Make Me Feel Alive

I chewed my pencil as I waited impatiently for the kids to arrive. I had managed to slip them in in an empty two o'clock spot; Hopefully Mr. Burrows wouldn't notice that hadn't been on his schedule for the past eight months, the usual span of time it took for a new band to even get in for a meeting, let alone a recording, which would be the next step if Burrows liked them.
I sighed, crossing my legs as I waited.
I'd worn one of my shorter blue dresses today, the one that really amped up my tanness and showed off my legs.
Because maybe I'd made plans to see Ashley this afternoon.
And maybe I'd agreed to let him pick me up from work because I'm a big sucker.
And maybe I just missed him a little.
I sighed, and looked at the elevator as it dinged, watching as the kids all tumbled forward, looking awkward and out of place, suits slightly wrinkled and crooked.
My lips twitched, and I stood to greet them.
"Hello, gentlemen," I smiled. "You're early, which is a good thing."
"We tried to be," Jaime spoke, looking like he felt awkward. "Is everything good?"
"Yep! Just take a seat and I'll check and see if Mr. Burrows is ready for you," I gave them a bright smile as I walked around the desk and then down the hallway, my skirt swishing around my legs as I hurried.
I rapped lightly on the door. "Your two o'clock is here!"
"Okay, let them in!"
I scurried back to the front where the guys all stood, too nervous to sit down apparently.
"This way," I motioned them toward me.
They all stood there a moment, staring at me with panic on their faces.
"Don't be nervous, he's very nice," I told them, leading them down the blue carpeted hallway. "Just be polite and mind your manners. Tell him about your music, why you wanted to be in a band, show him how popular you are on social media... Be yourselves."
I stopped by Burrows door and knocked before opening it.
"Here are the gentlemen," I said, stepping to the side to let the kids shuffle inside. Burrows straightened in his chair and gave them a smile.
"Hello, kids. I'm Mr. Burrows. You're... Moontide?" he asked, sliding his glasses back on his nose.
"Yes, sir." Jaime bobbed his head, taking charge, and I silently stepped out of the room, hoping they did well.
Mr. Burrows was nice if he liked you, and if he didn't... Well, I had seen people leave here in tears.
I made it back to my desk, flouncing down in my chair and answering the phone as it rang.
An hour later the boys finally came shuffling down the hallway, and I turned to look at them expectantly, chewing my pencil as I did.
"Well?" I looked at them expectantly.
"He asked us to come back," Jaime told me, looking stunned. "For a recording. He wants to hear us play!"
"Wonderful!" I grinned at them. "That's great news! I'll get you boys an appointment set up with Mr. Wireman. It means you guys did very well!"
"Thanks," one of the others tugged on his suit, looking uncomfortable. "mostly to you! Ashley was right to send us your way."
Well.
I pressed back my smile, clicking on the scheduling.
"I can squeeze you guys in in a few weeks for a nine O'clock," I told them; that was the earliest date I had available.
"Sounds good." Jaime nodded, and I quickly wrote hin out a card, slipping it over the counter to him.
"I'll see you guys soon!"
"Thanks, Morgan!" they waved at me as they stepped onto the elevator, and I smiled at them.
That was so great! They really were a good band, and with some help from our label, they could probably be really popular one day.
I glanced at the time.
Ashley was going to meet me downstairs a little after five, and I know he would be excited to hear about the kids too. If he didn't suddenly decide this was a bad idea and not want to talk things over.
Which would make me incredibly disappointed.
I leaned back in my chair.
But he had never ditched me before, so I doubted he would start now.
I grew more and more impatient as the day drew closer to an end, and FINALLY it was five and I could clock out.
"Morgan!"
I looked over as Burrows stood at my desk.
"Morgan, I have an emergency."
I frowned.
"What kind of emergency?"
Please don't make me stay late.
"I need this document typed up and sent to Kraig Newman before eight." he offered it to me. "It's a contract and it got stuffed under some papers on my desk. If it isn't signed before eight we lose their business."
"Why didn't you give this to me hours ago? I have plans," I frowned as I skimmed it.
"I'll pay you overtime to stay, three times your normal pay!" Burrows told me, anxious. "This is very important!"
I sighed.
Great.
"No, it's fine. I'll type it up real quick and email it." I told him, and he looked like I'd lifted a weight off his old shoulders.
"Oh, thank you!" He burst, and then hurried back to his office to gather his things to leave.
I hoped Ashley didn't think I was ditching him.
I bit my lip as I hastily sent him a text telling him I'd be at least ten minutes late.
He didn't reply.
I looked at my screen, forcing myself not to freak out. He was probably driving, and he never answered his phone when he was driving.
I hastily typed the stupid contract up, my fingers skimming across the keyboard as I typed as quickly as I had ever in my life.
I sent a harried smile to the rest of the employees as they left, and chewed my lip, eyeing the time constantly until I was done.
I quickly pulled up the email list, and sent the documents to the person Mr. Burrows told me.
Thank god.
I hastily logged out and grabbed my phone.
My stomach dropped.
He still hadn't answered.
Had he changed his mind after all?
That's what you get for pushing him away, my conscience roared at me abruptly. You said you didn't want anything, and now neither does he! Nice job, Morgan!
But he wouldn't stand me up!
Looks like he just did!
I grimaced.
What if he really had?
No, he probably didn't even realize he had a text, I told myself firmly as I called him.
He answered after a couple rings.
"Hey! Is everything okay?" he asked before I could speak, and I felt a little relieved.
"Yeah, Mr. Burrows just had me type up some last minute paperwork. I texted you," I said, rising to my feet.
"Oh, I didn't even see it," his voice sounded distant as he looked at his phone.
"I'll be down in a minute," I told him, "so ---."
"Morgan?"
"I gotta go." I hung up quickly as Mr. Wireman appears from the back, clearly startled to still see me at my desk.
"Uh, hi, Mr. Wireman. I was just on my way out---."
"Late on paperwork?" he asked, glancing down at my legs.
Trust me, I didn't wear this for you, I thought.
"Yes. But I'm leaving now, so ---."
"Do you need a ride? I believe you've missed the buses," he said, taking a step closer until he was at the opening to my desk, efficiently boxing me in.
I looked at him warily. "No, I have one. My boyfriend is waiting downstairs."
"I thought you two broke up. Trevor, wasn't it?"
"Yes," I shifted awkwardly. "I'm not with him anymore."
"Ah, so this is a new one?" he asked lightly, hooking his thumbs in his suit pockets. "Is it the one from the club?"
"Maybe. I really have to go." I insisted, glancing at the elevator anxiously. He was giving me a really bad feeling.
"There's no one waiting for you, is there?" he clucked at me, taking another step towards me. I took one back automatically, my back hitting the desk.
"There is. Look, I don't have time to do anymore paperwork."
Get the hell away from me.
"So if you don't mind..."
"I'll give you a ride, Morgan, it's not a big deal." Wireman shrugged. "You've been a good little secretary to us."
"It's unnecessary," I frowned at him. "Really."
I made a move to try to step around him, but he threw his arm out, blocking me in. I hesitated, my eyes flicking warily to his face as my stomach dropped in panic.
"Mr. Wireman ---."
"Do you think that none of us notice the short dresses you wear all the time? The flouncy little skirts?" he said softly, and I stepped back from him hastily.
This wasn't good.
I had to get out of here.
I clutched my phone tightly in my hand, my thumb skimming across the screen as I hit Ashleys contact repeatedly, my eyes never leaving his old, crabby face.
I hoped it was calling.
"I need to go," I said again as he stepped forward, and I bristled, reaching behind me for anything I could get my hands on.
The stapler would do nicely.
"Well, as your boss, I say otherwise, " Wireman stepped closer to me, and I tensed even more, staring at him. "I say, you could use a little overtime, Ms. Tate."
He tugged on my hair, and I jerked.
"Don't touch me!"
"And why not? It's not like you've not been asking for it, those little skirts with those long ass legs of yours. Besides, I'll make sure you get paid double," he clucked. "You need some extra cash, don't you?"
"I'm not a prostitute!" I hissed at him, shoving him away. "Get away from me!"
"You wanna play hard to get, huh?" he grunted, grabbing my arm. "Fine."
"Let go!" I strained away from him, and he stepped closer, pinning me against the desk, an awful look on his face.
I felt fear start to rush through my veins, and my hand tightened around the stapler.
"A little over time never hurt anyone, right?" he murmured, and his face descended towards mine.
No!
I jerked, and the stapler went against his chest. He yelped, taking a few steps back as I stapled his shirt to his chest.
"You bitch!"

Notes

Hello everyone! I am so sorry I haven't updated in like a century, I overpowered myself with fan fics and life.
But ---- Morgan is back! And I'm going to try to update at least once a week and not be such a twat about it!
Thank you guys for being so patient!