the intern / jon ossoff

five

I woke up with a big headache and an even bigger sense of shame. I hardly wanted to get out of my bed, let alone go to a rally where I had to stare at the man I had been in a very uncomfortable position with the day before. From what I remembered, he had practically carried me home after I had had one too many drinks.

I was incredibly annoyed at myself for drinking so much in front of my boss, and having the audacity to allow him into my hotel room. The last thing I remember was sitting down on my bed, I couldn't even recall him leaving the room.

I sighed, trying to clear my mind and just think of the day ahead of me. I had a long day ahead of me. Sarah thought it would be a good idea to bring Jon along while we went knocking on doors around the suburbs, it would make a good impression on voters if they knew he cared enough to see them in person. After that, we had a rally, then we would return to the hotel and probably do more work.

The bus was leaving to drop us off at 9:30. It was currently 8:30, I had more than enough time to get ready and eat breakfast. And I wasn't about to be late a second time. I got dressed in a campaign tee and shorts, attempted to conceal the bags under my eyes with some makeup, spritzed a bit of perfume on myself and headed downstairs to the hotel breakfast area. I made myself a waffle and grabbed two breakfast sausages. I sat with James and Amelia at a table in the corner of the room. I checked the room for any sign of Jon, who luckily was sitting with Sarah, deep into some paperwork. I knew Sarah wouldn't let him join us, so I was safe for now.

"How much did you drink after we left, Joey?" James asked before I could even begin eating.

"A little more," I said, understating it.

"How did you get back to the hotel?" Amelia asked.

"I just walked back with Jon. Are you guys excited for the rally today?" I tried changing the subject.

"Wait, what do you mean you walked back with him. Could you even walk?" James questioned.

"Yes, I could walk," I lied, hoping neither of them would notice.

"I doubt that," Amelia responded. "You were pretty drunk when we left."

"I was fine!"

"Did Jon see you super drunk?" James laughed.

"No!"

"Did he have to help you home?"

"No!" I cried out, drawing the attention of the other people in the dining room, including Jon and Sarah. They quickly returned to their normal conversations though, except for Jon, who I could feel staring holes into the side of my head. I looked over again, but his gaze was then on Sarah.

"Be careful! If you get fired I won't know what to do with myself," Amelia grabbed my hand across the table. James nodded.

"I'm not going to get fired, guys. I'm fine. Can I eat in peace now?" I looked at my friends expectantly. They both shrugged, and returned to their food.

I didn't sit next to Jon on the bus this time, instead taking a seat next to James at the table. I read my book silently, while Jon ran his canvassing speech with Amelia. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when he complimented her edits. That was my job. But I pushed those feelings aside and remembered what I was here for: to work.

We arrived at our first neighborhood, the bus parking in a local elementary school parking lot. We arrived at the first house in a group, Amelia and James standing between Jon and I. Jon rang the doorbell himself, and was answered a couple moments later.

"Hello?" A middle aged woman answered the door, putting her phone in her pocket. It took her a moment before she recognized the man standing in front of her.