"Since when do you write stories on your laptop at lunch?" Kandi jumped as Alex appeared over her shoulder, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Uh-uh, well, um, since...today!" Kandi stuttered and then tried to finish it off with a half-hearted grin and a sarcastic flourish to her tone.

Alex raised her eyebrows and just stared at her friend, "oh...kay...?"

"What?"

"Why the weird attitude about your writing? You know I love what you write! What gives?"

"Oh just...trying something new and I had this great idea and I really don't have a lot of time on my lunch and I'm in a hurry and I guess that's stressing me out and-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's fine! Calm your heart, girl!" Alex teased, " I was only wondering, no need to see if you can fit an entire paragraph of speech into one breath!"

"Sorry," Kandi mumbled, "just tired, I guess..."

"Are you still struggling with sleeping?"

Kandi yawned as if to prove her point, "yes, sometimes...not as much as I used to, but occasionally it will come and get me. The doctor said it could have something to do with my allergies, and I guess that's somewhat accurate 'cause I know when I am taking a lot of antihistamines, it makes going to sleep more difficult."

"And plus, having a million stories bouncing around inside your head constantly doesn't help either!" Alex laughed as Kandi made a duck face at her.

"Seriously though, Kandi," Alex stopped eating her lunch to look her friend in the eye, "I know  you have something; a gift. I've never met anyone like you when it comes to words. You're so shy and secretive about it, but you're brilliant! And you love it SO much, it just oozes out of you! One day I hope to have as much passion for something other than pop culture!" Alex forcefully stabbed her food and popped it into her mouth with a mischievous grin.

"That's...that's so kind of you to say, Alex. You are an awesome friend, you know that?"

Alex shrugged, "I try!" causing giggles to ripple through them.

"And pop culture is something you could have a career in! Why don't you try posting random articles to different online news feeds like PopSweet or something? You are good at direct, reporter-like articles, I've seen what you've done before! And you're so good on the phone...why not be a DJ for 102.7? There's got to be a way to get in there..." Kandi pushed the remainder of her spaghetti around with her fork, lost in thought.

Alex rolled her eyes as she chewed her food, narrowing them as she also mulled over possible options.

"Hey! Didn't Darren in the funeral home on-call department have a brother or something that was trained as a radio DJ?"

Alex opened her eyes in surprise, "why did I never think of this before?"

"Because he has been flirting with you since he got here 2 months ago so you have been avoiding him at all costs, perhaps?"

Alex's cheeks turned pink, "oh yeah, heh-heh, I forgot about that...and he is not flirting, he's just...weird! I mean, look at me, I'm no picture of hot gorgeousness, and that's all guys want these days. Unless you're, you know, easy."

"Alex!" Kandi gasped.

"Well, it's true, isn't it?"

Kandi looked at her wonderful, fun-loving, wise-cracking, confident friend, and wondered how on earth she could think that about herself. She was not skinny, that's true, but she wasn't overly big either. Kind of on the heavier side of normal. But she never could forget it. Alex and Kandi were always attempting diets and workouts together, until they'd mutually get poutines and frappacinos three days in a row, guiltily looking at each other the next time they agreed to get back on track and step on the scale. Kandi was only slightly thinner than Alex, so as much as she couldn't understand why her friend would think that about herself, she also could understand. Self-deprecating comments made it easier to not let it get to you.

All these thoughts ran through Kandi's mind in an instant, and she quickly answered Alex, "you are beautiful and you have just not met a guy good enough for you...besides, you know you can't tell if someone is flirting with you from a mile away!"

Alex laughed, "this is true! Well, maybe I'll mosey on over to Darren's desk and ask him about his brother. Couldn't hurt, right?"

Kandi smiled, "nope! It sure couldn't! Catch you later, I'm leaving early today. I've got an appointment with the doctor and then some shopping!!"

"Ooo!! What are you getting?"

"Oh, just some shorts. I seriously only have one pair that fit me right now," Kandi rolled her eyes. "Anyways, you'd better get talking to your boyfriend before the boss comes by and wonders why you're still having lunch!"

"Shut up!" Alex stuck her tongue out as Kandi choked on giggles.

"Love you too!!" Kandi called at Alex's retreating figure. Sighing to herself, she closed her laptop and cleaned up her lunch dishes.

Only 3 more hours and I get to leave...Kandi smiled to herself as she sat down at her desk and adjusted her headset before hitting the first blinking light on her telephone.

***

"Why hello Kandice, how are we today?"

"Alright, I hope, Dr. Reidmann!"

The doctor chuckled as he sat down at the miniature desk in the tiny examination room.

"So, you're tests have come back, and you indeed have some pretty serious reactions possible to your allergies."

"Oh." Kandi bit her lip. "Do you have any idea how to handle it? I'm really tired of all these headaches and migraines I've been getting..." Kandi furrowed her brow in consternation.

"I know, it is hard. Keep taking the antihistamines throughout the heavier allergy seasons and they should help you cope. If you ever find it difficult to breathe, book an appointment immediately and go to the hospital if it lasts more than 5 to 10 minutes," Dr. Reidmann finished solemnly.

Kandi felt her skin tingle on her arms and she felt some blood leave her face, but rather than freak out, she just swallowed and said, "ok, Dr. Reidmann."

"It's highly unlikely that will happen, Kandice, but just be aware of it...it is honestly about a 2-3% chance of it happening, but I need to make it known to you in case it does happen."

Kandi felt the relief in her toes, "oh, ok, good to know then!"

Dr. Reidmann smiled, "well then! Here's your prescription for the antihistamines you need, and you are good to go!" Dr. Reidmann looked at Kandi over his glasses as he handed her the peace of paper, then reached out and opened the door, motioning her to go first.

Kandi walked out of the examination room and down the hall, her flat shoes tapping softly with each step.

"Hi Jill!"

"Hi, Kandice, you all set?"

"Yes, actually, I need to book an appointment for one month from now."

Jill swivelled in her chair towards her computer, adjusting her glasses on her nose as she inhaled softly to speak, "how's Wednesday the 10th?"

"Sounds good! It will be my follow up appointment from the migraine clinic, which is the week before. I can't believe I've waited 6 months for that appointment!" Kandi leaned on the edge of the desk and rolled her eyes dramatically.

Jill let out a small laugh. It sounded like...bells, tiny, silver bells. Kandi often wished to have a laugh that sounded just like that, but hers was aggressive, bouncy and loud.

"Well at least the appointment is soon!" Jill said with a wink, looking down again to write out the appointment card. She then picked it up and handed it to Kandi.

"Thanks Jill, you're the best!"

"No problem! See you next month then!"

"Ok, have a good afternoon!"

"See ya!"

"Bye!" Kandi stepped out the door into the mildly humid air. It was quite warm for springtime, but thankful she had light clothing on.

She opened the door to her unlocked car and slid in. She had an old car, and there was nothing in it worth stealing, so as long as she was in "small town" areas, she really didn't care about locking it. She started the car and began backing out of her parking space, the radio softly playing something...familiar. Just before she shifted into forward gear, she gasped, "My favourite!" and cranked the stereo,

And all those things I didn't say

Kandi joined in,

We're wrecking balls inside my brain

I was screaming out tonight

Can you hear my voice

This time

Kandi put her windows down

This is my fight song!

Take back my life song!

Prove I'm alright song!

My power's turned on, starting right now

I'll be strong...

Kandi pulled into the parking lot of the local mall, and found a parking space, still singing,

And I don't really care if nobody else believes,

...'Cause I've still got a lotta fight left in me!

Kandi took off her seatbelt and reached for her purse as the last line faded through the speakers

Cause I've still got

A lot of fight left

In me!

Kandi turned off the ignition and got out of her car. She needed to hurry if she was going to be home in time to cook the tacos she promised her aunt she would make.