Dedicated to Oli (TheBibicalSinner), whose daily updates have inspired me to get my ass in gear and finally start writing again. Go check him out, if you haven't already!
Original: 12/21/2016
...
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."
Chicago during Christmas was exactly like the Christmas songs described. Lights were hanging all over downtown and Christmas displays were up all down the streets. What the songs didn't discuss was the bitter cold and slushy snow and ice. Sveta wrapped her scarf tighter around her face and hunched down more into her coat to protect her face from the harsh wind. Early December in Chicago may have been home to unforgiving weather, but at least there'd be a white Christmas this year.
"This is what I get for waiting until the cold set in to finish my Christmas shopping," Sveta grumbled as another gust of wind threatened to blow her hat off her head. She quickened her pace as she approached the store.
"Welcome to Grimble's," the young cashier grumbled. At least Sveta wasn't the only one who wasn't thrilled about being out in the cold today.
Sveta gave a quick wave to the already bored cashier and made her way to the back of the store. Her office was doing secret Santa gifts, and she knew her colleague Laura would enjoy a nice pair of warm, fuzzy Christmas socks to add to her growing collection of crazy socks. After finding a pair of green Grinch socks for Laura and a new scarf for her sister Jasmina, Sveta made her way to the cashier to check out before venturing back out into the cold.
"$25.63," the cashier let her know. "These are cute socks. I need to get myself a pair. The heat in my apartment is broken and it's getting colder and colder."
"Oh Lord, I hope they fix it soon. They said it's supposed to be in the negatives all week," Sevta sympathized. She couldn't imagine having to brave this cold with no heat to look forward to. "Try taping your windows until your heat is fixed. That should at least keep the cold air out."
"Thanks! I'll try that. Happy holidays!" When Sveta paid and left, the cashier looked to be in a better mood. She was glad she could make someone's day at least a little better.
Sveta rushed from Grimble's to her favorite little coffee shop for her second cup that day. Once again she hadn't slept, and she was getting frustrated with how her body was responding to the lack of sleep.
"Hey Tia!" the cute barista called to her. "You want your usual, or are you gonna get a little more adventurous today?" he joked.
"Hey Tom. No, the usual sounds good. Can you add an extra shot of espresso?" she tiredly asked.
"Sure. Long night?"
"Not any longer than normal," was her usual response. Sveta checked to see if she had any emails from work. The new rebranding project was going much slower than they had anticipated, and a lot of that had to do with the client not knowing what she wanted. She had already changed her mind about the colors and fonts twice in a week, and while that didn't impact the concept too much, it was starting to become a nuisance and a habit. If it continued this way, they would probably have to terminate the contract.
"One large caramel cappuccino with almond milk, no whip, and an extra shot of espresso for Tia!" another barista called out.
"Thanks," Sveta said as she grabbed the cup. "See ya later, Tom!" she called out to her favorite barista, making her way back outside. The client had just sent another email, this time deciding she didn't like the logo they created months ago. This is going to be a very long day.
...
After stopping at the office for a meeting with the rest of the team in charge of the rebranding, Sveta finally made it home. Just in time to videochat with her best friend.
"Tia! What's up? How's Chicago treating you?" her best friend, Marie, asked as soon as her face appeared.
"Hey Marie. It's freezing, as usual. How's New York? Has it started snowing yet?" Sveta asked as she settled down in her favorite chair.
"Not yet. It's actually pretty mild right now, which is surprising for this time of year. Oh my gosh, I need to tell you about this new client I have! He's such a pain, but he's so cute!" Marie gushed.
"That's great, Mar. Let me go make another cup of coffee first." Sveta yawned and stretched out her back, making her way out of her chair.
"Another? What cup are you on now? It's only like 5pm there." Marie gave Sveta her best mom face.
"This is only number three. It's fine, I'm just tired," Sveta responded defensively.
"Holy crap, girly! You should really cut back on the caffeine. It's not good for you."
"I haven't been sleeping well. It's fine, I have it handled." Sveta knew Marie would see right through her lie.
"Sveta Dominguez, why haven't you seen somebody yet? You haven't slept in weeks! You promised," her friend berated.
"I know, but I haven't had time. I haven't!" she defended after a look from Marie. "I've been working more. We have a deadline due the 23rd for a client that we've been trying to meet early so we don't have to worry the week before Christmas." She was hoping Marie would accept that because she didn't feel like going into the truth. It would only worry her friend.
"Mhm. Don't you give me that crap, Tia. We both know meeting this deadline isn't more important to you than sleep. You gonna tell me what's really wrong yet, or are we gonna play this game all day?" Sveta saw Marie put her hands on her hips and knew she was in for a fight until her saving grace appeared.
"Hold on Marie, my mom is calling me. Don't give me that look! I promise I'll call you back."
"Mm."
"Love you!" Sveta rolled her eyes as she was met with her friend's glare and then a blank screen. "Hi mommy!" She smiled as an image of her mom came into focus.
"Hi Viti. Have you heard from Jazzy today?" her mom asked immediately. "She was supposed to call about Christmas plans, but she was going to check with work first and get back to me. That was of course a week ago. I swear your sister could lose track of anything. I'd be worried about her kids if I didn't know John had more sense about him." Her mom rolled her eyes. That was Jazzy, all right. Always in her own world.
"No, mom. Jazzy hasn't talked to me in weeks. Did you ask daddy?" Sveta asked carefully. Even though her parents' divorce was finalized a few months before, she still felt uncomfortable bringing the other parent up in conversation.
"Viti, you don't have to act weird. Your father and I are adults. And to answer your question, I did ask him. He hasn't talked to her either."
"What about Dom?" Her little brother was away at college in Colorado, but he talked to the family at least once a week.
"He said she told him the same thing the last time he talked to her. I'll probably try calling John again," she said offhand. Jazzy would turn up when she remembered she was supposed to get back to their mom. "How are you, baby?"
...
After catching up with her mom for a while, Sveta hung up and turned back to working on the logo she had already created months ago. She couldn't understand why the client would want it to be changed so drastically. A lot of research had gone into creating the concept for the floral shop, and what she wanted instead didn't fit anything about the brand.
As she was getting up to make a cup of tea, another incoming video call came in from Marie.
"Tia, I think I figured out how to help you de-stress and finally sleep, while you wait to go see someone about it." Sveta didn't miss the unresolved lecture in her tone.
"Okay?" she asked hesitantly. Sveta had to admit she was a little nervous to hear her idea. Marie wasn't known for her well-thought out decisions. She was usually more impulsive than Sveta would ever be.
"Okay so studies have shown that the power of touch can help ease stress, right?" Marie excitedly started.
"I swear to God if you recommend anything that has to do with a stripper or prostitute, I'm done."
"No no, nothing like that. Well kind of. Just hear me out," she rushed when she saw Sveta was about to interrupt her. "I found this online while you were talking to your mom. Just check it out. I sent you the link."
Sveta looked at her phone when she felt a notification come through and clicked the link from Marie. She re-read the page twice, scrunching her brows in confusion, which quickly turned into surprise as Marie's plan became clearer. "'Healing Snuggles?' You want me to hire a cuddle buddy?"
...
I hate writing first chapters because I find they're either really easy to write and good, but the rest of the story is meh, or they're really hard to write and a little slow because I want to get to the good part. Let me know what you think of this first chapter!
There's only 4 days left until Christmas! This is a story I've had in my head for a while, but I'm way behind on writing it because of life responsibilities. Ah well, at least I have all my shopping and decorating done. Anyone have any preparing left to do for the holidays?