Spy Of My Life

Chapter Three

I open my eyes, and reach for my phone to see what time it is. It’s only 10 in the morning.

I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep, but Jade pulls my blanket off of me, and says in a very chipper voice: “Come on, Sofia, it’s time to wake up! Rise and shine! Your interview is at 12.”

I grunt and try to put the covers back, but my strength is not enough for Jade’s energetic mood. She throws away the blanket on her bed, sits down beside me, and gives me a push.

“- You need to wake up, girl. You look awful, and you smell awful. I don’t think two hours are enough to make you presentable. Look at that messy hair, and oh my God those panda eyes. It’s like you were in an underground fight last night. Come on. Get up, get up!”

I give up, because I know you can’t go against a chipper Jade, and I speak from experience. I stand and suddenly, I feel it. My heads starts hurting like never before. How can SHE be so cheerful, with the amount of drinks she had last night? I think that will remain a mystery.

“- Sweetie, you go straight to shower. The water is warm like you like it. I’ll lay something presentable for you to wear. A nice clean shirt will do. No, go on!”

And at that moment, I feel like a child being told what to do by her mom. Jade is actually a very responsible and organized person. She’s so good at taking care of others. I would know. I am a very messy person, but our room is always spotless and neat. I always I find my clothes folded after throwing them somewhere on the floor.

I jump under the shower, and let the warm water envelop my aching body. I don’t remember at what time we came back to the room last night, or should I say early this morning. I go over the events of last night; the last day of training with Dr Gonzales, the party, my conversation with Jade, Ray’s speech, and Jamie. Last night was full of emotions. It was the day before the beginning of my new life, but it’s also the end of something amazing.

I think the interview I’ll be having later, and I feel weird. I am definitely excited about what the future is holding for me, but I don’t know how to deal with being away from Jamie. And I definitely don’t know how to deal with the whole ‘lying to my parents’ situation. I’ve never hidden the big stuff from them, but my new job forces me to. I don’t know if I will ever be at peace with this.

I leave the bathroom, and find some clothes lying on my bed. I wear them and turn to see my roommate smiling at me.

“- Now you look like a human being! Come on, walk me to my interview, and go have some coffee. You still look sleepy.”

We walk hand in hand like two schoolgirls, talking and laughing. We reach the interview room and go our separate ways. I go down the stairs towards the cafeteria. I order a cup of coffee, and turn back, to see who’s here. A few of my mates wave for me to join them. I take the coffee cup and go to join them. As I sit down, I noticed that I’m not the only one with sleepy eyes.

While everyone is talking about what happened during the party yesterday, I smile and nod, not fully engaging in the current conversation. After a while, I hear my name. It’s Allison.

“- Sofia! Sofia! What about you?

- Hein? What?

- We’re trying to guess where our future postings will be. Jeremy is dreaming about the Bahamas, as if. I’m thinking there’s some action in Asia. Julie here is interested in South America.

- Well… I think it’s going to be the Middle East for me.

- That’s why you were recruited, obviously!

- Brendan, don’t be rude. Don’t mind him, Sofia.

- No it’s okay. He’s right. I was recruited for a reason. I was expecting this kind of posting. I’m just going to keep my head down and do the work. Well look at that, it’s almost time for my interview. Talk later guys.

- Bye!

Good luck!”

I stand up and go upstairs. I open the door and find Ray and Jamie waiting for me. This whole situation feels all too familiar. I greet them and take my seat, facing them.