The sun burned Christopher Nightingale's skin as he walked past the tall New York buildings. He can hear the honking of cars and the argument of Travis Reese and Lisa Do beside him. They have been arguing throughout the entire walk towards the New York Times building. Travis is Christopher's long time friend. Ever since Christopher immigrated from York, England, Travis was the only one who was with him through ups and downs. Then, just about a year ago, Travis finally went out with Lisa Do, the "girl" of his dreams. Christopher still doesn't get why Travis picked Lisa among all the girls in the campus. Lisa is very bossy and wants everything her way, but Travis just goes along with it. Travis loves video games, maybe that was the reason why Christopher and he are best friends. He is 5'9, not as tall as Christopher, who is 6'2. His shaggy black hair always covered his hazel eyes. Everyday, he wears shirts with at least an image of a video game in it, but no one seemed to notice because he covers it with all kinds of hoodie. Even during hot days, he will be found wearing his favorite hoodie. No one, even his best friend, know why he does that. On the other hand, we have Lisa Do. She is one of the most popular girls in school and not only the captain of the cheerleading team, but she is also the president of the school. Talk about power. Lisa has a dark brown hair that flows towards her shoulder. She is one of the most pale Asians Travis and Christopher has ever met. Boys like her only for her appearance, not for her attitude. She is one of those rich spoiled brats that cries when they don't get what they want, but Lisa? She doesn't throw a tantrum, she gets mad, start and argument and will never stop until she gets it.
The group's final destination is almost near, yet the argument still continued. Christopher took out his cellphone and checked the time: 10:18 AM. Great. Twelve more minutes and we're late. he thought. They stopped to cross the pedestrian lane. Chris pushed the crossing button. Lisa kept yelling. She was doing some kind of weird strokes and gestures. Travis ignored her and pulled out his iPhone. The walking sign lit, and Christopher started walking. He turned around and saw Lisa stomping away from Travis. Christopher called Travis. "Hey. We're going to be late if we don't hurry." Travis looked up and jogged towards Christopher.
"What was that about?" Christopher asked.
"Nah. It's nothing. She was yelling about this Yankees hoodie I'm wearing." Travis smiled as he looked up.
"So, where is she going?" Christopher turned around to look at Lisa, who was still stomping away.
"Nah. She's going back home like she always do when she gets pretty mad." Travis put his iPhone away and kept walking. "I really want to break up with her. She's just bossing me around."
Christopher looked at Travis. "Why don't you?"
Travis thought for a moment. "I don't know, buddy." Travis planted a worried look on his face.
"Here we are." Christopher looked up and there it was: The New York Times building. "It's tall and huge!" he smiled.
The people crowded around the place. In and out the building. Travis waved to someone. It was Christopher's father. "Hey Mr. Nightingale." he greeted. Mr. Nightingale walked towards the boys. "Finally, you've came. I've been worrying whether you're coming or not." Mr. Nightingale said. "Of course we are dad. We need this internship for college." Christopher said. Mr. Nightingale smiled and nodded. "Very well, then. Follow me to introduce you to your new co-workers." Christopher stopped. "Don't worry Chris. I applied both of you already. My boss gave it an okay." The three entered the building and towards the floor Christopher and Travis will be spending their summer at: 20th floor.
The elevator opened and the floor was crowded with busy workers. On one corner, papers were stacked into places, as to one corner, fax machines and printers continued spitting out papers. Christopher nervously sighed. Mr. Nightingale cleared his throat. "Hello. Let me introduce you our brand new teen interns Travis Noah Reese and my son Christopher James Nightingale." Christopher stood embarrased. He looked at Travis and saw him showing his nervous smile. Mr. Nightingale escorted the boys towards one section. "So, this will be your place." Christopher looked around. The place was cluttered with papers. "I will leave you two with Catherine, she will be your supervisor for the week." Mr. Nightingale nodded and went to his desk.
Catherine was shredding papers. She turned around and gave a huge smile. "Why hello there. I'm Catherine Grace Stone, but you can call me Cat or Cathy." Travis waved. "So, you two are interns too?" Christopher nodded. Catherine smiled and tilted her head. "Too shy to speak?" Travis smiled. "Chris is always shy in-times of meeting people. By the way, I'm Travis." Travis shook Cat's hand. "And this is my bestfriend, Christopher." Christopher nodded. Cat giggled. "Well, I'd also like you to meet our fellow teen intern, Vicki Au." Catherine walked them towards Vicki who was sweeping the floor. Vicki turned around and greeted them. "Hello. I'm Vicki." she shook Travis's hand and reached to shake Christopher's hand. Christopher stood there, ignoring her. Vicki embarrasedly scratched her head. "Well, one of you are just going to shred and stack papers, and one of you can be my assistant?" Travis looked at Christopher. "I can shred papers." Catherine nodded and looked at Christopher. "Come. I'll tell you what your first assignment is." Catherine went towards the table and Christopher followed. Travis stood there not knowing what to do. Vicki spoke, "You can help me finish cleaning these papers, if you want to." Travis turned around and smiled. He looked around for a broomstick. "The broomstick is in the storage area. Second door to your left." Travis left Vicki as she finish sweeping a group of papers. "You know, that's Walter's job right?" Catherine told Vicki who was a couple feet away from her. "Yeah, but he creeps me out." Catherine nodded and turned around.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the floor, Mr. Nightingale sat down on his desk and continued with his papers. Beside him, he can hear Rhonda Davenport whisper to herself. He walked towards her. She was picking the flower petals and saying the "He loves me, he loves me not" phrase. Mr. Nightingale stood next to her. "Still no shot Rhonda?" Rhonda looked up, and panickly threw her flowers away. "It's okay. I understand." Rhonda's face turned red. "Did you tell him yet?" Rhonda looked down. Mr. Nightingale patted her head. "No. I don't have the guts." Mr. Nightingale smiled. "How can he say no to a girl as beautiful as you?" Rhonda smiled. "Oh, come one Mr. Nightingale. That thing doesn't work for me." they both laughed. "You should at least try Rhonda." Mr. Nightingale patted her head and walked back to his desk. Rhonda looked at him as he sat down and continued writing. She reached to pick her flower when a person grabbed it. It was Zachry DuVall, Rhonda's "soon-to-be soul mate. "I'm guessing this is yours?" Zachry smiled. He handed the flower to Rhonda. She sat there, frozen in place as her eyes locked on to his. "Thank you Zachry." Zachry smiled and walked towards his desk. Rhonda's eyes followed him as he walk. Her eyes still locked onto Zachry's. Then, she heard Mr. Nightingale clear his throat. She looked at him. "So?" he mouthed. Rhonda smiled and turned around. Thank you? That's the best you can do, Rhonda? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. she pounded her forehead with her palm, as the rose petals fell down the floor.
"Lenda, I thought you were going home already?" Jovianne Richards asked. Lenda Lac was finishing stacking the papers as she motioned her head with a no. Jovianne looked around and said, "Well, Mr. Jessie just asked me to reprint these downstairs. Would you mind looking out for Nicolette?" she stood up and held Nicolette as she was playing with her unopened lollipop. "I'm sorry, Jovianne. I just finished stacking my papers, and I have to go now." Lenda hurried towards the elevator. "Lenda. I really have to go. Just for one moment?" Lenda spedwalked and pressed the down button. Jovianne's eyes followed Lenda as she enters the elevator. Jovianne looked at Nicolette. "Nikki, can you just stay here and don't touch anything. I have to go somewhere." Nikki smiled and her dimples showed. "Mommy will be back soon, okay? And if you'll be a good girl, we will eat at McDonald's today." Nicolette jumped in joy as she laughed. Jovianned kissed Nikki's forehead and went down the stairs. Nicolette sat down the chair and kept playing with her lollipop. Zachry went towards Nicolette and petted her head. "Hello Nikki. Do you need someone to play with?" Nicolette continued playing with her lollipop and said "No." Zachry smiled. "You are so adorable." Nicolette avoided him. "Go away." she said. "Okay. If that's what you want." Zachry stood up and went to his desk and waved at Nicolette. She turned around and threw her lollipop at Zachry and hit him on the nose. Zachry bent to pick up the lollipop and walked towards Nicolette. "Bad girl." He gave the unopened lollipop to Nicolette, but she threw the lollipop at him again. Zachry laughed. "Oh, you cute thing." he sat on his deskand continued his work as he took a glance on Nikki once in a while.
