Humility/Pride

Radio is playing in the background. The papers are being checked, the laptop is on, the projects are open for review.

"Agne! Agne!" - Tomas is shouting from the corridor of the centre.

"Here!" - Agne replies, as she's buried in her work.

Tomas walks in, with his outside winter coat, red cheeks, boots, and a very happy expression on his face.

"Can you imagine? Ok, ok!" - He tries to catch breath. - "Remember Egle? She managed to sign a contract with a recording studio, she'll be a full time singer! On TV! Isn't that amazing?!" - Tomas was overjoyed with the great news.

Agne looked at him with a smile, a cheeky look, then smacked her lips and replied: "I received email from her yesterday. You're late news, ha!"

Tomas clicked tongue, then began taking the coat off:

"You're just… Tsk. Hate that about you."

Agne laughed.

"But I am really proud of her. She did great."

Buzz of cars was audible from an open crack in a window. Office needed some good air in. The place was packed with youngsters busily doing their things, or just plainly sitting and chatting about things.

The music room was bustling with a few who were trying to set up a band, another room had a photoshoot going on, then a gym room, play-sitting room and gaming room with PS4. Youngsters everywhere.

And it's not like it's odd, or that it should not be like so. It had to be. Has to be. It's a youth centre after all.

Inside the counselling room there were some needed moments of consultation.

"So, I've checked the options. If you wanna go to this Erasmus workshop - there's still the money to pay for travel. And that it's going to be around a few hundred to go there and back. I've checked with the other guys and they said that they could collectively chip in for this, if you are alright with it." - Agne was speaking to a teen.

The youngster breathed out, deep in thought. It's hard to manage some things in life, that's understandable.

"Agne, how am I going to pay back?" - Saule asked.

"It's not a worry. Just learn some good things, enjoy your time and the financials are sorted via Erasmus back to us. So no worries. Just say that you're happy to go."

Saule's eyes became watery, as she held back the tears. The lump in a throat was quite frustrating. Agne poured a glass of water and brought it to the table.

"It's ok." - Agne said.

Saule drank the water, to flush that lump down, yet she couldn't stop a few tears from falling down.

"Thank you." - Saule said.

Agne smiled and gave a hug to this fantastic youngster.

"So you had managed to get another kid off to a good life experience." - Kaspars was sitting at his work laptop. Eyes on the emails he read, yet he still managed to get a conversation rolling.

"Yes. I hope she learns some good ideas and practises for herself." - Agne was on a bit of a coffee break. Sitting on a small couch in the office room.

"You just keep on going with this. Wanna be a saint like Mother Theresa or something?" - Kaspars typed in the replies.

Agne looked at him with a tired and annoyed expression, her eyes stared at Kaspars, face stone cold.

"Are we not supposed to help youngsters here? Or we're here to be a decoration?" - She said with her voice quite rough.

"To try and do good. Even if we are a decoration in the room. After all - we're paid for it." - Kaspars had replied.

The door opened and Tomas walked in, closing doors behind him. He looked at the office room - checking the people, then scratched his head and let out:

"Tsk, we need to make a workshop. Maybe even few. The municipality asked to create a busy week, starting from 23'd. Any good ideas?" - He yawned and went to boil the kettle.

"Oh, now they want a busy week. Guess not all we propose is good enough, yet they then want us to make something for them. Tsch." - Agne pouts, as she lolls her head.

"Can we tell them to fuck off?" - Kaspars said without rising eyes from the screen.

"Sadly - no. So we gotta prepare something in 4 days and then make that worthwhile. You know - they once again burned the funds and want us to make a visibility of something on. For the funds that are no longer there." - Tomas got out a cup and put a few teaspoons of coffee inside.

"They just snort that finance in those rooms, honesty. And then we're creating some events with volunteers, our own money and good will. Assholes." - Agne lets out.

"Yeah, that's capitalism for you." - Kaspars sighed.

"I do get that it's all great madness, and that it's all on our great love for our community…" - Tomas poured hot water in a coffee cup. - "Must admit that they do seem like they snort the money in there. Yet not much we can do. Politics is scary and not all is clean in those matters. So what we're left with - is enthusiasm and altruism of our own volition."

Kaspars raised his head to look at Tomas.

"Whoah, impressive. You can actually say something very profound and smart. I'm impressed." - Kaspars sarcastically looked at Tomas, nodding head. - "Though we shall need some money for whatever workshop we'll make, not to mention the online exposure and people who actually would be interested. Want me to go and ask some brats on social media? Those guys actually are good at throwing ideas in sometimes."

"Yeah, those ideas excluding getting parties, alcohol and sky high from whatever. Although that's what they propose almost all the time." - Tomas rolled his eyes.

"Like you were a saint when growing up. Come on, we all did some crazy shit. Including puking in a bathroom of a random person's house during a house party." - Agne looked up at the ceiling, trying to come up with ideas. Although it's the end of the day and it's hard to focus.

"Shhh!" - Tomas hushed. - "Don't remind me of my drunken past!"

"Like you stopped doing that." - Kaspars remarked.

"Shhh!" - Tomas waved his finger at Kaspars.

Agne walked home in a bit of a daze, as the lack of the energy caught up with her. The endless work with kids has its own downside - not all the time you'll be the same as them energy-wise. They're just that amazing.

The shops were opened, so the trip to 'Maxima' was a needed part of the evening routine. She went to grab the frozen pizza, vegetables, bread and a new interesting beer she found.

With all of that she went to her apartment. She shared it with a friend - Kornelija.

From the moment of entry, she smelled some odd smoke. Undressed, then walked into the sitting room. More like a common room, as it was a kitchen and sitting. Finding out the few people around the table, bottles of beer and a hookah.

"Oh hey!" - Kornelija waved. - "Welcome back. We got started without you."

The trio sitting there consisted of the flatmate and her two friends from university. Just a large girl squad.

"It's alright." - Agne replied.

"So, we've managed to get some extra eight-packs of beer, coz workplace is amazing sometimes and then.." - Kornelija pulls out the new hair curler. - "Ta-daaa!"

Agne was surprised.

"Holy cow! It's the one that's so expensive! How did you manage to get it?" - Agne was putting away the shopping into the fridge.

"Well, we kind of managed to switch labels with barcode, then pay for this with like a few euros and get out. Nice stuff." - Ramona pointed at the curler.

Agne gave a "not happy about it" stare.

"Come on! It's not like people don't do it. If it's not us, then it'll be someone else." - Ramona shrugged.

"Just don't get caught." - Agne shook head.

An hour goes by...

"So he went out with that cow and dumped me." - Ramona let out.

"Oh you don't say. What douchebag. Want me to kick his ass and ruin his career? Coz I'm up for that." - Kornelija shakes head, as she feels for her friend.

"Tsk, like that will help much." - Kristina takes a puff.

"But like, shouldn't there be some kind of payback for such shit?" - Agne pointed with beer in hand.

"I mean, there should be. But eh… It's either karma or we can ask Tadas and his friends to beat that dude up." - Ramona let out.

"Naah." - Kristina shakes head. - "They shall be pestering us afterwards. With like - 'pay for this, I want food', 'order that, i need tech'. Naah. We can mess with the girl instead."

"I don't need that drama any more than there is already." - Ramona lets out.

It's close to three in the morning. Kristina and Ramona already sleep in Kornelija's room, whilst Agne and Kornelija sit with the last few beers. Window is open and they're airing out the place.

"And you need to make some decent things in a few days. That's like assignments in uni, just so much more weird." - Kornelija tiredly looks out the window. - "I'll help. I know how tough it is to make people come for an event."

"Thank you." - Agne replied. - "And how is the work for you?"

"It could have been better. The part-timer that works with me is an asshole. He keeps on being touchy, with no regards to private space. What asshole. I should punch him in the balls next time. Because telling about him to the manager didn't help." - Kornelija pressed lips.

Agne gave Kornelija a hug.

"Being a woman in this life is tough. Don't give up. I'm here for you."

The ring of the alarm clock was quite annoying. But the more annoying thing was that the alarm was from the other room. And both Ramona and Kristina kind of sleep like dead.

Agne got up and went to wake the girls up.

In about ten minutes all had coffee. Then it was Ramona that left first, as her job needed her. And then it was Kristina, as she had to do something. Kornelija went to meet someone as well, leaving Agne home alone.

Some peace and quiet.

The phone buzzed. Text message from Kaspars.

"So, any ideas yet? Or should we rock that EU sustainability edge? Wanna make a workshop about 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'? They did put it on the agenda for the upcoming 2020 and up years."

Agne looked at the possible variety of the agenda, but to appeal to youth - just pressure about re-usal of items is not enough. Swapping clothes? Books? Items? Teaching the sorting of the rubbish? But the government is still using that rubbish to pile in areas outside the city in large mountains. So even with what was out there - it would not be enough to recycle everything. Growing plants? Own gardens? In small apartments or balconies that does not really go well - landlords and all. Donating clothes? Some just throw it out. Awareness? Quite the tough thing to put in heads, if the youth has other problems. Anything from finding their own identity, to fitting in, to studies, issues at home, exams, life path… They're busy as is. But more so in their heads, if they're still in search of something.

"I'll make a presentation on ideas, so we can discuss it all on monday." - Agne sent a reply.

"Just don't overdo it. We don't have much prep time." - Was the great reply back.

"Is it me or this dude is actually a workaholic?" - Agne tilted her head, as she said it out loud. Checking the time and the lights outside, based on how not much sun is here in general, she decided to go for a walk, then to the shop.

Wearing fine clothes and trying best to look decent, yet not overdoing it, as not much would appreciate your great looks. Though, due to the weather - a puffy long coat is the trend.

This place just does not like people that stand out too much. And guess all that what mum said regarding "You were born here. Just make this place better. Why go anywhere. This is your home." - was stuck good in the head, therefore no attempts to move or leave were ever made. Well, besides moving out to live with a friend, that is.

After a lengthy walk in a park, then observing the people on the benches smoking, youngsters in the skate parks, groups of people out there chatting, hanging out, smoking weed.

"It still makes me wonder - you can have weed on you, but you can't be high, or sell it. What kind of great ideas were it? Government just makes the weirdest things." - Thought to herself Agne.

The queue in the shop was long. Before it becomes 8pm, people are very eager to get their booze, so the lines are packed with trolleys with alcohol and food. After all - law is law.

It is the time when it's darker and darker, the sense of the world that's standing still and all the possible flow is roughly cut.

After managing to get out in time, with few bottles of wine and food, Agne went home.

Lock opened, Agne pushed the door in. Smell of pizza filled the air. She walked in - seeing that Kornelija is in the kitchen.

"Is that the dinner?" - Agne called out.

"Nup. That's a piece of dinner. We've got a fiest." - Kornelija peeked out. - "As long as you got wine, that is."

Agne picked up the bags, after leaving coat and boots, then walked into the kitchen, placing the bag on the chair.

"It's all there." - She said, then went to wash her hands.

"Yesh girl! We got this partey going on!" - Kornelija gave an excited reply.

On the table there were the pizza, the kebab and the bunch of fries with few litres of cola. Kornelija unpacked the bag Agne brought. Three bottles of wine, then some greens and cheese.

Agne came back.

"All good?" - She asked.

"Fantastic." - Kornelija let out.

"Can we eat?"

"Yup."

"So how was it?" - Agne picked up a piece of fries.

Kornelija stuffed face with pizza.

"It was shit." - She replied. - "Tadas broke up with me. He's a dick. I ain't good enough - he said. Like, does he know what He want? He ain't got no clue. Just need my girl very pretty. Don't talk shit to my friends. Asshole."

"Well, you did let him off the hook for lying to you a few times, when he hung out with some college girls." - Agne picked up kebab.

"Yeah, but this was his ultimate bullshit stunt. So I broke up with his sad ass."

"Then it's good." - Agne began eating kebab.

"Good?" - Kornelija gave a look to Agne. - "Girl, it ain't good to go scout for another dick. It's tiresome. Ehhh."

They ate in silence for a bit. Passing the sauces to each other. As the food part was done and all the wrappers, boxes, were removed to trash - wine was pulled out.

"So, how does that idea thing go on?" - Kornelija sat on a sofa with a wine glass.

"It's not too abundant. Quite messy, really." - Agne replied, as she sat next to Kornelija.

"Ok," - Kornelija shifted to her left, to adjust seating better, to properly listen to her friend. - "So, come on, throw it all at me. We'll sort this shit out."

It was past two in the morning. Kornelija was asleep in her room. Agne was typing away the ideas they came up with together throughout the evening. Good, simple and easy to make workshops. But enough to look big and play well.

Once all that was done - emails were sent out.

Alarm did not go off. Sleep was a really needed thing.

The smell of coffee - that was what woke Agne up. Shuffling from under covers, then pulling that crumbled pj's to the right side and getting out of bed. Few steps into the kitchen and a nice surprise - Kornelija in her pajamas, making coffee. The best friend, the messy human, the loyal companion. Her messy bun and humorous uptake, the past and present - Agne was always happy that she got to live with her bestie.

Even the sexual issues were solved fast and the things about taking guys in - that were no problem.

But right now - it was coffee.

"I got some cookies, hun. Come, sit down." - Kornelija gestured.

Sitting down for a coffee with cookies, then watching the scenery outside.

"It's forever grey sky here, ain't it?" - Kornelija poked Agne on a cheek.

"Aha. The misty endless grey. How drary." - Agne let out.

The old "I'm blue, dabudee babudai'' song began playing. Agne picked up her phone and answered the call.

"Listening."

"So, we'll go with the set of workshops you wrote." - Tomas had said. - "I went on to verify if that'll be alright with the municipality. They said they'll bring their banners to the workshop, to show that they participate in the event."

"You mean they'll kinda make the visibility of participation, when at all not even financing it." - Agne signed.

A short silence.

"Yeah, that's about right. But you know how it goes. They still sort of want to make a presence around the place."

"Do we have to lie about their involvement?" - Agne traced the side of the laptop with her finger.

"Sadly, yes." - Tomas let out. - "They promised to help us at a later date. As long as we do the favour this time."

"They said that the last time…" - Agne smacked lips. - "Anyway, all for the youth."

"All for the youth. So, keep on keeping on. I'll ask Kaspars to make the banners and online events. Can you ask people to join the event pages? Spread it?"

"Sure. Have to make it amazing, either way." - Agne nodded.

"I'll call you later. Take care." - Tomas said and then the call cut off.

Agne knew that the main issue with any active event, participation and more was quite the mess. They did get paid, but the pay is small. They always had a job that's part-time on a side, to make ends meet. Either that, or endlessly spend time online writing projects with different people across the EU, to get some financing through the EU budget, as local municipality is a joke at that. Waiting for a year, filling in forms, to request a printer for barely 50 euros. And eventually just buying it by ourselves. As municipality has its own ideas about spending money.

It was plenty enough that the centre was owned by a private entity, not municipality and all that was going on would be like a private business. It's messed up - to say the least.

Still can't make does with how we accept it over and over again.

But…

But the sheer joy of seeing youth eventually figuring out what they want and then evolving like pokemon, as they change form and interests, or achieve their dream job - that's what drives Agne.

The events began two days later.

It was in four parts. First was the workshop about how the items are recycled in the country, in the municipality and how that is relatable and supporting the EU goals. The outcome - was the youngsters being more aware of plastic that trashes the world, the rubbish that we have to sort out, as that all must be recycled, and how every little helps.

Next event was about the clothing industry and sustainable fashion. How the clothes can be swapped, traded and even re-designed. As one can make masks, shirts or new skirts from old clothes. The designer that specialized in this re-cycling had been connected via zoom call online.

The next event was about how donating and keeping up with the local red cross can be beneficial. From the workshops they do, to having a new home to your old things you no longer use. The representative from red cross went in length about their language courses, or doll-making workshops and many more. Youngsters got to know about one more resource that gives free knowledge.

Last event was more about art. And that's where the mess was brewing at the top of the pile.

"Hey, are you bringing over the mannequins, the art pieces you did? Or should we organize the truck to pick it and drive it here, then back? Hey, Simas, you hear me?" - Agne was on and on with the artisan regarding the sculptures he did with collected trash and clothes.

"This guy is annoying." - Kaspars let out. - "It's fucking 9 in the morning and the event is to start at 12. And what that dude is up to - on, right, he decided to go for a trip to another town. Epic dude."

Tomas was tapping the table with his finger.

"I am not even surprised. That guy is known to have a bunch of screws loose." - Tomas picked a pen. - "Ehh, but we need this shit to work out."

"Does he have anyone at home, so we can pick up his shit and exhibit it without him?" - Kaspars got up to make coffee.

"That's a thing." - Tomas pointed at Kaspars, then turned around to Agne. - "Ask if he has anyone at home. We can pick it all up and exhibit it without him. We can arrange a call for him to talk about his art. Afterwards"

Agne nodded.

"He says there is his daughter."

"Good, we'll pick it up." - Tomas yawned.

"Yes, thank you. That'll be fantastic." - Agne put the phone down.

"This old man is aaaargh…." - Agne flopped down on a sofa.

Tomas pointed with a pen at Kaspars.

"Make me coffee." - Tomas said.

Kaspars turned around with his already made coffee.

"Make one yourself."

"I'm your boss." - Tomas frowned.

"And I'm a human, foremost. Have some respect. Bitch." - Kaspars kept his face stone cold.

Tomas laughed.

"You'll never change. Ahh." - Tomas got up and went to make coffee. - "Agne?" - Tomas picked up the cup and made a gesture towards Agne.

"Yes please, make one for me too." - Agne replied.

The back of a truck had closed.

"Remind me to kill Tomas at some point. I shall have him deal with these rubbish sculptures at some point by himself. How the hell did we manage to transfer these piles of mad with kilograms of glue? And the oddity is that it's actually pretty nice looking. Fucking art…" - Kaspars was passively angry.

Agne just smiled, as she knew that the loading of these quite peculiar and large sculptures were the work of them two, with the daughter of the sculpture artisan as a curator to not smash anything, she too is in the truck, at the back, looking after the safety of the items. Altogether it's 5 sculptures. And they are absolutely with oddest bodies that go either upwards expanded, or downwards.

The setting up the exhibition finished barely in time. Agne and Kaspars were both covered in sweat as they were the ones to put that out, with help of Inga, the daughter of that sculpture artisan. She insisted on coming along, as well as helping out, as she felt like dad sort of ditched his artistic responsibilities last minute and felt bad about that.

"So, welcome to the 'It can all be Art' workshop. Today we have a great topic, as well as a great exhibit, right here in the library. Thank you staff, for allowing us to share this art here for the week of the cultural explorations." - Tomas was on stage, giving the crowd of 30-40 people some chit-chat.

Last minute Kaspars made a live video stream on Facebook and TicToc, as well as YouTube. His tech skills still impressed the people in the office. Not to mention his quick wit at setting up tripods and phones, then the laptop and the microphones.

The whole thing, just like each previous workshop was either live-streamed online, or recorded and posted afterwards on social media - yes, making sure people see we actually do work. As well as for the municipality to have a record of them being up to something. Not that they actually are.

During the start, after introductions, Inga went to speak about her fathers works. Explaining that he was busy, and then going into how he viewed his pieces and how he came to making them.

"...It was then that he was inspired by the modern artisans and their approach. I think one of the big inspirations were Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama, that he mentioned many times, then it was the magic of the glue and using the objects he found on the street, or that he scouted from what was thrown out. Some pieces use resin, some are connected with fabric and it's all the range of putting the most justapositious things together - making a matrimony in differences." - Inga was doing well, at explaining the pieces, as they did seem otherworldly.

The event finished by 4pm, after the speeches of a few more people, a lunch break and Q&A. It was a packed event. After that - people were asked to mingle and interact in between selves, as well as come closer to enjoy the sculptures.

Inga had agreed to keep the sculptures for a week, as she notified her father and he did not mind. One request though - after a week the youth centre staff had to return it back.

"More fucking work for us, huh?" - Kaspars was pouting and drinking energy drinks.

"Well, yeah." - Agne let out.

On the way back Kaspars drove Agne home. In absolute silence. Not even radio or music was on.

They got to an apartment complex, where Kaspars pulled by and let Agne out.

She left without saying anything. The sense of exhaustion was too much for the day.

At home Agne opened the fridge, to get the pot with stew out, then put some of the stew in a bowl, returning the rest to the fridge. Bowl went into microwave. 4 minutes.

"Oh, you're back?" - Kornelija popped out of her room.

Agne gave a nod.

"Oh shiiit. I get ya babe. Been there. Just relax now. You deserve it." - Kornelija turned around to go to her room, then paused. - "I've left a letter that came for you on the table."

Agne nodded again, then turned to check the table.

White envelope, quite the typical postcard length one. Agne took a look - indeed, her name is on it. She opened it with a kitchen knife.

"Dear Agne,

Inviting you to my wedding…"

The card was simple, yet pretty. Agne read the name below - one of the girls she helped a few years ago, as she managed the workshop exchange to Italy for her. Judging by the name of the groom - she got to find italian man for herself.

It was in a month. So, plenty of time to get the days off and the look, before going anywhere.

"So, we have a new request or am I just not a human to relax any more?" - Kaspars stared at Tomas with quite the annoyed look.

Tomas though was smiley, to keep it less awkward. Agne had to look up from her computer.

"Yi-ieah." - Tomas made a sour face, then kind of made a smile, yet that looked quite puzzling.

"What have you made this time?" - Agne brushed her hair away from face.

"I ki-ind of was asked to make some more workshops, but this time because there's a commission from the EU coming in." - Tomas was trying to play it off.

Both Kaspars and Agne sighed.

"So what do they want now?" - Agne took a deep breath.

Knock on the door followed.

"Come in!" - Agne replied.

A familiar happy face walked in. A youngster they knew a few years back who went away to the UK to study.

"Hi! Been a long while." - He came in.

"Oh my sweet dear boy!" - Tomas went to give a hug. - "Marius! It's been ages! So good to see you!"

"Look at that. He managed to grow up and get a beard. So it actually grew. What a surprise." - Kaspars made a remark.

"Can't say I haven't missed your petty bullying." - Marius laughed.

"So nice to see you again!" - Agne got up to get a hug.

"I'm not for long. Just wanted to invite you personally, over to the party that's hosted in a week. Hope you all will be able to make it." - Marius let out.

"Oh, this boy wants us to party. How generous. How kind." - Tomas pat the shoulder of Marius.

"Aha-ha! Good to know that you'll be there. It's a bit of a surprise. I'll send you the details online. So you'll know where to go." - Marius had nodded head, then went back to the door. - "Have to go now. Quite busy, really. But looking forward to seeing you there!"

"Shall be there, don't worry." - Kaspars said, as he waved hand.

"See you!" - Marius left.

Doors closed and the silence instilled for a moment.

"So, party. That's a good break from all." - Agne poked the side of a laptop, then looked at Tomas. - "So what and when are we supposed to do?"

Tomas went to get the kettle on. Then finally turned around and made a bit of a tired look.

"They need us to make some cool shit after 10 days. The commission is checking how they manage to do the youth work and projects in the area, which supposedly is quite the well-financed aspect, although," - Tomas let out a sigh, - "we all know how 'well financed' we are. But just to keep the good will, shall need to make a thing look damn good."

All went into a bit of thought. The buzz of the youngsters behind the door was audible, as they played and went on with their lives.

"Maybe we can do a cooperation event with few other associations? Like the culture one or the language?" - Agne said.

"That could do the trick. But we have to go and have a chat with them first, to know what we can do." - Tomas leaned on the table.

"Are we ever going to just change that corrupt thing?" - mumbled Kaspars. - "Oh, don't mind me and my thoughts."

The drive to and from the culture centre resulted in a four day planned action and workshop. It was not only to involve people to try and dance national cultural dances, but also try and make some written pieces that they then would read during literary event, so all in all - it seemed like a good way to make things.

"Party look is ready, I suppose?" - Tomas jokes.

Agne came out in her long puffy coat, as Kaspars and Tomas picked her up.

"Don't you worry. I won't look like a potato." - Agne replied.

"Man, come on, she even did makeup." - Kaspars laughed.

Agne smacked lips.

"Yeah, very funny." - She sarcastically retorted.

The party was hosted in the coolest bar in town, some knew it as "Sky bar", although it had another name. But it was on the top of one of the local skyscrapers and was the most expensive place to be in.

The trio went inside, as they left the coats and got in. The waiters notified that snacks are free, as well as all drinks, so they can order anything. All is paid for.

Many great and fancy looking youngsters, businessmen and women. The setup is quite expensive, yet unusually relaxed as well.

"Well that sounds like some Erasmus exchanges." - Tomas laughed.

"Yeah, a grown-up version of it. Come on." - Kaspars nudged all to go to the bar to get a drink.

It was fun, with music and dancing, then some 40 minutes in, as the fun and all is in existence, the DJ makes an announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome today's host - Marius!"

And as is, the applause and the Marius gets on stage.

"Thank you kindly to all who are here today! I'm glad to see many familiar faces. I wanted to thank you all once more for helping me in my life. Thanks to all of you I managed to achieve what I am today. Thank you!" - After these words the crowd erupted in more cheers and applause.

"What's he on about?" - Tomas asked.

"Not sure." - Agne replied.

Kaspars took a look at the two. Then let out a disappointed sigh.

"He's a CEO of a social media platform. You know. Millionaire and all." - Kaspars said without batting an eye, then took a sip of the drink, as he observed the reaction of the other two.

And sure enough - Agne and Tomas were stunned.

"What? What social media?" - Agne asked, as she shook head in disbelief.

"The kind that's for dating. Most likely you haven't used them much." - Kaspars pulled out his phone and showed the app.

Agne and Tomas were baffled. This app was certainly nice.

"He made around a few hundred millions through this year. Guess he decided to come back to celebrate that." - Kaspars took a gulp from his gin-tonic.

Tomas and Agne looked at each other, then app, then at the guy on stage. Marius made a few more comments, then let the DJ take over again.

For a moment, both Tomas and Agne felt lost, like time stopped for a moment, yet it seemed to dash off with a few dozens of years so far behind, that it was odd to look at.

"Fuck me, he's amazing!" - Tomas laughed and really felt proud.

Agne just drank her cocktails. At some point, she sat at the table corner, with her gaze out into the city, trying to maybe see something, or maybe find where those years went off to.

"You alright?" - Tomas came over, as he was dancing some good time on the dance floor.

"Ah? Ah, all good." - Agne replied.

"Don't be a loner. Go shake it." - Tomas gestured with hand. - "It's still a few hours to go."

"Will do later." - Agne managed a smile, as she replied, so her colleague would not worry.

Tomas gave her a pat on a shoulder and went back.

Kaspars had left a bit earlier, as he had some other business to take care of.

"When did it all happen?" - Agne let out, as she went back to eyeing the city from above.

Taking 'Bolt' back home, after managing to persuade the bartender to give 3 bottles of gin along, was surely a way to go.

At home Agne saw that Kornelija was not to be seen. Not in her room, or at home in general.

"Where'd she off to?" - Boozed Agne said, as her brows knit. She checked every room, but no sight of her best friend.

"Oh for fucks sake…" - Agne let out, took out her phone and dialed the number.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

"I'm sorry. The person you have called is currently unavailable."

Agne ended the call and sent a text, asking where Kornelija went off to.

"Well, I'll be going on without you then." - Agne put all the bottles on top of the kitchen table and opened one. She pulled out a glass and poured half a glass of gin for herself.

"Guess, it's either work, or the new dude that she's having some fun with. Guess at least she gets laid well. Cheers." - She cheers the bottle with her glass.

The cold made her wake up. She felt sick and rushed off to the toilet to puke. It lasted for some while. Stomach in pain, head heavy and the feeling like… Yes, the hangover you get after 25. When it's a deadly thing and hard to manage.

"Ahhh." - Agne tiredly lets out.

She gets up, goes to the bathroom and looks in the mirror. A tired puffy face, blond hair mess, smudged makeup, party clothes from yesterday. Oh, by the smudges of makeup - there was a crying session at some point.

"Oh fuck.." - Agne breathes out.

She takes off clothes and goes into the bath. A long hot soak, that helps that stomach ache and the brain, a little.

Getting out was tricky. Even though it was the washing part, that seemed tricky, not as much as the getting out, without flopping somewhere by slipping in a bath.

Out and picking clothes in the wardrobe, to make self look alright. Even though all decided that today is a day off and all shall be home, because all have known of the hangover and tiredness part, therefore so was decided prior to going to party.

Agne checked the phone - out of battery and off.

"Ah shit…" - She picked it and plugged it in to charge.

She then went to make some sort of breakfast, but a quick check in the fridge got her to let out a breath, then look at the phone again and turn it on - she wanted delivery of some junk food, not some home made meal.

The phone lit up, the loading screen, then the connecting to wifi and setup. All works.

Unblocked the screen and then - messages in facebook messenger, some text messages and missed calls.

Agne let out a sigh, as she rubbed her hurting head. She opened the delivery app and got that McDonalds requested.

Then it was time for meds and opening the laptop, turning that on, with a wish to see some series online. She was in no way ready to deal with the world yet, but the curiosity was too great.

She opened the texts - some from Kornelija, saying that she is with a man. That she'll come back around evening next day.

Then it was from Tomas - that he's alright, although there's some work that popped up, but he'll tell more tomorrow.

Last one was from Marius - "Thank you guys for coming over. I appreciated that. Have a good day."

The social media messages Agne decided not to open. Too early still.

The event with the wedding was approaching.

Agne was at a loss to what to wear. Nothing from her wardrobe was fitting for such an occasion. The dresses were either for work, or for clubbing. Which would not really suit the wedding.

The realization that she needs a dress kicked in.

"Kornelija, do you have any dress to wear for a wedding of a friend?" - Agne came out to see Kornelija in the kitchen.

"Nah, none that'd be for it. Check the stuff on facebook. Maybe you can trade, swap or buy something." - Kornelija was eating.

Agne was leaning on the doorframe of her bedroom. She did check the site, yet, the prices were too damn much, especially for her right now. Well, there were job cuts and pay cuts, due to the new changes. So, her pay is less than it ever was and she was partially checking the possibility of part-time work.

"I'll have to call Ramona… Ahhh." - Agne sighed.

After an hour of chat and an agreement to go and see another friend of Ramona, Agne got ready, called out 'Bolt' and went to the address that was specified.

Ramona pulled Agne to see a friend designer that did outfits. The location of the place was quite odd, not to mention the neighborhood that gave chills, but hey, for a dress it's a way to stay. Or try, in least.

They went into an old five storey house that was dormitory, at some point before. Now it's the same dormitory, but made into apartment complexes. Although, with a common kitchen, bathroom, toilet… That's a place where the less fortunate, or less financially pro-going live.

The floor was five, and once they got up the stairs, where the smell of excrements was waffling in the air, they called that friend, to come out - let them in.

And she did appear, such a nice sweet flower looking person. She guided the two through the old corridor into the very end of it, to her room-apartment.

"Welcome to my humble abode." - The sweet girl said.

"So, this is Agne, I told you about. And this is Migle. She is the design major in the college. So, she could make a dress for you." - Ramona did the introductions.

"I was told you needed a dress for a wedding." - Migle smiled at Agne.

"Yes, I am going to the wedding of a friend. So, I have to look the part." - Agne smiled back.

Migle got out the measuring tape, as she asked to take off the outer clothes, so she can do the measures.

After the measures were done, after a bit of tea and a prepayment of a hundred euros for the work, girls had left to go back to their homes.

"So, the kid you helped ended up being now married to a dude from Italy. And the other guy you half-raised made an app and now is a millionaire. Another one is the official singer in this country and there's the ones who managed to open businesses abroad, with your help of pushing them to the workshops, exchanges and all. That right?" - Ramona, with her knit brows, looked at Agne, as they sat at the table in the kitchen. Kornelija besides them.

"That's about right." - Agne nodded.

On the table were the two bottles of gin since the event, which they were drinking as they mixed gin with tonic. And the first bottle was almost empty. The trio sat, as they were already quite drunk.

Ramona scratched her forehead.

"Ei, have you told her yet?" - She looked at Kornelija.

Agne raised her brows.

"Told what?"

Kornelija just shook head.

"For real?" - Ramona looked at Kornelija, with disapproval.

Kornelija just drank her gin-tonic.

"What's going on?" - Agne was looking at them both, her gaze back and forth between the two.

Ramona smacked lips, then let out a sigh.

"Well, I'll tell then. Can't keep it under covers. That's stupid." - Ramona downed her glass.

Agne observes in confusal.

"So, this pretty bitch here - Kornelija, and thank you for being this amazing bitch, bitch… Is going to marry a guy, in three months time." - Ramona nodded, as she poured more gin and tonic to herself.

Agne was confused.

"You what?" - Agne called out to Kornelija.

Latter just pressed lips, then took a breath and faced it.

"Yeah. You remember that Julijus? Well… Things happened. After all that mess, he proposed and we're prepping a wedding now." - Kornelija said, looking regretful.

Agne was left speechless. She just shook head and drank.

It was three days after the revelation from Kornelija, when she began packing her things.

Agne was not really chatting much, as it was a bit too many things that changed around, that pressured her.

With such things she found to spend more time online, on a blog, that she thought she'd never return. A very old thing. Besides killing time in blog, doing some side research and trying to find work - she was also faced with a new thing - lockdown.

For some damn reason, the whole world began being against her, as she thought. For she could no longer work in the youth centre, nor visit it at all, due to precautions with all the crazy in the world. Then the other opportunities began fading away, as the part-time jobs also closed down, for there's not much to do.

The restaurants and eateries do still work, as the deliveries and requests online do happen. There's also the taxi options and the similar type of work - delivering food, groceries and working in the food malls. But, mainly all seemed to shut down.

Agne did not really like to work with food - the over the top desinfections around food - meant that her hands would begin drying and chipping more than usual, and with her health condition - that was a no go.

So a new chapter of checking things for online work from home emerged. She found sites that are allowing one to sell their used underwear, clothes and sexy things online - and she did consider the option of wearing and selling that underwear, yet making photos of her rear and posting it online - did not really sound like a great opportunity. Then there were a lot of fetish sites, a lot of similar work and photo and camera options - but she brushed it off with the idea that she is not as hot as those girls out there. And the confidence was not the best with what it was.

She did her whining and troubles on that blog though. It's partially amazing, for the reason of having a chat room that's live 24/7, and cleans up the chat log every 7th hour. So that the clutter would not be too excessive.

"I'm just tired from this madness." - Agne would post in the chat section.

"Yeah, this shitter is over the top. Why the hell people closed it all and do not pay any salary to employees?"

"They literally kicked some people off work - to not pay them at all. Bastards."

"That's what happened to me. They said not to come to work and then fired me. Like, the hell?"

The chat was lively most of the time with people complaining and trying to support each other.

Red little log opened - private message. The person Agne chatted a lot lately - BusBoy223. On this blog - nobody used their real names. But nonetheless - the endless chatter flowed.

"Hey there. I see you're online." - BusBoy223 messaged.

"Yeah, been researching the options." - Agne replied.

"Same here. Began online courses on coding in Python. Hope that gets me somewhere." - BusBoy223.

"I have thought of coding as well, but somehow it did not really click with me. I tried a free course, short one, yet I just can't wrap my head around it." - Agne.

"You could try content writing, or like some zoom webinars about whatever your main work was about." - BusBoy223.

Agne took a look at the screen, then thought for a moment. Yes, she was a worker in a youth centre - she could do some online workshops. That's pretty youthful. But given that kids spend their time online with distance learning throughout most of the day - they sure would not be that excited to have another thing online. But there's no way to put it somehow into the context of the real thing. Something outside.

With the restrictions on gathering together and more - the cut down on events and more is massive. There are no actual ways to gather and make an actual human interaction in the environment given. Unless we're to face some cuts or fines from the law side of things.

But webinars do sound well.

Question would be - what would we do and where would we post the records of those after?

Shit, Kaspars is the one that manages such things better. So Agne decided to contact him.

She took the phone in hand and found the number, pressed 'call'.

"Rring. Ring. Ring." - The dial tone was audible, yet no picking up.

She tried a few more times - nothing.

"Well, that's odd." - Agne muttered.

Then she decided to call Tomas. Surprisingly Tomas did not answer as well.

"That's even more odd. Are they together up to something?" - She let out, then got up and went to the kitchen to make herself coffee.

The evening came in. Another day came to an end. Agne was having another day with a drink in hand. Kornelija picked up her things just an hour ago and moved it all to her new apartment she rented out with a husband-to-be.

Ramona called, saying that she'll come over in half an hour or so, as she got a very profound new vodka with an exotic flavor that she wanted to share, but due to most friends being busy - these two found each other's time to fit well.

The door was knocked on and Agne went to open the door. Ramona walked in, taking off her coat, as she was covered in snow.

"The goddamn snow decided to fall on me. How amazing. Finally we have a proper winter." - Ramona was partially sarcastic, partially annoyed.

"Well, we did have the long autumn stretch this year. Guess some snow is good." - Agne replied.

"Yeah, good if I'm not screwing up new shoes. And this wet thing is screwing up my shoes." - Ramona breathed out.

They walked to the kitchen, Agne pulled out shot glasses, Ramona put on the bottle of Smirnoff vodka she got.

"So, girl, what have you been up to?" - Ramona asked Agne.

Agne let out a sigh.

"Absolutely jack shit. There's nothing much going. All is closed, all is in shambles and in madness. What could be there? Just me and drinks, just me and the internet. Still trying to figure out what to do." - Agne put the shot glasses closer to the Ramona, that was unscrewing the bottle.

"Guess we're all in deep shit this time around." - Ramona pressed lips, then poured the vodka in the shot glasses.

As the glasses were filled - Ramona put it up, in a cheer.

"May worries be away and gone. We'll make this bitch work somehow." - Ramona had clinged her shot glass with Agnes and they downed that straight up.

The two made a bit of a sour face, then giggled.

Next morning there was a message from the girl Agne knew, the one that asked her to come to her wedding.

"Dear Agne, hope you're alright. Due to the lockdown and pandemic, I'm to notify you about the changes in the wedding venue. We're still in the same place, same time, but with a bit of social distancing, as well as all have to take the health test, prior to coming, notifying if they are infected or not. Kind regards, Elija."

Agne looked at the message with a bit of a tired feeling, as she knew that tests were quite costly and if you want a reply within a day it's around 80 euros. And that's the one she needed. The wedding she's attending is in two days.

Ramona woke up next to Agne. Somehow they ended up being so silly drunk, to go sleep on the same bed. Guess sticking closer would be warmer. Winter months, after all.

After a coffee and a breakfast, the two went to see Migle, to get that dress. Once again, the whole thing of calling, going, then walking through the creepy halls and ending up in a nice room.

"Aha! So now my creation will be tried on." - Migle had a bit of fun, knowing that she did her best. She pulled out the dress, then asked Agne to try it on, as she helped into it.

"It has a zip on the side, so it would be more pretty front and back." - Migle was explaining.

The dress was quite simplistic and modern, not the fashion from the Vogue cover, but still very nice. Dress fit well, even though it was a partial mixture of quite heavy fabrics. All of which were a mixture with wool in different proportions, to keep the wearer warm.

Agne thanked Migle, as she paid the money and took the dress along. Ramona had left her, as they parted outside the building.

The 'Bolt' was requested and Agne drove to the clinic to request the test for health reasons. Took about a few hours, but the clinic did take her in.

"You'll have a text notification tomorrow about when you can pick your result." - Said nurse, as she walked Agne out of the clinic.

At home Agne checked her emails, then the chat room came to mind. The person she typically spoke was not there, so she left after some twenty-thirty minutes.

Next day she went to pick up the papers that stated the fact that she's healthy.

From then on - it was about being prepared. Requesting the makeup and hair stylist to come to her house to prep her the next day, when the whole ordeal was to be executed.

Morning seemed more chilly than usual. And the MUA-stylist came half an hour late, but it was still manageable. Agne still had time to get self done, then make it to the whole event by 'Bolt' taxi service.

Once she was home alone and putting on the dress - she looked at herself with a thought of "am I pretty enough?". Typically she'd never think about how she mainly picked her work, over the relationship and family.

But right now something felt odd. Like everyone is moving, going, as she's standing still. Like a lighthouse. In a way guiding people to make it. But when is she going to make it?

These thoughts began crawling to her more and more.

Taxi came about and drove her to the venue.

The music was amazing, the whole event was absolutely dream-like, the groom was told to be a millionaire businessman from Italy and Elija became a model in Italy with a great contract.

These thoughts made Agne proud of her, as she pushed the youngsters a few years ago to go and try things, to succeed and progress. Yet now, this began to feel painful. Like her happiness for them came with a taste of bitterness she never felt before.

During the party time of the evening, when guests were at the tables and eating, drinking, dancing… Agne was sitting and downing glass after glass, watching the bride and groom dancing with the other guests.

"If it wasn't for me, she'd never have left this town." - Agne mumbled. - "If it was not for me, you'd be in the shitter with the rest of us. Pheh!"

"You're just a piece of shit! A piece of shit, if it were not for me!" - The voice from the video was audible. - "The whole of this, whole of it! Would not happen if it were not for me! You think any of those twats actually would amass to anything without my help? Fuck no! It was all because of me! Me!!!"

The woman in the video was drunk, wobbly and shouted at all the guests at the wedding.

"Those measly idiots were just there, as I gave them the life they could not even dream about! I was there to make them this fucking amazing! I was the one to craft them this way! If it were not for me - be they'd be shit! Shit! I tell you!!"

Woman in the video shouted more and more profanity, as she fell, got up and wobbled.

"You little piece of shits! All of you! You never fucking took me for anything! Fucking took me for granted! You fucking bitches and cunts! Assholes! Ptoe!" - She spit on the ground.

Video finished with this woman going away and taking another bottle of alcohol on her way out.

"You know, I'm kind of feeling sorry for her." - Kaspars sighed.

Tomas was silent.

"It made me feel bad." - Kaspars smacked lips.

"We just have to delete that video. That's all." - Tomas replied.

"I get it, the municipality and the business cut it off, but is it really actually doing anything? Like, there's thousands of views. It'll still spread. It's on the internet." - Kaspars poked the side of the keyboard.

"Doesn't matter. We just have to get this site to take it down." - Tomas held his head.

"I get it. But let's just tell them that it was what it was and we're not really a part of this." - Kaspars observed Tomas.

"I don't know shit anymore. It's just… Just disgusting in many ways." - Tomas sighed.

Kaspars just looked at the comment section of the article.

"She just went off the freaking handle. What a bitch."

"I heard she ended up jumping from the bar top floor, killing herself."

"Yeah, what a trash person. Just dissing everyone like they owe her shit."

"Killed self? Oh, I did find the article. It was her. Lol"

"What a horrible human being. Can't even be happy for the people around her."

"What a trash…"

"...Trash…"

"...trash…"

"...trash…"