Crossroads by Skyy

scab off of her face. Most of it didn’t hurt, it peeled off easily. She stared at the light-colored spot scar on her face. It wasn’t as bad as before, but still was unsightly and didn’t belong on her face.
    Cooley sighed. She was able to deal with it better than before, but she knew plastic surgery was in her near future.
    Cooley hated the weather in the South. The humid air was filled with moisture. She could smell the rain that was supposed to fall by afternoon. Cooley stared at the Jam Zone logo and took a deep breath. Her new life had officially started. She exhaled and opened the door.
    â€œGood Morning, Ms. Wade,” the cute, young receptionist greeted her.
    â€œHey, Tina. You can call me Cooley or Cool or whatever you like.” Cooley smiled. A lot had changed. Last time she was in the office she was treated like any other intern. Now she was called by her last name. Suddenly Cooley didn’t sound as good as it used to. She wondered, was it time for a new nickname, or even worse, time to start using her government name? “Tina, do you think I should go by another name?”
    â€œWell, Big Ron calls you Cool, so why don’t you just go by that?”
    â€œHmm, good point.”
    Tina smiled. “Thank you, Ms. W—I mean Cool. Are you excited to be here?”
    â€œCan you see it on my face?” Cooley looked at Tina.
    Tina blushed. “No, you are fine. You look very ... cool. Would you like to know where you are supposed to be?”
    â€œOh shit, yes, I do.” Cooley felt her body tense up from her nervousness. “Man, I’m trippin’.”
    â€œIt’s fine.” Tina pressed a combination of numbers on her phone. She stood up and walked around her glass desk. Tina pulled her gray blazer down and adjusted her twisted skirt. “Follow me.”
    Cooley greeted other associates and artists as they walked down the long corridor. She felt herself calming down. She glanced at the large platinum plaque on the wall. Supa Sonic’s first album cover dominated the majority of the plaque. Cooley’s happiness was bittersweet. She made a mental note to try to get in touch with Sonic.
    â€œSo here we are. Welcome to your new office, Cooley.” Tina opened the door.
    Cooley’s face lit up with pride as she walked into the nice size office. It was bare, no gold or platinum plaques on the walls like the other A&R reps. The chocolate carpet was only joined by a large dark chestnut desk, a chair for her, and two extra chairs for company. Her bookshelf was empty, and there was no stereo or awards.
    â€œMan, this is ... this is ...”
    â€œBare,” Tina joked.
    â€œNo, amazing.” Cooley looked at Tina, who was unimpressed by the office. “It might not be anything in here, but it has the most important thing of all.” Cooley walked over to her desk. She picked up the small nameplate. She looked at the CARLA “COOLEY” WADE written on the plate. “This is really all I need for now.”
    Tina smiled. “Well, enjoy your nameplate and empty office. I need to get back to the front. Welcome, Cooley. Oh, and you have a meeting in an hour with Ron.”
    Cooley sat down in her plush black chair. “Thanks, T.” Tina closed the door as she walked away. Cooley couldn’t resist the urge. She put her hands on the desk and pushed herself, causing the chair to spin around real fast. “Hell yeah!” Cooley laughed.
    A knock at the door ended her childish antics. Cooley grabbed the desk so her chair wouldn’t move. She sat up straight. “Ummm ... come in.”
    A petite, young woman walked into the office. Her locks, oversized jeans, Jordan’s and black button-down gave away her sexual orientation immediately.
    â€œGreetings, Ms. Wade. I’m Teyanna, but most people call me Tee.”
    â€œHow are you, Tee?”
    â€œI’m, well, I’ll be better when you decide to make me