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Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
Time couldn't be moving any slower. It feels like it’s been days, mind numbingly sweeping these hallway floors.
Tick.
Tock.
Tick.
Tock.
With every second the clock ticks, I can feel my battery depleting.
But I need to keep pushing, the Gala is tomorrow and I don't want to disappoint the Boss. Or worse…
I shake my head, tightening my grip on the wooden broom in my hands.
Snap out of it J. Snap out of it.
I continue sweeping the floors and turn my attention to the others chatting in the bar room next to me. Don't they realize tomorrow’s the big day? Those bricks-for-brains are slacking off, and if they get caught we’ll all be in trouble. We could even be thrown out, and I can't let that happen. What would I do without my boss— AAH!
Before I can finish daydreaming, or day-nightmare if you will, a tap on my shoulder snaps me out of my endless thoughts.
“Oh sorry! Didn't mean to startle ya!”
It was Tessa, daughter of the esteemed and prestigious Elliot's family… and also my boss. Ever since she fixed up my decaying body she found discarded in the scrapyard, I've become a maid working here for the manor. She's the best boss, and also my best friend in this rotten place known as “Earth”. But recently, whenever I see her beaming smile… I feel-
I turn my face away as my cheeks suddenly feel warmer…
“It's fine…”
“Why don’tcha come hang out with me and the others? You deserve a break..”
She walks over to my field of view and bends over to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. I probably look like a mess right now…
“No. I need to continue getting this place ready for tomorrow.”
I walk past her to pick up my broom again, taking a deep breath in the process. “I need to get this place perfect.” I reply as I hear Tessa sigh deeply in front of me.
“J, it looks perfect already! You don't need to overwork yourself over a stupid Gala.”
My grip tightens more. Why doesn't she get it?
“Come on! I can get some tea prepared for all of us,” she says as she walks over and grabs my shoulder-
“NO!”
I whirl around, pushing her away from me. I gasp, immediately regretting my decisions as Tessa falls backwards onto the floor, tripping on her black heels.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry I didn't mean to-”
“It's fine, it's fineee…”, she reassures me as she stands up and fixes the bow on top of her head, brushing off her dress.
“Are you hurt? I can go get something for you if you need it-”
My breathing becomes rapid.
“J! I promise I'm fine! It's only a scratch.”
My body collapses and tears start to form on my visor.
“I'm the worst.. I'm the worst..”
I sink to the floor, hiding my face in my knees as sobs shake my body. I'm so useless. I can't even clean a hallway spotlessly without hurting my best friend. What’s wrong with me? I don't deserve her. I'm the worst friend ever. Tessa should just run away from me and go hang out with the others. Everything would be better if I was thrown out.
“Hey.. Don't say that!”
Tessa comes over and sits next to me.
“It was an accident, J. You’ll be okay.. you don't have to keep overworking yourself. I’m worried about you.”
Tessa inches closer to me, causing our shoulders to touch.
“You don't get it…” I choke out between my tears.
“I have to make every room perfect and ready for tomorrow. If I don't, you’ll get in trouble and all of us will be thrown out, and it will all be my fault!”
My chest tightens, my breathing becoming more frantic by the second. Tessa's warmth is the only thing keeping me from losing my thoughts completely.
“Take deep breaths with me ok?”
Tessa softly grabs my cheek with her hand and moves my face to look her in the eyes.
“Ok…”
“In.”
I close my eyes and focus on her voice.
“Out.”
“In.”
“Out.”
“In.”
“Out.”
I open my eyes and see Tessa staring directly at me. Gradually, I can feel my chest begin to slow and calm down a bit.
“I think… I think I'm feeling a bit better…”
“That's good..”
She smiles and turns to lean her head on mine. A light blush begins to creep onto my face, warming my cheeks.
“J, I promise no matter what we will always be together.”
Her hand slowly drifts towards mine resting on the floor. I flinch a bit, but eventually decide to let her entwine her fingers with mine.
“Y'know J, I had a dream last night. The two of us snuck out and escaped this manor. We ran off to the forest, hand in hand, and didn't even look back. We were laughing and smiling the whole time, flipping off those fancy assholes and their so-called ‘etiquette’!”
We both giggled at that, smiling at each other. I start to feel her hand tighten around mine, and I decide to return the favor. The flush on both of our cheeks deepen, as we turn away from eachother shyly. I need to calm down… I’m going to overheat at this rate.
“I hope that dream comes true one day, J…”
“I hope so too….”
We look back at each other and share a quiet moment, her smile sending a warmth through my body that nobody else could replicate.
“Can… Can I tell you something?” Tessa asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
I tilt my head curiously.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“I-”
Tessa takes a deep breath, turning back quickly as she…
My whole world freezes as I feel her lips press softly against mine. The ticking clock fades into silence, and for a moment, it’s like time itself has stopped. Before I can fully process what just happened, Tessa pulls away.
I raise my hand to my lips, still warm from where her’s had been.
“I love you J..”, she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
I feel like I'm going to overheat. I start spacing out, my mind frantically trying to piece together what just happened.
“It's fine if you don't feel the same, by the way!” Tessa adds quickly, her voice cracking with both uncertainty and nervousness. “We can just forget all this happened and go back to being ol’ partners in crime if you want!”
I snap back from my thoughts.
“No, no, no, no, no! I-”
My hands start to tremble as beads of sweat appear on my visor.
“I- I love you too..” I finally manage to say, my voice quivering.
Before I can finish saying anything else, Tessa pulls me into a tight hug.
“AAAA! I'm the happiest girl in the world!” she shouts out, squeezing me tightly.
I move my hands up and hug her back.
“I'm even happier actually!”
“Nuh uh, I am!”
We both burst into laughter as we continue to embrace each other. For the first time in a while, it feels like everything in the world has frozen, and I can truly be at peace…
Yawn.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that…
“Sorry, long day of cleaning..”
“You need to getcha self to bed, missy. Your batteries are running low!”
“I know… I just- I don't want to let go.”
“Same.. but you need to rest. It's a big day tomorrow!”, she says, suddenly standing up straight before me.
“I have an idea!” she declares. Before I can even respond, she sweeps me off my feet, cradling me in her arms. I feel like I’m going to explode.
“Why don't I, myself, carry Your Majesty to bed?” she suggests with a mischievous grin. One I’ve grown to love.
I'm probably a blushing mess right now.
“Uhh, thank you, my prince, for saving me…”
I say stupidly, trying to play along. She starts giggling.
“You're so cute…”
God, she's good at making me feel like I'm about to melt right into her arms.
As she carries me to my room, I suddenly realize how heavy my limbs feel. I must have been more exhausted than I thought. I glance up at Tessa and smile brightly, my heart filling with joy at even the mere sight of her. I can’t believe she’s my girlfriend now… or at least, I think? I’ll have to ask her tomorrow, after the Gala. My thoughts race with all the things we could do now. Cuddling, kissing, everything that comes to mind makes me want to just scream into a pillow with excitement.
We finally arrive at my room as Tessa gently sets me down into my bed, tucking me in.
“You comfy?”
“Yeah, I am…”
Yawn
“Thank you so much for well… everything..”
“Anything for you, I love you!”
She leans over the bed, planting a kiss on my forehead. I start to hide my face under my blanket and I can hear her start to laugh.
“I love you too..”
We smile at each other, both blushing. This is the happiest I have ever felt.
“Alrighty, you need to get some rest for the Gala tomorrow, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Alright… Good night, Tessa..”
“G'night J!”
She begins to walk towards the doors of my bedroom, and before leaving, blows me a kiss as she waves goodbye.
I start smiling to myself and stare at my ceiling, holding my hands to my chest.
Maybe tomorrow won't be so bad after all.
“I love you. Tessa”
I whisper to myself.
I start to enter sleep mode.