Jury Duty
Author's note: So this is my first attempt at fanfic, all mistake are my own. I'm clearly from CA and I had jury duty. No offense to anyone in the justice system or anything like that. All the characters are not mine, obviously.
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Lauren Lewis was bored.
Scratch that bored is putting it lightly. She knew this day was coming and had been dreading it for days. May 5th, 2015 at the Hall of Justice. Report at 7:45am or else.
Or else meaning either a fine or some kind of legal snafu that she doesn't need right now. You would think being a pediatric surgeon would be enough civic duty, but apparently, since surgeries can be rescheduled, she has to be there. Under the penalty of the law. Great.
It's not like Lauren didn't come to jury duty unprepared or anything. She brought her laptop and enough files but it's like her very essence of life is being siphoned out of her as soon as she entered the building. Usually she could power through with coffee and some bitch glares, but after a particular nasty glare battle courtesy of the security guard at check in, Lauren just dumped her coffee.
As her eyes roam around the room she can't help think that she should be at work. Usually she kept a tight schedule as a doctor, and normally she'd be getting prepped for the day. Instead she's waiting in a room full of people who look just as For what, she doesn't know. 7 years in the North Atlantic and she's never had a call but after only 3 moths in San Diego and her civic presence has been requested. Thanks California, you're a doll.
Checking her watch for what must be the eleventh time in 5 minutes, she raises her eyes to the ceiling. First cursing the coffeeless early hour, secondly cursing the boredom, thirdly her need to be here early just in case, and lastly cursing at the fact that it's still only 7:37 and she's already bored out of her skull. People are filing in next to her but she ignored them. Instead pulling out her phone, she first checks messages. The only texts she has are marked under "NEVER EVER" to the tone of useless-manipulate-repeat. Not even jury duty boredom could make her go there.
While the rest of the room is still shaping up Lauren debates on whether she should go to the quiet room in the back. There are TV's stationed around the room, and a new seatmate to her right is conducting very loud business. To the quiet room!
"Excuse me, is that seat taken?" Lauren doesn't even look at the woman before getting up and heading to the quiet room.
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The quiet room is a lot nicer than other places, Lauren figures. No one is noisy, people watch her stuff if she needs the bathroom, there are tables, reasonable chairs, and power outlets. Well fought over outlets, she learns as multiple people traipse in hopeful, and leave without power. It's as perfect as this place can be, she thinks, and she hopes with all the luck in the world that she won't be selected.
Lauren holds out hope that they won't call her name and she makes it until after the first break where they call her and probably 30 other people, no one she recognizes, but it's not like she'd know anybody anyway, being here only for 3 months. Positivity is something she's lacking right about now as she packs up her stuff, getting sympathetic glances from the other victims. She says victims because they are only in here under the threat of a fine or potential legal repercussions. Bidding a silent farewell, she continues her journey forward.
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After a particularly stupid trip up four different escalators, one of which an elderly man didn't understand that it became stairs and that you could still go up even when it wasn't moving. "This is why elevators are of the utmost importance, " he muttered under his breath as Lauren walked past him. She's glad she has perfected the doctor mask or else she probably would have gotten trapped in a conversation like that scraggly blonde guy, who patiently tried to explain that it wasn't witchcraft, and that the elevators are getting routine inspection.
She crosses the bridge looking over the street and for a second she doesn't mind being here. Then back to reality where she's over the bridge and now waiting for an elevator with 30 other people, before she slips behind near the vending machines and up the stairs. Seriously, she thinks, are stairs really not viewed as an option for people? After climbing 46 stairs (she counted, so she doesn't get why the elevators were a big deal) she's rewarded with bench space and she sets up her laptop to try and finish one last file.
"Uh hey, can I sit here?" After finishing her sentence she looks up.
"Wow," Is the only coherent thought Lauren had. The best part about that thought, was that she chose to vocalize it instead of internalizing it. Because this day keeps getting better and better. Lauren thinks. But who could blame her? Chocolate brown eyes met her when she looked up. Paired with a gorgeous body and a smile that could melt glaciers, wow was the only coherent thought Lauren had. Quickly she scooted over making room on the bench for the mystery woman.
"Um, thanks? Hopefully this time you won't run away from me." The woman said with a nervous chuckle.
Lauren gave her a confused look back and the woman elaborated. "Earlier this morning I asked you if the seat next to you was taken and you didn't respond. You just took all your stuff and left to the quiet room. I haven't been rejected that badly since my junior prom, especially not by such a beautiful woman." She winks at me and holds out her hand. "I'm Bo, by the way, Bo Dennis."
Eyes still a little wide over Bo's story, she takes Bo's hand, "Lauren. Lauren Lewis. I have to say I'm sorry about earlier, I was in a different headspace. I didn't mean to make you feel like I'd rejected you, I know it sounds like a lame excuse but if I'm lost in a train of thought I can be a total space cadet."
"It's ok. I can be a zombie in the mornings sometimes. What are you up to normally at this time?"
Lauren laughs "I don't really get the luxury of being a morning zombie, so that's rare for me to be inattentive. I'm a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Rady's. So right now," she says checking her watch "I'd probably be in surgery. You?"
"Wow a surgeon. Damn girl, do work! I work in advertising."
"Anything I'd recognize?" Lauren asks.
"Well right now I'm working with the Wild Animal Park actually shit no, the Safari Park. Wild Animal Park is what the locals call it. You may have seen some stuff off the 5 on billboards about some new stuff there. We have agreements with them and the zoo. Have you been to either parks?"
Lauren shakes her head, "I've only lived in San Diego for 3 months and I've never been to the zoo, or the Safari Park. Sorry" Lauren flashes a guilty smile at the end.
"Three months? And you've already gotten jury duty? That must be a record or something."
"Yeah, it makes no sense. You think I would just push it back given my field, but I talked to my supervisor and they were adamant about getting me to go to jury duty. I may be a little bit of a workaholic. Just a smidge."
Bo laughs and is about to say something but is interrupted by a woman calling names.
After everyone is present, she begins to call us in a certain order and we file into the courtroom.
At first Lauren thinks she's lucky to not be picked in the Juror box/ row of ten. But then she finds out that you literally get to do nothing, have no opinion, and can't leave.
She's all too ready for lunch to begin, and when the judge gives the order she's first out the door.
"Hey, Lauren!" Lauren turns to see Bo calling her.
"Yeah Bo?"
"Would you like to get lunch with me? There's a Panera at Horton Plaza, if you'd like to go there we can?" Lauren smiles at Bo's request, "Sure. Lead the way."
Bo holds out her hand for Lauren to take, once they link hands Bo quickly pulls them to take the short walk to get food.
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If you'd ask Lauren about how she's feeling now, she would say that she is having a great time.
Bo is hilarious, and it's a plus that she's ridiculously attractive. Seriously, you'd think they would have Bo be in the advertisement than the one creating it.
"Lauren?" Bo breaks Lauren out of her train of thought.
"Yeah Bo?"
"I just asked if you were busy tonight?"
"No, I'm free tonight, why?"
"I was wondering, and this may be a little presumptuous of me, but would you like to go out on a date with me?" Bo asks Lauren with a hopeful expression
Lauren smiles, Bo isn't just hot, she's adorable. A rare and panty-dropping combination. She looks back at Bo and smiles. "Yes, I would like nothing more. When do you want to go out?"
"Oh, I was asking for tonight, but it's cinco de mayo so that can get a little crazy. I was thinking, and this is only if you'd like, we could go to the zoo? I have connections where I can get in after dark. Perks of a big contract and 'inspiration'" Bo makes jazz hands at inspiration before continuing. "I'm not to crazy when it comes to the club or bar scene but if you want we could do that."
"Zoo sounds great. I'll finally be able to say I've seen it. Kids love the zoo, it should be another way I can make them less nervous before surgery."
Lauren looks questioningly at Bo, who is now sporting a massive grin on her face "You know, I'm really glad I had jury duty today. I went in today thinking, why, why me? But then I met you. Life's funny sometimes, wouldn't you agree?"
Lauren nods, "Yeah, I was definitely in the whole 'screw you and woe is me' crowd. And neither of us could blame the other because without you it'd still blow hardcore. That was cheesy. I'm sorry" Lauren says as she checks her watch. Looking at the time she groans. "You know we have to head back now. More hurry up and wait."
"Fun fact, the amusement parks do the same thing, you hurry up and wait." Bo counters
"But at least amusements parks don't suck out your soul and expect things of you."
"They expect you to pay money for snacks and on merchandise. And they expect you to have, wait for it, FUN!"
Lauren gasps, "The real F word comes out, FUN!" They both start laughing, but Bo speaks first.
"True, the real f word is fun. Either way, before we go in, here's my number so you have it." Lauren takes Bo's number and texts her.
"There, now you have my number. I'm honored you didn't Jenny me a number."
"Um, I don't know what that means. Now you have to explain that to me, what does Jennying a number mean."
"So if you don't like someone, you just give them 867-5309, like the song. Jenny jenny."
"Thank you Tommy Tutone, but I don't give out my number unless I mean it. Especially because we're still together and this isn't a one off."
"First things first, you know the one-hit wonder by name? Props. Mad props. Also, I didn't think you would do that but I can't deny that I've given out fake numbers to people I've just met."
"Well" Bo mock bows "It's an honor that you gave me your number then. And as far as knowing the one-hit wonder by name… I got skills."
"I'll keep that in mind for later." Lauren winks at Bo who gives her a Cheshire cat grin
"Good to know. Now we actually have to go or we'll be late."
"After you." Lauren states and they walk back to the Hall of Justice.
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Lauren is now having mixed feelings about jury duty.
She hasn't been selected for anything so she really doesn't see why she should be there. Especially because she can't answer the questions, she has to just sit there. And obviously no phone so you have to pay attention to what's going on. But it's so dry. Lauren really understands why she could never do this as a profession. Especially considering some people like this part of their job. Choosing people to judge each other. Weird. They should give you one of those prizes they give to kids at the dentist. Try and get all 5 of these silver balls into these tiny holes. or The rings, get all the rings on one peg. Now that wouldn't make anything better Lauren thinks, but it's a step up from right now.
Lauren glances at Bo who looks just as bored as she does. They lock eyes and they both smile, both hoping that this hurries up so that they can go out tonight.
"Lauren Lewis?" At the sound of the judge calling her name she perks up. He directs her into one out of the 10 seats left vacant by a dismissed juror. After another juror gets dismissed Bo is called and placed in one of the seats of 10.
Luckily for both Lauren and Bo, the prosecution and the defense both found the jury they wanted, neither having to serve and both getting to go to the jury lounge. Even better when they walk to the jury lounge they find that it's been dismissed and that they can leave.
"Thank god it's over." Lauren says.
"I know, right?"
"So, are we still going to the zoo? If you don't mind me asking, could I get a ride with you over there? I took the trolley to get here, my car's at another stop."
"Yeah no worries, I'm parked off 5th, so it's not too far of a walk." Bo reaches out her hand and Lauren takes it.
"That's not far at all, thanks. Let's go."
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"Surprisingly, I don't regret today though." Bo says as they walk
"Don't regret what?"
"Well usually I look at jury duty as a wash of a day. Nothing gets done, you just wait, it isn't my idea of a fun time. But I don't regret it."
"Why?"
"This is going to sound cheesy, but I met you." Bo smiles and tightens her grip on Laurens hand.
"I don't regret it either."
"And why do you not regret it Lauren?"
"Same reason. Because I met you. Because I met you, I'd classify today as a successful day. So thank you, Bo Dennis, for making my day."
"And to everyday after," Bo says as she kisses their clasped hands.
The End
A/N: So this is my first published thing. I think it's an original idea. I had my first jury duty today and was like; this would be the perfect place for Bo and Lauren to meet. None of the events are real. CA is a real place and I happen to be located there. I don't know if Lauren or Bo's job is real so yeah. If you take offense to anything, sorry? (That's an if-pology not an apology) If you could please review, I would like to know how I did (should I even maybe continue?). Thanks. x