Clouds

by Corina Constantin

The page was still empty and Claire was dazing out the window. She had to write her first article for the local newspaper, first article of hers to ever be printed. After so many months of failed tries and repeated visits to the newspaper office, Claire had earned the right of dreaming about becoming a successful writer and move to a big town. With the sunlight playing on her face, Claire was lost in her own little world. All the clouds in the sky had the shape of her dreams.

A small white one was the cloud of her and friend to be, lets say Alice, chatting behind a desk about the new office rules.

I really want to see that happening, George coming at work at 7 and Sally handing in her articles in time.

Showing an evil smile Alice answers:

That will never happen cause they keep 'reviewing' projects together..till late in night. I heard they do that at her place now , but I couldn't find out what happened with George's place. He didn't said a thing about it.

Claire is wearing the blue dress that makes her legs seem really long and her hair all tie up in a ponytail. Alicia has adopted a 'femme fatale' look for that day. It suits her.

You know, I really think all this is bullshit and...

Alicia stops talking as someone is coming towards them. It's Mark, one of the young editors.. Claire always dreamt about meeting a dark haired, green eyed Mark. So this Mark has sexy curled dark hair, deep green eyes and an absolutely delicious smile. Though trying to seem busy Alicia can feel Mark staring at her. They have never talked before even though they have been in the same room a few times. Claire's palms start sweating and her cute cheeks turn into an obvious

red tint. Alicia is grinning at him, but Mark doesn't seem to notice. He's looking at Claire as if it is the first time he ever noticed her being alive and in that building.

It's almost evening and everyone went home. Claire is at her desk giving a final touch to her 'Lives I've lived' article for the next day.

Excuse me miss, I think working hours are over.

Shit! It's Mark and Claire is once more lost in mumblings.

I was..eh...i am...err..doing this! And she shows him an article with lots of cuts and drawings on the sides. Had been a bad day for inspiration. I know it doesn't look finished but it is..err, I mean it will be. If you'll just leave and let me finish it!

I'm afraid i can't do that young lady. It's late and I'm feeling a little hungry. So take that,he says ,pointing to her article, and lets go have some dinner.

Claire feels all warm and happy inside and she can't abstain a real life smile. The sun keeps shining as her dreams go on.

You see the bigger cloud thats just a little more further? It is the cloud of Claire's night out with her devil-may-care girlfriend. Millions of colored lights sparkle in the dark and the streets are filled with young people in search of small pleasures. Waiting in line at the club entrance Claire and her friend are having a good time laughing with the two Japanese guys standing next to them. They are both taller then their new friends, but Claire is already tipsy and nothing seems to matter. Claire has already decided that this is absolutely normal and in the high society it's seen as a 'cultural

and educational relation' with the only difference that involved sides are usually sober and they don't giggle while exchanging informations.

Mr. Yasuhiro, how do u say 'sexy ' in japanese?

That would be ' seiteki' , Miss Claire.

And 'handsome'?

'Rippa'.

Then Mr. Yasuhiro I think you're 'rippa' and ''seiteki' , says Claire. And all four of them start laughing.

Image changes, they're in the club. The music is loud and Claire is drunk. She's trying to make her way through the crowd. Once sat down, she lays her drink on the table, leans over Yasuhiro and yells :

-Mr. Yasuhiro, I think I love you!

Morning comes with a massive headache. Trying to get to the kitchen door she bumps her head into a wall. 'This is not my home!'. Looking disorientated through the room she finds Yasuhiro sleeping on a chair. He doesn't look very happy. Actually he looks like having a nightmare. Making weird crying noises and battering his lips like in a strange savage dance. Standing as far as she can, Claire pushes Yasuhiro's shoulder with one finger in a shy attempt to wake him up.

I'm sorry Miss Claire, I must of fell asleep.

Claire was thinking Yasuhiro has a sexy voice in the morning.

Nothing happen last night, I mean between us. When we left the club you were too drunk to tell me where you live so I had to take you here. I hope you don't mind.

I suppose I have to thank you for not dumping me on a dark street...

At daylight Yasuhiro was a shy, and so was Claire,and honestly, she was also too embarrassed to say anything.

Maybe you...would like to go out for a cup of coffee? Asks Yasuhiro, this time looking straight into Claire's eyes.

That would be lovely,she says, throwing him a grateful look.

The city is happy with them, walking hand in hand on narrow streets in search of a tiny, comfy coffee shop.

Claire wakes up to reality, still, one more thought crosses her mind. It would be nice if after years and years Yasuhiro will remember and will send her a letter saying he got married, had kids and had lived a happy life.

Reality is nice. Sun,warm,deep blue sky. Claire is feeling alive and she's feeling strong. The world is hers and hers alone. She will be famous and all her dreams will come true. Romantic dreams if I may say. Moving to a big town, lovers, theaters, movies, sleepless nights, drinks, hangovers, adventure. Everything a bohemian teenager can dream about.

Examining the skies Claire notices a small gray cloud. It's the time for another dream. Her first fight with the newspaper manager. Claire thinks a real newspaper manager should be short, bold and fat. Maybe with a few stains on his shirt. Not married, cause work has been his first and last love. Or maybe ...married to a nice little lady, that bakes cookies and keeps his meals hot when he has lots to do and he's getting home late. For sure they have meet when they were both very young and it has been love at first sight.

She's now in the manager office, head down, mind drawing circles on the floor. He keeps calling her a slacker while she puts great effort not bursting into laughs. It's the third week she's late with her articles.

What do you think I should do now? Last time I've told you it is final warning you can get away with,with no penalty and you promised it will never happen again.

But sir , my article is almost done now and I've been researching for the next couples of them. I know I said it won't happen again but this was a special situation. We all heard about the failure of the 'Fresh air, Plant a tree' government program. I couldn't miss that story ,sir. First thing in the morning, my editor will have that article on his desk. And I also have notes for another one , about the state policy toward foreign investors.

The manager is confused. Miss Claire writing about government programs and state policy? But she's such a brat! The only topics she can write about are cosmetics , cosmetic surgery and latest fashion in female lingerie!

If you're articles will be accepted and published I will forget we ever had this talk. If not...Miss Claire, I am afraid I will have to fire you. You may leave now miss ,this discussion is over. We will meet again in a few days.

While Claire was closing the office door the manager slowly whispered her good luck. He always liked this strange, dreamer, young lady. But she needs to grow up!

Two days passed by as nothing. Its morning and Claire is having coffee with Alice at the office. Mark shows up yelling 'Congratulations Claire, you've made it!' She knows she has, she's been working hard for the last few days and she's feeling proud of herself.

Again real life, Claire is filled with joy and smiles at the clouds. Dreams go on.

-Claire, come down and help mother for a little!

Reality. Empty page laying on the desk, sunny afternoon, her little brother is stayingin the doorway ,waiting..

-Claire, mom said you should go downstairs and help her.

Bright face, Claire runs downstairs stopping for a moment to lay a kiss on herbrother's cheek. Today is going to be a great day!

Article submitted Thursday, November 12, 2009 & read 67 times.

Leave your comments through Blogz:

» left by Linda DeWitt (2 years 90 days ago.)

I agree with John but don't give up. People on this sight are a great help if you want to write. Welcome to Searchwarp.

Linda D
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» left by Mark Parsec (2 years 90 days ago.)

Hi Corina,

Very interesting. It sounds like part of a much longer story. I hope the other comments above have not discouraged you. But, as the saying goes with writers.... rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

I would like to see some of the other things that you have written. And please take some time to fill out the bio section so us folks at SearchWarp can learn a little about you.

Welcome to SearchWarp!

Best Regards,

Mark Parsec
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» left by Nenita Wells (2 years 89 days ago.)

Hi Corina.

Welcome to Searchwarp.

Interesting article and thanks for sharing it to us.

Best of luck to you, Nenita
Respond to this comment

» left by Alex Uchoa (2 years 88 days ago.)

Hello Corina

Welcome to SearchWarp!

Best Regards
Respond to this comment

» left by Sandy Jones (2 years 88 days ago.)

Hi Corina,

Welcome to see you on SearchWarp!

Cheers
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