|
My iPod Jordan collapsed on the couch in the break room, too tired and depressed to move. The meeting had gone horribly – nobody would even think about listening to her requests for better accommodations in pediatrics. Despite what everyone thought, she hated to see the kids suffer. When they were happy, they screamed less. She glanced around the empty room, looking for something even remotely interesting within arms reach. Research papers, medical books, a few magazines…an iPod? Jordan sat up, curious. She picked it up and looked at the inscription on the back. She rolled her eyes – Elliot Reed, of course. Who else would be stupid enough to leave their iPod lying around? Having nothing better to do, she slumped back and thumbed through the artists. Pretty boring for the most part – The All-American Rejects, Carrie Underwood, Fall Out Boy – but there were a few decent bands, including, surprisingly enough, some of her favorites. Jordan smiled and put in the headphones, listening to Vanessa Carlton. She continued to look through Elliot’s music, moving onto the playlists when she finished with her library. Jordan froze, staring at the screen. It could be someone else, she thought to herself as she hovered over the button. It doesn’t have to be about me. I’m sure Barbie knows lots of people named Jordan…That she names playlists after…She started flipping through the songs, wondering the best way to use this to her advantage. She didn’t know most of them, but the ones she recognized made her stomach clench. Unsung by Vanessa Carlton, Heaven Forbid by The Fray, Everybody’s Fool by Evanescence. “Jesus,” she said quietly, running a hand through her hair. When I’m With You by Simple Plan. She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not by She Wants Revenge. Sweet Misery by Michelle Branch. She didn’t know all of the songs, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out what they were about. Jordan sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back against the couch. What the hell was she supposed to do about this? She didn’t even like Elliot, let alone want to be involved with her. Admittedly, she shouldn’t have been all that surprised. There was the time when they went out on a double date with Perry and Keith, and how quickly Elliot always said yes to whatever Jordan asked, and, most disconcerting, was the fact that she was the only person other than Perry who seemed to be able to tolerate her. But it wasn’t like she had ever thought about Elliot like that, except for that one time, but that hardly counted. Perry was out with DJ yet again, and she had picked up a prostitute just to piss him off, and if she had short blond hair and the same blue eyes, that wasn’t important. Besides, that was only once, and it certainly wasn’t on purpose. Jordan was jolted out of her thoughts by the door slamming open. She turned around and froze when she saw Elliot nearly run into the room, frantically looking around. Elliot stopped when she saw Jordan sitting on the couch, headphones on. Jordan said, “Looking for something?” It came out sounding like an innuendo, and she had to struggle not to show her surprise. “I–” Elliot squeaked, turning bright red. Jordan watched, amused, as she gathered herself before continuing. “I left my iPod in here. Have you seen it?” Jordan grinned before she could stop herself. She yanked out the headphones and held up the object in question as she said, “Oh, you mean this?” Elliot, if possible, turned even redder. “Um, yeah. You didn’t, um, look through it, did you?” This was where it got interesting. “I might have,” she said cryptically. “Frick!” Elliot looked away for a second before focusing on Jordan. “Can we get the beating over with now, or do we have to drag it out for weeks?” “Depends…” Jordan still had no idea what she was doing, and she hated it. She was so used to being in complete and total control over herself, and everyone else. This whole not knowing what was happening thing was really annoying. Elliot closed her eyes, then stormed around to the other side of the couch so she was standing in front of Jordan. She held her hand out and demanded, “Just give it back.” Jordan raised an eyebrow. “Pushy, pushy Now try again, and don’t forget to say the magic word.” Elliot glared at her. “Please.” Jordan shook her head, amused smile finding its way onto her face. “Ask nicely.” Elliot rolled her eyes. “May I please have my iPod back?” “But it’s so much fun to watch you have a breakdown,” Jordan replied. “I’m not sure if I’m done yet.” Elliot let out a frustrated yell and reached for her iPod. She tripped and squeaked, falling onto Jordan. She wasn’t quite sure how it happened, but suddenly she was on her back, hands pinned above her head, a very angry Jordan lying on top of her. “First off, I’ll give your iPod back when I damned well please,” she snapped. She leaned down so their faces were inches apart and added, “Second, I know you’re dying to get into my pants, but tackling me in the break room isn’t how you do it.” “Then what is?” Elliot blurted out. Her eyes widened and she had to physically restrain herself from shaking, whether from fear or arousal, she wasn’t sure. Jordan blinked, caught off guard. She wasn’t sure anybody had ever asked her that; not Perry, who was the only person she’d been in any real relationship with in a very long time, and certainly not the men (and sometimes women) she slept with. “I…” Elliot smiled suddenly. “Oh my god, you’re speechless, aren’t you?” Jordan glared at her. “No, I just–” “Best moment ever!” Todd materialized out of nowhere, grinning hugely and giving them the thumbs up. Jordan didn’t even bother to get off Elliot. “Todd, if you don’t leave within the next two seconds, I’m going to castrate you.” “Then I will see you two later,” he replied and left, disappearing as quickly as he appeared. Jordan shook herself, refocusing on the situation at hand. “If you want to have sex with me,” she said carefully, “all you have to do is ask.” Elliot studied the woman on top of her, trying to decide if she was serious. “But what if I want more than sex?” Jordan’s head was spinning; everything was moving way too quickly, and she still didn’t have a grip on the situation, which was probably why she leaned down and kissed Elliot, gently at first, then harder, forcing her tongue into the blonde’s mouth. Elliot responded immediately, kissing her back, trying to free her hands. Jordan pulled away, smiling wickedly. “Ah, ah. I never said you could have your iPod back, now did I?” She stood up, wiping her mouth. “I’ll see you later.” Elliot sat up, staring after her. “W-wait, where are you going?” “I have to work,” Jordan called back over her shoulder. “You know, the real reason why we’re here?” “But…” “See you!” Jordan left, going back to her office. She stepped into the room and smiled, remembering she didn’t have anything left to do. She grabbed her stuff and went out to Perry’s Porsche, deciding he could get a ride home with DJ. She plugged in Elliot’s iPod and put her playlist on as she pulled out of the parking lot. Just be in love and I'll kiss you like you've always wanted Just close your eyes, I'll still live as if I'm dying If I don't make your heart skip a beat then hate me If I don't make you feel anything then it's me I just want you to feel beautiful for once in your life I just want you to feel beautiful for once in your life Just close your eyes and I'll kiss you like there's no tomorrow If I don't make your heart skip a beat then hate me If I don't make you feel anything then it's me I just want you to feel beautiful for once in your life I just want you to feel beautiful for once in your life So sleep now, so deep in static Drifting in the shadows Hold me close to the glow of headlights And TV screens I just want you to feel beautiful for once in your life |
My 40 Snapshotsby Nicole Merrill |
