Page 271 of Small Town Firsts
Mornings and I had a really crappy relationship. Add in a binge drawing night and it was the Mondayest Monday of all Mondays.
I didn’t have time to deal with my heavy, curly hair. Instead, I twisted it into two French braids and wound the tails into a knot at the base of my neck. A few stubborn curls wouldn’t be contained, and it was too blessed hot to deal with a crapton of product.
Quickly, I lined my eyes, swiped on some shadow and mascara, and called it good. “Freckles be free today.”
I gave myself ten minutes to meditate while I lotioned up with my protection blend. Who knew what kind of energy I’d be walking into?
I added on all the mystical armor I could find today. I drew the delicate chains of my body jewelry over my shoulders and around my breasts to meet in the chain around my waist. Clear quartz was wound throughout the silvery metal. Along the center of my back were three chips of rainbow fluorite.
Then I put on the armor the world required.
Unfortunately, I was far too curvy to forgo a bra, especially when I had to go into an office. Luckily, it was still summer, so I didn’t have to do the whole pantyhose thing. I pulled on a black maxi dress with spaghetti straps that flirted with my ankles. A celery green sweater hid all my witchy finery and turned the outfit into business casual-ish. At least as much as I was ever going to pull off. A matching pair of strappy-heeled sandals pulled it all together and gave me that little bit of confidence I needed.
I rushed back into my kitchen and flipped on my electric kettle. I definitely wasn’t going to make it through the day without some tea.
I tucked some loose tea leaves into my little salamander tea infuser, and then prestuffed my kitschy sloth one for the drink I would surely need at the office. It would provide a smile later that I’d probably need. I tucked it into a reusable baggie full of loose tea and tossed it into my green bucket bag on my kitchen table.
My electric kettle was created for the perpetually late or impatient—whichever camp you wanted to sit in. Regardless, the water was ready for me in less than ninety seconds. I set my little dude in a to-go mug and let my breakfast blend steep.
I didn’t have much time, but rituals were necessary for more than one reason. If I skipped them, my thoughts became chaotic, and in turn, the energy around me would follow suit.
I grabbed the deck I was using for the month and shuffled quickly.
My backup alarm filled the room with “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles, my five-minute warning.
“Time to go.” I flipped my daily card and pulled my shadow card from the bottom of the deck. “Could be worse. All about beginnings today.” The reversed Major Arcana card gave me a little pause though.
It usually signaled big life movements.
“It’s just a temp gig, Universe.” I swiped up the cards and dumped them in their deck bag, and then tossed it in my purse along with a few snack items. I double-checked I had my phone and wallet—I couldn’t count the number of times I’d left my apartment without them—then headed for the door.
Just before I opened it, I rushed back to my altar and snagged a few crystals. Better to be prepared for whatever came my way today.
I shut the door just as Harry finished singing about all the dirty things he was going to do to some lucky girl.
I flew down the stairs and out to the alleyway behind my building. It was a shortcut to Garden Avenue. Since I was on the verge of running late and wearing heels, I’d shave any minutes I could.
I skirted the crunch of kids playing kickball on one of the quieter side streets.
“Hey, lady!” A freckled boy with a wicked head of red curls whistled at me.
“Can’t talk. Late.”
“Come on. Kick the ball with us.”
I turned to walk backwards. “Do I look like I’m wearing the clothes for kickball?”
“No, but you’re way prettier than my friends. Come on, please?”
I grinned. Bold little charmer. “Not sure your friends would be happy to hear that.”
The ginger’s friend took the opportunity to whale him with the ball. “Out!”
I laughed. “See?”
“Come on, now our team needs you.”
I shook my head and crossed the street. “Nope, sorry. Next time.” I secured my bag over my arm and almost made it to the corner. But damn, his friend had a hell of an arm.
