Hey There, Stranger

Tiredly, I added my final paper clip to the little chain I had been working on for the past half an hour. Letting out a bored sigh, I picked at a clip towards the middle of the chain, straightening it out.
“Perfect!” I exclaimed sarcastically. “Do you like it, Jer?” I asked my colleague whilst dangling it in front of his face.
“Beautiful.” He nodded. “But I don’t think the boss is going to have the same reaction when he realises you’ve still got a blank page.”

I’ve worked with Jeremy for about 6 months now. We’ve bonded pretty well and become good friends since we began working together. He’s more of the creative type in the sense that he lays out my pages within the magazine. He checks over the other pages and helps to design the basic layout of the magazine but he mainly focuses on my pages hence why we share a cubicle. I joined the magazine about a year ago, beginning as your typical sort of coffee girl. Buying lunch for everyone and keeping their caffeine levels satisfied. Technically my role was to be the receptionist. Well, not the receptionist, more like her assistant. I just completed the basic administration work she couldn’t be bothered to do and took the odd phone call here and there. After 6 months of me relentlessly trying to get my work recognised, Jeremy finally passed on some of my work to the bosses and surprisingly they loved it. Then bam, I was shoved into a cubicle with the guy and forced to put up with him 5 days a week.

“I don’t know what to put.” I stated, defeated.
“Well you’re doing a review of an album, right? You’ve been doing at least one every two weeks for the past 6 months.” Jeremy raised his eyebrow
“Yes, but this album is really good. Like there’s some real potential, they could be huge.” I raised my hands in defeat.

Working with the rock magazine sure was a dream but this was the part I hated. I’d met the band just two days earlier for an interview. They were up and coming, young, local, the whole package. But there were plenty of fresh bands out there, I had to find the right ones: the special ones. These guys had so much potential. Admittedly, they needed to work a bit harder and get their act together but I could see it. I didn’t want to let them down, I despised letting bands down. The young ones were the worst. Crushing their hopes and dreams certainly wasn’t something I took pride in.

“Basically, it’s my job or theirs.” I groaned.
“C’mon Ash, you got this job for a reason. You’re a really original and creative writer, you’ve gotta be able to come up with something good but positive. Sell the band. Put your complete honest opinion of them in there. Nothing sells better than honesty.”
“My head’s too crowded, it’s been a long week.” I complained.
“Well a group of us are going out tonight, you should come along. Clear your head.” Jer offered.
“Uh, I’m not sure.”
“It’ll be good. You’re a lot of fun when you let loose.” He smirked.
“I’m not fun sober?” I pouted.
“Don’t give me that crap. And just for the record, when you’re complaining like this, no you’re not fun.” He laughed.
“Tosser.” I muttered under my breath.

I stretched back in my seat before resting my fingers on my keyboard. My eyes scanned the blank page over and over, desperately searching for a hint of inspiration.
“I got nothing. Screw this.” I growled, shutting off my computer.

Hastily, I snatched my bag from under my desk, sighing at the worn out handles. I’d only bought the bag a month before and it was already falling to pieces. Huffing, I pushed myself up from my desk and carelessly swung the bag over my shoulder.
“Leaving already?” Asked Jer.
“Yup.”
“You know, maybe your bag is falling apart because you’re so bloody careless with it.” Jeremy rolled his eyes.
“Whatever.”

I began making my way out of the office, leaving our cubicle behind. Quickly, I muttered a few byes and see you Mondays to other colleagues on the floor.
“I’ll pick you up at 8?” Jeremy called after me.
I let out a loud sigh, slumping my shoulders. “Yeh, see you then.” I waved goodbye to Jeremy.
He let out a victorious cheer, offering me a thumbs up sign.

Notes