Chapter Text
My alarm clock blares at the ass crack of dawn. "Jesus Christ, it's only 5:30," I groan to myself. I set that alarm last night when I was in a good mood. Today already feels like shit. I try to recall exactly why I was in a good mood last night and why I set an alarm for the early morning. Whatever, I don't remember. Hopefully, I can return to my dream about my favorite boy band, Fall Out Boy.
I allow myself some mercy and go back to sleep.
About an hour later, I woke up again. "Goodness gracious, I just want to sleep! What is going on with me?" Finally, it hits me. I have an audition at 7:30. "Fuck!" I yelp out as I jump out of bed. "God damn it, why am I so lazy?!" This always happens to me. I really need to work on my sleep schedule.
I hurry to get dressed, changing out of a sports bra and granny underwear into a nice, tight dress. I stumble over to my bathroom mirror, but I trip and eat shit on the uneven, not leveled floors of this shitty apartment. I can't wait to move out of this shitty apartment. I hate this place. I hate New York. I miss Texas. I finally stand up and hold myself against the counter. It was a pretty hard fall.
I check the areas of my face that are hurting the most, praying they won't bruise. I notice my hair. It is a HOT mess. I snicker to myself, "It looks like I got some last night." However, my smile drops when I realize it's been about 3 years since I last "got some". Anyway, I have to do something about this rat's nest on my head. I take my hair out of the already-falling-apart bun it's in. "Thank God I straightened it yesterday." At least I did something responsible. I brush out my hair and add some hairspray to eliminate some of the frizz. What time is it? It's almost 7, I have to haul ass to get there.
However, I catch a whiff of my morning breath and almost throw up. I race over to brush my teeth and do so perfectly because I will absolutely not book this role with gross breath. I'm auditioning for a new A24 film. If I'm going to be honest, I only skimmed the information, so I don't exactly have an idea about the plot of the movie. I only know that the role I'm going out for is kind of a bitch and has a child-like boyfriend she argues with all the time, so you can't really blame her for being bitchy, I guess. I recite my checklist, "Teeth brushed, hair done, outfit put together… am I missing anything? Crap- deodorant." I apply some and look for my keys so I can get going.
I finally made it out of my apartment, and it's about 7:05 at this point. Unfortunately, being a non-successful actor, all I have is a bike to get to the studio I'll be auditioning at. I get on the bike and make my way to the studio
When I finally arrive, it's about 7:25 am. There are only about 3 people left to audition. I am so fucked. I approach the lady standing by the line, hoping she can get me a spot to still audition, even if I'm late.
" Excuse me, ma'am?"
She turns around, clearly tired of…well, it seems like she's tired of everything. Goodness, she needs a nap.
"Yeah?"
She seems very unamused in y/n's frantic state. Her country accent makes her a little bit more intimidating…
"I was wondering if there was any way I could still audition? I'm so sorry that I'm late-"
She cuts y/n off
"I really don't care. I'm trying to go home. Just get in line."
Thank God this lady is tired. Maybe I was meant to be at this audition. I'll book it. I know it.
As I exit the audition room, I let out a sigh of relief that it was over. We aren't going to acknowledge how well I did. Maybe I was too cocky….
It's barely 8:50 am, so I head over to my favorite little bagel shop.
As I enter, I'm greeted by my favorite shop owner. His name is Dave. He is a cute little old man who speaks in broken English and always offers to give me a free bagel. It's only because on my first day in New York, four years ago, he crashed into my bike. He was trying to parallel park, poor thing, and he somehow absolutely demolished my bike. He offered to buy me a new one because he felt terrible. He explained how, in his first few years in America, he also only had a bike, and it was his most prized possession back then. I felt bad making him pay for a new bike, so I just let him off the hook with one free bagel from his shop. Ever since that day, though, he has offered me a free bagel, but I rarely accept it because I feel guilty. The only times I accept it are when I can't afford anything else. We've grown very close since that day. I visit his shop almost every day.
"Y/N! How you are today?"
I greet him with a big smile. He's the only person in New York who has ever been so kind to me.
"I'm doing…alright today. How about you, Dave?"
He focuses on the bagel he's working on for another customer with his back turned away from me, but I can feel the warmth of his smile anyway.
"Oh no, did you bomb another audition? "
My jaw and smile drop at his joke. I give him a playful, dirty look as I take a seat.
"Not funny, Dave. But yes… "
He turns around and snickers at his joke
"I'm just kidding, I'm sure you did great."
Dave and I have our daily small talk, and I order my bagel, which he tries to give me for free, and once again, I decline. However, my biggest opp enters. My landlord.
Now, don't get me wrong, a little part of me loves to see him because he's so attractive, but he always nags me about my rent. Which is usually late, so I can't really blame him, but it's annoying regardless. His name is Ryan, and he's in a band called The Young Veins. It's successful enough to go on tours, and I love it when that happens because that means I get to postpone paying rent a little longer.
He walks in and spots me immediately.
God damn it, he noticed me. I hope he doesn't say anything. maybe if I stay silent..
"Y/N! What a coincidence to see you here when I was just about to pay you a visit after this. You know what I'm about to ask."
I'm gonna shoot up the store.
"Hey, Ryan! "
Dave snickers behind the counter.
"I was just… getting myself some brunch. What are you doing here? "I try to dodge the question
He chuckles, his dimples showing.
"Y/N, I don't know why you always try to dodge the question. You know I stay on your neck about my money, sweetheart. You're lucky you're pretty. If not, I would've evicted you a while ago."He hits on me kind of often. However, I'm pretty sure it's only to butter me up so I'll cough up his money.
"It's on its way, Ryan. Besides, I still have anotherrr…," I trail off as I check my calendar
"You have two days, Y/N. Two days to pay me. I doubt you'll get it to me in time, but there's really no harm in reminding you." He gives Dave his order while I sit in my seat trying to comprehend how I've let the month pass me by. I only have 1,000 of it. My rent is 1,700. I'm so screwed. How will I get $700? Aw, man, I think I'm gonna have to sell my saxophone. But I've had it since high school. Unless I can book a few more ads in two days, it's gone.
"Earth to Y/N??" Ryan is waving his hand in my face
"Yeah?" I say as I shake my head back to reality.
"I was trying to be a good guy and tell you that I'm going on tour… so you have a bit longer before you have to pay me."
I suddenly have a beaming smile across my face, which makes Ryan regret telling me.
"As I said, you're lucky you're cute. If you were anybody else, I would've evicted you ages ago. I would still very much appreciate my money soon, Y/N. I'm coming by to check tomorrow"
My cheeks flush and my heart flutters. That is so pathetic, I scoff to myself. I'm flustered because he gave me more time to pay my rent
Ryan walks out, and Dave is giggling like a little girl. I already know what he's giggling about, so I don't even wanna ask. I just thanked Dave for my bagel and headed home.
When I finally arrive home, I cannot wait to take a shower. I kick my shoes off and go straight to the shower.
When I'm finally done, I do my nightly routine and head to bed. I don't have anything to do tomorrow, so I'll probably get to selling my saxophone. Maybe I should surprise Ryan with the money early. At least I'll still have my trombone. I'm way too financially irresponsible.