Welcome to the second chapter of The Girl with the story. Thank you for being patient with my tight schedules and updating. For more updates and details, read the author's note below.
This chapter contains mature themes. Happy reading!
Friday morning when the announcement was made. Who would have thought that such a career changing statement would disguise itself as a regular weekday? It was true. Leonard Rhodes will be looking for interns. Something which made the group of writers smile. Including Helia who idolised the old journalist and his works.
The opportunity would mean big on a student's resume. The title of being picked for an internship at such an age would truly be a highlight on the printed document. A chance to undergo this mentoring would be life changing. An internship at the region's top newspaper company. A whole two months of training under the CEO himself and his best writers. And to top it all, a possible slot as an writer for the publishing house itself. Imagine being a writer for the Northern times. A writer under the age of 20 and already trained and taught by one of the best writers in the world.
"That is all. You may now proceed to your first period classes." Miss Griselda finished.
"I can't believe he'd be looking for interns here." Helia still doubted.
That Leonard Rhodes of Northern times will be looking for a writer for his publishing company. An additional point the announcement made was that if lucky, have their winning article published to the whole city, state and even to be distributed around the country. An intern to be trained and to be offered a part time job once college starts.
"Wake up dude. He's accepting applications on Monday." Downland walked with Knightley on the way to their first class.
"I need to plan this out. I have so much on the plate." Helia said.
"You can and you need to chill. You're an amazing writer. You can pull through." His friend reminded.
"I can't just pull through B, I need to impress him. I need to win. I need to be picked." He extended his need of passion. Something his friends admired.
The usually calm senior was stressed out. Every single second he thinks or dreams about this opportunity, he freezes and spits out worries and insecurities. The doubts he acquires are devouring his confidence little by little as he thinks of the many consequences. Now he has more to worry about other than just the student government.
"See, you're already stressing out about this. Why don't you join us later? At the fruitti music bar." He invited.
"I can't me and Sky are helping out with the homecoming." He said with a sigh at the end.
The overwhelming feeling took over him as he walked through the halls to gat to his first class. The opportunity was something he needed. It would mean the world to him to be chosen as an intern.
At the latter part of the day, the stress seemed to have relieved. It was Friday after all.
The last friday bell rung meaning all students who had their last classes should be gone, except this friday wasn't the same. Magix High School is set to hold it's 47th annual alumni homecoming. That's why everyone from the student council is working hard and staying late for the event.
It was past half the school year yet, the student council continues to fulfil their promises to the student body and the administration. For months, the student government has given their best effort to comply with all school activities, and even exceed expectations. No doubt, this year's batch of student leaders is one of the best governments the school has elected. With Sky Eraklyon's leadership, the bar is set high for the next years of student leaders.
"I'll have the balloons on the left side of the stage. I already asked Eric to find the stand to put the balloons in. I'll call you later when I'm done with the food." Helia Knightley walked through the halls right after the last bell rung. He closed his phone and kept it in his pocket before someone surprised him from the back.
"Hey Helia, Me and the gang are going to the Fruitti Music bar. Wanna come?" Krystal said flirtatiously as she held onto one of his shoulders.
And this was normal by now, everyone seeing Krystal all up in Helia's space. Even the other Winx and Specialists are grossed out at how Krystal lacks respect for herself. How she could throw herself at anybody and not care what they think. And that's why she's been trying to break Helia for so long. Unlike other boys, he isn't someone who you can get by a snap of the finger. Heck, who knows how to get him? He's so quiet and responsible which sets him apart by a million when compared to other guys at the school.
"No thanks Krystal. Me and Sky have to help prepare the homecoming." Helia said as he took her hand off.
"Oh, too bad. Maybe I can stay and help you and-" Thorne was cut off by Ms. Griselda who looked worried and angry.
Miss Griselda, the student government's adviser. An over all control freak but was always praised for her responsibility. That's why she hates majority of the students in school. The irresponsible ones at least. Though through years, she's become mellow.
"Helia! Thank goodness I found you." The teacher exclaimed as he pulled him to the side. He smiled at seeing the teacher too, as she set him and Krystal apart.
"Nice to see you too Ms. Griselda." He took a glance at Krystal who was already walking away with her heels behind her.
"I need help in the kitchen. One of my girls didn't show up so I need another one to help out baking the cupcakes." She told the vice president. Knowing he could ask someone to help. "We're baking over eighty of them and we only have an hour."
"I'll help." The senior stepped up despite the known challenges of baking, especially at a situation like this.
"I suggest you call Eric or Cindy to do that. The kitchen is a mess you don't want to see. Also I would like to check in with you on balloons." Griselda moved her glasses up to look down on her clipboard.
"Eric's busy trying to find the balloon stands and Cindy's fixing audio with Nex and Walker. I'll help in the kitchen don't worry." He told the student council adviser before he took off running in the direction of the school kitchen.
A minute earlier...
The event was set to start in an hour and everything was in place. Except for the food. The cupcakes haven't been baked.
"Where are the cupcakes?!" Griselda blasted through the double doors, screaming into the kitchen with her clipboard in her hand as the bell went off.
"I'm trying Ms. Griselda. I tried calling Mirta a few times but she wouldn't answer." The caramel haired junior replied as she worked faster on mixing the first batch of batter.
Griselda took a deep breath, and her hand to her forehead, thinking of a solution.
"You can't finish this by four. I'll call someone to help you." The teacher walked away and set to find a helper for the kitchen.
A minute later and Griselda hasn't come back. Flora started working faster, transferring the dry ingredients to the other table. She was speed walking to the other side of the kitchen when the door beside her opened and caused her to fall on her back, making the flour fly up into the room. "What-"
The flour sped up towards the ceilings, coating all the things below it with a coat of white powder. This including the two students.
"Oh- I'm Sorry." The blue haired male said worried as he tried to clear out the flour in the air. "Here let me help you up." He knelt down to find the person's hand. He heard coughs from the bottom, alerting him that the person was below him.
"Here give me your hand." He reached out and saw that the flour had cleared out.
Suddenly, the temperature of the room dropped. The preheating ovens ceased to exist with the change of the aura. He saw emerald green eyes as he went down. The view being clear and free of white powder. Time stopped, or as it felt. Then, the flour slowly settled down on the floor, the table and them.
"I'm really so sorry. Here." He held his hand out once more. She accepted and stood up saying "No. I did this. I shouldn't have been walking so fast. I could have saved this."
"Please, don't blame this on yourself. Sorry for this." The male picked up the metal bowl from where the flour was put.
"It's fine. You don't have to apologize." Flora said as she patted the flour out of her skirt trying to look presentable to the Vice President.
At this point in time where she had no more time to spare, Flora didn't bother to look much presentable to Helia. Yes, he was very popular but her, Karel's and Roxy's perception on those people are different from perceptions like Krystal's.
"No. I do. I know you were already behind and I just pushed it back even more." They looked around and saw all the white powder everywhere.
"Trust me, I can help. Besides, Griselda asked me you need help."
"Griselda sent you?" She continued to dust away the flour on her shirt.
That's when things got more awkward.
"I'm a very fast learner. And I think I'm all the help you've got. I promise this won't happen again." He referred to the mess around both of them.
He gave a small smile, almost pleading to help her. She had no choice. The damage was done and she needed help now more than ever.
It was true. This man was very passionate with everything he does. Despite his lack of expertise, he manages to find strength to pull through different challenges. Like the student council for example. The usual quiet and insecure student found courage to promote himself and be the leader he is today.
"Uh, um, let's start with remaking the batter." She walked back to the first counter with Helia behind her.
"I'm not really familiar with this, so..." He waited for words to come out.
"It's kind of obvious- Don't worry I'll guide you." She looked and smiled at him.
The next hour passed with no more baking ingredients flying up in the air. The cupcakes were right on time and ready to frost. Though the bakers were exhausted. Trying to do an hour task that was catered for at least 3 people. Not to mention the set back earlier.
"This is the last bag. If this doesn't cover all of them, we're going to have to run to the bake shop 7 blocks away from here." Flora referred to the half filled piping bag that's meant to frost another 25 cupcakes.
With the trust they've gained from each other, they were definitely more comfortable with one another.
"I'm sure this little guy can handle it." He patted the icing bag before handing it to Flora.
"I'm not so sure. We only have 6 minutes left." She doubted the vice president.
"So I guess I'll run 7 blocks now. Rest In Peace Converse." He glanced at his feet, at his high tops.
"Wait I didn't ask you to-" Flora said quickly to keep him from moving.
"It's fine. I don't mind."
"Are you sure? I could do it." The male insisted.
"I mean, you just volunteered for this thing. I should be the one-" He cut her off. "And I made this damn mess. I should be the one." He made her look at the floured floor and other kitchen utensils before nodding.
"I'll be back in about 3 minutes."
How about that? I know this story might be going too fast but I actually extended my plot as it seemed better for the development of the characters.
For Flora's story, It'll be shared next chapter and its quite long... I would just advice that you guys keep a positive and optimistic way on her story as some of this happens in real life. I'm just giving a warning before you guys read the next chapter that way you guys won't be surprised.
By the way, As I said in the first chapter I'll be replying to your reviews one by one every new chapter. So I'll be asking questions so we could be a little more interactive. I really want to get to know my readers and what their insights are so please support this move,,
For my first question: I want to ask if you guys are 'comfortable' (see what I did there? cuz the name of the chapter is- okay I'll stop) with my writing style? I honestly feel like something has been off with my writing lately. Like do you guys like the longer paragraphs and dialogues or shorter paragraphs and dialogues? Less descriptive chapters, more dialogues or any more suggestions. I'm really trying to improve my writing as I try to take it more seriously.
Please give your feedback. hank you for continuing to support this story. Leave a review or PM me if you guys have direct questions.