Stuck in an Elevator

[Explosion]

Asynabelle was nervous. She had to get her mother's birthday present before tomorrow, or else things would be very out of hand-plus, the mall was about to close.

As she walked across the shining tiles of the bottom floor of the mall, she searched for the escalator, which was nowhere in sight. I'll never make it in time! She scolded herself. Suddenly, there it was, an elevator-which was just about to close completely!

Asynabelle ran to the elevator, her black hair bouncing on her back and stopped it just in time. Little did she know that this would be the last time she would have the space to run for a very long time. She was shocked to see that it was cluttered with a few people, which was a lot for such a tiny space, and awkwardly stood deep in the sea of strangers.

Matt was doing what he normally did: boarding the last time the elevator would go up for the night so that he could begin cleaning up the next floor. It was his job, and it ran in a particular cycle: Clean the mall after closing, leave for home. Come back to find the mall messy. Clean the mall after closing, leave for home. He recited in his head with a smirk.

[Tabbi]

Kat nearly emptied the music store of all their music. Good thing she had a small time job, otherwise she would be running into her college fund. Which, to be honest, she didn't really need anymore. She stepped into the elevator and pulled down her shirt slightly. "Ugh, I hate elevator music." She mumbled unraveling her headphones from around her neck. She slipped them over her head and left one ear partially uncovered. She checked the time on her watch, for the first time of many this evening. It was still early, maybe once she got back to her place, she could finish another song.

[aab1234567890]

Bellanna giggled uncontrollably as she walked down the mall halls with her best friends, Jessa and Kasey. On one arm she had an overflowing Hollister bag and on the other, a PINK shopping bag and a small PacSun bag.
"Oh! Stay here guys," she said to Jessa and Kasey, "I forgot something on the bench upstairs!" She had forgotten her Aeropostale bag with some clearance earrings in it, but more importantly, her medication was in there. She needed her next dose in half an hour, which she would smuggle while her friends were away or distracted.
"Okay, go on, we'll wait here, stupid," Jess teased, sitting down on a chair to wait, with Kasey following. Bellanna gave her friends an uneasy grin, going in a fast walk to the elevator. She couldn't afford for that bag to get stolen, thrown away, or lost.
She boarded the cluttered elevator silently, surrounded by strangers. She raised here eyebrows, surprised that this many people could fit on this elevator, but figured it wasn't unusual for a Saturday evening like this one.

[Explosion]

Matt grinned. From what he could tell from the faint noise coming out of Kat's headphones, they liked the same kinds of music. But, he shouldn't be off task, Matt told himself, he had a lot of work to do upstairs.

He had never looked forward to coming to the mall to clean up everyone else's messes-Matt barely ever cleaned up his own messes, let alone somebody else's! He even considered himself a slob. But, it was a job, and he needed it-there was no way Mom or Dad would fork out a single penny to pay for the expensive college Matt planned on going to.

[LookatMe]

Frankie took herself out from one of the clothing stores, she was in there for about two hours, all the clothes just always drew her in. She couldn't help but try twenty or so outfits on in one day and in one shop. After successfully in her mind buying a few outfits she took herself towards the music store clipping shoulders with a few peoples as she walked past them. Entering the music store, she took a brief look around, the shelves were full of famous artists ones from years ago and one from her day and age. After a quick browse and lining up at the queue to buy a new pair of headphones and a few CDs she thought her and her bestfriend could half a laugh with she smiled with her good shopping. Frankie was rather glad that she'd decided to come but with a quick look at her watch, she shook her head, although she wanted to be there for ages she couldn't it wasn't possible for her, she needed to catch her bus home then to her daily job at the beauty salon a few miles from her house. Dragging herself into the elevator, she smiled lightly at the few peoples already stood there waiting for the doors to close and the elevator to start it's journey upwards to the next floor. She pushed a few bags down her arm, taking her file in her hand that she always takes around with her and began filing as she waited for more people to float into the elevator.

[Explosion]

Asynabelle stared at Bellanna and Frankie in disgust. She had come across many girls "like them" before, who were so obsessed with top-name clothing brands like Aeropostale, Hollister, and Aebercrombie that they just wasted their lives planning out the next day's outfit and blowing off their money. How could someone care so much about how they looked? Asynabelle thought as she stood in the corner. Don't judge, she reminded herself. These new girls could end up being great friends to her-if she had as much courage as to say 'hi'.

[aab1234567890]

Bellanna scanned the elevator in a quick glance. There was some people around her age, but not many. A girl intent into her music, a guy who seemed to work at the mall, a girl with long black hair and a crocheted beanie, and a girl who gave her a small glare with combined annoyance and revolution. Bellanna frowned, hurt on the inside, but she was used to it. People always judged her anywhere she went. Her hair was naturally bleach blonde, she couldn't help the fact that her skin was clear of acne, and that her eyes were bright. Bellanna diverted her gaze to the ground, realizing she had been staring while in thought. Her vision blurred slightly as her eyes welled with tears, the elevator floor turning into a watery mess. With a quick swipe of her hand across her face, being careful not to smear her eyeliner, the tears were wiped away unseen. She pulled out her iPhone, to check the time. Is it just me, or is the elevator unusually slow? Bellanna dismissed it as her impatience, paranoia, and worry to find her medication.

[Tabbi]

Kat squished herself into the corner of the elevator against the railing and hummed softly to the Green Day song blasting from her headphones. Hopefully, no one else will stop the elevator from taking off. I wanna go home. She thought to herself. Listening to the music, she was reminded of the receipt from the music store. She unzipped the bag on her shoulder as her fingers found their way into the plastic bag. She felt the paper and breathed a sigh of relief. If a single cd was damaged, she would need a receipt to return it.

[Explosion]

Asynabelle started to feel bad to have hurt the girl's feelings, but also became angry with her when tears rolled down her cheeks. What a baby! Asynabelle thought. Was this true hurt feelings or was this just an attention-drawer? Some girls are sensitive, she told herself. Besides, I'm not perfect either. Suddenly, the elevator seemed to be going abnormally slow. I'm just anxious,.

That was when the elevator stopped.



Matt had wide, curious eyes. He was expected to check in everyday to ensure that he came on time. Being a minute late could cost him his job-and it was hard enough to find this one!

He hurried, along with several other people, and practically tackled the "Emergency" button in fear. This must just be a dream! Matt thought with worry. But it was too real-he couldn't even convince himself that this was fake. He pressed the button again. Again. Again. Nothing was working!

[aab1234567890]

The elevator jerked to a stop, and Bellanna lost her balance with the jolt. She almost tripped, but caught herself with the rail on the side. Unfortunately, she happened to be wearing heels that day, and her shoes weren't very good at balancing. Her heels fell to the side, and her ankle screamed pain. Loudly she called out a curse, then covered her mouth, her eyes widening. There was utter silence in the elevator, and she had broken it. With a swear. Lovely. I think I rolled my ankle, and badly.. Sitting down on the hard elevator floor, she held her ankle as if it would take away the pain instantly. She felt the spectators gazes penetrating her, judging her, not caring as she sat there in pain wincing. Then, reality hit her hard. Why did I roll my ankle? The elevator stopped, that's why. It stopped. Fear flashed over her eyes, her paranoia creating the worst. Her medication. She needed it. It wore off in less than half an hour. She needed it. Or else she would crumble. Shatter. No, no, no, this isn't happening. I'm paranoid. Hallucinating. I must be hungry, or- or, dehydrated... Bellanna tried hard to think of terrible excuses, but she knew the truth. The elevator had stopped.