Thread: Going Down? (Traveler & Charlotte)

Olive had never been so embarrassed in her entire life. Shed also never been so continuously suspicious, either. For several days the woman avoided the elevator all together. She took the stairs every time she needed to get out of her apartment and even then she peeked around corners and listened hard for the trademark click-clack of Vanessas stilettos. In absolute shock and denial of whatd happened that night, shed returned and went through the motions of her every day routine. She ate, showered, brushed her teeth, pinned her hair, went to bed.. dove into her nightstand for some earplugs that shed invested in when her upstairs neighbors began to get in on entirely too loudly, and forced herself to sleep. It wasnt until she woke in the middle of the night, likely to contemplate the meaning of life or some other ridiculous thing between that half-asleep half-awake all-stupid state that she let the weight of what had occurred sink in. Olive had reached for her pillow, hugged it tight to her chest, buried her face in it and squealed as she curled up around it. She didnt cry or anything. Just let the sheer terror wash over her thoroughly for a few minutes. Just to get it out of her system. Just so she could resume her life of normalcy. Without a job.. or crush.. or Vanessa. Well, that last part seemed to cheer her up, at least. So long as shed continue to actively avoid her. Which she had been doing a pretty good job at. Not even a glimpse of the brunette since that little fiasco. And Olive had even gotten herself an interview lined up! It was a sure enough thing, but she had to go in to speak to the staff and fill in some paperwork anyway. And so came the day for said interview. Things had quieted down. She no longer felt the need to duck behind plants whenever the lobby door opened and she hadnt quite reached the stairway yet. No need to rapidly yank mail from her mailbox just to clear the lobby and sift madly through it to make sure nothing weird had gotten in the slot. So far, Vanessa had not figured out which one of the apartments was hers. Or she just wasnt acting on it. Either way, hopping down the stairs in her nicest little interview outfit did not sound appealing. So today was the day she was going to risk the elevator ride. She couldnt avoid it forever. What were the odds hed be in there, anyway? Right? It was too early in the day. Wouldn't make any sense. She'd be safe. Olive smoothed her hands over the fabric of her pencil skirt across her lap, made sure her stocking seams were straight, checked herself in the mirror for stray hairs and made her way down the hallway after locking up. The skirt restricted her steps a bit and for a moment she was walking uncharacteristically effeminately but as long as no one saw her she would be a-okay. She got to the end, pressed the button, fidgeted idly with the large white bow that came attached with her blouse underneath the tiny, quarter-sleeve blazer and overall felt absolutely adorable it was gonna be such a good da- oh no. Oh no, no.. no. Olive stood there for a moment after the doors opened, her eyes having caught Jacobs instantly with no plausible, feasible way of getting out of this. What was she gonna do? Back out? Take the next one? That was unnecessary. She had to be a big girl. Slowly, with more than a bit of hesitance, she offered what was supposed to be a warm smile. At best it looked forced. Her mouth opened reflexively to greet him once she'd entered and turned to face the doors. To say morning in that friendly way she used to. But she closed it. Her teeth snapped shut and lips pressed tight into a ruby line. One of her hands nervously twirled the curly ponytail back into one solid curl and she stared at the reflection of her shoes in the elevator doors. Her feet close together, hands in front of her, holding her bag, head ducked. Man, she was uncomfortable. So very uncomfortable. This wasnt her. S-sorry about, you know, all.. that. She blurted, not feeling brave enough to look at him. Only noting the fact he had his bag with him.. and seemed to be going down stairs still. Maybe he was moving out.. Oh no, was this her fault? Youre not moving, are you? Olive asked, finding her words in the guilt-ridden panic. She looked over and frantically searched for an answer before he said anything, You dont have to I wont bother you, it was just a little crush, I dont- Im not- she flustered, then saw the corners of his mouth begin to perk. She deflated some, reeling back and furrowing her brows, lip pouted. Youre not moving, are you. God. Damnit.