Everything Is Blue

A week had passed and Kimbra found herself stuck in another situation. Worse than the conference. Much, much worse. She didn't know why Dr. Ainsley or another higher up hadn't offered to make the speech. He singled her out, saying, 'you're the project director, and it's your project, so get to it'.

EcoTech has its own hierarchy of who's more important and has the most power in the company. At the top, of course, is the founder and CEO, Dr. Ainsley. Below him were the administrators. Head of the administration was Harry Breen. His fellow colleagues were Elias Pitmey, Spencer Gardener, Ryder Bell, Vince Gormley and Forrest Keenan. Kimbra couldn't stand any of them, and they despised her right back. 

Next were the sponsors. Money comes a long way at EcoTech. You can buy your way into having your opinions heard and considered. Bud Flud outranking Kimbra pissed her off. Of course without his money, C.O.R.E wouldn't be possible, so she's somewhat grateful for his help.

Somewhat. 

Then there were the department directors. Kimbra held the title of Director of the Project Department. There were dozens of other departments, such as Research and Development, Testing, Financial, and so forth. They overlooked the work in their respective departments and reported back to the administration and Dr. Ainsley. 

The ones who make it all happen, the scientists. They worked countless hours, researching, developing ideas, conducting experiments, and various other tasks.

After them, were the lab boys. The menaces of the company. Always ordering useless junk with the budget money. Going against the administration and directors wishes. They had gotten on Dr. Ainsley's nerves all the time. Yet, he kept them on, and somehow managed to keep them in line.

Kimbra tried to win over their favor once by ordering them pizzas from Pepe's Pizza. It only made her department jealous, and she ended up having to buy pizza for the entire company.

And lastly, the interns. The inexperienced. She couldn't be too hard on them, as she started out as an intern herself.

Of all those people to choose from, Dr. Ainsley singled her out to prepare a speech. 

Fantastic.

Kimbra glanced at her watch for the sixth time. Ten minutes late. Not surprising. Bud offered to help her with the speech, as he had experience with them. Desperate to not make a fool of herself, Kimbra agreed to it. He said to wait for him in front of her apartment, and he'd arrive at five o'clock to pick her up. 

Well, he's ten minutes late.

You'd think that someone would stick to their word and be here on time. Not Bud Flud, no sir. He had to complicate things. He had to aggravate her for no good reason. 

She felt like she'd aged ten years just by standing there for so long.

After what felt like an eternity, Bud's expensive black car finally pulled into the parking lot.

“Could you have gotten here any later?” She slid into the car without giving him a chance to respond.

They both knew the answer to that. Yes. Yes, he could have. Or just not bothered to come at all.

Bud grunted but didn't look over at her, the charmer. The car pulled out of the lot and onto the busy road. Bud continued to say nothing as traffic halted to a stop. 

The glare of the sun hit the city's bank building and shined into Kimbra's eyes. She squinted, shielding her face with her hand. She drove past the structure almost every day on the way to work. 

Traffic started moving, and the black haired canine spoke. 

“I've been thinking...”

“I wasn't aware you were capable of such a thing.”

Raising his eyebrows in amusement, Bud scoffed. “I'll ignore that statement, but no. I wanna talk to you about your life.”

“My life?”

“Yeah.”

“What about it?”

“Is there anything you do besides work?”

Edit your Wikipedia page with embarrassing blatant lies.

But she kept that to herself.

“Yeah…”

“Like what?”

Kimbra didn't answer. Because she actually did almost nothing but work. She looked up as they passed by the dark green EcoTech building. The place she spent seventy percent of her time at.

Bud kept talking. “You know what I think?”

“What do you think?”

If you can think.

“That you're no fun.”

She frowned as she turned to face him. “Hey, I can have fun!”

What about that baseball game, huh? That was fun!

“Doubt it,” his eyes remained on the road.

“Once, my best friends snuck me out of work, so we could go to a Brice Cawson concert.” Kimbra wanted to prove a point. She was fun. She could have fun, dammit.

“Brice Cawson?” Bud's face washed over with an expression of disgust. “Really?”

“He's cute, okay?”

He's more than cute. The man was a literal dream.

Bud's face broke into an enormous grin. “You're such a girl.”

“There's nothing wrong with being a girl,” Now it was Kimbra's turn. “What do you do for fun?”

“I golf sometimes with my buddies.”

Lame.

“Like Samuel and Andy?”

“Yeah, Samuel is my best friend. Andy… well, we just let him tag along because we feel sorry for the guy.” Bud drove along the sparkling water, crossing the iconic bridge that led out of St. Canard.

Kimbra never really went this far. She never had a reason to. The only time she ever left St. Canard was to fly back to Alaska to see her family.

See? She had a life outside of work.

She thought for a moment and looked over at Bud. “What was the point in asking me about my life?”

“Trying to change the subject from the fact I was late.” He leaned over, turning the volume dial up on the radio.

The all too familiar voice of Elvis Presley echoed out of the speakers.

'You look like an angel (look like an angel)

Walk like an angel (walk like an angel)

Talk like an angel

But I got wise

You're the devil in disguise

Oh, yes, you are, devil in disguise'

Her eyebrows raised at the music choice. “Elvis fan?”

“A big one,” a smirk spread across Bud's face. “Song reminds me of you, actually.”

Kimbra pressed the small off button, silencing the king of rock and roll. That just made Bud's smirk grow as he continued to drive.

That wasn't funny.

She rested her head against the cool leather seat and looked out the window.

Okay, I honestly have no idea where I am.

They drove past large rolling fields of grass. A few houses were scattered across the landscape. Farms, small stores, and restaurants run by locals also decorated the quiet countryside. Then they came upon several suburban areas. But Bud continued driving past them. She almost asked if he was lost.

Then he made a left, and they stumbled upon a much nicer neighborhood.

A much nicer neighborhood.

Sunset Heights.

The elegant sign welcomed the two into an upper class gated community. 

“Woah, how long have you lived here?”

Bud paused, as if he had to calculate it in his head. “Five years? Give or take a few.” The guard checked Bud's badge and opened the gates, letting the car drive through.

Each house they passed was large and luxurious. It felt criminal to even look at them without paying a toll. The car pulled into a driveway of a large modern house. Neatly trimmed bushes outlined the front. Almost picture perfect, like those photos you see in magazines.

The pair stepped out of the car and walked side by side up the path that led to the house. Even the lawn had been carefully maintained.

“Nice house.” Kimbra complimented, following Bud to the door.

“Thanks, wipe your feet before you come inside.” He said, loosely gesturing at her shoes. Her very clean shoes. “I don't want you tracking dirt on my floors.”

She watched him unlock the door and open it. “You don't wipe your shoes off when you come to my place.”

“Your place is—” He began as they walked inside.

“Don't say it.” She huffed, stepping inside the house after the hound.

Bud immediately began to loosen his tie, as if it had been choking him. The door closed behind Kimbra with a thud. 

The water salesman pulled his suit coat off and hung it on a nearby rack, along with the blue tie. His house was clean. Hardly decorated and dull, but clean. Like the house of someone who spent most of their time away from it. 

He finished his sentence. “Dingy.”

She rolled her eyes and brushed past him. 

“Wipe your shoes,” Bud ordered, pointing down to the mat in front of the doorway. 

You're absolutely ridiculous.

She stomped back over, angrily wiped her shoes off, and threw her arms out to say, 'happy now?'

He wasn't.

“You want a beer or something?” Bud rolled the sleeves of his yellow shirt up to his elbows before heading to the kitchen to wash his hands.

“Oh no, thanks anyway.”

“Suit yourself,” he dried his hands off with a dish towel. 

“I might snoop through all your junk, though.” Kimbra smirked, her back leaning against the counter.

“Creep.” He tossed the towel at her. “Do you have any ideas for the speech?”

She set it on the kitchen countertop and followed him to the living room. “No.”

He shook his head like a disappointed father and sighed. “Don't worry, I'll help you.” 

She let out a breath of relief. They could do this. She could do this. 

Right?

…

Right? 

Three hours of work, and so far, Kimbra had two pages written. Not bad for a first draft. In red, she jotted down Bud's ideas and his notes, hoping his advice would help. With each revision, she'd read it out to him, often pausing out of embarrassment. He'd make a beckoning motion with his hand, encouraging her to continue. And she did.

The main issue was, how would she be able to speak to a large crowd? Sure, small presentations or meetings were fine as they mostly had been with a small group. Usually people she knew. But this was a large gathering. It would be televised. 

Kimbra didn't know if she could do it.

A chime at the door echoed through the house. 

Bud gave the scientist an apologetic look as he stood up. “Ah, sorry, that's probably a neighbor or something.” He brushed by her quickly to answer the doorbell.

Kimbra leaned back, trying to catch a glimpse as he opened the door. An older woman, with short red hair and in a blue pantsuit, gave Bud a bright smile. She looked professional, straight out of a corporate office.

“Mrs. Holloway, may I help you?”

“Mr. Flud, I just noticed you were home and came by to…” The woman trailed off as she noticed Kimbra sitting on the couch. Her gaze flickering back and forth between the two. “Oh… pardon me, I wasn't aware you had company.”

The two locked eyes, and Kimbra wasn't sure what to do. Should she run out the back door? Did Bud even have a backdoor?

The woman looked back to Bud. “Is this your sister?”

Well, that was a new one. 

Bud didn't need to see the smirk on Kimbra's face to know it was there. 

“No, just a work associate.”

“Oh… well, I won't keep you too busy, I just had to bring the new terms for the HOA.” 

At that point, Kimbra stopped listening and went back to working on her speech. Especially since Mrs. Holloway was just head of the Homeowners Association for Bud's neighborhood. She insisted on going over every single line in the packet she handed over to Bud. It wasn't anything particularly interesting.

Maybe she'd give up and leave soon, so they could get back to whatever they were doing before she so rudely interrupted. 

A few times, Bud had glanced back at Kimbra, his expression begging for help. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated.

Kimbra smiled.

This whole thing was more work than she had anticipated.

***

I really do not want to mess this one up. 

As expected, there was a pack of reporters at the entrance of the park the following day. She didn't like crowds. She really didn't like crowds. Crowds meant more witnesses to you being a total screw up. More people to laugh and mock you.

The thought made her nauseous. She couldn't handle being ridiculed again.

Her pulse quickened. She was getting ahead of herself. 

Stop it. You're going to do fine. It won't be like last time.

She shook off the fragments of a memory. A bad memory.

Kimbra squeezed her eyes shut. She deeply inhaled and released it. She could do this. She was the daughter of a brilliant surgeon and a well-known author. Furthermore, she endured years of torment from her older brothers. And so much more. 

Her eyes opened. She could make a speech. Surely, she could. It isn't that hard.

“Are you alright?” Bud's hand pressed against her lower back as he leaned down to check on her. 

She let out a soft breath. “No, I'm not.”

“I'm sure you'll have them eating out of the palm of your hands.”

She sighed, pressing her fingertips to her forehead. “Why would you say that?”

The hound shrugged as he stood up and straightened his shirt collar. “I dunno I'm just trying to be encouraging.”

It isn't helping.

Kimbra lowered her voice, “I can't do this.”

“C'mon, you'll do great.” He whispered back with a wink. “Just pretend you're talking to me.”

You know I can't do that.

The growing crowd pushed her towards a panic attack. If she had the choice, she'd run out of there and go back to her car and leave. 

Everyone is staring at you.

No one is staring at you.

The scientist took another deep breath. She could do this. She just needed to get through this. She just had to listen to Bud and do what he said. But she couldn't bring herself to do it.

No, she couldn't.

All eyes would be on her. Dozens of ears would lean on every word she said. If she slipped up, it'd be blasted on local television. The feeling of self-hatred began to build up within her. Kimbra closed her eyes, hoping to just disappear from this mess she found herself in. She felt a little nauseous and her throat was getting dry.

I can't go out there like this.

Her eyes opened and located the water salesman to her right.

“Bud.”

“What?”

“Do me a favor.”

“Sure?” He hesitantly said with a hint of worry.

“Can you make the speech for me?”

“What? Me? Why?”

“I'm not a people person. I can't go out there and talk to all those people!”

“It's your project. I think they would rather hear from you. And you did fine back during that sponsor presentation.”

That was then, this is now.

“Please? You can throw in something about your company, I don't care, as long as you hit the solid points in this speech.” She desperately pushed her notes into his hands. It would certainly benefit him. 

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, please.” She gave his hand a pleading squeeze.

Bud hesitated, flipping through the notes and then looking up at the stage where the mayor was speaking to the crowd and media. Kimbra silently prayed he'd agree. He liked drama and attention. It'd be good publicity for him. Surely, he would take it.

The mayor then introduced Dr. Ainsley. 

Oh god, it's almost time.

“Bud,” Kimbra tightly gripped onto the hound's arm. “Please.”

“Fine, I'll do it.” He shook her arm off as Dr. Ainsley introduced the C.O.R.E project and the next speaker.

Kimbra whispered as Bud headed up the stage steps. “Please don't mess this up.”

He gave her an overly confident grin. “Trust me, I got this.”

I'll try to.

Habitually, he swiped back his perfect hair and shot a business-like smile at Dr. Ainsley, shaking his hand before taking over. 

Clearing his throat loudly to get everyone's attention, Bud began. “Thank you, Ainsley, for that absolutely wonderful introduction. I'm very fortunate to be a part of such a world changing project by the brilliant minds at EcoTech.”

Things pretty much went downhill from there.

“Now, at first, I thought this whole idea was silly. I almost laughed when Dr. Wulfe presented it all those months ago. It seemed absolutely ridiculous and impossible.” Bud chuckled softly at Kimbra's expense.

He’s laughing at me.

A sudden flash of memory caused a lump to come to Kimbra's throat—she wanted to get out of there. It was too much. Heat rose in her cheeks.

Bud continued. “And oh boy, she was difficult to work with at first. Girl is a firecracker. Literally had me in a chokehold for a bit.”

The crowd laughed. 

“She had security tackle me on one of my first days at the company. At that point, I knew she had to be completely out of her mind.”

This caused another round of laughter.

She should've seen this one coming.

They all laughed at her .

She couldn't take this anymore. Bud had yet again succeeded in behaving like a total jerk, as usual. Perhaps she was right about Bud Flud after all. 

She just wished it didn't sting so much.

Kimbra forced her way through the crowd and towards a nearby parking deck where her car was located. Tears began to form, but she didn't really care if people saw. She should never have started to enjoy his company, his friendship. The playful bickering back and forth. 

The canine wondered if Bud had been intentionally cruel with his remark. Yes, she had security tackle him. She was difficult in the beginning, but she never humiliated him in front of a crowd. In front of reporters or at a televised gathering.

She'd never do that to him.

“Kimbra, wait!” Bud called out, pushing past the crowd and running after her.

He slipped through dozens of people. Reporters began shouting out his name and asking him question after question.

Kimbra crossed the street, almost at the parking deck.

God, I hope that car hits me, so I don't have to go into work tomorrow. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man in the brown suit running after her. Her pace quickened, hoping she'd make it to her car before Bud caught up. She knew how this would end. Them yelling at one another. Her getting fired because she caused a scene and upset Dr. Ainsley's precious sponsor.

But he caught up and she stopped. Her hands clenched into fists. 

She stood there, not knowing what to say and feeling like a fool.

Bud was winded, a hand on his chest and the other frantically waving in the direction of the park. “You want to tell me what the hell that was about?”

“I thought you were my friend!” Kimbra shouted as she turned around to face him. She realized she came to a terribly wrong conclusion about the nature of their relationship.

He didn't actually care about her. He was only using her for his own gain. Her first judgement of the salesman was right. She felt like at this point he took things way too far. All that time they'd spent together meant nothing to him.

He is a terrible, terrible person.

And that felt like a punch to the gut.

“I am!”

Anger brought color to her cheeks. “Then why did you make fun of me in front of everyone?” Her voice broke halfway through the sentence, as if she was about to cry.

Bud went silent. Maybe debating whether to give her a truthful answer or not. 

“It was just a joke. I wasn't making fun of you.” He said, as if that would make it all better.

Well, it didn't.

“You basically called me crazy!” Kimbra said the words quickly, so he couldn't hear her voice shaking.

How could he humiliate her like this?

She'd been more than patient with him. She gave him a chance to prove her first impression of him. He just let her down, once again. Her blue eyes brimmed with hurt and hostility as she glared at him. He looked back at her. It was the look of a man who'd just lost his last chance.

You made me hate this city more than I already did.

“It gets to the point where I—”

Bud stood there, not moving. “Where you…  what?”

Her shoulders lowered as she spoke softly. “Where I wonder if meeting you was a mistake.”

“Now, why would you ever say that?”

“I just… figured you'd take my feelings into consideration.”

“I didn't… but I wasn't trying to hurt you or anything.” He attempted to take a step towards her, but she only took one back. Away from him. The hurt in his dark eyes was clear, but he made no other attempts to approach her.

I wish I could believe you.

“It feels like you meant what you said.”

“It's not like that.” 

“I can see it on your face.” She hated how her voice betrayed her. “You just think I'm some big joke.”

She didn't need to hear him say it to know it.

“Kimbra I didn't mean it that way!”

“You're just like them .”

“Them?”

Kimbra wasn't sure why she would want to hear him out. But at the same time, she was mildly curious as to what the salesman would say.

“I came up with it during high school. C.O.R.E that is.” Her eyes lowered to the ground. “Dr. Winston is a well-respected figure in the science world. He's why I got into the field.”

Once she made sure Bud was listening, she continued.

“So he was at this science convention a few cities from my hometown,” she didn't know why she was telling him this sob story, he wouldn't care. “I was going off to college soon and wanted to show him my idea. And I did. In front of everyone.”

“And?”

“He laughed at me. Humiliated me in front of everyone. I left crying and dumped my work in the trash on the way out. He just cared about profiting off his work instead of helping others.”

“He sounds like a dick.”

Was that supposed to be comforting?

“I guess…”

Bud cleared his throat, deciding that the changing tone of Kimbra's voice is a sign that he should treat this seriously.

“It's… pathetic, I know,” she softly sniffed, keeping her eyes on the ground.

The sound tugged at Bud's heart strings. He didn't realize just how hurt she was by this until now. “I'm truly sorry.” 

“It's… fine.”

Suddenly, everything was clear. There was a reason Kimbra despised him at first. A reason why she kept her walls up and acted cold. It wasn't anything he actually did. It was because someone else hurt her. She thought he didn't care about her project. That she was silly, and he didn't respect her.

And the fact she hated capitalists played a part in her rude behavior, but Bud would rather place the blame on someone else. It was much easier that way.

“Is that why you were so hard on me in the beginning?”

“Yeah…” Those blue eyes of hers met him. “I figured you were just using me and my work for your own benefit. That you thought my ideas were ridiculous, too.”

That was partly true.

“Why did you even tell me this?”

“Because I trust you.” Kimbra said it without thinking, only then realizing that she'd never said those words to him until now. “And you're my friend. Or at least I thought you were.”

And everyone could see how well that turned out.

They stood there, neither saying a word. Kimbra didn't know what else to say. She just wanted to go home and avoid people for the rest of the day.

“I think I'll just go home.” She couldn’t stand being with him a minute longer. “Enjoy your time in the spotlight, Flud.”

This time she was most definitely leaving.

Bud lingered behind, watching as the white dog walked ahead of him. 

He felt terrible.