Disclaimer: I don't own "Lizzie McGuire" or any of the characters from the show- they belong to Disney.
Ocean Front
Chapter 2: Pure
Brooke had dreamed about him again. It was the third night in a row. Rubbing her sleep-deprived eyes, Brooke glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand. 7:03 AM. For once, she didn't have to rush to get to work. She padded to her window and threw open the drapes. The spring sunlight poured into her bedroom. It was one of those mornings that foretold warm days were near. It was nice to see sun after days of drab gray clouds and chilling rain. New York was already awake and bustling.
How ironic was it that she had ended up on the other side of the country, New York City, after going to school in Los Angeles, Brooke mused as she washed up. Changing into a simple outfit of a white blouse and black pants, Brooke rushed through her chic but humble apartment, looking for her coat and grabbing stuff she needed for work.
Brooke took a deep breath of the cool air and clutched her jacket tighter, walking out onto the busy New York streets, filled with commuters trying to beat the traffic. Without a car, Brooke's preferred mode of transportation was the subway. A few stops later, Brooke finally reached her office.
Entering the big white building, Brooke reached Pure, one of the fastest growing magazines for women who wanted to get their news, yet also featured fashion and entertainment articles. In short, it was a mix of Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Vogue.
Only a few minutes had passed after Brooke sat down in her cubicle with her coffee that her phone rang.
"Hello, Brooke McIntire speaking."
"Hey, Lizzie, it's me."
Brooke stiffened at the mention of her real name, but shrugged it off when she realized it was only her best friend.
"Hey, Miranda! How was your date last night?"
"Terrible! I am never meeting anyone over the internet again!" she cried. "He was uptight, prissy, snobby-"
"Whoa, Miranda, calm down. I hate to say it, but I told you those Internet dating services were bad," Brooke replied. Miranda sighed.
"So how was your night?" Miranda asked.
"Um, I dreamed about him again," Brooke mumbled, twirling her blonde hair distractedly.
"David?" Brooke winced at the sound of that name. "Liz, it's been eight years! It was his own fault! Sweetie, it's time to move on! You haven't been on a date for what, a year?"
"Miranda, now is not the best time-"
"Ok, I have an idea! You're birthday is coming up in a week. I am going to take you to one of those speed dating things-"
"No, no, no!" Brooke cut in, but smiling all the same at her friend's antics. "I am fine being single!"
"Ok, I have to go now, my boss is coming. But I'll meet you for lunch."
After hanging up, Brooke felt incredibly sorry for Miranda. As an aspiring singer, Miranda had rarely been able to get any steady jobs. Taking a boring secretarial job was the only way to earn good money while still singing on the side. Her thoughts were broken as a coworker stopped by her cubicle.
"Brooke, Michelle wants to talk to you. It's for our assignments."
Brooke couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her boss, Michelle, who started Pure magazine, was a hard-working, innovative woman. Unfortunately, she was also a stubborn, self-centered woman. Brooke took a deep breath before she knocked on the door.
"Come in." Brooke entered the lofty office whose walls were covered with poster-sized covers of previous issues of the magazine. "Oh, Brooke, good, I wanted to talk to you about your assignment."
"I needed to talk to you too," Brooke said, throwing caution to the winds. It's now or never, she thought to herself, taking a seat on the other side of Michelle's desk.
"Ok, I want you to review these new CDs and road-test these makeup samples," Michelle ordered, handing Brooke sheets of paper. Brooke looked at them for a second before putting them right back on the desk.
"Michelle, um, I would really like to write another kind of article." The brown haired woman looked up.
"Brooke, what kind of articles would you like to write?" Michelle scoffed.
"News articles! Articles that matter!" Brooke burst out. "I have worked at Pure for years. I really think I could make a difference in the news department."
"Our news staff has been filled up with the best writers for that kind of stuff," Michelle replied. "Besides, you write the best reviews and articles on makeup! That's your kind of thing."
Brooke shook her head in disgust. "I'll admit, I love that kind of thing. But, Michelle, I have a Master's in journalism from Columbia University! When I studied, I did not picture myself writing about Estee Lauder and Maybelline!"
"Then why are you working here?" Michelle asked evenly.
"Because I love your magazine! I've wanted to work at a magazine like this!" Brooke exclaimed. "I love everything! It's just that- after four years working here, I've always been limited to makeup and entertainment. And I haven't even been able to meet any celebrities or do interviews and things like that."
Michelle took off her glasses and looked at Brooke.
"Brooke, I started this magazine six years ago," she said, voice hardening. "I think I know which girl I want for what job. And if my employees don't understand that, I don't think they can have the job." Brooke nodded, trying to swallow the lump that was forming in her throat. She stood up to leave, but stopped when Michelle spoke again.
"But then again, you are one of my most prized staff members," Michelle said, voice softer. "And I admit, you write wonderfully. And I can't afford to fire you."
Brooke suppressed the urge to grin and laugh out loud. Coming from Michelle, this was an incredible compliment.
"Ok, here's the deal. You know that the highly anticipated movie, Ocean Front, starring Kate Sanders, is premiering in eight days." Brooke nodded slowly. "I happened to schedule an interview with the director, David Gordon!"
Brooke's jaw dropped. "David Gordon?" she said weakly.
Appalled by the lack of enthusiasm on Brooke's part, Michelle prompted, "And I want you to be the one to interview him!"
Brooke shook her head. "Uh, Michelle, I really appreciate it, but I- I, um- I can't go- I just-"
"Brooke, this is a great opportunity. You wanted to interview somebody, you have the chance."
"But, David Gordon-"
"He's the youngest director ever to receive an Oscar. This article will give you a chance to show your real skills. If I like it, I may consider promoting you. This is my final offer. Case closed."
Michelle turned back to her computer. Still feeling stunned, Brooke left.
**********
Lizzie was still in a daze when Miranda arrived at her office.
"Liz- Brooke. Brooke! Earth to Brooke!" Miranda sang, waving her hand in front of Lizzie's face. She got a hold of herself.
"Sorry, Miranda," Lizzie said, putting on a smile and grabbing her purse. "I'm just a little preoccupied."
"Aren't we all?" Miranda muttered, her tone of voice reflecting the apprehension Brooke felt herself.
"'Randa, what's wrong?" Lizzie asked, momentarily distracted from her own problems. They stepped out the glass revolving doors and onto the busy sidewalk.
"I think I'm about to lose my job!" Miranda cried.
As they walked towards the restaurant, Miranda proceeded to tell Lizzie how their company had folded over, everyone was fired, and that she had two days to move all of her things out.
"It's not even like I had anything, but…" Miranda trailed off. "That job actually paid good money. Sounds pathetic," Miranda said with a small laugh, "but I was the best secretary out of that corporation. And I was planning to get promoted! You know there's no way I can still make it as a singer."
"'Randa, it'll be fine. There's still time! And you can always apply for the new company," Lizzie consoled her.
"Liz, it's ok," Miranda cut in. She sighed. "And it's not even like I have a husband, or even a boyfriend I can depend on."
"Hey, you can depend on me," Lizzie protested.
"I know, sweetie, and I do. But still… we're twenty-six years old! I don't want to be single forever!" she wailed.
"Excuse me, I'm almost twenty-seven," Lizzie pointed out. "That's three years away from thirty!"
Miranda shook her head. "Yes, Lizzie, I must admit, you are in worse condition than I am." Lizzie lightly slapped her arm.
They arrived at the cozy café and sat down.
"Ok, here's the deal," Miranda continued after they had ordered. "You're birthday is next Thursday. That night, we, two gorgeous, but single women, will be on a double date!"
Lizzie's face fell. "Next Thursday," she repeated, remembering the events that had happened earlier.
"What's wrong?" asked Miranda concernedly.
"Remember how I told you I was going to stand up to my boss and ask for a promotion?" Miranda nodded. "Well, I get to go to the premiere for that movie, Ocean Front."
"Wow! Do you get to walk the red carpet? Meet celebrities?" gushed Miranda. "Oh, gosh, can you believe that Kate Sanders, from high school, stars in it? She's up for an Oscar isn't she? She's an A-list actress now. Are you interviewing her?"
"Worse," groaned Lizzie stirring her iced tea. "I have to interview David Gordon." Miranda's dropped her fork.
"David? As in Gordo?" she asked, stunned. Lizzie nodded sullenly. "But, you haven't spoken to him in forever!"
"I know!" Lizzie replied. "Which is why I'm dreading it! I don't want to interview him! Plus, he probably has some movie star girlfriend, and I'm all alone and still single!"
"He's going out with Kate, you know?" Miranda said through a mouthful of salad.
"How do you know?" Lizzie asked, looking at her. "You don't talk to him, do you?" Miranda blushed.
"Of course not! We chicas have to stick together; after all he put you through. But you know I love to stay on top of the Hollywood scene!"
"Wonderful," Lizzie said sarcastically. "In four days, I will be on a plane, flying back to LA, and seeing my old boyfriend/best-friend, who cheated on me. Lovely."
Not knowing what to say, Miranda stuffed a large bite of food in her mouth.
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A/N: There we go! Chapter two! Please please please hit that little button below and review! Hope to hear some opinions from you guys! Thanks!