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Monday Morning: Carla

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I sat patiently with my arm in the air, waiting for Colin to call on me but he continued to ignore me, calling on Janet, Amy, Chris, Dustin, Michael, and then Bill. After the Press Secretary had answered Bill's question I called out, "Colin-" but before I could finished my question, he quickly turned to he Harriet.

"As of yet, they don't have any set plan," he said after Harriet had asked her question. "That will be one the topics they will be discussing when they meet." I saw him looking for someone else. Mom always said 'A little hint when someone won't notice you. When in doubt, wave about'. Sure it's a bit odd, but hey, it always worked for her.

So I waved my arm in the air and called out, "Colin! Over here!"

He looked away from me to the other reporters, "Any other questions?"

"Woohoo! I have one!"

"Anyone?" He'll just leave now, I thought when no one raised a hand. Much to my surprise, he turned to me, "Carla."

"Me?" I asked, surprised. I didn't think he'd actually call on me. He'd always ignored me. Ever since my first briefing.

"Yes. You."

"Okay. Um, hold on," I muttered, flipping through my notes. Trust me not to be prepared the one time Colin calls on me! What did I need? I asked myself. First Lady! I had to know what the First Lady and the Minister's wife planned on doing.

"Okay! I found it!" I said happily, pulling out the page where I had jotted down all Colin's answers. "Harrison will be meeting with Riley a week from Wednesday?"

"A week from Tuesday. And it's Minister Harrison and President Riley, please," he told me. Proper Brits, I thought.

"Okey dokey. And the First Lady is coming?"

"Yes."

"And what're they going to talk about?"

"Many things including a solution to the situation in China."

"China?" I asked confused. "No, not them."

"What, Carla?" He asked. I could tell he was getting angry with me.

"I mean, what will the First Lady and Mrs. Harrison be doing? Will they be holding any conferences or anything?"

"As far as I know, they will not. That will be all for now," he announced, leaving the pressroom. I gathered my things and ran after him, I still wasn't done.

"Colin! Colin Creevey! Wait up!" I called, running after him. He stopped and turned, giving me a chance to catch up with him. "I have one more question," I said/

"The briefing is over," he began but I ignored him and asked my questions anyway.

"It's about the First Lady," I asked hurriedly. "Will she-" but he cut me off.

"I said the briefing is over! If it's so important, ask another Senior official or wait until tomorrow's briefing!" And he stormed off, leaving me standing there humiliated as the other reporters passed me, throwing disdainful looks at me and whispering to each other. I looked down at my notes. With determination, I followed Colin to his office, ignoring Jessica's protestations and barged in.

He was lying stretched out on his couch but sat up when I came in.

"What is it now?" He asked irritably.

"Please, I don't mean to bother you," I began. "But you see, I really need to finish this and send it in."

"Carla-"

"My paper's based in the U.S. and it takes awhile for mail to get there and I really, really need to finish this."

"For God's sake, Carla-" he said, standing up.

"It's about the First Lady and Mrs. Harrison. They wanted an article about their friendship and their work together. I have to get it in the mail day after tomorrow. So please, let me ask just-"

"Carla! Do you not know how to be a reporter?" He yelled, causing me to flinch.

"I-"

"Why don't you ask these questions during the briefings?"

"You never give me a chance to," I replied meekly, "You-"

"Set up an interview or something! Don't just run around bombarding people with questions! Do you have any idea how annoying that is? Not to mention unprofessional! You act like a fifteen-year-old from 'Teen Witch' or something!"

"I-I'm sorry," I began, feeling tears well into my eyes.

"Get out of my office! If you have any questions, ask them into tomorrow's briefing and for God's sake, come prepared for once! Now get out!" I spun around and quickly walked out of his office, nearly crashing into one of the many Ministry interns.

Even after I had turned the corner, I continued to walk quickly through the hall until I reached the Press wing. Then I slipped into my office and shut the door behind me, finally allowing the tears to roll down my face.

It wasn't easy leaving the States and coming to Europe. All I had wanted to do was make some friends here and be a good reporter. It looked like I had failed at both of these things. Feeling desperately homesick, I decided I seriously needed to talk to someone. I picked up the floo powder and decided to floo mom.