1 The End

Ahh. Sh*t.

One mistake and everyone has to act like the world has ended. Like, it wasn't even my fault.

Now I have to listen to my boss bitch about how important his coffee-stained pile of papers were. I mean they were printed so just print them again, why do you have to bother me about it?

Sigh, I'd rather the world actually end...

"Are you even listening to me? Hellooo?? "[¿¿?]"? God, kids these days..."

"Yes, sorry boss. I was just thinking I could make up for this by printing them again."

He looked at me with a straight face, though I could sense his disappointment.

"Son, these were handwritten reports..."

...why the f*ck...

His lecture continued for what felt like forever, and ended in the predictable "you've got 24 hours". Pretty standard office stakes.

"Yessir I'll be right on it sir."

So began my day of rewriting reports.

Sighh, this isn't even my job.

I planted my face in the sea papers the line my desk.

"Ahh just kill me now..."

"Just get one of the interns to do it, ehehe~"

A cheerful young girl in casual-business attire set a cup of water next to my head.

"Mmhmhm, refreshenment."

Grabbing the cup, I looked at her. Her wavy brown hair was tied up, stretching a bit above her backside. The front was parted and both strand lay neatly on her modest bosom. Her skirt clasped hips and thighs becoming of a woman. Her face was nice, but nothing to write home about. Truly an all-around average girl.

What, you think world-class beauties that defy the heavens would be working an office job? No! They're off getting paid for being world-class beauties!

If that was the case, at least then my life would be interesting. It's hard not to imagine life with a true beauty. I will say, however, that she is a nice change of pace from the usual lifeless middle-aged man you find around here.

"Umm, you can stop staring, wierdo," she said with a playful smirk, "y'know, you're gonna get yourself killed one day zoning out like that."

"Ah, sorry."

Sip.

"Say, do you, uuh, want to maybe go get drinks after work?"

That kinda sounds...

"Like a date?"

She flinched.

"What? No, of course not, just to, like, catch up with 'how's work'. And stuff."

Yeah, there's no reason she'd be into me. Well, there's also no reason to decline.

"Yeah, sure. Guess I'll hand the rest of this to some interns tomorrow. Convenient we have like 5 minutes before we clock out."

I glanced her way. She was focused on twirling her hair.

"Yeah, that's crazy."

...

At the entrance, or rather exit, of the building, we both took a deep breath of the crisp 8pm air. It's something of a ritual, to cleanse ourselves of everything behind us.

I stared into the parking lot, watching cars I wish I had drive by.

"So, where to?"

"Right, theres this place that just opened up..."

"Classy."

"Uh-huh, but it's a bit out of the way so it..."

"Daring today, huh?"

"Shut up. And yes, it's good to try something new. You driving?"

My eyes drifted to my car. The Shitmobile. An absolute piece of junk held together by duct tape and words of encouragement. It cost me $50 and a Coke, and was, erm, is my first car. Fancy cars never suited me, 'as long as it works' is what I always say. Yup.

I nodded at my resolve.

"I'll take that as a no. Are you trying to waste our time? Cmon."

She led me to her car. Her new car. It was a newer model by Rambogenie. I instinctively grabbed by chest with a grimaced face, fighting back tears. Must be nice having rich parents.

"Hey, it was a birthday present. Couldn't exactly turn it down. Thought I might try it out today."

"Haha...birthday present..," I repeated, a single tear sliding down my face.

The engine roared as we made our way to this newly-opened out-of-the-way place.

For someone who decided to try this car out today, she was surprisingly comfortable with it. Maybe she has a thing for cars. I should ask her about mine...

...

The ride went by quickly. I think even our oujou-driver was surprised.

"Oh, we're here."

''Oh, we're here'? You were driving! It's the passengers job to zone out! We could've died!!' ...were my thoughts.

In front of us was a run-down shack with an equally run-down sign.

Thought this place was supposed to be new.

"Ramen, huh? Nice."

Upon entering, we were greeted by a boisterous old man who looked of eastern descent.

"Ahh! Welcome, welcome. I see there are two of you, oh? A man and a woman? How lovely, a couples night out! Lucky for you we have a couple's discount..."

"Actually we aren't..."

I felt a sudden warmth, and...softness...cover my arm.

"Ehehe~, you could tell, mister?"

Cheapskate. But, this is not a bad feeling...

"Ahaha, what a beautiful lady! Drinks on me, and of course my dear, I can always tell! Please come, come, be seated."

The place was pretty small, only big enough to house maybe 30, no, 20 people. One side was the kitchen, the other was seating that combines booth and chair. The most annoying kind of seating. On the far wall was a small bar. Some 6 or 7 people were already seated, albeit sparingly. A few TVs line the top of the walls, all were playing the same channel, while one played the audio.

"Oi. Let's go."

I shuffled to catch up and was quickly seated.

"So dear couple, what may I get you this fine night?"

"I'll have uuh, water and..."

I looked at the one who should know what to get here, but she was also without a menu. And judging by the rune-esque design of the place, I wouldn't be able to read it anyway.

"...chicken tenders."

"And for the lady?"

She shot me a look.

"Ignore his order, we'll have 2 of today's special paired with whatever kind of beer you have!"

"An excellent choice indeed! I shall be right back!"

He waddled off to the kitchen.

True to his word, he was right back. With our food and drinks no less. A strange person indeed.

...

Our meals were quickly finished with small talk between. The drinks too, though my ride home had much, much more than me.

Rubbing my full stomach, my eyes drifted upwards.

"BREAKING NEWS. An asteroid has mysteriously changed course and is expected to hit XX City. Please evacuate in a timely and orderly manner..."

Ehhhhh. That's crazy.

That means XX City, and surrounding areas are gonna, like, be destroyed, right? But we're in XY City...

Wait, that's a surrounding area!

"Hey, hey, look at the news."

She quickly caught up. I thought I saw a smile cross her face.

"Well, what can we do? I'm a little too tipsy to drive, do you mind taking me home?"

What, does she not understand the situation??

We're gonna die and she wants to go home?? Should I just use the car and take us way far from the blast zone?

"Heyyyy, cmon..."

She tossed me the keys, and before I knew it, I was behind the wheel.

Where should we go? The farthest place I know is my parents house..ahg that'd be too embarrassing...

My thoughts continued like this. And in what felt like an instant, I was in a very high class suite helping a tipsy girl to her room.

Okay, what the hell just happened.

How did I get here?

"Heyyy. That's the one."

She fumbled around her bag before handing me a card.

Argh, whatever. I'll just sleep this one off.

I helped the stumbling fool to her bed, and was about to head out.

She grabbed my hand and pulled.

"Wait, Elene-"

She pulled me down into a deep kiss.

So kissing can feel this good...

I got away, or maybe she let me. She wrapped her arms around and smiled,

"Call me El."

I didn't get a chance to respond before she pulled me in again.

Oh what the hell. If the news is anything to go by, we'll be dead tomorrow.

...

I woke up to the glaring sun, and to a familiar ceiling.

"I know this ceiling."

Grabbing my pants off the floor, I headed to the balcony and looked upon the city. You'd think the roads would be busier.

Ahh, what an amazing night. If only I could do it again...

With that thought, my eyes drifted to my left.

There a light many times brighter than the sun made me cover my eyes.

A flaming rock dwarfing the buildings below was about to hit.

"Oh fu-"

Silence.

In the distance a shockwave of destruction raced over the city, hitting me before I had the chance to stress over the following inferno.

...

"Agh!"

I jolted up, hitting a person and making him stumble into my boss. It seems he was carrying a cup of joe. Classic.

The boss was far from amused.

He shot a look at me.

"My office. Now."

Ahh. Sh*t.