Camille
I turned to see a red haired hair girl. Madison Thomas, give me the most fakest smile that I was so used to in the college.
Madison Thomas, the suppose to be prettiest girl back in College, still looked the same. She was wearing a red button up shirt, with few buttons down and black blazer with black formal skirt and black high heels. She and I had never got along since we meet. She used to hate me because apparently the popular guy in college was my friend- because we did assignments together. She made my life a hell, that was when Theo and his friends step in to help Efia and I. Everyone was against Madison and here she is standing years later with that cold look and fake smile.
“What are you doing here?” She asked. Her tone- not so friendly.
“Isn’t it the workshop?” I said in a clear flat tone and trying to avoid any conversation with her.
“How did you even get invited over here? Clearly, last time I heard you are still looking for a decent job.” She smirked.
“I am working somewhere.” I said annoyed by her comment.
“Where? Efia’s Cafe?” She give a fake laugh. “You can consider that as working somewhere.”
I didn’t bother to correct her or anything. I was glad that the person was suppose to be the MC decided to start and I walked to sit somewhere far away from the red haired girl. There was about 30 people who was invited to attend this workshop and we were asked to introduced ourselves. When it was Madison’s turned. She flipped her perfect curled hair before saying,
“Madison Thomas, I am currently working in Scarlet Comic Centre based in LA.” She said bragging about it.
Scarlet Comic Centre, is one of the good comic company in the world, but it is not one of the big three comic company, like Creation Comic Centre and this company. People whispered hearing about the comic company and was pretty impressed when they heard the company she was working in.
I was hesitant to tell people where I work, so I decided to just tell them my name, but Madison decided to question and asked where I am working.
The MC seemed nervous and he tried to explain that it didn’t really matter which company we work for..
Madison folded her arms and smirked at me and everyone’s eyes was on us and everyone can feel the sudden cold atmosphere in the room.
“Creation Comic Centre.” I said hesitantly and everyone including the MC gasped and Madison’s face turned red in anger and shock.
“I heard someone from the Creation Comic Centre was attending, but I was not sure who it was.” The MC said laughing.
Madison glared at me and everyone started whispering. The MC continued with the program and after a little discussion sessions and some lessons here and there, we were put into random groups to do some worksheets and draw.
The group members that I got looked at me curiously. They were feeling awkward just like me, Audrey, she is the youngest in the room. She tried to break the ice and cracked some jokes about how she is the smallest both in height and age. She is from England. The mood was lighter now and everyone spoke about their ideas and how to make this work. There was a small buffet laid down outside the room during lunch. I was sitting with some new friends that I just met and Madison decides to come.
“Seems like Camille Parker is trying to be all popular here.” She said sarcastically.
“We all know you are just jealous that she works in a bigger company than you do.” Audrey said smiling.
“Me? Jealous of someone like her?” Madison said laughing, the laugh almost sounded like she can’t believe what she is hearing.
“Yeah..” George said raising his eye-brow. George is the new friend I made with along with Audrey and apparently, he is from New York too. Small world..
“You guys should Google about me, I got awards after awards under my name.” She bragged.
“Yet, you are not in the big three companies, she is, and admit you are jealous because she is working there and not you.” Audrey smiled.
Everyone in the room focused on the sudden heated conversation. Some whispering and some nodding their head in agreement or gasping.
I tried to stop the conversation, but all of a sudden I got a splashed of cold water on my face. There was loud gasped and I heard Audrey’s voice asked if I was okay.
“You deserved this.” Madison said as she flipped her hair and walked away as if she didn’t do that.
Audrey and George passed me some napkins. My shirt was completely soaked. What I thought was water, was actually sodas. Audrey apologized to me saying she should have just kept her mouth shut. I disagreed and said it was okay, she shouldn’t apologize for someone else’s crappy behaviour and I thanked her and George for standing up for me. Audrey went with me to the washroom to clean up. I was not sure what to do with my soaked and sticky shirt. Audrey said that she can purchase a shirt quickly at the mall close to the office. I was thankful for her offer and quickly give her some Japanese Yen. She told me to wait in the washroom. She will be back soon.
I stood there for like about ten minutes and I got a call from Brandon. As soon as I picked up…
“Where are you?” He asked as soon as I picked up.
“I am in the washroom.” I said.
“I am coming back.” And ended the call and I was confused. I was confused whether he know about this situation or not.
Audrey soon came back with a long black sleeve shirt which matches my blue dark jeans. My hair was still wet with the water that I used to remove the stickiness of the soda from my hair. I appreciated Audrey’s helped and effort. I went back to the room and the room was silent. Some of them came forward to ask if I was okay, but Madison was missing after her little act.
I told everyone that I was actually fine and it is okay. Madison soon came back when it was time for our session. She pretended like she did nothing and I didn’t push her because I didn’t want anymore dramas. Everyone just give her some looks, which she obviously ignored. During our group work, Brandon barged in with Noah following behind him. The MC politely greeted Noah who nodded as an acknowledgement and looked nervously at me.
“Baby, are you okay?” Brandon asked as he came to me and touched my face while bending down a little.
I was embarrassed that Brandon walked in like that while we are having work-shop.
“I-I am okay.” I said and I can feel all the eyes on us. “We are having workshop, Brandon.” I said almost whining and whispering the last part.
“Doesn’t matter. I came here as soon as I heard about what happened here during lunch.” He said looking around the room.
“Can we drop this now? We are having workshop. I am okay.” I said.
Brandon looked at me and sighed. “Noah and I will look into this matter.”
“No.” I said quickly. “Don’t. It was a mistake.”
“Sure.” He said rolling his eyes. “Just so you know that I am leaving right now is because I am so mad that I might do something that you will be mad about. I will be with Noah, somewhere in the office.” He whispered and kissed me on my forehead. He turned before looking at everyone’a face. He walked out with Noah behind him. Noah give me a small nod in the head before leaving.
“You didn’t tell us that your boyfriend is so hot.” George said teasing me.
“More like sexy.” Audrey said winking her eyes.
I blushed. The MC, then cleared his throat and said we can continue our work before he stepped out of the room.
We were suppose to create a short comic strips story with the new methods and ways we learnt this morning.
We were done by 5:30 pm and the MC said we can submit our work on some link he sent us and said by tomorrow we will get the result of which group have won in this small unannounced competition. The winners will get some gifts and certificate from the company. Everyone cheered at that and I smiled at that.
I can feel glared coming from the other side of the room and I didn’t have to look to find out who was giving me that look.