"So, who is ready for our Start-Of-School raffle?" Sarah Williams claps her hands together as her golden brows rise with anticipation.
I sigh and glance at the rest of Sutton College of the Arts' Newspaper team. The 20 of us are exhausted. It's only the third day of the semester and everyone is already showing signs of agitation. I bite my lip and gaze down at my tan hands- this will be a long afternoon.
"If anyone you don't know, this years raffle prizes are awesome," Sarah says with a smirk. "My father is extremely close with Grey Holding Enterprises- and guess what? He was able to convince The Christian GREY to let one of us interview him for our paper!"
Wait- what? Who the hell is Christian Grey?
I jump as the girl next to me gasps. "Whoa- Christian Grey? He's like- a bajillionair!"
"I know," Sarah wags her eyebrows up and down. "This is like a once in a life time shot for us. And of course since only one of us can go I figured we can do a raffle,"
There are murmurs of surprise and excitement in the room.
"Do we need to pay for the tickets?" asks my friend Kate. Since our freshman year of high school, we've always been close. Last year we joined the paper, hoping to add something new to our resume. Junior year was upon us- the time for attracting internships was now.
Kate has been perfect- she is in charge of journalism in the paper; while I tackle the latest art trends and events in the city. She always gets the best interviews and delivers them flawlessly in her write-ups. Not to mention, she is beyond beautiful- her blonde mane, bright blue eyes and skinny figure is a well-desired prize on campus.
Kate eyes me with annoyance as Sarah rolls her eyes. The two have never been close- I can't believe Kate was allowed on Newspaper in the first place. Sarah practically OWNS the paper.
"No, Kate," Sarah scoffs. "We each get one. I already put our names on the tickets and put them in a bowl,"
Wow, Sarah. Of course you did.
Kate scowls. "How can we be sure you didn't write more for yourself?"
I gasp and glare at her. She can be so forward sometimes it scares me.
"Oh please Kate, don't be so dramatic," Sarah flicks her light brown hair over her leather jacket.
The rest of the group snickers.
"When are we doing the raffle?" I pipe up suddenly. I want this awkwardness to go away.
Sarah looks at me in surprise. I hardly talk at school- not even in Newspaper, where I'm the most comfortable.
"We can do it now if you guys want,"
Kate grins and elbows me. "Hell yeah!"
I grin back and giggle. The class rumbles with delight as Sarah stands and stoops down by her seat.
Kate reaches and grabs my hand and squeezes it. "I'm so nervous!"
"Kate, I doubt we'll get it- I just want to go home," I groan.
"Seriously Anna," she laughs at me. "Don't be such a grump- Christian Grey is a GOD- he is absolutely gorgeous,"
"I don't even know who he is," I mutter.
Before Kate can interrupt, Sarah's shrill, squeaky voice fills the room.
"Kay guys- here we go!" she announces.
I can feel the unbelievable pressure as Sarah plunges her dainty hand into the bowl. I can see tickets swish up in the sides as she moves around. I am happy to see she's not looking at the bowl-but still, I highly doubt SARAH of all people wouldn't use this opportunity to win.
Then, her hand begins to lift-
"SHITSHITSHIT!" Kate nearly cries into my ear.
Everyone is buzzing and hooting with laughter.
Even the boys are excited— I note how my friend, Jose, one of the Newspaper photographers is crossing his fingers.
Man people are so into this- I don't even know or care about this Christian Kay-Grey whatever he's called….
"Anna-Anastasia..."
What? Why is Kate gasping at me?
"What?!" I hiss.
OH crap- everyone is staring at me. I gulp- Sarah is glaring at me with pure disbelief on her face.
The ticket is clutched between her forefinger and her thumb- it looks like she wants to crush it into dust.
The classroom is silent.
Then Kate screams and grabs me into a hug. I'm drowned in her golden hair— I can't breathe jeez!
"YOU WON!" she cries out.
Then the rest of the class yells out with joy.
Kate lets me go- I'm out of breath! I can't help but grin as Jose gets up from his seat and trots over to us.
"I can't believe you won, Anna!" he grins down at me, pure joy in his brown eyes.
"Yeah me neither!" I gasp.
Chelsea, one of the current events writers, slaps me on the back. "Girl you are so lucky!" she squeals. "You HAVE to sneak a kiss for me,"
"EW!" I shake my head. "NO way!"
"You're crazy!" Chelsea laughs. "You are so lucky!"
I beam up at her and giggle as Kate shakes her head in shock.
"You don't even know who he is," she murmurs to me with a laugh.
I shrug. "Well, hey- perfect time to learn,"
"I'll say," Jose grins and sits on the desk beside me. "Man Banana- is careful though. I've heard he's kinda scary,"
I blink at him. Scary?
"How come?" I ask him curiously.
"He's the CEO of an incredible company," I hear Sarah from behind. I turn and she's smirking down at me.
"Okay…" I'm still not convinced.
"Anastasia, he makes hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of dollars every day," Sarah gives me a look as though I'm a naive child. "He practically owns half of Seattle, and not to mention he pays for the cameras we use,"
Oh…
"If he think's you aren't worth his time, he'll eat you alive," she adds. "So don't screw it up for us. Here, take the questions before you leave,"
Wow what a bitch.
Kate fixes her with a glare but thankfully holds her tongue.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, "Jose says, coming to my rescue. "Anna is great at the arts section- maybe Mr. Grey will find that interesting?"
Sarah snorts. She reluctantly hands me the crumpled raffle ticket before pulling a stack of papers from her backpack. "Whatever. Here are the questions."
I take them and gasp. There are so many! "Holy shit…"
"Well what did you expect?" Sarah sneers. "He's the CEO- he isn't some hippie artist you usually interview,"
"What's your problem?" Kate snaps. "You're just mad because for once your Daddy's money didn't get you what you wanted,"
You go Kate- tell that girl off!
Sarah seems taken back for a moment- embarrassed even as the rest of the class stares at her.
Then she glares at Kate then sticks her nose in the air like the brat she is.
"I could care less that she got the prize," she shrugs and eyes me with disgust. "You need to arrive at his building at 8:30 am sharp. They'll escort you and everything. Don't mess it up,"
"Wait- when am I going?" I snap.
Sarah makes a face. "Friday,"
"That's tomorrow—" shit. Shit. That's tomorrow.