Hi! This is the very first chapter of my very first story! I'm super nervous and really sorry if it sucks.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading and giving it (and me) a chance :)...

enjoy! (hopefully)

p.s. I don't own any of the characters from Arrow :'(

I awoke to the sun shining through my apartment window. I sighed contently while stretching out my rigid limbs, but my stretching was annoyingly constricted by my sheets. I yawned, and became consciously bothered by my apparent, and horrid, morning breath. I quickly shook off that insecurity, knowing that it would not be recognized by any one other than myself.

As I sat up in my bed, I anxiously glanced around my small, one bedroom apartment.

What day is it? Monday? Oh shit! It's Monday! I thought hysterically. I glimpsed at my alarm clock and my panic was increased. My first day of my new job commenced in approximately 45 minutes. I silently cursed again to myself, knowing it would take at least half an hour to find a cab and make it through traffic.

I hurdled out of bed and then into the shower, quickly rinsing my body off. Because of my fear of tardiness, I did not even bother to wash my hair. I threw on the first pencil shirt and blouse I saw in my closet and slipped on my favorite pair of black heels.

I really hope the executives at Queen Consolidated don't notice my slightly greasy hair, prickly legs, and wrinkly shirt.

I got ready in record time, just taking a few moments to look at myself in the mirror on my way out. My naturally wavy hair could accurately be diagnosed with having an extreme case of the bedhead, my make-up was hardly mediocre, and I could literally feel a pimple developing on my chin.

I audibly groaned and sulked out the door, already knowing what kind of day that was ahead of me.

I arrived at Queen Consolidated only five minutes late, which was a miracle. As I stood outside the towering building, trying to recollect myself, I suddenly felt very small. After 4 years at school getting my BS in computer sciences, I am finally and absolutely on my own. The thought was overwhelming, yes, but empowering. I am finally where I want to be. A sudden surge of confidence started my feet and I strode through the heavy, metal doors

I reached the front desk, which was being tended by a brunette women, most likely in her late twenties or early thirties. She was petite and cute, with elaborate designs on her nails and fashionable attire. She looked extremely busy and did not even take notice of my presence. Several moments passed and yet her head did not look up from her work.

"Hmm," I cleared my throat, "Excuse me, m'am," I offered to the young women. I glanced down at her desk and noticed a name plate. Veronica Nixon, Secretary. Her name was Veronica. That was fitting somehow.

A few more moments went by and yet Veronica made no communication of any kind. As I patiently waited, Veronica finally looked up and scanned me up and down. I was suddenly unsure of myself, and knew she was thinking about how much of a hot mess I was. Minus the "hot."

She cocked her head to the right and narrowed her eyes. "Can I help you?" She practically hissed.

Her hostility caught me off guard. "Uh, yes… This is actually my first day at Queen Consolidated and I am looking for Computer Sciences. Specifically Felicity Smoak."

I applied for the position of a Database Administrator at Queen Consolidated a few months back, knowing that my skills and expertise fit the requirements. Thanks to the numerous data base courses I took in college, I am technically qualified to correct malfunctions in databases and modify and develop data systems. It sounds dull, but I love it.

Veronica looked very unamused. I could see her flipping through memo books and scrolling through emails. "Name?"

"Johanson. Jade Johanson."

Veronica grunted and emotionlessly stated, "Floor seven, down the hall. Mrs. Smoak's office will be to your right. I will email her to let her know to expect you."

"Great. Thank you!" I exclaimed, not letting her poor attitude ruin my excitement. "Have a great day, Veronica!" I said enthusiastically, directing my bouncy strut to the elevator doors.

As I reached my destination, otherwise know as floor seven, the elevator doors opened up to a notably quiet office-like environment. I walked through the hallway and noticed the numerous offices with closed doors and severe silence. Which, of course makes sense, it being the Department of Computer Sciences and all. I followed Veronica's directions and studied the offices to my right, searching for Felicity Smoak's office.

Felicity's office was the last office at the end of the hall. It was also the only office on the floor to have it's door open. As I approached the office, I could tell that Ms. Smoak was not alone. I could differentiate between two voices, one being male and the other female.

At this point, I was totally unsure of what to do. I had two options. I could wait here until the man left, or walk into the office. If I waited, they would both assume I was listening in to their conversation and I would be marked as a creep. However, If I marched into the office, I would been seen as interrupting and rude. After what seemed like hours contemplating my next step, I decided on knocking on the door frame and timidly peering my head through the doorway.

I instantly regretted that decision. I first saw Felicity, sitting at her desk. Her eyes widened and she flashed me a smile. She had her hair up in a tight ponytail, and was wearing glasses with black frames. She looked super professional and super perfect. I took mental notes on her image and thought of ways how to replicate to it.

But then, I saw him. The male voice I heard outside of the door was not just any male. The voice was Oliver Queen's. Current CEO of Queen Consolidated, former playboy punk. He was sitting in a chair facing Felicity's desk, but turned his head to observe the knock on the door frame that was in fact me. He was undoubtedly gorgeous and polished, wearing a black suit and silver tie. For a moment, I was starstruck. However, my presence obviously displeased him and he did not even try to hide the agitated look on his face.

"Uh, hi. I'm sorry to interrupt-," I started.

"Oh, no need to apologize. Please, come in and take a seat," welcomed Felicity. She waved me to the chair next to where Oliver Queen was situated. I ducked my head and nodded, briskly walking and settling in the chair.

"You must be Jade. I'm Felicity Smoak, Director of the Department of Computer Sciences and MIT graduate of 2009," she confidently stated.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Smoak. I'm Jade Johanson. Hopefully I'm still the new Database Administrator here, even after being late and rudely interrupting." I apologetically said, glancing at my watch and back up to Felicity.

Felicity shrugged and flicked her wrist, letting me know that my mistakes this morning were already forgotten.

"Hey, call me Felicity. And don't worry about it. You still definitely have the job. I looked at your resume and your credentials are very impressive. I saw you graduated in the top ten at Columbia, with a BS in Computer Science. Did I also see that you played soccer at Columbia? I was never any good at sports, I'm actually very lousy with anything involving balls. So it's impressive that you're good that something involving balls." Felicity violently blushed at her words. "I mean soccer balls. Not male genitals. I'm not lousy with those." I heard a chuckle from Oliver and I tried remarkably hard to retain my laughter. "Okay, never mind, I am going to stop talking in 3..2..1." Felicity ended her verbalization with a detectable sigh.

Trying hard not to embarrass Felicity anymore, I kept up the conversation. I already really liked her. "Yeah, I have played soccer since I was very young. It's always cool to do something you love and are not half bad at."

"Wait, Oliver, didn't you play soccer in high school? You did, didn't you?" Felicity concluded without hearing Oliver's reply.

"Oh yeah, and by the way Jade, this is Oliver Queen." She indicated to Oliver.

Oliver turned his body around to face me and gave me a tight smile,"Hi, welcome to Queen Consolidated," Oliver said reaching his hand out for a formal handshake, looking me right in the eyes with an incredible Oliver Queen stare. His eyes were a light shade of blue and I found myself carefully analyzing his perfect facial features. His jaw was covered in sexy stubble and I noticed a small mole under his bottom lip. The handshake was longer than a usual one, thanks to my obvious and starring. I quickly let go, embarrassed.

"Thank you, Mr. Queen," I blushed, resembling a silly teenager.

He did not seem to pick up on my reddening. Of course he didn't, he is use to the female attention.

"Call me Oliver. What position did you play?'

Surprised by his relaxed tone and question, I stammered,"I- uh- I was usually midfield. More specifically center mid."

This seemed to interest Oliver. "That's where I played as well. A lot of running."

I looked away from his glare and laughed, "you can say that again."

He gave me what looked like a forced smile which made it clear his interest was purely out of politeness and not genuine. As I processed this realization, I was marginally hurt. A small part of me wanted to be liked and accepted by Mr. Oliver Queen. Maybe it was my ambition or my pride speaking, but right then I knew his opinion of me was important.

Not wanting to seem over eager to converse to the notorious Oliver Queen, I turned my attention back to Felicity and gave her a slight smile. However I could still feel Oliver watching me. Hopefully he wasn't staring at that zit.

"So," I started, "Am I going to be working in an office, or…" my sentence trailed. I quickly realized how rude that sounded. "I'm sorry, I'm just not sure what my working arrangements are." I was desperately trying to escape this awkward conversation between two strangers that seem very close and myself. I could tell they were very comfortable around each other, and are good friends or even partners.

"Oh yes!" Felicity exclaimed, "I will have my assistant Juliana show you to your office and give you a brief tour of the floor."

Felicity help up her finger, asking me to hold on. She picked up the phone and pressed three digits. She waited with the phone pressed to the side of her face, until Juliana answered.

I could still feel Oliver's stare.

"Hi, Juliana, it's Felicity. But you probably already know that because caller ID and everything," she chuckled. "Anyway, Jade just arrived a few minutes ago, would you mind showing her office and the rest of the department?" She smiled at Juliana's response and concluded, "Thanks Juliana! You rock."

"Okay, that was Juliana, obviously," Felicity said, hanging up the phone. "She will be here any moment now." She glanced at Oliver and then back at me. I could tell she also noticed his staring. I was sure to remain facing Felicity to avoid an awkward encounter.

Why is he staring at me? I thought. Do I really look that unpresentable? I mean, I'm no Felicity Smoak but damn. Rude.

Finally, after seconds in silence, with Oliver's glare still arranged on me, a tall, leggy redhead strolled through the doorway. She came to a halt as soon as she entered, seeing Oliver. Her eyes wandered over to me and she gave me a polite smile.

Felicity looked at Juliana and greeted her, "Hey, Jules. This is Jade. Thanks for showing her around."

I took that as my cue to leave. I stood up and walked towards Juliana. Before I left Felicity's office I turned to her and smiled, "Nice to meet you, Felicity." She smiled in return.

"Oliver," I nodded in his direction, trying very hard to seem professional.

Oliver chuckled and grinned, "Ms. Johanson," lingering on the 's'.

I started blushing, but first turning to follow Juliana out of the office.

Ms. Johanssson? I pondered. I don't think I have ever heard my name sound so seductive. Is he always this flirty with his employees? Wait, is he flirting? Surely not. He literally just gave me a death stare when I first walked in. A million thoughts bounced around in my head.

My final thought was: Thank goodness i'm out of there. Saved by the assistant.

AHHHH! Is it as horrible as I think it is? :0

If anyone out there likes this, I'm super excited to keep writing and keep developing Jade as a character. The next chapter will be in Felicity's point of view, and will take place shortly after in her office.

Please read & review.. It is my first story so criticism is totally welcomed.

Thank ya for reading!