The Newbie
1483 Words
Amelia
I stare dumbfounded at the positive pregnancy test sitting on the bathroom counter. It’s the third one I have taken, and they were all positive. Last night during dinner, my mother and Annie badgered me about being pregnant, so I bought a few tests on the way home.
Chico starts yipping at me, and I know I must get ready for work. I sigh, drop the test into the trash, and walk out of my bathroom just as someone knocks on the door.
“Amelia,” My best friend pokes her head in.
I say nothing as I wander into my room. I hear Kylie come down the stairs, and it sounds like Ernesto is with her.
“Amelia,” Ernesto calls in a sing-songy voice. Chico yips happily. “There is my Chico,” Ernesto coos. He and Kylie walk into my bedroom. Ernesto sits on the bed to cuddle with my chihuahua.
“What’s wrong?” Kylie asks while I rummage through the closet. “You were quiet last night when you got home.”
“Oh, I was tired,” I mutter as I decide to wear a black pencil skirt with a black jacket and grey blouse.
“Is that what you are wearing?” Ernesto asks, and I nod. “Why are you so quiet, honey?”
“I just want to get dressed,” I respond. I quickly pull my clothes on and brush my hair.
“Let me fix your hair,” Ernesto grabs the brush from me. A few minutes later and my hair is in a lovely braid. He pins a flower into it. “So, are you coming to my show tonight?” He asks as he does a drag show sometimes. “I am going to be Gigi Allure,” He giggles.
“I-I don’t know. I may be tired,” I say.
Ernesto sighs, “Oh, but you love Gigi,” He frowns.
“I’ll drive,” Kylie counters.
“Fine,” I concede and rush out of my room. “I have to get going,” I say as my stomach rumbles. I know I should eat something, especially if I am pregnant.
I shake my head at the thought. I don’t even know if I am going to keep it. I grab a breakfast bar and a bottle of juice.
Chico yips as Kylie and Ernesto emerge from my room. “I guess we’ll see you tonight,” Ernesto touches my arm.
“We better. She will have my car,” Kylie huffs.
I laugh and grab the keys from the counter, “Thanks again for letting me borrow it.” I kiss their cheeks and then head upstairs to the garage. I sigh loudly as I get into the car and turn it on. Rock music comes from the speakers as I back out of the driveway. The drive to work seems obnoxiously long. My mind is in a million places. I am pregnant by a man I barely know the name of. I really can’t afford this. Though I am pro-choice, I can’t see myself aborting the baby.
“I wonder if Ernesto and Paul would adopt the baby,” I say out loud as I pull into the parking garage. It was a surprisingly easy drive. I pull into a spot and groan when I notice I am next to Jordan’s car again. I try my best not to touch his car as I squeeze out.
“Hey, Amelia,” Bethany greets me as I approach the elevator.
“Hi, Bethany, how was your night?” I greet her.
“It was alright. My roommate was smoking dope with her friends,” She frowns.
“Dope?” I laugh.
“Well, weed,” Bethany shrugs. “I don’t like it. My brother Todd used to smoke it a lot.”
“Junior smokes it sometimes,” I add.
We step onto the elevator, and I hum along to the muzak. Bethany looks at me with an amused smile. “Who doesn’t like a muzak version of Bye Bye Bye,” I laugh.
“I guess no one,” She laughs.
The doors open on the lobby floor, and I see Jordan talking to one of the women that works in our office. Jordan sneers while the woman smiles at me.
“Hey, Amelia,” she waves.
“Hi, Colleen,” I greet her.
“I’ll see you at lunch?” Bethany asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, see you,” I smile. I walk over to Colleen and Jordan. “How is it going?” I ask.
“It’s going,” Colleen laughs.
We all walk over to another set of elevators. I ride in silence while Colleen and Jordan chatter. I learn that Jordan is married to a woman, surprisingly, and he will be at Colleen’s upcoming wedding.
“What’s up, gang?” Aaron greets us as we walk into the office.
I wave as I head over to my desk. It’s still somewhat bare, but I hope to decorate it soon. I sit down and check my tasks for the day.
Aaron wanders over, “So, Amelia,” He sets some papers down. “I need you to go over this first thing.”
I stare at the papers. “That looks like data entry.”
“It’s grunt work,” He smirks. “And since you are the newbie,” He trails off with a laugh.
I nod and grab the papers. It takes me about an hour to finish the task.
“Make the newbie do it,” I hear Jordan yell.
I peer over the cubicle, and Aaron is leaning on Jordan’s desk. “What am I doing?”
Jordan narrows his eyes at me, “This conversation isn’t your business.”
“Well, you mentioned newbie, and as far as I know, that’s me,” I grin at him defiantly.
“I’m sure you know little,” Jordan sneers.
“Jord,” Aaron admonishes him. He approaches my desk, “The boss just needs some help in his office.”
“Boss?” I ask. “Aren’t there a lot of bosses?”
Aaron chuckles, “Yeah, but this is the boss.”
“Oh,” I breathe out. “And you want me to do it?”
“Let’s see what you got, newbie,” Aaron shrugs.
“What exactly am I doing?” I ask.
“Mr. Keaton says his computer keeps freezing,” Aaron explains.
“Keaton,” I gulp. “As in, the guy whose name is on the building?”
“That’s him,” Aaron replies and touches my shoulder. “Just evaluate his computer and figure out the issue. That’s all.”
I stand up with a sigh and brush my hands on my skirt. “How do I get up there?”
“Just take the elevator to the top floor of the building,” Aaron explains. “I’ll call Nancy and let her know you are coming up. Nancy is his secretary.”
“Cool,” I say, grabbing my briefcase where my tools are. I head out of the office, and Jordan follows me.
He bumps into me, and I narrow my eyes at him, “You are going to mess up and get fired,” He laughs.
I glare at him but say nothing. I stop at the elevator and press the button. My head starts to spin as I feel mildly dizzy. This day just keeps getting wilder. I knew the name Keaton before I came to work here. I had seen the family on TV. They are richer than rich. I hum as I hop onto the elevator. I lean against the wall as my head starts to hurt, and I feel queasy.
The door opens to a large desk surrounded by huge windows on one side overlooking Chicago. A grinning African American woman stands up from the desk.
“Are you Amelia?” She asks.
I nod, “Yes,” I respond.
“Go on in. Mr. Keaton is expecting you,” She pointed at two large wooden doors adorned with ornate carvings.
I take a deep breath as the large wooden doors swing open. Beyond them is a posh office full of gold and marble with a large white desk on a platform. There is no one sitting behind the desk as I wander in.
“Hello, Mr. Keaton?” I call.
“Are you here to fix my computer?” A familiar-sounding voice says from behind me.
I turn and gasp. Standing before me is a handsome man with dirty blonde hair and grey eyes like no other.
He is wearing a very expensive-looking grey suit. My mouth falls open.
The man smiles, “Are you here to fix the computer?” He repeats.
- Writer
