3
BUZZ.
I fumbled on the nightstand for my phone. It was the night before I officially started my job, and I wanted to get a good night’s sleep. I should have set my phone to silent mode, but I was always worried I’d miss an important message.
My friends and family called it a smartphone addiction; I simply called it being perpetually connected.
Even though it was late, I needed to know what the notification was. I pressed at the screen and squinted through the bright light.
A message from Neil.
I tapped my phone against my lips as I thought about it. Neil was interested in me, and I in him, but I just couldn’t stop thinking about those few moments with Jayce. There was clearly an attraction there, at least on my end. It wasn’t just a fangirl fascination, either. Jayce had ignited a desire in me that I’d rarely felt before.
Wouldn’t it be unfair to continue talking to Neil when I was so attracted to someone else?
No, I decided finally. Jayce had given me a few heated stares, but it didn’t mean anything. He did it to all the girls.
Besides, Neil and I hadn’t even met in person yet. Our future date was months away. I hadn’t made him any promises, just an offer to buy me a drink.
Neil was a good friend. We had been talking online for months. It wouldn’t be right to just ignore him. He was also a few years older than I was and already working in the film industry. He’d paid his dues in the lowly internship circuit. It would be nice to commiserate with someone who had been there and had intimate knowledge of the stress that came along with it.
I read Neil’s message.
Hey there,Ms. Fancy Intern. How goes the job?
My first official day is tomorrow, but today went well. There were a few bumpy patches, but I haven’t bombed spectacularly yet.
Oh yeah? Like what?
Just wandering into places I shouldn’t have. Nothing major.
Still can’t share any details, huh?
Nope. Sorry. What about you? Doing anything cool this summer?
Funny you should ask. I’m working on a film project that—guess what—forced me to sign an NDA too.
What is with these paranoid people?
They think we’re going to blab all their secrets. It’s not like my clients are so interesting I have nothing else to gossip about.
You’re filming something boring?
It’s not really my thing. I’m sure others would find it cool.
Oooh, you can’t tell me that and not give me the details!
Sorry, no can do.
Well, can you at least tell me what you’re doing right now?
Nothing much. Just lying in bed. I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t even think of the time. Did I wake you up?
No. I couldn’t sleep either.
So you’re lying in bed, too? Are you wearing sexy little pajamas? ;)
Wouldn’t you like to know?
