I woke to the loud ringing of my alarm, the phone's vibration seeming to send a loud buzzing right through my head. I reluctantly stretched out my hand to turn off the alarm but stopped halfway.
"Fuck!" I screamed as I remembered why the alarm was set in the first place.
Jumping off the bed, I caught a glimpse of a message on my phone, the word Elgin standing out. I picked up the phone to take a look.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed, unable to believe what I was seeing. I pinched my cheek to check to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
"Oh my God," I repeated as I read through the message again.
"OH MY GOD!" I screamed in absolute excitement jumping all around my room. I fell on my knees crying tears of joy, the words thank you God falling out of my mouth over and over again.
It took me a while to calm down, but immediately I did, I picked up the phone I had somehow tossed on the bed in my excitement and dialed Mia's contact.
"Mia! Mia! Guess what?!" I practically screamed through the phone.
"Jesus, Emily. Are you trying to blow my ears out this early morning? What's got you so worked up?" She responded, sounding like she wasn't fully awake yet.
"I have been summoned for the interview, Mia!" I said, struggling to keep the excitement in my voice to a manageable degree.
"What interview?" she asked, the confusion obvious in her voice.
"Oops, I must have forgotten to tell you about it. Are you free right now? I can come over to explain—" I replied to her after some seconds of being silent contemplating what I should reply to her with.
"Emily! Get yourself together! What do you mean am I free right now? It's fucking four am! I get that you are excited and all, but I swear to God, if you don't wait till morning proper before getting here, I swear I won't open that door for you. Except your life is on the line, which from the sound of things, it is not, what you want to talk about can wait till morning. Now, I am really happy for you, you seem so excited about this, and I really want to be excited with you, but I slept late and it's too early and I am TIRED. So whatever it is, please let it wait till morning proper, okay?" Mia replied with a tone of voice that hinted that she was probably a little annoyed.
"Oh fuck," I responded slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Mia. Yes yes, we can talk about this in the morning."
"Good," was all the reply she gave, and then the call went off.
I stared at the phone, still filled with excitement.
Me. An interview at the great Lord Elgin Hotel.
Wow.
****
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of someone at my door filled me with excitement and I hurried to open the door for who I knew would be there waiting.
"Hey Mia, good morning! I'm so sorry for earlier," I started saying even before the door was fully opened. Mia stood in front of the door, her hands crossed across her chest.
"Well? What was so important that you had to call me and scream into my ears at four in the morning? Were you drunk or something?" She asked, eyebrows raised.
"Wouldn't you come in first? Or are you trying to invite insects into my room?" I responded with a grin.
Mia just rolled her eyes and walked through the door.
"Plus, have I ever drank alcohol without you?" I asked as I made my way towards the kitchen to prepare a cup of coffee for both of us.
"Just talk to me, what got you that excited?" She asked in a more curious tone as she followed me to the kitchen.
"Oh, come on. It can wait. Don't you want to try the coffee first?" I said, handing her a cup of coffee while I took a sip of mine.
"Woah, that's so tasty. I am the best at making coffee!" I said genuinely enjoying the fragrant and rich taste of the coffee I had made, but exaggerating my expression to tease Mia and extend the suspense.
"Start talking now!" Mia shouts as she starts heading to the living room coffee mug in hand.
I smirked at that and followed her to the living room.
"Well, since you are suddenly interested in what I have to say," I started saying and my smirk grew deeper as I saw her roll her eyes.
"Anyway, I went job hunting yesterday. I submitted my resume to a few places. Including Elgin" I saw Mia's eyes widen at that.
"Are you trying to tell me…" She asked, hope clear on her face.
I couldn't contain the excitement any longer.
"Yes! I was invited for an interview just this morning!" I practically screamed.
We both dropped our cups of coffee and Mia pulled me into a deep hug, the two of us jumping around like old friends just reuniting for the first time in years.
Quick as a flash though, Mia's expression changed and I felt a stinging pain in my back.
"Argh!" I yelped and Mia just stood there staring me down.
"What was that for?!" I yelled at her
"You should be happy I pinched you just a little. Why didn't you tell me you were going to Elgin? I could have come to give you that much needed moral support. Why are you keeping secrets from your best friend?" she replied in a tone that showed that she was serious but not really angry about it.
I look down feeling a little guilty.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to bother you. And when I got back, I was going to tell you but you brought up that fake love conversation and, well, I just forgot. I am sorry."
Mia stared me down for a few seconds, but then her serious expression turned happy again.
"Oh how can I stay mad at you," she squealed, pulling me into another embrace this time without the pinch. We pulled apart soon after and she asked me the question I knew she would ask.
"So when is the interview?" She asked with a massive grin on her face and I couldn't help but smile fondly at how Mia seemed to always jump from one emotion to another without warning.
" Tomorrow!' I replied, excitement obvious in my voice. "What do you think I should wear?"
"I'd say go for something casual, but I know you'd probably still find a way to mess that up, so I'll just help you pick out exactly what to wear instead," she replied, making her way towards my wardrobe. "Now let's get to that quickly before I get late for work!"
"Oh, I love you so much, Mia. Thank you!" I smile as I follow her into the room.
"Of course you do. Who doesn't?"