everyone show is over. You can now finish your skate to the building. Glad I was here to infuse a bit moment of both hilarity and humiliation into the day.”
Slight chuckles could be heard as everyone not only finished the careful walk towards the building, but also picked up Jessica’s papers and netbook.
“Thanks everyone.” She said as the last person carefully placed her white computer onto her hands as she and Kelly made it safely in front of the door.
Kelly kept a firm arm around her shoulder, so much so that Jessica felt her arm go numb. She moved a step away from her breaking the hold.
“You sure you’re okay Jess? Do you want me to help you into your office?” Kelly said.
Jessica touched her face as she nodded. She was trying to diffuse any more horror by making sure she had gotten the entire banana off her face.
“No, I’m fine. Did I get it all?” she asked.
Seemingly relieved, Kelly couldn’t help but to laugh at the site where the banana made a perfect red outline of itself on the side of her face.
“Yes. It’s all gone.”
Jessica continued to touch her face. She could feel herself grow warm with embarrassment, as her index finger she touched the buckled outline.
“Oh s**t! Are you kidding me? Kelly, why didn’t you tell me?”
Kelly continued to laugh. “Oh honey It’s not so bad. It’s a just a red mark. It’ll go away.”
Jessica moved her long hair towards the front of her face. She hit her friend hard on the arm for laughing so hard.
“Come on silly. It’s not so bad. You’ll see.” Kelly reassured.
Kelly rushed her good friend into the bathroom so that could she inspect herself. Jessica couldn’t help but to sprint pass her through the door and view herself in the waist-length mirror that was over the sink.
Thankfully, Kelly was right. It was just a red mark.
After placing some cold water on the mark along with some makeup to cover it, the mark was gone in a few seconds.
She completed her look with some mascara, and some red lip stain. Kelly had never seen her friend look so beautiful before.
With the last thorough brush through her wavy locks over and done with. Kelly overwhelmingly approved.
“You look beautiful.” Kelly said.
Jessica removed her coat. Unfortunately, the new white satin blouse she purchased was a casualty of her fall. It was a muddy mess.
The two women grimaced. Kelly’s eyes began to widen. She knew how stressed out Jessica could get. She didn’t need add anything else to put her past the brink.
“You’ll have your lab coat on. No one will see that.”
Jessica turned towards her in disbelief. “Do you really believe what you’re saying to me right now?”
Kelly wrapped some stray blonde hairs around her ears, revealing a pair of beautiful rhinestone earrings. Deciding to take a breath, she needed to think carefully about what she was going to say before it was too late.
“Well...okay...no. But, you know what? I got an idea.”
“What is it?”
Kelly took off her coat to reveal with a brown cashmere sweater with a crisp white long-sleeved blouse underneath.
She examined her friend from top to bottom, scanning the details of her outfit to see if anything she had on would match. She took off her sweater and gave it to her.
“Here, wear this. It’ll look great with that skirt and those boots.”
Jessica grabbed the sweater and ran into the stall. Seconds later, all traces of the fall were gone. Both women were satisfied.
“That’s so much better! “ Kelly said.
Jessica hugged her friend. “You rock! Thank you so much!”
Kelly adored Jessica. Jessica was one of the few people in the plant who didn’t treat her like a second-class citizen for being an administrative assistant. Never mind that other people like Jessica viewed as a member of the team, in fact the most vital member, who would always made sure that regardless of the situation, all was taken care of.
Kelly smiled and kissed her good friend on the forehead. “That’s what friends do. Come on sweetie. Gotta get you ready for your presentation.”
Jessica pulled away. She took a deep breath to sink in all that had happened to her so far.
“You’re going to do just fine. I’ll get some breakfast and coffee for you at the kitchen. You just get your notes in order and calm yourself down. You can do this Jess.”
Jessica closed her eyes. “Yes, I can.”
“Yes you can and will. Now, let’s go.” She told her friend as they both walked out of the bathroom and down the hall towards the lab.
Maybe the day wouldn’t end up being so bad after all.
- Writer
