...Arrive to Work on Time
My eyes were practically bloodshot. Having been staring at a laptop for a long while without blinking can do that to you. Eyelids felt heavy as I continued typing, a yawn escaping me from the long night I introduced myself to. But this was something I intended to finish. The one thing that could change my life forever.
“Finally!” I exclaimed in tired victory. “And all that's left is to get some rest and get it published.”
Throwing my hooves up, I roll onto my back to get the sleep I deserved. I close my eyes taking in a deep breath, an ear flicking as I suddenly contemplate. “What time is it?” And as if it heard, the alarm clock blares throughout my room letting me know exactly what time it was. Turning my head slowly to glare at the device, it read 5:30 am.
I groan in anger and sorrow, the idea of pulling an all nighter for the third time this week was almost sickening. Rolling over and pushing myself onto my hooves, I slowly walk to the bathroom of my one bedroom apartment. Flipping on the light, I spot and make my way to the sink and turn on the faucet, watching the cold water fill the bowl in known horror. Turning the faucet off, I dunk my head into the almost freezing water without hesitation, letting it awaken my senses for the day ahead. Staying still for a short while, I gasp for air as pulled my head out of the water, flinging water onto the mirror. Rubbing my eyes with a hoof, I prop my hooves on the sink to take a glance into the mirror seeing how truly disheveled I looked. Bags formed under my eyes, my black mane and birch colored and furred face dripping wet as well. Could be considered a zompony cause I looked half dead already.
With a deep sigh, I pushed off the sink, both forehooves landing with a thud on the tile floor and walked out of the bathroom to the window of my bedroom. Opening the blinds to look out at the city, the sky still dark but slowly getting brighter, streetlights flickering off as some other buildings lights turned on as ponies awoke and got ready for the day ahead of them.
“They're probably well rested… no use calling in sick.” I said to myself, knowing my boss wouldn't allow it a third time.
Trotting over to the closet, I opened it via magic and scanned through the various dress shirts I got for work, settling for a plain white and black tie to go with it. Next objective was to get coffee, quickly getting over to the kitchen to prepare some “liquid control” to help jump start my morning as I got everything else ready for work. As per usual routine, I levitated a pair of earbuds to my head, placing them into my ears as I scrolled through the connected iPone music list.
After finally selecting a song, I looked at the time displayed above, pupils shrinking seeing how I wasn't going to make it to work on time. Immediately I grabbed my suitcase and zoomed out the door, locking it after I slammed it close. Swearing that I might've woken somepony up. Hurrying to the stairs, I practically jumped down the steps as I was racing towards the lobby, not taking the elevator cause it'd be too slow. Once on the first floor I flew right out through the rotating doors and ran down the block as early sunlight started to shine upon the city that was slowly coming to life. My newest destination was the transit station, so I had to be quick to get at least get a decent seat on the train car.
“Excuse me! Sorry! Coming through!” I frantically called as I passed through the growing crowd on the sidewalk, getting many curses and swears thrown at me as I rushed by. When I had reached the transit station entrance, the stairs were crowded with ponies. Thinking on my hooves I jumped up on the railing and slid down it, grunting as I landed at the bottom. But that didn't halt my progress. Pulling out my card via magic, I swiped it through the card reader and ran through the gates and made my way to the train. When finally reaching it after sliding down yet another railing, I slid through the doors of the train as it began to close heading towards its next destination.
“Next stop: 105th street.” I heard the transit overhead system call. I must've been lucky because my place of work was a block away.
I let out a breath of relief, setting my haunches down in a empty seat and rested my head against the window. The train jerked forward and slowly picked up speed, being only the beginning of a semi long ride. Turning up the music volume, I somewhat enjoyed the ride because not only the fact that it was crowded, but I managed to get a seat so I was contempt. Suddenly the train jumps slightly, knocking few of the ponies off balance, one of them being pushed up against me. The new found pressure on my chest cause me to wheeze and gasp for air as I try to push the maroon pony off me. The sudden event had caused my earbuds to fall out just as I heard a voice speak to me.
“Oh! I’m very sorry, sir!” The voice was feminine and from the maroon pony I had just pushed off me. My ears just perked as I looked at mare that just apologized to me. For one I was dumbstruck that I got an apology, and two I was noticed on the train.
“It..it’s fine…” I began as I then looked up at the map to see the progress of the train towards the next stop, seeing that we were close. “My stop is actually up next so... if you need a seat… here’s mine.” I finish, not exactly all that confident in my speaking, letting out an awkward cough into my hoof.
“Really? Same here!” I hear her exclaim excitedly, her eyes widening as if she realized something. “Do you happen to work near here? I’m kinda new to the area...heh eh…”
My eyes widen, taking in her question, shaking my head quickly to regain focus. “Uh yeah I do actually... Manehatten Times.” I respond, watching her eyes brighten as a smile grows on her face.
“Wow, this really is a coincidence. I actually was just relocated here to work for Manehatten Times.” The train then came to a slow stop as we reached our stop at last, the moment making it seem even slower. But a hoof wave in front of the face was enough to bring it back to speed. “C’mon now, don’t want to be late to work, now do we?” She said as she motioned for me to get up and follow.
“Y-yeah, don’t want that.” I say, getting up and following her as we exited the station. We walk together, holding a conversation of how the workplace is like and other work related topics. As we finally reach our building, we stop right outside.
“I haven’t caught your name.” She says turning to look at me.
“It’s Kasic, yours?” I reply, turning to look right back at her.
“Autumn.”
“Well Autumn, welcome to the team. Now shall we?” I say as magically hold the door open for her.
“Why thank you, and yes ‘We shall’.” She smiles as she walks through the door as I follow behind her, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.