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13
The phone woke her up. Melanie groggily rose from bed, rubbing her eyes as she picked up the phone. Yawning, she spoke into the phone “Hello?” She winced when the voice came through the other end of the phone, bright and loud.
“Hi! This is Michelle from Python Publications. We spoke on the phone yesterday regarding a dinner meeting to discuss your novel. Mr. Smith is not going to be able to attend at the time confirmed yesterday, and I was wondering whether or not a lunch meeting today at the same restaurant would be convenient for you.”
It took a while for Melanie to figure out exactly who it was on the other end of the phone. It then clicked in her mind, the publishers! She jolted awake, responding quickly. “Yeah!” She paused, thinking, not knowing what was next. She yawned as she began to speak again. “That should be fine, Michelle. You've just caught me at a bad time. I'm not a morning person.”
“Neither am I,” The woman on the other end of the phone beamed positively. “You just have to persevere with yourself.” … or take amphetamines, Melanie thought, detecting the fake stimulation on the other end of the phone. Probably coffee.
“I guess that's true. Anyway that time should be fine for me. Today? Lunch time? Same location?” She questioned the receptionist, wanting to make sure that she had all the details correct. This was one opportunity she wasn't going to mess up. “Yes Melanie, that is correct. Mr. Smith will meet you there at one o'clock, but he may be late. The reservation has been made, and you'll be escorted to the table when you get there.”
“Okay thanks Michelle.”
”Brilliant, he’’ll see you at lunch!”
Click.
The dial tone drilled into the back of Melanie's head Surges of panic rushed through her, as she had many things to get done before the lunchtime appointment. What am I going to wear? Another surge of panic washed through her mind as she slammed the phone's receiver back down, quickly heading to the bedroom in search of some respectable clothing.
It didn't take her long to find something decent, a long sleeved, button up shirt in purple; a scarf, and a simple pair of pants, she quickly leapt into the shower, gritting her teeth as the water carved across her incisions. She then dressed herself for the appointment, even if it still was, at that moment, early. The after effects of the cannabis began in her body, and she was uncomfortable, helpless.
Yeah… This was all going to be perfect especially now that I'm out of it… despairing thoughts began in her mind, and she tried to block them out, but as always, they prevailed, and she was in the study at her weakest, blade back in her hand as she had done so many times before.
As the blade made contact with her skin, biting down, it forced a smile to her face, like a surprised child on Christmas day. She cut deeply, causing blood to spill out quickly and in a thick surge that calmed her mind quickly. The black band of her watch covered the bleeding, stinging cut, and she continued organising herself, ignoring the pain. Her watch was her saviour, and it was the most unconventional of Band-Aids and tourniquets.