Thank you for reading; feedback is appreciated!
Rating: (K+) This fic will eventually be NC-17 for explicit sexual situations, and chapters with adult content will contain warnings. This chapter has light swearing.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of the irrespective owners. The originalcharacters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producersof any media franchise. No copy right infringement is intended.
~MaraJadeblu
Metropolis, Washington, USA
June 20, 2012
Ch 4: Bella
I slept badly; my bedraggled hair concurred with me on this fact. I wasn't good at fussing over myself, but I did make an effort. I used extra strawberry conditioner, air dried my hair over breakfast (no hair dryer, plus I bolted awake three hours early). I ate leftover pizza and tea, feeling very much like a college student. After work I would have to go food shopping.
I sort of dressed to impress- wearing a knee length wool circle skirt and matching vest with my white top underneath. I shaved my legs carefully, and slipped on flats. After I got a look at the other interns, I might consider my sandals, but they were still casual.
I tried to apply makeup, but I ended up looking like a clown. My hand was shaking, and my blush looked caked on (this may have been related to my complete ignorance about makeup application), so I took everything off, scrubbed my face, and hoped for the best.
I was within walking distance of the print room, which was the nail in the coffin of my residence dilemma. Part of why I couldn't sleep was excitement about work, and part was excitement about independence.
I flew down the stairs, running early, and flung open the door to confront my new city. If this were a musical, someone would start singing now. The sky was blue and grey. The buildings were tall, though only towards the end of my block. I passed a newspaper stand and blushed with pride when I saw the Metropolitan Daily Planet- my newspaper! Okay, not mine mine, but kind of mine.
This was my first apartment, first job, first day as an adult. I giggled. Eighteen- I still had a teen in my name- not sure if adult was overstepping the mark.
I pulled my chin up. People told me I was an old soul, and many amazing authors made important contributions to society by age eighteen. Just because we had infantilized society didn't make me incapable.
These were my bold thoughts heading into the Planet building. For a second, I wished I had a smartphone so I could take a picture of the beautiful bronze globe at the top of the building. I didn't often make myself look touristy- but dang it, it was the most famous part of the Metro skyline and I worked there!
There was a sign-in desk in the lobby, and touchpad turnstiles behind that. Everything was mirrors and dark marble, with swirling bronze abstracts accenting the walls. I'd never been inside a place so... sophisticated. My boldness greatly diminished, I tiptoed up to security with an ID. A black man with a short fro and a name tag labeled 'Larry" looked at me expectantly.
I handed over the ID, "I'm an intern for the Daily Planet," I said in a small voice I couldn't make bigger.
"Ha! New intern day! Sign in please." He passed over a clipboard, "You're the first one here... Nervous?"
His smile was more disarming and kind than I had expected; it eased my nerves. "You could definitely say that. It's my first job," I whispered.
"You'll be fine- you're working with some good people- here comes one now," he raised his voice as a dapper man in a blue suit and tie walked up behind me. "Hey, Mike, you want to escort this lovely lady up to the Planet?"
"Boy would I! You just made my morning, Lars." Mike had watery blue eyes, a mousy nose, and mousy blonde hair. He looked athletic and über-American.
I felt a little nauseated with so much attention on me, " I don't want to be any trouble..."
"Ha! I wish you were causing me trouble," there may have been an innuendo, but I didn't understand it if there was. "My name is Mike Newton, political contributor and journalist."
Instead of reaching out a hand, he put it to my back and started leading me. I didn't especially like the feeling it gave me- it seemed possessive. I remembered Jake doing it, and it feeling right, or better. "I'm Bella." Better play nice with my new bosses- I might end up on his beat, but I hoped not.
I gave Larry a farewell smile over my shoulder. "Bella, Bella for beautiful!" Mike said. Never heard that one before, Prince Charming. "Don't worry, I'll give you the grand tour, and introduce you to the mistress of the Planet herself- Mrs. Cope." We got on an elevator, and I tried not to be too nervous about being trapped in an elevator with Mike and his constant flirty smile. "She does everything- scheduling, assignments, takes calls, stocks coffee- everything important is all her!" His chuckle told me there was a private joke I wasn't getting. "Yessir, no paper without coffee, do you drink?"
"Drink? Coffee?" I sounded stupid, even to myself, but Mike was doing that really awkward elevator thing where he takes up the middle, so no matter where you stand, you feel too close to him.
"Well, yea, but now your response has got me curious. Do you drink?" He came closer. Stay in your allocated elevator spot! Two people, opposite corners!
"I drink coffee on occasion."
"Hmm, that's right, right out of high school. I think you and coffee will become good friends here. How old are you?"
God, longest elevator ride ever, "Eighteen."
He smiled like I had made his day... Again. "Yea, we should definitely get coffee. I know some great places. Maybe lunch?"
Only if you promise to develop spatial awareness. The elevator finally dinged. It was only a tall building after all, not an awkwardness conspiracy. I was saved from having to answer by blurting, "Oh, wow!"
It was so... gloriously typical! There were sort of cubicles, in that there were V desks scattered everywhere in no particular order that I yet knew. There were no barriers, except some walls on the sides, but the view! The far wall was floor to ceiling windows, and the view was from the 42nd floor. In the distance I could see the Rockies, and probably Forks nestled in there somewhere. I couldn't look away, it felt like I was flying.
"Yea, sometimes I forget how impressive that is," Mike sounded disinterested.
"How?" I stepped away from him, transfixed. Something shimmered in the foreground and added to the beauty- a bushy head of copper hair. It might have paled in comparison to they view, but the man it was attached to was so gorgeous that once again I couldn't look away. His skin was translucently pale, and he wore a dark blue shirt that offset his jewel-like eyes and rich hair perfectly. My mouth hung open a little. That was more beauty than a beauty pageant packed into a single man. He stood, gracefully, fluidly, and walked over to a V desk that was much wider than the others that sat in the middle of the room.
"Hey, Bella" Mike snapped in front of my face. " I know it's pretty, but let me show you the rest." I jerked my head to him with some effort- "Since you're early, I can show you some things like the members' cafeteria, the printing press, the IT room, and the roof garden. You might not get those on your tour. In fact, you might not be on this floor."
"There's more?" I was starting to feel overwhelmed.
"Sure, the editors are on the sides, along with the meeting rooms, but the administration is upstairs with the lawyers and photography stuff. How early are you?"
"An hour and a half. We still have a little over an hour until the orientation starts." At least he wasn't making me late, although that didn't make my anxiety go away.
"Ahh," Mike said sagely, "that's when you'll meet the Chief, but don't call him that, he hates it for some reason."
I swallowed, "The, uh, editor-in-chief?" I swallowed again, having a bit of panic caught in my throat, "P-Perry White?"
"None other than, someone's got to captain this ship."
I might faint. No- no. I got this. I dug my heels in, and inflated myself like a giant balloon-animal. "That's really cool," I managed to say.
Mike smirked at me, "Lets look around."
I sat across from Mike in a nearby coffee shop with Angela, Jessica, and Eric. Eric had been an intern like me. He kept a job at the Planet as a freelance photographer during undergrad, ended up changing his major, and was now a full time image editor for the paper.
I tried not to get excited, but it seemed like a lot of the journalists (including Mike and Jessica) and some of the photographers (such as Eric) started off as summer interns. I was by far younger than any of them had been. Usually the internship was only available to sophomores and juniors, but I had taken so many AP tests that I didn't have any 100 level classes left to take. I had saved myself an entire year of school by working tirelessly through high school. This internship was my award. Maybe, if I worked tirelessly in college... maybe there would be a job for me here, I was afraid to finish the thought.
The coffee was good, and I liked being in a group; it meant I didn't have to talk much. Angela seemed to feel similarly, but she seemed more content to be silent than shy, like me.
"We'll have to go out for a girls' night to introduce you to the city," Jessica was saying. "Do you have an ID?"
"Y-yea, I have a license. I just got a truck..."
"Is it good? Mine at your age was..." She giggled and leaned towards Mike, "horrendous! The person they gave me had dark eyes and curly dark hair, a horse face and buck teeth to boot!
What were we talking about? I stayed quiet, "Jess, look at her, she doesn't have one, she doesn't even know what you're talking about!" Eric said not unkindly.
"I can drive," Mike didn't need to be thinking I needed a chauffeur as well.
Angela chuckled, "Bella, she means a fake ID. Don't worry, I didn't have one either... at your age."
"That's right, Jess. She's an innocent, not like you." Mike moved his chair closer to me, smiling.
"Like us, if anything," Jess muttered, and I was inclined to agree with her. What Mike said next confirmed my instincts.
"What are you doing Jess! Don't get her trashed in some club! Her first experience in the real world should be at a private party."
"Gee, I wonder whose private party that could be."
"Anyway! Bella needs to get back to Cope to receive her first assignment. Did you have any questions about the internship? We three would be the ones to ask." Eric gave a winning smile while Angela gathered our trash and started throwing it away.
I recited, "Eight weeks, two per beat. First beat you have a mentor, second beat you write, third beat you interview, fourth beat, you bring in a story to the Chief." Deep breath, "Easy."
"It's an eight week interview, you are so lucky," Jessica whispered. I felt light headed. "At your age, I'm not sure I could have handled the responsibility. I'm so glad it was my summer before senior year when I did this- just in time for a job." She flipped her hair, and I saw Ben and Angela look at each other.
"I think your youth is really impressive, Bella. You must have worked hard" I knew Mike was trying to make it better, but I was blushing at the compliment and feeling sick again. Eric hit me on the back reassuringly and I coughed.
We walked back together and entered the building. I had just calmed my nerves enough before the coffee, but now I felt wired and self-conscious.
On the ride up, Angela was looking over my resume to predict which beat I would start with, "Your first assignment will probably be on the crime beat based on your résumé. You'll be working with Jessica at some point."
Mike looked crestfallen and muttered, "Ugh, but him too."
Jessica muttered, "Like Edward will have anything to do with her."
I felt a thrill of nervousness based on people's reactions, and after I thanked Angela and stepped away I asked Jess, Eric and Mike what I had to be worried about.
"He's cold as a fish," Jessica started. "Aloof, thinks he's too good for us." Her words said one thing, but she was looking longingly toward a desk.
"Just because Edward Cullen wouldn't sleep with you..." Mike was saying. I follow Jessica's eyed and landed on the jewel of a man from earlier. His eyes lifted and met mine.
I felt lost. His eyes were even more beautiful than I imagined- a many faceted dark emerald and fern green. My heart sped, my knees went weak, and I realized I was staring, and he saw me staring. I blushed slowly and completely-head to toes. My total embarrassment reminded me, and allowed me, to look away.
Mike, Eric and Jessica looked upset, and I was just glad they weren't noticing my glowing face.
"That's not the only reason, you dick," Jessica continued. "There's something very odd and separate about him, and he isn't exactly nice."
"That's true," Mike continued as if he hadn't just been insulted, "He's not an ideal first mentor for you, Bella. Maybe we can get you switched to one of our beats."
My eyes were magnetically drawn back to the beautiful, solitary man. I knew I wanted very much to be closer to him, but I felt like it might be the same way a moth feels about a lantern. His eyes flickered back up towards me, and I jerked mine away as if burned. I looked at Mike, but thought that I might have offended the jewel, and now I really needed to be closer to him.
"We don't even know that she'll be with him, guys." Eric's words of comfort actually made me feel slightly disappointed. "Mike, since you're so worried, take her to Cope. See you, Bella, good luck."
Mike led me to the central V desk, chatting. "Even if you end up with Cullen as a mentor, it will only be for a week or two. The election is coming up, so I'm sure you'll be placed with me at some point as well," we were in front of the desk now. "Right, Ms. Cope?"
He was trying to be charming, but she squared her thin shoulders, looked the two of us up and down, and said definitively, "Ms. Swan will be working on the crime beat. Ms. Stanley and Mr. Cullen will be her mentors, Michael." Mike looked sick.
"I'll be fine. I can handle myself," I said to Mike.
"I'm not trying to say you can't," Mike said in a way that implied that I couldn't.
"Good. Then everything will be fine." I turned to Jessica, "Would you mind introducing me?"
Jessica led me towards his desk, and I tried not to stare at him. It took a lot of concentration, but my body hummed with the knowledge that I would be introduced to him soon. Jess stepped in front of the fan, explaining that the air conditioner was broken again, and the waft of perfume that blew into my face made me gag. Between my choke, and concentrating on not looking at Edward Cullen, I caught my foot on the edge of a desk and lost my shoe.
Blushing once again, so furiously I could feel the roots of my hair, I bent, retrieved the shoe, and finally stepped in front of the fan to reach the other desks.
My hair was blown about my face, and I tried to quickly fix it and make sure I didn't trip over anybody else. I may have nervously ran my fingers through the waves a couple of times in anticipation of meeting this Adonis... I mean, Edward Cullen. I had to start thinking of him as a person.
I looked up and gasped at the deep emerald green that smoldered back at me. Although the eyes were still beautiful, they were those of an angry god. In fact, they looked murderous. I swallowed and stalled, because even though I wasn't sure why, I was pretty sure Edward Cullen wanted to kill me.
Jessica was talking, but I couldn't hear her. Edward Cullen's anger was washing over me like fire. I couldn't move or I would be stepping into the flames.
When Jess stopped talking, I was dimly aware that there was some kind of social cue expected of me, and I fought my terror valiantly to raise a hand towards him. "Nice to meet you," I said with a parched throat.
He looked at it as if it were a coiled snake, and moved his chair back. His eyes rebuked me with disgust. I took a step back and let my hand fall.
"Okay... Edward's acting ever weirder than normal. Don't worry, Bella, he's just a germaphobe- he doesn't shake anybody's hand, ever." She started pulling me with her, "Sorry to bother you Edward, we'll talk later. Bella, my desk is right over here."
My eyes had welled a bit with unshed tears. No one had ever hated me on sight with such vehemence before, and I desperately wanted to be liked by my mentors. All my dreams of getting a job here felt crushed. I couldn't be sure, but Jessica didn't seem to like me that much either- which meant my first two weeks were going to be worse than an uphill battle- more like Sisyphus trying to get up the hill with that boulder.
Jessica seemed to take pity on me, and started gently explaining some of her basic responsibilities. I blinked back tears, felt my shoulders relax, and was just about to have some hope when I heard a thunderous smack and the groan of metal. I saw Edward Cullen practically running for the stairs to my right. He was bustling through the desks with violent desperation, and then he was gone.
From the moment of impact until the moment he disappeared I had frozen. Someone had dumped ice water on me, and I was in shock. Slowly I began to thaw.
"See? Weirdo." Jessica said. "He goes off alone a lot. Don't worry about it." I nodded stiffly, and slowly jerked around to look at the desk he had vacated. It seemed off- a little too close to the ground, and though it was rude to Jess, I had to look closer. I half stood to see any clues to this mysteriously wrathful god...
There, in the center of the desk, was the indent of his perfect palm.
A/N: I try to use names mindfully. For example, whether Bella calls Jessica "Jess", or Edward "Mr. Cullen" will indicate something about their state of mind. They aren't typos ^.^
