Career Counseling
Readers: Once again the disclaimer that I DO NOT OWN any of the characters in this story. They are the property of Stephenie Meyer who wrote the Twilight series. I love her characters and they have inspired me to write this fanfic. Please if you are reading this I would love reviews!!!!
Robert Frost: "The difference between a job and a career is the difference between forty and sixty hours a week"
As I enter the outer room of Ms. Victoria's office, I attempt to swallow my building fear. This meeting is what I have dreaded all day. She has the power to make or break me based on her evaluation. Being in the second semester a two-year major, she gets to say if I am cut out to be a writer or if there is another career better suited for me. I think "Who the hell is this woman 'really' to judge my chosen career path? I know what I want to be." However, respecting her position at this university, I would still prefer to be anywhere else at this moment.
Her assistant says "Ms. Victoria is running late so have a seat." I was abruptly dismissed in that moment. I am seated and start thumbing through a magazine while I wait. Ms. Victoria allows few magazines to mar her spotless waiting room so I was surprised to see any reading material here. This one is a science fiction magazine and the main focus this month is vampires and the media glamorization they are receiving at the current time. Everywhere you turn; there is another book, television show or movie being written on this subject. As a matter of observation, the only magazines allowed into this domain mostly focus on abject subjects.
I liken Ms. V (as I prefer) to a Venus flytrap, sucking in and devouring men. She is always with a different guy on her arm and I do mean always! I hear a loud clacking down the hallway. You can tell the mood Ms V is in by the way she dresses and height of her heels. Today she is buttoned up in a grey pinstripe suit with a tight pencil style midi skirt, a fire engine red blouse with heels at least 4" to match. Her hair is pulled back and there is a glint of fury in her eyes. I swallow hard and get up to follow her inside. Today is just not my day!
Miss Victoria's POV
Christ! This is not my day! I'm running late which is unacceptable and am frustrated about having to face another student whom I am sure will simper and tell me they know what is best for their life. I feel like cancelling the rest of the day and heading to the gym or calling one of my 'men' to work it off. However, I know my responsibilities and head down the hall to gather my next 'case'.
Glancing one more time at the file I am holding, Isabella Swan – English major, I retreat. These are the toughest students to council on a career because their field of study limits them in professions. For example, they could become authors, journalists, reporters, or as so many do they will become what we call perpetual students without a true calling.
Approaching the waiting room, through the glass I see this little mousy girl, not at all what I expected from the passionate writings in her file. She is flipping through one of the few magazines I will allow in my domain. I put out educational magazines rather than entertainment and gossip clap trap media.
"Isabella, it is so nice to meet you finally. Come to my office where we can talk." As she follows me, I glance back and note her eyes are glued to the floor and she shuffles a bit reluctantly which tells me she fears the outcome of today's talk. Apparently she, like many other students are under the impression that my evaluation is the end all - be all of their chosen career direction. These misguided youths are not aware of their full potential of controlling their own destiny. We reach my office and I am seated behind my desk. "Isabella, pull up a chair and we will get started."
Bella's POV
As I follow Ms. V to the 'Inner Sanctum' as her office is known, I keep my eyes trained on the floor, directly on her red stilettos. I read once that red is a color of dominance and power. I suppose this must be true because Ms. V wears it a lot. My stomach is churning violently as we reach our destination and she requests me to have a seat. She has twice called me by my full name of Isabella which I hate with a passion, and I have not yet attempted to correct her.
"Isabella, I have brought you here to discuss what you wish to do with your degree upon leaving this university. Your records indicate a good grade point in all classes except one and that situation will need to be remedied in order for you to maintain your scholarship. Before we discuss your career avenue can we please address this matter?"
"Miss Victoria, Mr. Emmett has provided me with the means to acquire a student tutor to assist me in that one class and I will be arranging a schedule with her tonight."
"Very good Isabella, now we can get on with the vocation questions. What and where do you perceive yourself being after you graduate from our fine establishment?"
"Miss Victoria, firstly please call me Bella. I much prefer it over Isabella. Second, I have been writing since I was young and the only thing 100% for sure is that I would love to write and see the world. I am hoping for a career with grit to it. I have always kept to myself not wanting attention, however since being here, I have found that life is to be lived and I am trying to change, and I hope my chosen career path will help that somewhat"
"Duly noted, Isabella. That really doesn't tell me too much however. You have several career options open to you, such as journalism, travel correspondent or reporter. What are your interests when it comes to writing such as length, style, favorite books or authors?"
Noting she called me Isabella, AGAIN, "I have always loved the classics such as the works of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Hemingway. I think after all these years I favor more the prosaic style of writing and would love to create something memorable so that my time on this earth will have touched someone else."
"Well Isabella (6X), I think after telling me this, as your counselor, I feel you need to speak with a professional. I can recommend someone and he is really very good at bringing out those inner workings of our minds. I think that after a few sessions with him, you will have a clearer outlook, so the next time we meet you will be able to express your proposed occupation in a clearer fashion."
"Umm, okay if you think this might help, I will gladly try it. I really want to do well here at university Miss Victoria and succeed after I graduate. Umm, this is not about hypnotism or anything weird like that?"
"Now why would you think that Isabella? Not all psychologists, therapists or psychiatrists believe in those unusual methods. Here is his card, his name is Dr. Edward Cullen Masen and I have known him for years and sent several students to see him and they have come back to me with profuse thanks and have succeeded in their livelihoods."
I take the card from Ms. V, thank her for her time, and head out of her office across campus to my dorm to await a phone call from my hopefully soon to be math tutor Alice.
Readers: Please let me know what you think so far. In my head there is one more chapter before you get to meet Edward. I love the suspense!!! Thank you and please review!