Take You There

Aria

Nothing interesting ever happens to me. My life is like an endless cycle of mediocrity. Every day I wake up about fifteen minutes before my alarm goes off and lay in bed trying to convince myself that today will be different, that it will be a good day, but then the alarm clock blares and sends me back to my sad reality. I jump out of bed and shuffle to the shower, just to start the same day over again.

I’m twenty-two years old; I’m supposed to be living it up and having the time of my life but I have already let myself slip into an oblivion of work and sleep. It's honestly sad, I need to do something drastic here before I wake up and I’m forty and alone with twelve cats; I don’t even like cats.

On my way to work, I listen to a morning show on the radio. These people are like my only friends because I haven’t made time to socialize since high school. I know it’s sad, my imaginary radio friends but it is what it is. I always listen to the people who call in to answer questions or play games with them but I’ve never even tried myself. Maybe that’s it, that’s the first step towards doing something drastic. The very next time they ask for callers I’ll call. I’ve had the number programmed into my phone for a year, this time I’ll actually click it.

After a few minutes of music, the DJ comes back on air and starts to talk about Flynn McCarthy, the incredibly hot, amazingly talented frontman of Stir Crazy.

“Their North American tour just came to an end but now they are focusing on promoting their new album. You lucky listeners are going to get a chance to meet the band and star in a music video, all you have to do is be caller number ten, right now,” the DJ announces.

Shit, already? I’m not ready for this. My inner voice starts to chime, you deserve this, go for it, you promised yourself and before I know it I’m clicking the number on my phone. It’s ringing… sure this is scary, but there is no way I’m actually going to…

“Hello! Lucky caller number ten! Who am I speaking to?”

“....Aria.”

“Well congratulations Aria, you just won yourself a day of fun with Flynn McCarthy and a chance to be featured in Stir Crazy’s next music video.”

“...” Radio silence, I can’t think of a thing to say.

“Aria? Did we lose you?”

“I’m here.”

“Do you have anything you want to say?”

“Holy crap.”

“You heard it, folks! Holy Crap Aria is going to meet Flynn McCarthy… Aria stay on the line and we’ll get your information during this commercial break. We’ll be right back with lots more music and fun,” the DJ continues but it fades out of my ears.

I can’t believe this, is this real life? Did that just really happen? Stay on the line… I need to pull over, I feel like I’m going to pass out until a chipper female voice comes on the line.

“Hello, Aria?”

“Speaking.”

“Congrats! This is an awesome prize.”

“I’m still in shock.”

“Well, let me get your information and you can make plans to come into the studio so we can get everything together.”

“Okay.”

The rest of the phone call is a blur; the intern took my basic information and told me to come into the studio someday this week after noon. Arg, life in the fast lane is not for me, what have I gotten myself into? Desperately seeking a twist in my story and some spice in my life has landed me here, and this is ghost pepper level spicy.

I made my way into work and slunk back into my lab space. My work is solitary but it is important research, I’m working with a large medical firm on a new cancer drug. Ever since my brother died of pediatric cancer, I’ve been devoted to finding a cure.

“Aria!” A voice I don’t recognize startles me, and I can’t help jumping.

“Huh?”

The girl who works in the lobby is standing behind me, we don’t know each other.

“I know this is crazy, but was that you on the radio this morning?” she asks.

“Me? Oh, yeah.”

“Oh my gosh! That is so exciting! Are you dying?” she shrieks excitedly.

“What?”

“Are you excited?” she smiles and nods her head emphatically.

“Yeah, I am, I guess I’m just still in shock.”

“Congrats girl! You’ll have to let me know how it goes,” she smiles and seemingly goes back to her work.

That was weird…

I spent the morning cataloging my findings and updating my research notes but before I know it, it's lunchtime. I’m going to the studio today because I’m afraid that if I don’t get it over with, I’ll chicken out. On my way to there I ate my sad sandwich but when I got there nerves started to pile up. Can I really do this? Sure, Aria, this makes sense, you’re an introvert so you’ve decided that your first foray into the social world should be with a rock star, what were you thinking?

That I would never win, that’s what I was thinking. I shake myself back to reality and will my feet to move toward the door. Once I'm inside there is a small lobby with a receptionist.

“Hi, um, I’m Aria Bellerose… I won a contest on the morning show,” I manage to squeak out.

“Of course,” the young girl says without looking up, “Let me find that paperwork, here.”

She finally looks up and her face twists with shock, “Wow, you’re beautiful.”

“What?” I ask startled.

“I said you’re beautiful,” she laughs.

I guess I did hear it correctly I just wasn't expecting it, “Oh uh sorry, thank you.”

She tells me that Flynn McCarthy will be in town next week and that I get to spend the day with him. They might take photos or record during the day so they are having a glam squad dress me up before I go. One of Stir Crazy’s new songs is called Take You There and they might use footage of our day together in the video. I’ve signed what feels like a bazillion releases until finally I’m done. After making plans on when to arrive next week the intern sends me on my way.

How am I going to go back to work now? My mind is scrambled; I'm going to have to find something else to focus on. The say spend a day with him but it's probably more like a meet and greet. I won't know until it happens so I put my safety glasses on to send my brain a signal that it's time to get to work. Somehow I manage and I get back to living my mediocrity for the next few days.