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Rise and Shine
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2024-11-15 21:27:37I wake up not knowing how long I’d been asleep. I sheepishly look for my phone as I feel a slight pulsating sensation in my head. I like to think that’s my head injury and not the tumor that upheaved my life. I finally find my phone while rustling through the sheets and see that it says Thursday. I had slept for two days? Along with the date, I notice the dozen missed calls from my parents and a text from Maverick dated yesterday. I decided to call my parents back to ensure them I was okay. I’m sure they would’ve stopped by now but I recalled they had a few meetings lined of this week. My parents both sat on the board committee for Sonoma, a small city outside of San Francisco. The same city I’ve grown up in my whole life. It’s not a bad place. Just a small town of about 11,000 people with ambitions and dreams. Just not the same as mine. I wanted a legacy to reach all ends of the country whereas the legacy most people built here was a family, suburban living and comfort. After speaking with my mom for about five minutes, I change my focus to the text from Maverick.
M: Hey, you should check your email. Internship letters are supposedly being released today. Good luck! Internship letters? Oh shit. My internship application! I scramble to grab my computer from the nightstand and log into my email. I had applied to the most prestige environmental organization located in San Francisco as a paid intern in their documentary department. I knew it was a long shot when I saw that there was one opening but I had to take my chance. I see an email labeled EnviroDoc and click on it immediately. Email: Hello Cassandra, We are pleased to have reviewed such a wonderful candidate like yourself and have selected your application to be further viewed. As a result, we would like to offer you the opportunity of interviewing here at our office. We have scheduled your interview for Friday at 5:00P.M. We anticipate your arrival and hope to see you then. Signed, EnviroDoc. I have an interview! I wanted to get up and dance but I’m sure my head would disagree with my choices. I quickly grab my phone to text Maverick back. C: I got an interview at my top-choice internship. How did it go for you? I waited for his response while having too much excitement to contain myself. M: I made it to the interview process too! I think you might be a good luck charm. C: Not likely. I have a head injury, remember? M: Never said you were lucky for you. LOL. He was witty. Funny even. I think I like him. C: So where’s your interview? I look at the screen watching the text bar blink as I wait to hear some far away place as if us meeting was something we had spoken about. I expected to read a place I’ve never heard of. M: San Francisco, what about yours? C: Wait really? You live in California?! M: Yeah. I actually live in Vineburg. Is that a surprise? Out of all the places on earth, he lives here. Not only does he live here - he lives in the next city over less than an hour away. I start losing myself in thought. Are we going to meet? How would it feel to have him wrap his arms around me? How soft his lips might be? I snap back to reality before I let my fantasy run further. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any thoughts like that. And now was not the time to get caught up in a sex-crazed fantasy. I had to prepare for my interview. And text Maverick back, non-chalant of course. C: I just didn’t know you would be this close. I live in Sonoma. M: You’re joking. I go there all the time. The restaurants there are the best! C: You’re not wrong. The food is the freshest I’ve ever had. M: Hey, this may sound weird but maybe we can meet up after our interviews and grab something to eat. In a non-creepy way. C: You know what, I’d like that. My interview is tomorrow at 5P.M. M: Mine is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:30P.M. Just text me when you’re leaving your interview and I’ll just wait for you. C: Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow Maverick. M: Catch ya tomorrow Cass. Normally I didn’t care for nicknames but I liked when he called me Cass. Suddenly I remember I have to be at my appointment for oncology at the hospital. I shoot into my bathroom, grab a pair of jeans and a sweater, brush my teeth and tie up my hair for the sake of time. I run out the door with keys in hand and find my car. I rush to the hospital and decide to take the elevator. Running had made my head hurt and I liked the idea of staying conscious. As I stepped onto the revelatory and pressed the button for the 4th floor, I braced myself for the unimaginable. The envision of illness, death and lack of hope. I wasn’t ready. I would never be ready enough to be here, to be at this point in my life. The point of trying not to die.Related chapters
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I make it to the oncology floor at the hospital. The first thing I notice is this overwhelming appearance of hope. The entry area is decorated with the essence of life. Photos of flowers, calming colors and some plants in planters line the wall and lead towards a desk where I can already see the receptionist smiling at me. I walk over to her slowly as I look around. I almost expected a dreary appearance to this place. I mean, the people who come here are pretty much trying not to die or expire for better words. Yet this place was decorated to look peaceful, lively and friendly. I slowly reach the receptionist although I thought about turning around and making a bolt for the elevator. “Cassandra Richardson, I’m here for my consultation”. I say in a hushed voice as if the tumor in head could be a secret. “Welcome Cassandra, the doctor will be right with you if you’d like to have a seat”. She was cheery. In a place of people trying to change their fate, people who were dying and
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I hoped to wake up early to make sure I have time to prepare my interview portfolio and outfit. But even waking at noon was more than enough time to prepare as my interview was at 5pm. Presentation is everything. One small flaw and the very idea of my legacy would jeopardized. Only I wasn’t so focused on my interview when I awoke. I dreamt that I was in the shower and a tall handsome man with blue eyes came in to join me or better yet, pleasure me. He stood behind me and I could feel the heat radiating off his skin as he pressed up against me, pushing me into the showers wall, caressing every curve and lingering on every one of my sweet spots. As I rose in arousal. He wanted me to say his name. “Call for me. Tell me who you want. Say Maverick.” And with that, I woke up in bed alone to the sound of my alarm. As much as that dream lingered in mind, I had to focus. My legacy was at stake. I walk over to my closet to ruffle through my business-casual clothes and settle on a nic
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“Please have a seat on. I’m Mrs. Parton and it is so nice to meet you.” She says with a professional and warming smile. I hand her my portfolio, sit down and make sure to keep posture high and offer a controlled smile. I think my crazed nervous smile would’ve scared her away. “It’s nice to finally meet you as well Mrs.Parton. I have nothing but the highest respect for your work.” Niceties aren’t going to get me this interview but I hadn’t lied. She created EnviroDoc and traveled the world making documentaries about the environment and planet. It was amazing how much she has put into her success. She’s formed a legacy. “Oh thank you! I was very impressed to read your application. You seem to be a very dedicated young woman on a mission and I’d like to learn more about you today.” She says as she sits across from me behind her desk. “Thank you. I will gladly answer any and every question you have!” Okay that was too eager but at least she smiled back at me and didn’t look at me li
Last Updated : 2024-12-03
Latest chapter
The web I can’t unweave My second treatment
I wake up around noon. I was exhausted from the highs of everyday. I go to get dressed and brush my teeth. I had to make it to my second treatment today where Darren would be waiting for me. I finish getting dressed and head to my kitchen for a a granola bar and juice then I’m out the door and on the way. I arrive at the hospital where I know exactly what floor I need to ascend too and where I’d have to wait. I get this eerie feeling as I head into the oncology department. No matter how nice the waiting area and receptionist are, I can’t help but associate this office with death. I see Darren come out to find me with a smile. “Nice to see you again, Cassandra. Are you ready? He holds a hand out to help me up. I take his hand and he leads me to the back where I had sat last time. This time, I see a woman sitting two chairs an over - receiving her treatment. She was frail, pale and had lost her hair. I start to hyperventilate at the thought that it would me in a few sessions. D
The web I can’t unweave Home
I finally make it home, shower and get into some comfy pajamas as I go to sit in my living room to think about how eventful this day was. I got the internship of my dreams at EnviroDoc. I met Maverick who’s swept me off my feet. A wonderful old soul gifted me my dream typewriter. And I told someone I was dying. Nothing prepared me for the events of this evening although the outcome was in my favor for once. That was until I had received a text about my upcoming appointment with Darren. Last time I was in the oncology office, my symptoms from radiotherapy were intense and Darren’s reactions and proximity were also immense. I had gotten worked up about my doctor. And the worst part was that I thought the tension could be mutual on both sides. I ponder the idea of being back in his office and how awkward it would be. But my thoughts are cut short by the ringing of phone. The notification on display for my eyes only. It was Maverick. M: Hey, I just got back home but I wanted
The web I can’t unweave As night begins
We walk for another 5-10 minutes until we notice the shops and boutiques start to close. “So what did you think?” I hear chime from Maverick as we walked back to the parking garage for EnviroDoc. “What did I think about what?” I ask almost confused. “About our day together. We had our interviews today. We had a good meal and you got the typewriter of your dreams today.” He smiles and lifts his hand to emphasize the heavy typewriter he’d been carrying so effortlessly. “I think today was more than I could’ve imagined.” I say with a smile as I face him. “I like to think I contributed to that smile with my undying enthusiasm.” He says jokingly. I look up into his eyes. “I wouldn’t have gotten this typewriter or my internship without your reminders and constant reassurance.” I roll my eyes on that last part but continue smiling. He has pleasantly surprised me which was an uncommon turn of events for me. Just then, Maverick leans down and kisses me softly, placing his free hand on
The web I can’t unweave The finishing of our date
As we finished eating, Maverick paid the check and we made our way back to the busy San Francisco streets. We walked past a few window shops and talked about the upcoming trends plastered on every boutique window.“You ready to start work on Monday?” Maverick asks as we pass a glass building similar to the one we had just met in earlier today at EnviroDoc.“I think so. I mean the hiring packet says we’ll only be working Monday through Wednesday so it’s not a tight-knit schedule and it’s still a great opportunity even though I’ll be sharing it with you.” I say jokingly.“I promise to be a great distraction.” He winks as we pass an antique shop.I laugh a little. If he only knew how much of a distraction he’s become already. I look into the antique shop where I see moments captured in time and items of the ages. I notice a velvet-lined box with a beautiful Maplefield Vintage Typewriter. The mahogany wooden frame was polished to the point of reflection. I had always dreamed of purchasing
The web I can’t unweave Our first date continues
I sit as Maverick makes his way to the seat across from me. I think of something to say as the waiter makes his way over to ask what we’d like to drink. I hear Maverick answer something in Italian and the waiter nods and leaves. “You speak Italian?” Why does everything surprise me about him? As though he were a labyrinth I intended to get lost in. He looks over at me with a soft smile before answering. “My grandfather taught me. He said it’d be a waste for the language to die with him. Cosa ne pensi?” His smile changes from soft to almost flirtation. “What does that mean?” “I asked you what do you think?” He lets out a light laugh that sends a wave of nervousness all over me. I wasn’t used to going on dates or talking to guys as a whole. But I enjoyed Maverick and I’s conversations especially before I knew how hot he could me feel in my most intimate places. “Riveting” i smile with the same level of flirtation as he did before me. “So what did you order for our drinks?”
The web I can’t unweave Our first date
As we left the office, Maverick suggested we take a walk to a nearby Italian restaurant. It was only about a block away from the glass doors of EnviroDoc so I agreed. “So Cass, what made you apply to EnviroDoc in the first place?” He says as we wait at the crosswalk, never letting go of my hand. “I was watching some of their documentaries when I heard them advertise that they would be opening a new positional internship and encouraged California natives to apply. I thought that it would be a nice opportunity to travel while I research for the next documentary and share my skill of research. What about you?” I look up at him and wait for his response and I realize he started to seem a bit nervous. “I wanted to be able to travel, get out of California and see the world. And if I could do that, while contributing to something great - it would be an amazing opportunity to start my career.” He then smiles like he shared a valuable piece of information. He seemed to genuine and yet I
The web I can’t unweave Me vs. Maverick
It’s only a short moment of silence when Mrs. Parton calls us back into her office for our group interview or stand-off as I’d like to look at it. “I suppose you to have already met being that you were both in the waiting room for some time. Cassandra, your achievements paired with your intellectual drive are compelling and astonishing. It shows your drive which I can only assume will be a valuable asset to our team here at EnviroDoc. And Maverick, your knowledge paired with your fascinating proposals are equally as astonishing and promising for EnviroDoc. Originally, there was only one position available for our internship but we would like to split the workload and position between the both of you on a trial basis of 30 days and see who has more to offer and who will be a suitable fit long-term.” She smiles as though she’s won the lottery. Split it? Split my succession with a potential love interest that I want but don’t know of if I should trust? “I would also like to add that a
The web I can’t unweave Hello Mystery Man
I revisit the waiting room and sit on the couch across from the mysterious man. A coffee table riddled with magazines stands in between as I grab a magazine on Successful women to be acknowledged and recognized this past year. I skim the magazine and wonder if I’d end up in a publishing like this. A publishing of elites and their legacy - broadcasted upon each page for others to read and seek motivation from. I needed this internship and this man in front of me stood in my way of that. I peer up from my magazine and catch him doing the same. Skimming a magazine but peeking at me over the rim of the top. Was he thinking the same as me?I close my magazine and place it down on the table neatly and decide that conversation was a good attempt as any.“Are you here for the internship?”He smiles slightly as he looks up and puts down his magazine as if he knew conversation was on the horizon.“I am and I understand that there is only one position. But we’re both still here.” He analyzed the
The web I can’t unweave My interview
“Please have a seat on. I’m Mrs. Parton and it is so nice to meet you.” She says with a professional and warming smile. I hand her my portfolio, sit down and make sure to keep posture high and offer a controlled smile. I think my crazed nervous smile would’ve scared her away. “It’s nice to finally meet you as well Mrs.Parton. I have nothing but the highest respect for your work.” Niceties aren’t going to get me this interview but I hadn’t lied. She created EnviroDoc and traveled the world making documentaries about the environment and planet. It was amazing how much she has put into her success. She’s formed a legacy. “Oh thank you! I was very impressed to read your application. You seem to be a very dedicated young woman on a mission and I’d like to learn more about you today.” She says as she sits across from me behind her desk. “Thank you. I will gladly answer any and every question you have!” Okay that was too eager but at least she smiled back at me and didn’t look at me li
