Hello all! So it's been a while, but I've decided to revisit this fanfic. I'm revising this one, and once I finish, I'll revise the sequel to it as well. I'm sticking with a lot of the original material in places and just editing for phrasing/word usage, but in other places I'm changing up the events a bit. I'll also be combining (this might lead to some repetition for a bit until I get them sorted out), lengthening, and maybe even adding chapters, and overall just trying to make the story better as a whole. I'll try to post a revised chapter every couple weeks, but apologies in advance for delays. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I hope you are all doing well, and thanks so much for reading!
Chapter 1
Leya Rivers. 5'1", short. Long black hair. Dark, almost-black brown eyes. At least, Leya Rivers was the name she went by. No one knew her real name, but they'd never really asked. She was just herself, and everyone she knew, which wasn't very many people, accepted her as Leya Rivers.
She seemed like a nice young lady, always polite, but very private and reserved. And yet, she seemed like the kind of person you could say anything to, one you could spill your guts to, and she wouldn't judge you.
At 19 years old, Leya had just started college. She'd had some bumps in the road, but had eventually gotten accepted into Stanford with a double major of pre-medical studies and chemistry, with a minor in music performance. Classes occupied her days, and studying and practicing like mad took up her nights, leaving little time for anything else. She was quiet in class and rarely spoke up, but always did well on assignments and exams.
The second-to-last day of school, the day right after finals finished, Leya was walking out of class when a curly-brown-haired woman got out of a black car parked by the curb and approached her.
"Hey, are you Leya Rivers?" the woman asked.
"Yes," Leya replied slowly, looking up from the papers she was stuffing into her backpack.
"Well, I've got an offer to make you. . . I'm an intern of this scientist who's doing some research on celestial patterns and energy and stuff, but I'm moving to France to live with my boyfriend, so I was wondering if you'd want the position as a summer internship?" the woman asked. She spoke quickly, in a bubbly, energetic voice.
Leya paused to process the run-on sentence, then asked, "How did you find me?"
"Someone recommended you," the woman answered distractedly as she dug into her purse and produced a business card. "Here's my boss's number. Think about it," she held out the card toward Leya.
Leya took the card hesitantly and replied, "Thanks, I'll do that."
"Yes, call if you want the spot. Well, good to meet you. See ya," the woman said. She turned and got back into the car, which immediately pulled away from the curb.
Later that evening, Leya pulled out the card as she waited for her kettle to boil water for a Cup-of-Soup. Jane Foster, Ph.D., Astrophysicist was the name printed on it in black ink. Well, tomorrow is the last day of school before summer break, and I've got nothing planned. . . Leya traced the letters absentmindedly. She was about to reach for the phone just as the kettle screamed. Leya dropped the card and left her phone lying on the kitchen counter.
The next day, Leya saw the card next to her phone as she got ready to leave for class. It made her pause – Leya picked up the card again and stared at it for a few minutes. Finally, she plucked up her courage and dialed the number. After about three and a half rings, someone picked up.
Leya heard some loud static-y rustling before a woman's flustered voice said, "Yes?"
"Um, hi, my name is Leya Rivers, I'm calling about the open intern spot? A woman contacted me about it yesterday."
"OH! Yes! Great!" the woman exclaimed loudly. Leya nearly dropped her phone at the sudden loudness.
"So, I'm interested in the position, what should I do?" she asked once her eardrums recovered slightly.
"Here's the address . . . " the woman recited out a street name and number, "come over tomorrow and you can get started right away!" she added cheerfully.
"Ok, thank you," Leya said, scribbling the address down.
"Great! See you then," the woman said, then hung up.
Leya stood in the kitchen for a couple minutes, staring into space and wondering if she'd made the right choice. Oh well, I guess tomorrow will tell. Leya pushed the thought from her mind and she stepped out of her apartment and into the California sunshine.