Crossroads

I have been hiding behind my cubicle for the past three hours, hoping no one actually looks for me. Working as a Journalist is not easy when you are constantly trying to hide away from people. I hate the limelight, I always have. Now you are probably wondering why the chocolate cake I am a Journalist and the answer is simple, I love writing. Too simple? Well, it is the truth. I have always loved writing and my dad has accused me of using it as an escape. Is he wrong? No, no he isn't. The world behind each word I wrote looked better than the world I actually lived in. I could add unicorns and rainbows, and no one could stop me, while in the real world I have to face all the crap to dishes for me.  I stare at the edited work of one of our head journalists and I always wonder how these people get so many errors in their work. I am a junior editor but you'd swear I write most of these articles due to how poorly written they are. I send the final edit to our publisher and move to the next article when a knock disturbs my peace. "Lunch on me?" Cole requests with a smug look on his face that irritates the daylights out of me. "Cole, I have work to do. Besides, I do not appreciate you disturbing my work." I state and turn my attention back to my computer. "You need to let your hair down, Dawn. There is no harm in letting loose once in a while." He remarks and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. "Thank you Cole but it's not gonna happen..” I state as finality and turn to my computer. I can still sense him standing by the door but I don’t look at him until he walks off. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. My lunch hour comes and my stomach decides to make a statement I’d rather forget.  I get up and drag my body to the kitchen where I know I’ll have to deal with people. As I enter, the noise dies down and whispers begin. The strange kid has entered the kitchen and even the kettle knows that as it goes quiet. I ignore all the whispers and head to the microwave oven to heat my lunch. Dad decided to make lasagna my lunch to enable my social skills.  “If you never get out of your cubicle you can never meet a guy that will marry you.” He had said while packing my lunch. Yes, I still live in my father’s house. It just so happens that this 22-year-old refuses to add bills that I can’t afford. Plus, my dad would get lonely without me.  As soon as my lunch is warm enough, I grab it and go outside near the smoking area. There's a bench here and most people don't come to this side of the building. I enjoy my lunch in silence with only the birds chirping and calmness in the wind. The green of the trees is livelier under the spring sunshine. This is just a reminder of how hot the summer is going to be but I'm not going to lie, I do enjoy the sun.  After my lunch hour, I head back to my cubicle to finish some work. Immediately I turn on my computer an email pops up. Dear Miss Knight The annual company gathering is right around the corner and like every year you are invited. Your presence would be highly appreciated as this is a big event for the company. Venue: Great Gala Hall Date and Time: Friday 19:00 Dress Code: Formal WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Management. K. Yale Aagh! Another reason I just wanna disappear. This is just a reminder that I need to hide better. My cellphone begins blinking. I answer it without looking at the caller ID. "Dawn Knight." "This is a clear sign that you didn't check your caller ID." My childhood best friend blares through my phone. "Remind me again why I blocked your number?"  "I don't remember and I'd rather forget those dark times." "Me blocking your heinie for being annoying was not dark times."  "If I can't annoy you daily, then those are dark times." he retorts and I find it hard not to laugh at his drama. "The drama! Okay seriously, why are you calling me?"  "You'd swear you didn't like hearing from me. If I didn't  know better I'd think you have a new friend but I know better." "The circles are making me dizzy!" I exclaim and I hear him snicker. "Yet I have the drama. - he takes a dramatic pause and I'm tempted to hang up - I am taking you to dress shop tomorrow for the gala that's on Friday."  He says and I collect my thoughts for a moment. "Hold up, I just read my email a minute ago, how do you know about it already?" "What can I say? I have friends on the other side. We'll talk when you knock off."  he says and hangs up before I have anything else to say, rude much. I can already tell that this is going to be a long week and it's only Monday.  I try to focus on work but I can't help my mind from wandering off. I have been told that I have an overactive imagination but I honestly believe that my thoughts are controlled. Well except when I talk to myself, I believe everyone does that, wait they don't? Their lives must be boring.  My phone blinks and this time it's a text message from my best friend. 'BTW I'm your date for the Gala! Mcwa!' Somebody, please remind me why I am friends with this guy again? But I guess having him around will make the night easier. Who am I kidding? I'm going to be tortured the whole night. I might as well finish my work before the drama begins.