Login with:

Facebook

Twitter

Tumblr

Google

Yahoo

Aol.

Mibba

Your info will not be visible on the site. After logging in for the first time you'll be able to choose your display name.

United

November 8, 2055: Part 1

Athena took a deep breath and took in the sight of her boss’ office. The large glass doors were quite heavy due to their immense size that she had just come through. Everything was always clear or white. The floors, the desks, the cabinets, they were all made of white marble. The doors, the walls, the computers, they all happened to be see through. However, if somebody locks a door, the glass transforms into a milky colour, providing privacy to those who seek it. Athena was sure that he could just hear her heart from where she stood. It thumped in her chest with even the thought of begging her boss for a favor but that is what she was about to do.
Athena gathered her courage and cleared her throat, “Excuse me, sir?”
“Yes, Anne?” The Chancellor commented with his back turned to her.
“Athena.” She gently corrected despite the disdainful note that trailed her words, ever so slightly.
“Oh, yes, Athena.” He obviously didn’t care to have this conversation.
“I was wondering if I could get the rest of the day off.” She paused to receive an answer but continued when it never came, “It’s my best friend’s birthday and mine will be tomorrow.”
“Look, Athens.” He only then turned to face her.
“Athena.”
“Right. Anyway, today maybe your best friend’s birthday and tomorrow, yours, I, however, fail to see why either of those have any relevance towards your work day. Your best friend can wait a few hours and your birthday will be on a day you don’t even work on. It is going to be a very busy today as I will be announcing our election candidates, therefore, I will need someone to be my secretary. Since you already play the part so well, why don’t you keep at it for another day?” He used his condescending tone and it was Athena’s least favourite.
Athena thought of many ways to deal with the situation at hand. Her favorite was of her getting to stab him in the throat. “You egotistical asshole! Why do have the right to decide my life?” Athena shouted as she made her way to her boss. Athena felt the anger that had been bubbling for months coming to a boil, more so with each thunderous step she took. She pulled on her boss’ tie until their foreheads met.
“I hate you! I don’t understand how America could have made the poor choice of Donald Trump and followed him up with you. These stupid ideas you had for your ‘utopia’ are complete and utter bullshit, not to mention, ruined my life. No one will be more deserving of this than you.”
Before the Chancellor could respond, Athena grabbed a pen off of his desk and drove it into his neck. Blood spattered Athena’s face but she didn’t seem mind. She pushed him away from her and grabbed a napkin. She wiped the blood from her face as she left her boss behind. The gurgling sound of him choking on his blood made Athena smile as she shut the door to his office.
Instead of following her morbid thoughts, Athena just nodded, said a simple, “yes sir,” and vacated his office. Athena would be stuck doing her boss’ bidding for the next five hours. The presidential rally was in about three hours so Athena got to work on the last minute arrangements. This morning alone, she had made 17 calls to confirm things like the venue, the venders, etc. She was also constantly receiving phone calls from people who wanted to see the Chancellor. When she told them there was no way to see him today, she would end up being cussed out or they would yell, “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM,” as if it would change the fact that the chancellor was not seeing anyone today.
After about an hour and thirty of just straight phone calls, Athena left to pick up the Chancellor’s suit from the dry cleaners and forwarded all phone calls from her work phone to her personal cell phone. She got into the black Rolls Royce her employer had provided her with. It wasn’t given to her through the kindness of the Chancellor’s heart but because he wanted Athena to run errands faster and he would not let anyone who worked for him drive anything less than a RR. The second the door opened for her, the engine roared to life without her even touching the car. The car greeted her with a warm hello and shut the door behind her. The screen floated before her in mid-air and Athena casually typed in the destination and the car spurred into motion. It wasn’t long before the car alerted her.
“Ms. Athena, you have a text message from Luke Hemmings.” The female voice of the car smoothly spoke.
“Would you be a doll and read it to me?” Athena responded.
The car chirped before it spoke again, “Of course, the text message says, ‘So am I involved in your guys’ birthday plans tonight? XX.’ Would you like to respond?”
“Yes, tell Luke; Talk to Pay. I’m not the one who made the plans and it’s not my birthday just yet.”
“Is that all, ma’am?”
“Yes.” Athena abruptly ended the noise in the car.
The screen then dissipated and the full windshield came back into view. The town was fairly busy and you could practically feel everyone’s excitement crackling through the air. The highway was full of luxury cars heading to the venue and it took a lot longer to get to the cleaners than Athena had anticipated.
“How can I help you?” The young woman asked as Athena walked into the store.
“I’m here to pick up the suit for Bobby Horan.” The woman’s smile faded almost immediately after Athena finished his last name.
“One moment please.” The lady said as she left to some back room.
Now that Athena was alone, she glanced at the now pink timer on her wrist. She felt a knot of uncertainty tug in her stomach. What if she really met the person she was destined to fall in love with tonight? The ringing on her other wrist caught her attention before she could think of any more questions. She unbent the phone that was wrapped around her wrist into its original flat form.
“Hello?” Athena spoke first.
“Athena! Did you tell Luke he could tag along?” A woman’s voice screeched.
“Payton, lovely to hear from you again.” Athena sarcastically remarked.
“Athena Jay White, I am not putting up with your regular sarcastic antics right now. I need an answer, did you or did you not invite Luke Hemmings to the bar for our birthdays?”
“Payton Arden Maz, I did not invite Luke Hemmings to the bar for our birthdays.”
“Ha! Hear that Luke?”
“What the hell?” Luke piped up.
“Really, a three-way call?” Athena muttered in an annoyed tone.
“Well little shit-for-brains--“ Payton started but was cut off.
“Hey!” Luke yelled.
“As I was saying, Luke texted me saying that you gave him the okay and that he needed the details.”
As Payton and Luke hashed it out in her ear, the woman returned with a garment bag in hand.
Athena tilted the phone away from her mouth, “Is it paid for?”
The woman nodded and Athena mouthed a “thank you” before exiting the store and heading to her car. Athena got in the car, it buckled her up, and the phone connected to the car. Her best friend’s bickering was now pouring out of the 6 speakers within Athena’s car. Athena sighed as she listened to the two continuously going at it. Being the usual mediator, Athena knew she had to step in.
“Stop!” Athena yelled and both parties silenced, “I told Luke to ask you if he may join us because it is still your birthday and your plans. I, however, never gave permission nor extended an invitation in Luke’s direction. So, Payton, since it is your birthday, it is your decision; does Luke come or stay? And Luke, you have better respect her answer no matter what she decides or I will beat you to a pulp.”
“I’m fine with Luke coming.” Payton said in a defeated tone, “BUT he’s not riding in the birthday car with us. He can meet us there.”
“Sound fair enough, Luke?” Athena pushed.
“Yes.” Luke shared the same pathetic tone as Payton.
“Now cheer up, you bums! We’re going to party tonight!” Athena excitedly shouted.

The three chatted about the night’s plans as Athena headed to the venue. Athena was completely irked by the idea that she not only had to put up with Bobby Horan but also Niall for the night. Her stomach felt like a pack of ravenous wolves were tearing it to pieces. Part of her thought the anxiety had to do more with the timer than it did the Horans.
“Hey, guys, I just pulled up to the venue so I have to go. I’m sure we’ll run into each other fairly shortly.” Athena said her goodbyes.
Athena took the solemn walk with the suit to her boss’ trailer. She was feeling pangs of annoyance and hurt as she stared at the golden plaque with the Chancellor’s name on it. She wanted to knock but her eyes were fixated on the gold piece by the door and her arms glued to her side. The door swung open, despite her not knocking, and Athena came face to face with Niall.
“Ah, Anne!” Niall said with a devilish smile.
“It’s Athena.” She corrected with an eye roll.
“Well, Athena—darling, looking good as ever, but I need to get around you.” Niall cheekily flirted with his thick Irish accent shining through.
Athena moved to the side to allow Niall to bypass her. Before he had made it down the second step, she had noticed that his timer was also pink. Time to face the beast- Athena thought. She walked into the spacious trailer and took in the gruesome view of her boss in his underwear. Athena turned away, but her boss began yelling.
“There you are! You’ve put us all behind schedule because they couldn’t do hair and makeup until after I was dressed! Next time, do your job properly or you’ll get reassigned! Go find someone else to pester.” The Chancellor barked.
“Yes, sir.” Athena mumbled as she exited the trailer and went looking for her supervisor, Kate.
Athena found her dirty blonde friend bending over the sound board. Her waves were tucked behind her ear as she tinkered with the knobs. Kate had an honest beauty to her. She never wore makeup and her hair was always worn in her natural curls. Athena was jealous at times. Looking at Kate made Athena want to yell, “God dang it! How do you always look so flawless and find time to get all of your work done? I just want your face, your body, your everything.” But that was a little creepy for a coworker.
Athena opted for a softer approach, “Hey, Kate.”
Kate flashed her pearly whites in a gracious grin, “Hey, girl. I’ve got a list of things I need you to get done, as per request of the Chancellor.”
Kate was the planner, of sorts. So when events like these came up, she made the guest list (the financial elite and chancellor sympathizers only), booked the venue and venders, worked with the setup, made sure everything ran smoothly, etc. Kate handed Athena a checklist of about 10 items before she told Athena that they had to be done in 20 minutes. This mentioned running errands for Niall which meant Athena would be forced to face him more than a few times this night. Athena brought her eyes off of the clipboard to meet Kate’s soft ones. Athena furrowed her brows and opened her mouth to speak; Kate hushed her.
“I know you hate the guy but Luke is busy and I couldn’t find anyone else to do it. How much worse can he be than his grandfather?” Kate spoke softly and with a sympathetic look.
“Fine, and to answer your question, they’re basically the same person.” Athena brusquely commented.
“Well, thank you doll, but you’ve got 18 minutes and counting so I’d get a move on.” Kate laughed.
13 minutes later, Athena found herself with a completely finished checklist and standing in front of Niall’s trailer. Athena knocked three times before the door slid open and revealed Luke Hemmings, also Niall’s secretary. He smiled and called out to Niall.
“Yes lad?” Niall asked in his Irish twang.
“Ms. White is here to see you.” Luke announced.
“Who?” Niall inquired as he finally came into view. They made eye contact and he began fidgeting with the cuff of his dress shirt before speaking, “Hello, darling, back for more already?”
“I got what you requested from Kate.” Athena ignored his sexist and wildly inappropriate comment.
“C’mon, I haven’t got all day.” Niall prompted.
Athena stepped cautiously into the trailer. As Athena approached closer to Niall, he extended his hand. Athena could see the pink color reflecting on the arm of his suit, but couldn’t quite see the time on it. The timer changed color as you came closer to meeting your soulmate. The timer starts at green, then when it hits 5 years it turns blue, yellow for a year, purple for one month, pink for a day, red for a minute, and it starts blinking at 5 seconds. They glowed very bright so there was no mistaking it and it was very rare if you were born after 2020 without a timer. Luke was definitely born after 2020 but he didn’t have a timer. A freak accident that made people question him constantly.
Athena stretched out to hand Niall the items in her hands. Instead of just simply taking the items, he gripped her right wrist and removed the things in one swift movement. He discarded them on the table to his left and brought his attention back to Athena. She felt uncomfortable when his icy blue eyes met her gaze of one blue and one brown. Niall yanked her until their chests were touching and never removed his eyes off of her.
“Yes, sir?” Athena warily said while swallowing a lump caught in her throat.
Niall paid no attention to her pitiful pleas and slowly slid her sleeve up her arm slowly. Athena gasped as Niall began to trace her timer on her wrist. Niall smirked but never looked at her. Luke turned away as Niall pulled Athena in even closer than before. He thought Niall would kiss her, but no sound came from their direction. Luke only looked when he heard someone scrambling to move. It was Athena; she looked like a deer in headlights as she speedily walked out of the trailer. Niall went back to getting ready as soon as the clatter of Athena’s heels disappeared, as though those past few minutes never occurred.
Athena felt the warm and cold mixing in her body. Some of it was anxiety and confusion but some of it was excitement as if an electrical pulse had been sent through her body. Athena almost thought that Niall might actually kiss her but he just whispered in her ear. However, what he had said was still reverberating through her head. He said, “I’ll see you tonight.” The cool breeze seemed to settle her nerves a bit. Kate’s voice called out for Athena.
“Yes?” Athena mumbled when she was close enough.
“Woah, that bad? I just needed to know if you got everything done.” Kate commented
“It is always that bad and yes, I just dropped off the items to Niall.”
“Okay, the program—show—election—whatever you want to call it—it’s about to start. I need you to go to backstage and hang out with the Chancellor as per usual.” Kate instructed.
Athena gave an abrupt reply and then turned on her heels with a hefty sign and began in the direction towards the dreaded demon she was forced to call boss. Being by herself for the time being, she pondered what Niall had meant.


Notes

I'm posting this a lot later than I said I would but I didn't realize how long the chapter was until I started typing it up. I will be posting part two very soon so keep an eye out for that. Hope you guys are enjoying!




Comments

This is so good! I can't wait until you post again!