Page 62 of The Omega Archives: Part One

Mr. Wolfern turned his head at me when I opened my eyes once more. “Are you feeling well, Ms. Jones?”

“I’m good. Thank you. I’m just getting over a bit of a cold. It’s been hanging on this past week,” I explained.

Mr. Wolfern didn’t seem to buy my answer.

Of course, for once, I was telling the truth.

He narrowed his eyes, though luckily didn’t move from behind his desk. I wasn’t sure if I could take it if he moved another step closer to me. “Are you positive? You look a bit feverish.”

“Just tired.”

“Perhaps you caught the first bug of the school year that’s been going around. Please, take the rest of the afternoon off and take care of yourself,” Mr. Wolfern insisted, still studying me closely as his nose twitched as if he didn’t find my bland and blocked scent all that enjoyable either. “Enjoy your weekend, Ms. Jones. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Thank you. You too, Mr. Wolfern.”

Usually, I’d argue to make sure that I stayed until the end of the day. I didn’t want anyone, especially him to think that I was slacking on my work duties.

But he did insist. And it was the weekend.

Plus, I could maybe sneak in a nap and a quick shower to clean off whatever sweat and who knows what kind of dust must’ve been sticking to me from the stacks.

Taking out my phone, I paused before shooting off a message. I usually wasn’t the first one to start a conversation, but today, I felt like I had to.

The project is finally 100% finished.

Cal: Woohoo! So proud of you.

I smiled, shaking my head.

Cal: Pick you up at 7.

Once I got home to the apartment, I unlocked my door and made sure to lock it behind me. It felt weird, knowing that Rita was going to be gone for the weekend with most of the PhD students at a smarty-pants conference, leaving me here all alone.

Dropping my things on the floor, I stripped before I made my way to the bathroom.

For once, I didn’t mind how the water always seemed to run a little cold. I stood under the spray of water for a long time before finally making sure I scrubbed myself down with my body wash.

By the time I made it back out of the shower, the week must’ve been catching up to me.

I washed down an extra blocker knowing that Cal was going to be taking me out somewhere a little more crowded than usual by the sounds of it. Then, I collapsed onto my mattress only wrapped in my towel, checking that I set my alarm so I would have enough time to get dressed.

It was another Rita-approved outfit of a dark blue, sparkling dress she insisted I borrow since I had nothingbar or club-appropriate, in her words.

I’d return it when she got back from the conference, perfectly clean, as promised.

Chapter

Seventeen

ELLA

Ihit my alarm more than once.

My hand slapped at the screen until the loud pulsating music finally stopped.

Whoever made the pre-recorded ringtones deserved a special place in alarm clock hell.

I peeled my eyes open.

---