A/N: Early Days is finally here, only under a different name. I apologize for my long absense, but I am performing in "The Hobbit" this weekend and have been quite busy with rehearsals and such. I dashed this off in the pit when I was not onstage and am quickly posting this before I have to leave for another show! This is a songfic, the song is "Miss Invisible" by Marie Digby. I kind of hid the lyrics in here, but I hope you enjoy it. Ok, for this story I'll do a Q/A type thing, so ask me questions. Ask me lots of questions. But nothing too personal or I won't answer! :) Enjoy! Review! Have fun!
~Diana
Time: Shortly before Madeline gets her job with Edgeworth
Madeline sighed, running a hand through her long black hair, her eyes scanning the sea of college students before her, trying to find an empty place on the crowded quad. Nowhere jumped out at her, so she moved to her usual spot under the stairs, laughingly called the "the bleachers" by students because they were made of aluminum. Another sigh escaped her lips; just another day eating alone. An ironic smile painted her features; she just couldn't find a way to relate all that was hidden inside her. No one so much as glanced her way as they passed by. Unnoticed as always, she thought ruefully, pulling out books and notebooks, pretending to be busy. But inside she just wanted to cry. She opened her notebook and began to write, almost without paying attention.
Take a look at the life of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little harder
I really, really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little closer
And maybe you will see
Why she waits for the day
When you ask her her name
Her mind drifted back to the first weeks of class. She'd done everything to try and fit in. But all of the other students had only seen her as what they'd seen in the news: parents killed in a car accident, sister murdered five years before. No one bothered to get to know her, preferring to stick to the known and the familiar. They couldn't see past the surface, the mismatched things that separated them. She closed her eyes and remembered that first day. She'd fallen down the stairs. The laughter and screams of her classmates had echoed down the stairs and in her head. She'd retreated into herself that day, retreated to where she is now. Her hand began outlining the words she had written, flowers and swirls appearing around the letters.
Take a look at the life of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little harder
I really, really want you to
Put yourself in her shoes
Take another look at the face of Miss Always Invisible
Look a little closer
And maybe you will see
Why she waits for the day
When you ask her her name
The bell rang, a harsh sound. She gathered up her books, closing the cover of the notebook and standing. Her next class was waiting
"The Prosecution rests, Your Honor," Madeline said, lifting her head proudly. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Students lined the walls, their mouths forming perfect 'o's. She had just finished her closing argument for her mock trial class, and today she felt she had done particularly well.
"Th-thank you, Miss Brent," the professor (acting as judge) stammered as Madeline stepped down. She started to walk back to her seat, but another professor stopped her.
"Come with me, Miss Brent," he said quietly, leading her out the door of the mock courtroom. Countless pairs of eyes watched her leave, their gaze burning into her back until the large oak doors closed. The professor took her to his office, sitting down behind his desk. "As you may know, Miss Brent, Thanksgiving holidays are fast approaching." Madeline nodded, still a little confused. "Did you have any plans…with your family?" She chose not to respond, which caused the professor to look awkward. "Miss Brent?"
"No, sir," she replied.
"Good," he said, looking satisfied. "In that case…" He folded his hands and regarded her over them. "A famous prosecutor was watching your performance today. A high prosecutor, in fact. He'd like me to offer you an internship of sorts during the holidays."
Madeline's eyes glowed. This could be the chance she'd been waiting for. "Do you have any objections?" the professor asked, chuckling at his own lame pun. Madeline shook her head, still in a bit of a daze. "Excellent!" the professor said, standing. "I'll tell him right away and get you the information. You are dismissed, Miss Brent." She exited the office, unable to contain a grin, one of the first since her parents died. No longer was she Miss Invisible. She was taking her first steps into the light.