Chapter Text
It was 2:30 PM on a Friday, and most people would already be in relax-mode - preparing for the weekend ahead.
Most people did not include Lizzie McGuire. At least, not today.
Lizzie's office phone was currently ringing off the hook, fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed an email to a photographer visiting the office next week. She was hyper-focused, but she could feel herself starting to get a little light-headed. When was the last time she ate today? As soon as she hit send, she picked up the ringing phone, trying to project as pleasant of a tone as possible amidst her stress.
“Elle Magazine, Lizzie Speaking.”
“God finally, I have been trying to reach you for three minutes straight!”
Lizzie rolled her eyes but maintained a calm tone. It was her boss, Meredith, Fashion Editor of Elle Magazine. 9 times out of 10 when her phone was ringing – it was her.
Lizzie had been Meredith’s Assistant for 5 years, even though it felt like closer to 50. She had to repeatedly remind herself she was lucky to work for one of the most prolific names in fashion, even if it was the grunt work. Even on a day that Lizzie would forget to remind herself of this - Meredith would be sure to bring it up in some way, shape or form.
“Sorry Meredith, I was going back and forth with Oscar trying to confirm a time for him to come to the office next week. This guy has the craziest schedule ever.”
“And?”
“Wednesday at 2 PM.”
“I said beginning of the week, but I guess that will do.” Lizzie mouthed the words “You’re Welcome” to herself, before Meredith continued. “Anyways, Lizzie – I need you to run a really important errand before the end of the day. It’s for Igor, the VP of Finance. He is hosting a birthday party for his twins and I need you to bring over some party supplies that were delivered to the office. Can you get there for 4 pm?”
Lizzie looked at her calendar and sighed. She was supposed to have a half day off today for the overtime she had put in over the past few weeks for Christmas season. That was already down the drain, so she guessed there was no reason she should say no.
“Sure, I can make it work. Where does it need to be delivered?”
“It’s that vegan place on St. Nicholas Ave.”
Lizzie’s jaw dropped. “The one on the other side of Central Park?!”
“That’s the one. You better get going or you won’t make it in time.”
Lizzie turned off her computer, and picked up her purse. “Heading there now. It’ll be tight for time… but I won’t let you down!”
“Thanks Lizzie, feel free to head home for the weekend after that. Oh, but text me when it’s been delivered so we know it’s there. Not like the Christmas party scone fiasco.”
Lizzie clenched her fist to stop herself from letting out a frustrated scream. First of all, it was not a fiasco. The scones were there on time – Lizzie just forgot to let Meredith know that she had picked them up. Meredith was not the best at giving genuine compliments – she always managed to throw in a jab. Great quality for a boss to have, right?
“Thanks Meredith. Have a great weekend.” She hung up, rushing out the door and around a few corners to the reception area, where her co-worker Suzie was sitting.
“Hey girl, is there a delivery for Igor’s kid’s birthday party?”
Suzie winced slightly, before going around the corner to get it. Lizzie’s jaw dropped when she saw what the item was.
A giant llama piñata.
“You have got to be kidding me.” Lizzie mustered out.
“They want you to bring that across the city to the restaurant?!” Suzie replied in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Lizzie scoffed, as she reached to pick up the piñata, walking towards the door and pushing it open. “Before 4 pm.”
Suzie frowned, opening her mouth to respond, “But-“
“Sorry I’ve gotta run, but thanks girl!” Lizzie shouted, as the door shut behind her.
She shuffled, struggling to carry the piñata that was almost the size of her towards the elevator. Right when she saw the elevator, she noticed the sign saying “Out of Service”. Dang it. At least, she only had to go down 10 flights of stairs? Not to mention in platform shoes…
Slowly and carefully, she clunked down the stairs in her platforms, looking at her watch quickly to see how much time she had. 2:50 PM.. if she could catch a cab, she would be golden – with time to spare.
Her eyes scanned the busy street as she tried to spot a cab. She saw at least four occupied cabs go by, and started walking down the street towards Central Park to see if she could possibly spot another one. After ten minutes of weird looks from people passing by and what seemed like a thousand cars and bikes, she finally saw a cab stop at the street light.
Lizzie ran to the cab and tapped the window, tilting her head to the side with her best attempt at a charming smile as the driver jumped in his seat. She gestured for him to roll down the window, and she said “Hi! I really, really, really need a ride to St Nicholas Avenue like yesterday. I promise I will tip you well just please let me in.”
The taxi driver looked at the piñata with disgust. “You can come in, but you’ve got to ditch that. There’s no room in here for that.” He looked at it as if it was some sort of rotten sandwich.
“Wait- but – this.. this llama piñata is very important. It’s for the VP of finance of Elle Magazine! I can only get in if it comes with me.” She begged, trying to give him puppy dog eyes. She reeked of desperation.
“Sorry, no can do.” He shrugged, as the light turned green and he sped off.
“Wait!” She called again to the cab driver as he drove off, clutching the piñata closer and gave her watch another quick glance. “Oh crap, 3:15…” She looked up at the park and realized, the only way she was getting across was on her own two feet.
She took a deep breath, crossing the road to the entry into the park. She was never going to make it in time, clunking awkwardly in the platforms as her feet started to hurt. She could almost hear her Mom’s voice in her head about the importance of “buying sensible shoes”. She looked down at her feet and sighed again, looking at the pinata. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” She slid off her platforms, and trekked barefoot across the park as quickly as she could, keeping an eye on the ground to make sure she did not step in doggy-doo-doo or a needle or anything sketchy. “Ew..ew..” she muttered to herself. She knew for sure was not paid enough for this.
After what felt like five hours of walking (and a homeless man trying to buy the piñata off of her for 75 cents) she finally made it to St. Nicholas Ave. She looked at her watch again and it read 3:58. “Crap, crap, crap..” She muttered under her breath, dropping her platform shoes on the ground and slipping into them before entering the restaurant.
Out of breath, she approached the hostess desk, placing the piñata on the counter. The man at the desk looked alarmed as he looked at the piñata wide-eyed and back at her. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, this is for Igor Isyov, the Elle Magazines’ VP of Finance’s twin’s birthday party. I was told it needed to be here by 4:00 PM and it’s..” she glanced at the clock behind him excitedly, “exactly 4:00 PM!”
He gave her a slightly confused look, glancing at his calendar book at the desk. “Right.. for their reservation tomorrow at 4:00 PM.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “Excuse me, did you say...tomorrow at 4:00 PM?”
He nodded, picking up the piñata. “Yep, we will keep it in our storage area until then. Bye now.” He said as he swerved around the corner out of sight. Lizzie turned on her heel, taking a deep breath as she was trying to keep her cool as she left the restaurant. She pulled out her cell phone and texted Meredith: Delivered the llama piñata to the restaurant. She was very tempted to add some sass to the text, but she held back. It was the weekend now, she just wanted to put this week behind her.
As she took a few steps outside, a heavy rain started falling. Lizzie looked up at the sky in despair. “Seriously? Ugh!” She let out a shriek, and noticed a teenager on the corner of the street looking at her as if she were a crazy lady.
“I’ve had a bad week, okay!” Oh no… Lizzie could feel herself starting to lose it. Why on earth was she trying to justify herself to some random dude on the street? Dejectedly, she made her way down the subway steps. She couldn’t wait to be home, once this hour commute to Brooklyn was over.