Losin' Control
this one is based off the song losin control by russ. it's a little cliche but very cute. will be separated into seven parts. i love writing stories based off songs; it's very therapeutic since writing an original requires quite a bit of work. enjoy, lovies
reesey
Pt. 1
She's fallin' in love now
Losin' control now
Tris stepped into the apartment through the threshold. It smelled like vanilla—surely the realtor had set that up, along with the music playing through the speakers. The place came furnished with nice, brown, leathered couches facing a flat screen TV. A chair hung from the ceiling near the window that acted as a wall, seeing as it was a completely clear slab. A spiral staircase led up to a loft with a bed. There was no railing, which Tris adored. The apartment itself was very modern, and loved every square inch of it.
"How much are you asking for this again?" Tris asked, because by the looks of it there was absolutely no way she could afford this place.
The realtor smiled. "Just $750 per month."
Tris's eyebrows rose. "This is easily $1500 a month. What's the catch?"
The realtor frowned. "The L-train is right outside your window. Tends to wake up those who reside in this complex. It was built before the L, so it's quite hard to get people interested due to its age as well. That's why it looks so modern: a lot of renovations and updating."
Tris grinned. "I'll give you $700 a month for it."
The realtor seemed ecstatic. "We've got a deal."
They shook hands and talked legalities. By sundown, the apartment was hers.
She was unpacking at midnight with Russ's music blaring through the speakers, Though she didn't have much unpacking due to the circumstance, she still held all the happiness in the world inside her heart. She already had a job, an apartment, and her best friend by her side.
Christina knocked on the door excitedly from what Tris could tell.
Tris opened the door with a grin. There were no words exchanged, just a squeal with a hug.
"Oh my God, Tris," Christina said as she stepped inside. She looked amazed, but then the worry came to her visage. "Can you afford this place? You should be saving what money you have."
Tris grinned. "Yes, Mom. The L-train is right outside my window. $700 a month. A steal."
"Ugh," Christina said. "You'll never get any sleep."
Tris shrugged. "It's okay. I don't sleep much nowadays."
Christina frowned and hugged her best friend out of pity. Tris never welcomed pity.
"Christina, I'm okay. Really. I'm fine," she told her in confidence and absolute truth.
She nods. "Yeah. You know I'm a worrier. I'm really glad you're here though, getting a new start and building your career. I'm a very proud best friend."
Tris smiled. "Thank you. Now, to the fun stuff. You're spending the night right?"
"Well who else would show how to get to work tomorrow?" she teased. "Let's get to bed. Huge day tomorrow. Also, heads up about the editor. Don't be bothered by his ass-ery."
Tris nodded. "Noted."
For the first time in months, Tris went to bed that night in peace. Chicago brought her everything she ever wanted—she was finally home.
Tris finally felt in control.
Fightin' the truth, tryin' to hide
But I think it's alright, girl
A grin far and wide spread across Tris's face as Christina led her to her new desk. She was finally starting at the Chicago Tribune, one of the best and most prestigious in the country. She'd be residing in the sports department. She'd be focusing on the basketball aspect of the department handling the coverage of the Bulls. Tris was previously the head of sports in LA for their Tribune.
"Here's your desk. Mine's across from the break room. Our boss's office is right outside yours, so whenever his blinds are open, just make sure you're working he doesn't rip us all to shreds."
She continued to nod and listen to the advice. Someone stepping out of the office with closed blinds interrupted them, though. A deep voice rang through the office, sending waves into her muscles.
"Where's the new guy?" a man, presumably the boss, asked. He was tall, fit, and had the darkest blue, most grey eyes Tris had seen. His curly, medium-length brown hair was clean, while perfect strands of hair hung loosely from his forehead, shaping his face nicely. His chin was of perfect sculpting with its light scruff.
Christina turned to Tris, waiting for her to speak up.
"Right here. I'm the new guy," she answered with a smile. The boss lifted his fingers, signaling her to enter by flicking his fingers. Tris followed as anxiety grew in her chest. She sat down opposite of him across his desk.
"I'm Tobias Eaton, Editor-in-Chief. Do introduce yourself," he asked, plainly and uninterested.
"Tris Prior. Sports writer from LA."
Tobias smirked. "Excuse me for my misunderstanding, but I've been informed incorrectly. I was under the impression that your name was Bernard Prior and that you'd be heading up the basketball section. Not sure how they got Bernard from Tris…"
"My name is Beatrice. Change the first name and those sentences are true," she answered with a shrug. "My gender shouldn't matter."
Tobias smiled. "Of course, Ms. Prior. I can assure you we treat everyone equally here."
Tris smiled sweetly. "Great. And, Mr. Eaton, I do apologize if we've gotten off on the wrong foot. I look forward to contributing to the sports team."
He smiled. "I look forward to your contribution as well. Also, here is your press pass for every Chicago game you could imagine."
"Thank you. Who do I contact to get started on my first assignment?" she asks. Suddenly, she felt as if she was the intimidating one, rather than how it began; confidence overcame her.
"Me."
Her eyebrows rose. "Oh. So you—"
"Head up all departments, yes," he interrupted. "I run the company. I don't own it, but I should. The man who hired you, Mr. Max Brown, just has the title. Anyhow, your assignment is on the suspension of Portis and Mirotic. Write about why teams need to be bonded together in order to achieve greatness."
"Yes, sir. And when is my deadline?"
"4 o'clock."
"Alright." Tris made a move to walk out the door, but his voice stopped her.
"What? No… complaining or anything?" he asked with casual surprise.
Tris laughed. "At the LA Tribune I was doing all my work and then some. Challenge me, Mr. Eaton."
He smirked, bewildered at my bravery. "On my desk by lunch. Start on the season opener for the Bulls. The game's tonight. Be there."
"Actually," Tris began with a laugh of trepidation. "It's tomorrow."
Tobias's eyebrows came together in confusion. He glanced at his desk calendar. "I told my assistant the game was today and she didn't tell me otherwise…"
Tris smiled. "Does everyone just agree with you out of fear?"
Tobias smirked. "Not you."
She shrugged. "You don't seem too scary to me, Tobias."
"Anyone ever tell you you're awfully naïve, Tris?"
She laughed. "Too often. Far too often." Her legs confidently took her out.
She returned to her desk, where saw Christina was waiting patiently. She calmly sat down in her spinning chair and was overwhelmed by Christina's questions.
"How'd it go? Did he yell? Or does he like you? Tris, speak."
A laugh came from her lungs. "Shut it, Christina. He's actually pretty cool. He seems to like me."
Christina laughed in Tris's face. "What?" Christina asked incredulously. "I love you, but there's no shot that he was amicable towards you."
Tris shrugged. "He was perfectly nice. No yelling or anything."
With contempt, Christina then said, "Well maybe he'll start being nicer since he has a friend."
Tris rolled her eyes and waved her off, feeling a bit defensive about Tobias. "Go away. I have a deadline by lunch."
Christina crossed her arms and walked away, leaving Tris feeling guilty. She was far too cluttered in the mind to worry about it though.
So she began to write: PORTIS AND MIROTIC: A BROKEN BOND BETWEEN THE BULLS.