Sapphire

​My roommate is making so much noise in the next room. Between laughing, the bed squeaking, and the wall banging, trying to sleep isn’t worth it. Throwing my covers off with a huff, I walk to the closet and just stare at the clothes. I don't want to wear any of it, but I don't want to go get new clothes. If I even mention shopping then Hannah will have to come and that is out of the question. I love Hannah but her tastes are so different than mine. She likes bright colors that make her stand out where as I like dark or pale colors that allow me to blend in with the crowd.

Hannah has been my best friend since we were six. We did everything together until we started dating. She has been with so many people I have lost count. However I have only had one boyfriend. Right after we decided to move in together he started yelling at me. Hannah and my mom told me that wasn't good but I didn't listen. I thought I was in love. He came home from work one night drunk, I did something he didn't like and he hit me. I called Hannah and she told me to pack my bag and meet her. I did as she asked I grabbed the biggest bag we had and threw all the stuff I couldn't live without in it. Then I walked out the front door and got in my car. ​When I got to where Hannah was, she told me that she got a part in a huge movie and was moving to Hollywood. I looked at her baffled. She then proceeded to tell me that it would be a new start for us both. I just finished my Bachelors degree in business at Stanford University. Neither one of us has really been away from San Francisco. I went to school 37 miles away from our hometown. As I am listening to her go on and on about the new changes that await us in Hollywood, I start to get nervous so I just take a breath and sit back for the ride. Come to find out the movie producer was setting her up in a huge apartment so she decided I needed to go with her and get a job up there while she pursued acting. That's what we did and so far it’s been good. ​Tonight is our one-year here in this apartment. Hannah wants to go out and celebrate me landing a job at a major trading firm as the business assistant to the CEO. However when they hired me they told me that I needed to have a wide wardrobe with lots of colors because I will be the first person to see the people that show up for meetings with the CEO. Which again leads me back to my current situation, I need new clothes. I am going to have to brave it and ask Hannah to go shopping with me. I reach into the closet and grab my favorite dress. I throw it on I turn in the mirror and smile. It is black and tight but not too tight and it falls right above my knee. I turn on my heel, throw open my door and walk down the hall to knock on Hannah’s. ​When Hannah opens the door my mouth drops. Her hair is a mess and she has a shirt on but it has only one button done up. She is staring at me, I haven’t seen her look so mad and exasperated in well forever. “Sapphire!” I smile at her “this a bad time?” She can’t help but laugh. “Well kind of, I am sure you could hear us. What can I help you with gem?” That makes me smile because I know I interrupted good sex but she still called me gem. She has called me gem since we were little she tells me that I am her gem. “Um I need new clothes.” Before I can ask her to go shopping, she jumps up and down and squeals, “SHOPPING” I cant help but smile because her jumping everything is showing. She has the perfect curves any women would kill to look like her. At this point a young man almost too young I think kisses her cheek. “I take it as my queue to go?” She just looks at him and smiles. He gets almost to the door and turns around “can I call you tomorrow?” Hannah smiles at him “yes call tomorrow.” When the door is closed I ask, “are you going to take that call?” She shrugs and walks back into her room. ​She yells from her room, “Hey Gem, are you serious about going shopping?” I walk into her room and plop down on her bed. “Yes apparently I need clothes that are all sunshine and rainbows, rather then all greys and blacks. The HR person that hired me said, that I need to wear clothes that match my bubbly personality.” I say looking at the floor. Laughter makes me look up. She is laughing so hard she has to hold herself up on the dresser. “Why are you laughing at me Hannah?” ​“Sunshine and rainbows huh, I think we can make that work. However you know you can always borrow any of my clothes.” Getting up off the bed I just look at her. Of coarse I knew she was going to say that, I guess I better tell her the best news. The company is paying for the shopping trip. “I know but it would be nice to have my own clothes, plus she gave me a credit card.” I hold it up to her smiling. ​She jumps up and down with excitement, “why didn't you say so?” I just shrug. “Let me throw some clothes on and we will hit the mall.” She says as she turns to her closet. I get off the bed, “I guess I better go get some shoes.” Walking to my room I grab a pair of red flats and tube of red lipstick off my dresser. I swipe the lipstick on as I slide my shoes on. I turn to look in the mirror. What should I do with my hair I say thinking to myself. I grab a clip and swirl it into a bun and walk back out into the hallway. Just as Hannah steps out of her room looking radiant as ever. “You ready to go?” she asks. I smile at her and grab my bag. “Yeah as ready as I will ever be.” She giggles and shakes her head. ​As we pull up to the mall I look over at Hannah. “This is where you want to get clothes?” Shaking her head Hannah throws her keys in her bag and opens her door. “Get out of the car Gem.” I hate shopping and she wants me to go to the mall. “Fine I’m coming.” I say as I shut the door behind me. ​“We have to get a coffee to start this trip off right.” Hannah says. As I follow her to the line I bump into someone. Looking up my eyes meet a set of dark blue eyes swirling with green. It was like staring into the ocean. All the little hairs on my neck and arms stood on end. I got the most amazing feeling. Hannah grabbed my arm snapping me out of whatever that was. ​“Who’s this?” She says giggling. Leave it to her to go after the guy. I hold my hand out to him and try to introduce myself. “Hello I’m.” He cuts me off. “Sapphire right?” Taken aback I just stare at him. “Yes this is Sapphire,” Hannah shoves my shoulder. “Oh year sorry. Who are you?” I ask, trying not to be annoyed because he knows who I am. “Yes, sorry I’m Blake Davenshaw.” I look at Hannah who has her mouth wide open. “Well, I am sorry I bumped into you.” He just smiles at me and instantly my stomach felt like it was turning every which way. I felt like I couldn’t say another word. I have never felt like this before, I am not sure I like it. I just want to get away which would be rude. Especially to someone worth so much money we are lucky he is talking to us. “Wait, how did you know my name?” Again he smiles that smile that makes me want to I don't know, run away and hide or just melt. “I am pretty sure you just became my business advising assistant.” My heart sinks I so wanted this job. Now I just don't know how to feel about it. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He pauses, “however don't worry about coming in at nine. I don't come in until after eleven and I don't expect you to. Then we will be leaving the office at three for lunch. We will then resume back at the office until five. You will then be excused for the day.” Blake says and turns on his heel and walks away. I was stunned by his words, that I just stood there watching after him. “Gem? Are you in there?” Hannah has her hand on my shoulder. “Oh yeah sorry.” She does googly eyes at me “Lost your train of thought, oh I know what you’re thinking about.” I shake my head and walk towards a little dress store. I pick up a blue tank top dress. It is a dark blue with purple stripes. “Look at this Hannah! Its beautiful!” She grabs it out of my hands. “Oh my god this is gorgeous! You should pair it with this purple cardigan.” Handing them back to me, she starts shuffling through the shelves. “I think that's a great idea. However its not bright and bubbly like the HR lady wanted but a good start.” So we set ourselves off to look for fun colorful clothes. After about six hours of shopping we pull up in front of our apartment building. The alarm goes off at five in the morning. I guess since Blake doesn't want me to come in until eleven. I will go for a run. Throwing the covers off I step into my sweats and throw on my sports bra and headphones. Stepping into my shoes I holler at Hannah. “I am going for a run.” She mumbles something. Just figuring she said bye I turn the music on and start out the door. After running two miles I am still anxious and want to go to work. I shower and change into my new dress. It’s really bright for me. Its coral, short sleeve, and hangs to just below my knees. I decide on a strappy black pair of sandals. Looking into the mirror I realize my hair is a mess. I grab the brush off the table and run it through my curls. I decide on a clip pulling half my hair up. I let the curls fall down my back. I look over at the clock and realize it is only eight fifteen. Well by the time I get to work it will be nine. My contract says nine to six so I am just going to go in. Maybe there will be something for me to do without Blake.