1Disclaimer: I don't own any WWE superstars or other employees (including Shannon Moore -cries-) I do however own my OC and several other created characters.
"I swear Lila if you get one more tattoo your mom is going to have a heart-attack!" Tim Sampson said with a bemused smile. Lila Hotchner was different in terms of appearance to say the least. At age 21 she already had five different tattoo's and was looking at a drawing her friend did for her as inspiration for another. Not to mention the bright blue streaks popping from her hair long curly hair.
"I am quite happy with my body art thank you." Lila replied not looking up from the piece of paper grasped firmly in her hand. Tim just sighed and took a seat next to her, resting his head on her shoulder.
"When's your next class?" He asked, almost whining.
"I don't have another one this semester." She said finally tearing her eyes away from the paper. "I already presented my final photo for my last class."
"Yay!" He said standing up. "We shall celebrate by going to a club and finding some cute boys!" Lila just smiled at him.
"Whatever you say, but we shouldn't stay out long. I have applied for a couple internships this summer and I am hoping to hear from someone soon."
"Where have you applied to?" He asked sitting back down.
"Well, Vanity Fair, that's not looking promising, Cosmo, Seventeen Magazine, and WWE Magazine." She said before sighing.
"Why WWE?" Tim ask a look of disgust crossing his face.
"Don't you even pull that shit." She said sternly. "You know I love wrestling, and taking pictures of some of my favorite superstars sounds like an ideal summer for me."
"Well, all is well and good for now. In the meantime let's get to the club and meet cute boys!" He said standing again. "I just bought this shirt and I am dying to see if anyone notices."
"You're flaming, and I love you." She said standing up beside him. "Just let me go change and we'll get out of here." She made her way through her tiny Manhattan apartment, that cost more than her tuition, or so it seemed. Her room was at the very back of the apartment and she closed the door behind her. She walked to her dresser and pulled out a pair of black jeans that flared at the bottom, and a purple silk tank top. She might as well celebrate, she didn't get to see Tim that often. He went to school in Pennsylvania, only a half an hour away from their hometown.
"Lila!!" Tim called running towards her bedroom. "Your phone is ringing." He opened her door just as she pulled her tank-top over her head. "Here, here, here!" He handed her the phone.
"Lay of the caffeine." She said quickly before opening her phone. "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Miss. Hotchner?" A male voice asked.
"Yes this is she."
"Hello, my name is Jon Ragel. I am with WWE Magazine." He said calmly. Lila supressed the urge to jump up and down.
"It's great to hear from you Mr. Ragel." She said regaining her composure.
"I am glad I caught you. Listen, I am going to just come out and say this. We received your application and I am throughly impressed. I would like you to come out to Los Angeles and work with us at WWE Magazine." Lila thought she might faint so she sat on the edge of her bed.
"It will be an honor to join the magazine Mr. Ragel." She said softly, still in shock.
"Excellent! So, can you fly out tomorrow? We would really like you here as soon as possible."
"Yes, I will book my flight as soon as possible." She said shaking a bit.
"Alright, the address to the main building is 119 strooner st, and, it would be nice if you could be here before noon if at all possible. We'll discuss living arrangements when you get here. We'll provide something for you until you can get everything in order and find your own place here in California."
"I look forward to it and can't wait to meet you. Thank you for this opportunity."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good-bye." Lila said before closing her phone. She took a deep breath before screaming as loud as possible. She began jumping up and down her room.
"What??" Tim asked trying to grab her arms.
"I got the job at WWE Magazine!!" She said screaming.
"Ok, now we have to celebrate." Tim said with a wide grin. Lila's smile faded.
"I'm sorry hun, but they want me there by tomorrow. I am going to have to take the red-eye tonight. I have to call JFK airport, find a ticket, and pack. Oh, Tim I'm sorry." Lila felt awful. Granted Tim had been in NYC for a week, but she still felt like she was ditching him. To her surprise he smiled.
"Honey, you want to do this so much and I am super excited for you. So, you call the airport and I will start packing your suitcases!" He said helping her stand up.
"I love ya sweetie!" She said with an ear to ear grin.
"Oh you know I love you too!" He kissed her on the cheek and ran to her closet while Lila picked up her phone and dialed information. The operator picked up quickly.
"JFK airport please." She said, her heart pounding in her chest.
- - - - - - - - - -
"Flight 426 to Los Angeles now boarding." Came the voice over the loud speaker. It was almost 4 in the morning, but Lila was wide awake.
"Alright... I can do this." She said standing up.
"Of course you can." Tim said pulling her into a hug. "Listen to me. You're going to be fine. We all know you're talented, the magazine knows that, you know that... Even if you wont admit it. You're going to meet wrestlers you've been oogling on television, but if any of them are gay, give them my number!" Lila laughed and gave Tim another hug.
"Of course I will." She turned and looked at the gate taking a deep breath. "Here I go."
"Remember dear. Don't look back." He said softly with a smile. She picked up her carry-on and walked toward the doorway to her plane. She paused but only for a moment. She knew she had to follow Tim's advice.
- - - - - - -
Even though she slept for an hour or two, the flight still seemed to take forever. She was half way through "Pride and Prejudice" when the captain came over the speaker.
"Alright Ladies and Gentleman we're making our decent into LAX airport. It is approximately 10 AM, and the weather is around 79 degrees, sunny and beautiful. We will be landing in 20 minutes, so please buckle your seat belts and flight attendants please prepare for landing." Lila leaned back in her seat and took a few deep breaths. She hated flying. When she was finally back on solid ground and she had caught a cab her nerves began to pick up even more. What if they decided they made a mistake and she had to fly right back to New York? 'Ok, Lila, think positive.' She told herself.
"Where ya headed Miss?" The cab driver asked. She pulled a small piece of paper from her pocket.
"119 strooner st please." She said softly trying to clear the lump from her throat. She took her mind off her up coming meeting by looking out the window. She was amazed at how different Los Angeles was from New York. The palm trees alone were beautiful, but she slowly realized that she was already missing the Big Apple. She found herself day dreaming about her days to come. Sure, she was nervous, but hey what if she got to meet some of the wrestlers today? Maybe Edge or Shawn Michaels?
"Alright, here we are." The cabbie said pulling Lila back into reality. She paid for the cab and grabbed her bags. As she stood staring at the building in front of her she couldn't help thinking it almost looked like a warehouse. She took another deep breath and picked up her bags before walking to the guard at the front of the building.
"May I help you ma'am?" He asked semi-sternly staring at her hair.
"Yes, I am Lila Hotchner. I am here for a meeting with Jon Ragel." She said with as much confidence as she could muster.
"Yes. Mr. Ragel has been expecting you. You can leave your bags here, but make sure to bring your camera." The guard said. Lila nodded and grabbed her camera bag out of her carry on. "Alright, just enter here and take a left. Go down the long hallway and turn right at the end. It's the forth door on your left." He said opening the door for her. She said thank you and entered the building. She felt a blast of cool air and the door slammed shut behind her. She was thankful for the air conditioning but that was soon forgotten when she realized she had no idea where she was going. She had been to busy being thinking about what to say to Mr. Ragel to comprehend the directions the guard had given her. She passed several office doors not recognizing any of the names, then a few doors just labeled: set 1, set 2, etc.
"Ok, Lila relax you're going to find his office. Just calm down." she said aloud to herself. She glanced down at her watch. It was only a few minutes after 11 so at least she wasn't pressed for time. She turned around and waked backward for a few steps. She knew it had to be around here somewhere. She turned back around only to run into something hard and she found herself lying on the ground.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" A male voice said. His southern accent thick. She looked up to see the most beautiful blue-green eyes staring back at her.
"It's alright." She said shaking herself back into reality. Was this man actually standing over her? He offered his hand and helped her up. She grabbed her camera bag and brushed some dust of her black dress pants and blue button down shirt.
"Well, aren't you colorful." He asked with a smile dancing on his voice. Lila blushed.
"Yeah, just a little bit."
"I'm Shannon Moore." He said shaking her hand.
"I know, it's nice to meet you. I'm Lila Hotchner." He smiled at her and their hands remained locked together.
"Oh... I'm sorry.." He said nervously pulling his hand back. "I think you might need both your hands at some point. I mean you know for whatever your profession is. I mean, I am not trying to suggest anything vulgar. I mean... I'm babbling aren't I?"
"Yes." Lila said smiling. "Yes you are."
"Ok, let's start this again. You look lost is their anything I can help you with?"
"Yes." She said thankfully. "I am looking for Jon Ragel's office."
"Follow me." He said smiling as he turned around and began walking. Lila stared for a moment before following him. "So, what are you going to see Jon for?"
"Oh, I am going to be working with the magazine this summer for an internship." She said feeling more and more comfortable around him by the minute.
"Oh yeah? Where ya from?"
"PA originally, but I go to school at NYU."
"Wow. So, you want to be a professional photographer?"
"Yeah, that's what I am hoping for." She said smiling.
"Well here we are." He said stopping suddenly outside Jon's office door.
"I can't thank you enough." Lila said looking from the door to Shannon.
"Oh it's no problem. Always glad to help a pretty new photographer." Lila blushed crimson. She looked into his eyes briefly noting he was blushing to. They stood silent for a moment.
"I guess I should get in there." Lila said though she made no movement toward the door.
"Good luck. Hopefully I'll see you around sometime." He said with a smile. God he had an amazing smile.
"Yeah, I'd like that." She said taking a small step toward the door. She held out her hand and he took it, placing a soft kiss on the top.
"I was very nice to meet you Lila."
"You too Shannon." He reluctantly let go of her hand, turned, and slowly walked away. Lila stood looking after him for a few moments trying to calm down. Her heart was beating fast and she could swear the sound of it was echoing in the hall. She took a deep breath and turned toward the door. She couldn't explain if she tried what just happened to her. She put on a mask of faux confidence, lifted her hand, and knocked on the office door in front of her.