Page 83 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
When she returns to the futon, she pulls out the novel that I bought her on January 24.
“I thought you would have finished it by now,” I say.
“I did—it only took me two days. I’m rereading it.”
I’m glad she’s finding comfort in the pages of a book.
32Noelle
Monday morning, to put it eloquently, sucks balls.
I’m not used to having someone else in my space as I get ready for work; I’m not used to needing to wait for someone to finish in the washroom. It’ll take some adjustment.
But the worst part is the unfamiliar cramping.
My period will begin at any moment, and I haven’t had a period in a very long time. Fortunately, I have appropriate supplies on hand, and I remember to take some with me.
Sure enough, when I go to the washroom midmorning at work, I confirm that my period has started. How did Avery endure having hers for seven months straight?
When I return to my desk, the drawings I was waiting for are finally done. Unfortunately, there are lots of errors. I quickly explain everything to Eloise, trying not to sound as cranky as I feel. We’re supposed to issue the drawings at the end of the day—hopefully, they’ll be ready on time.
And then Tyler comes to me with such an incredibly basic question, I have to resist the urge to shake him.
So by the time lunch rolls around and I’m sitting in the lunchroom with Fernando and a couple of other engineers, I’m in no mood to be reminded of the fact that someone who does the same job, with the same experience, makes more money than I do.
We manage to issue the drawings just before six. Thanks to multiple transit delays, my commute takes longer than usual, and by the time I get home, I’m not interested in anything but instant noodles for dinner. Cooking is too much effort. My cramps are also worse than usual, and I pop some ibuprofen.
“Do you always get home this late?” Avery sits across from me with her own noodles.
“Not always.”
I feel like I ought to say something more. Make conversation. But the first thing that comes to mind? Wondering whether our periods will sync up.
We eat in silence until I say, “Your never-ending period is finally over?”
“Yeah. Has yours started? Is that why you’re grumpy?”
I nod. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m the one who’s in your space.”
I wave this away. “It’s fine. I’m happy to let you stay here.” Not a lie, even if today, I’m in the mood to be alone. “Was it nice to wake up without Joe next to you? Knowing you wouldn’t have to break up with him again?”
“Oh my god, yes.”
We share a smile. We’ll be forever bonded by what we went through, something that no one else can understand.
Unfortunately, Tuesday isn’t any better at the office.
Is work worse than it used to be?
No, I don’t think so. It’s just that my tolerance for it has gone way down. Before, I was going through the motions, day in, day out, hoping that if I worked hard, I’d be rewarded.
But now I know hard work won’t get me anywhere. Loyalty won’t get me anywhere.
I’m not sure how much I truly believed otherwise. MaybeI was just desperate to hold on to something, but now, I can’t even pretend. The time loop snapped me out of my routine, and I can’t rid myself of the knowledge that my boss refused to give me an appropriate raise.
I need to start looking for a new job. I shouldn’t put it off any longer.
