~Sophi POV~
“I gotta admit, he looks smokin' in those jeans.” I whisper to my friend, Jilly, while checking out the hotty across the bar.
“If you say so. He isn't really my cup of tea.” She retorts.
“Who's talking about tea? I just need someone to help me take the edge off. Bob took a very sad turn for the worst last night, and I don't have time to get into a shop, and you know I don't trust online sales for that. Sometimes the materials sound good, but just don't feel good,” I sigh in lament.
“Sophi, that was a bit TMI, even for my tastes,” Jilly answers sounding put off, but I could make out the laughter in her eyes over my predicament.
“Bitch, you've known me for how long? Not to mention you were with me when I bought the blasted thing.”
“As fair as that is, I don't need to hear about the fact that you killed your industrial-level vibrator after only a few months. I pity any guy that gets in your pants. You'll eat his soul as a midnight snack straight through his dick. Like a straw,” she deadpans.
She has no idea…
“Hey now, you know any man will count that as the best way to go. Isn't there a term for that? Damn, what was it again? Sweet death, I think? Been a while since I've heard it referenced.”
“You're incorrigible.”
“Aw, I'm so glad you're finally seeing that! I am finally at the age where I know what I like and am tired of feeling guilty for it. I love ya, bitch, but not even you can put a cap on me.” And it's true; I do love her. Being best friends for ten years will do that. She can’t fathom how she’s so much mature than me when she’s five years younger. I chock it up to the fact that I'm a Sagittarius and she's an Aquarius. Sag's are known to have a more open disposition, whereas 'Quaries tend to be pretty uptight. They are way too serious, but I think that's why we work. I help her cut loose and she keeps me grounded. However, do not manage to piss both of us off...that's your funeral.
Do I actually believe in zodiacs? Hell. To. The. Yes. How can anyone ever look into their different signs and not realize they fit it? Now I don't mean just the sun sign. As much as that is important, there is so much more to your birthday than the sun sign. And honestly, I need me a mans that understands I'm quirky like this. But, it’s not actually a quirk; I'm what's known as an “Omnist,” which means I believe everything is true and false at the same time. I walk the line of a Spiritualist that dabbles in magic. I've been called a witch or a Wiccan. I respect those who are, but that's just not me. I’m actually a succubus, but I don't fit in with my species. I fit in with myself, which is why I can fit in pretty much anywhere here on Earth. I have many facets. I can be serious as a grave all the way to playful like a child. And of course, I am a hoe. I enjoy sex. But I still want love. Unfortunately, my poor romantic, over-sexed self has yet to find a man to keep up with me. I know my soulmate is out there. The one made for me, or me for him. Just got to find him. Good thing I'm a Sag! I was literally born to have wanderlust.
“I don't think tonight is my night for me to find a mans here. I'm not getting any like 'this is the night-night,' y'know? Or maybe we're just at the wrong place. I mean this is our usual hang-out. I've probably exhausted every option that finds his way here,” I turn to say with disappointment in my voice, that even I can hear.
I miss what Jilly says because my eyes are drawn to the door that just opened across the bar, and I feel that zing like in that one vampire kids movie. Okay, maybe not like that, but definitely close. My body is just as focused on the stranger, as my eyes and mind are. He's not my usual type, but something about him just draws me in. He's about average height, blonde hair, green eyes, and jacked. Normally huge muscles put me off…what is going on?
“Hey, do you see the guy that just walked in?” I breathlessly ask my bestie.
“You mean the blonde balloon animal? Yeah, why?” She turns to look at me, “no, no no. What is wrong with you? You hate men like that more than I do.”
“I know! That's why I feel like something is off. I mean I know it's been a minute for me, but I feel drawn to him. I don't like it. Something is wrong. One second, lemme focus.” I turn my thoughts internal as I summon up a mental barrier to quiet the bar noise all around me, then I expand the barrier to surround me so that nothing can get in and affect my own energy. Most people don't realize that there are people out there that naturally manipulate those around them just by using their energy.
“Alright, I am back. What a prick. I can't believe he did that to me. He's obviously new to this otherwise he would have noticed I'm way more OP than him,” I say to Jilly upon opening my eyes and seeing his eyes snap to me and his jaw tensing up. When will men start realizing I'm more overpowered than them, even though I'm a woman? I wave my fingers at him before flipping him off, letting him know he was caught. “Let's just head out. I am not in the mood to be here anymore, and you look like you don't really care about much right now. Want to head back to my place? I just restocked my bar. Then you can tell me what's eatin' you up.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jilly really looks like she needs to vent. How did I not notice? I am a horrible friend.
“Alright, then les'go.”
“Alright, spill it. Now. I want the proverbial tea,” I automatically lay into Jilly as we enter my house. And what is with tea being a part of everything now a days? I mean I love a good glass of sweet tea, but still.
“It’s nothing, really. I am just exhausted from work. It’s been a long week for me. I just want to relax, and the bar just isn’t the best place for that,” she says on a sigh. Now that there’s better lighting, I can see the dark circles under her eyes.
“Why didn’t you say anything, my love? You know you’re more important to me than any man. Chicks before dicks. Always.” She smiles at my euphemism. “Do you need to talk about it? You know I absolutely love details; I am your nosiest friend, after all.” She knows that as true as that is, my mind is a locked vault. I am an open book about myself, but I would never betray anyone’s secrets...unless I absolutely despise them, than I am a double agent. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer and all that jazz.
“Nah, it’s fine. There isn’t really anything to talk about. Just a bunch of lame ass paperwork, wasting my time. I got my bachelor’s in electrical engineering, but do I get treated like I did? No, I get treated like a glorified receptionist! Ugh!” So much for not needing to talk. I do feel bad for Jilly though, I know for a fact she worked her cute lil ass off in school, giving up majority of a social life. If it wasn’t for me, she never would have gotten out at all.
“Are you sure you’re alright, darlin’? I really don’t mind listening or talking...or both.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I already knew this was going to be a pain in the arse. Unfortunately, men still feel like women can’t be engineers, for whatever lame ass reason. In my opinion, women make better engineers because we have a way easier time multitasking and better social skills. I know the social skills don’t seem relevant, but we need to be able to convey the innings and outings of the product we’re working on with our team. I cannot even begin to express the amount of times I’ve been told to fix something without even being told at what point in testing things went wrong. I would think they’re just being jackasses to me by doing it, but I’ve heard them do it to each other too. I never understood why we have to go back through and run the same tests that have already been ran just to figure out where it even goes wrong, just to turn around and test it all over again after it’s fixed. It’s a waste of time and efficiency.” She seems to not notice that she just contradicted herself by saying that she doesn’t want to talk, and then ranting.
“I love you. You don’t even realize you contradict yourself, ” I say on a belly laugh.
“Sophi, I love you too, but you aren’t supposed to point it out, just let me do it,” she groans while whacking me with a pillow.
“Alright, that’s enough lamenting work stuff. I assume you just needed to vent about it so that you don’t combust. You know what you need to do, right?” I ask slowly.
Sigh. “Yes. I need to stand up for myself. I know that they’re never going to take me seriously if I don’t. I just don’t want to. I know I do my work well, but I don’t want to cause conflict.”
“Jillsters, what I am about to say, I say with all the love. GROW A FUCKING PUSSY! They aren’t going to look at your workmanship if you don’t. Men are very simple- and single-minded. As you said you’re great at multitasking and socializing. Let them see that by going ‘I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR’ on their asses and make them take you seriously.”
“I know you’re right; it just doesn’t seem like the right time. Evaluations are coming up, and I don’t want to get marked as disorderly and miss out on a raise.” I feel so sad for my friend. I wish I could help her more, but I’m not sure how. I’m just an artist working part time as an interior painter.
“I wish I could help you more, love, but I don’t have any experience with this. I work a pretty solo job. Though I suppose all men are assholes, so it wouldn’t matter.... Gods I’m glad I work alone.”
“Sure, sure. Just keep rubbing it in.”
“You’ll be okay. How long have you been working there again? Just a few months, right? Maybe they’re just trying to bust the newbie’s balls.”
“It’s been six months, but hopefully you’re right. I’d like to think that I’ve proven myself time and time again. I guess I’ll give it to the end of the month before I try to do anything. It’s just a couple more weeks, so maybe I can hold out...maybe. I’ll certainly try my best.” I could start to see the spark in her eyes. I think she’ll be just fine. “Enough about me. You’re turn. How’s the fabulous life of an artist? Find anyone to take interest in your work yet?”
Why couldn’t we just keep talking about her? I love my work, but it’s so hard to find people interested in my artwork in today’s economy. I’ve only been able to pay rent by working my part time job. The only good part is that I paint alone; like I said, I don’t deal with her kinda shit. But it’s not exactly how I want to express myself, but it pays the bills and gets the supplies for my actual art. Abstract painting has always been my passion. Something is just so freeing about being able to just sling some paint around based on my mood. Of course, that’s not all I do for painting, but it damn sure is the best part.
“Unfortunately, nothing yet. I do have more pieces together, and I have a decent sized portfolio together of my works. So, I’m hoping soon I can find someone to take pity on me, at least just look at them. I really don’t want to be painting boring ol’ walls for the rest of my days.”
“That’s completely understandable. I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it. That’s just boring. I mean I don’t mind a good room redecoration from time to time, but certainly not as a career.”
“Exactly. Like I enjoy how mindless it is, but that’s about it. I don’t want to do it forever. Fuck, it’s not even my preferred type of paint. I guess we both just aren’t happy with our jobs right now. I refuse to call anything a career until it’s enjoyable.” I say with utmost seriousness, but I also mean it as a joke too. It’s both. Isn’t that like satire or something?
“I understand. I will call it my career choice, but until I start getting treated like a valuable team member I don’t know if this is the place for me. I feel like we’ve talked this to death though. Why don’t we just watch a movie, and you make me a sex on the beach?”
“Deal! Extra alcohol or extra juice? Aka want to get drunk off one drink or have a few and enjoy the taste?”
Jilly seems to heavily contemplate this, which tells me that she’s definitely upset. “I guess lemme sip on it and enjoy the taste. I don’t want to get drunk tonight since I have to be up decently early to get to work. Even if I stave off a hangover, I still don’t want to be lethargic tomorrow. That leads to errors, and I can’t afford that yet. Maybe this weekend we can get drunk.”
“Okey dokey, artichokey. Sounds good to me. Let me go make you your drink, and you can pick any movie that you want. Just no horror, please. I, for one, would definitely prefer to sleep tonight.”
She scrolls through the app to find a movie while I make the sex on the beach for her and a screwdriver for myself. She finally settles on a rom com we both haven’t seen as I settle myself into the couch. I would say onto, but my couch is a mother fucking cloud. Eats you alive. Just. The. Way. I. Like. It.
When the movie ends, we say goodnight. I offer her my guest room, like a good bestie, but she wants her bed. Thankfully it is only eleven, so I have plenty of time to get some sleep. I don’t need much, but I do so enjoy the act.
When I wake up, I immediately have a feeling of dread settle over me like a blanket. Something isn't right. It didn't wake me up, so I know there's no intruders or anything, but I just have a premonition that something very bad is going to happen today. I need to text Jilly.
Jilly, I have woken up with a bad feeling. Be vigilant today. Her response is a thumbs up with a binoculars emoji. Glad I was able to warn her before things got to be too late. The unfortunate side to me getting these intuitive feelings is that I don't know when it'll happen or even to whom it'll happen to. I'm thankful I only have her as a friend, which means I only have her to message. I'm an only child to adoptive parents who passed away years ago. They didn't take my intuition seriously and they got into a car accident on the way to some resort long forgotten for a mini vacation.
I begged them not to go, trying to tell them that I had a bad feeling. They just thought I was mad because I couldn't afford to go with them. I can be petty, but I'm not that petty. I definitely would never try to sabotage their vacation. But apparently fate did. I really miss them, but I also know it was supposed to happen. The best I can do is help people stay alert, but if they're meant to die, they will. At best I can prolong the inevitable, but never completely stop it. Nobody can.
I need to put morose thoughts aside and get ready for work. The earlier I go in, the earlier I get out, which means the more time in the afternoon and evening that I have to work on my paintings. Just as I'm about to get up to get dressed for the day my phone starts ringing. Looking at the caller ID I see it is my boss. “Oh no, please don't let this be bad. It's too early for this shit,” I groan out to the cosmos.
“Hey, B-man, what's up?” Might as well answer and find out, right?
“Hey, Sophi, I got some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want first?”
“Ugh, why do you do this to me. Bad first, I guess.”
“You know how you're only supposed to be part time?”
“Yeahhhh....” I don't like where this is going already.
“Well, we need you to pick up more hours.”
“Do I have to? You know I need the extra time to work on my portfolio. I don't really have extra time to spare my job if it takes away from my career.”
“I understand that, I really do. But we need you, Soph. Sara just found out her and her husband are expecting, and she can't be around the paint fumes anymore. Turns out that's why she's been sick the last week. Go figure.”
“That's great! Good for them! Is that the good news then? Because that doesn't quite make up for the bad news, no matter how much I love 'em.” I really am happy for Sara and Mark, but I also really don't want to work extra hours.
“Not really. I mean it is good news since they've been trying for so long, but that doesn't pertain to your good news.” He pauses for dramatic effect. I don't appreciate it. “We've been asked to help with the construction of the new public art museum by the owner himself. I accepted, of course, this'll be great money, but I also mentioned that you are an artist trying to make a start for yourself, and he offered to look at your portfolio and see if he has some contacts interested in you.”
“Oh. My. Gods. You didn't! For real?! Oh my gods, oh my gods, oh my gods! You're the best boss out there, Michael! Thank you so much! Did he say when I could drop by? Or can I have his number to contact him?” This is absolutely great news!
“He asked me for your contact information and said he would get in touch with you when he has a free minute to do so. With the construction and stuff, it might be a while. But it sounded like he was serious, and I could hear him over the phone putting your info into his phone. So don't lose hope if it takes him a bit.”
“Alright, thank you so much. You are officially the best boss in all of existence.” I can almost hear the man blush through the phone at that comment.
“Calm down, it's the least I could do. Now hurry up and get your ass to work. I need you here ASAP so we can head down to the museum. Don't expect to be out before six though, okay?”
“I don't care if you keep me there for 24 hours at this point! I'll be there in 30.”
I get dressed right fast and head to work. I make a pit stop at my favorite coffee joint to get the largest ice coffee I can. Jilly and I swear my blood is coffee at this point, just because I drink coffee all day every day. My body doesn't acknowledge the presence of caffeine, so I drink it purely for the taste. I don't get any affects, good or bad. But I have stopped adding sugar. It makes my mouth pucker if I have it in there for some reason. Sugar in tea, fine. Sugar on cookies, tasty. Sugar in or on anything else in the universe, okay. Just not in my coffee. What I do add is creamer though. Lots and lots of creamer. A few people have made the joke ‘want some coffee with that creamer? Har har har.’ But in all honesty, my coffee is 3 parts coffee to 1 part creamer, so I honestly don't know why they make the joke. Except I go through a large thing of creamer in like 2 days. But that's just because of how frequently I drink it, not how much I put in it.
“Hey there, Jake! How's it going this morning?” Jake is one of my favorite baristas, I always make sure I tip him well whenever I pop in. He's so sweet to the customers and all around seems to enjoy his job. Not many people can claim that, so it's refreshing to find someone in the customer service industry who genuinely does.
“Hey-ya, Sophi! It's going pretty good so far. Lil busy, but not anything we can't handle, thank God.” Sadly, I haven't been able to get him to my side of religion, but that's okay. He hasn't shunned me. Yet. “How about your morning?”
“It's going better than I thought it would. Not that I thought today was going to be bad, but I did wake up with a feeling of dread, so hopefully nothing happens.” In the excitement of this morning, I completely forgot about the premonition until now. Oops.
“That's good. Your usual?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely!”
“You got it. Go on and sit down. I'll have it out in a jiff.”
“Did you know a 'jiffy' is an actual measurement of time? It's quicker than a second but slower than a nanosecond.”
“I did not, but I do now. You're always full of random trivia.” I hear him chuckling as he sets out to make my coffee. My mouth is already salivating thinking about it. I swallow the extra saliva in my mouth as I make my way to a table just to the side of the counter. Just as my butt hits the seat my eyes are instantly drawn to the door.
I naturally enjoy people watching, but rarely ever does my focus get honed-in on someone so fast. I close my eyes to make sure my energy isn't being manipulated again, just to be on the safe side. But nothing is amiss. So I take my time looking at the stranger and I like what I see. His hair is the color of melted milk chocolate, his eyes the color of raw emeralds but shine like they're polished, and he has a muscular, but not too muscular, build, and his aura is that of a powerful alpha. Oooooooh, me likey. Sadly, I don't have the time to introduce myself because Jake is calling me, and I need to get to work pronto. I probably shouldn't have stopped, but if boss man wants me to work efficiently, I need my blood transfusion; coffee.