The Love That Blossomed

Chapter 2

Lucy stepped through the facility doors before making her way over to the reporter's brainstorming room. There, they each provided their boss with the juiciest news stories they could offer.

The blonde pushed open the polished wooden doors, as light flooded in through the windows allowing bright, luminous morning light to shine through.

A bright smile etched her features as she pulled her notepad out of her bag and scanned the area.

"Goodmorning, Mira-san," Lucy slightly bowed towards her boss which was propped up in the chair, slightly nibbling on a chocolate coated pocky stick. Her back was turned towards the computer as she was finishing a smaller project that was due.

Upon hearing Lucy's voice, she turned around.

"You too," she responded, "Since you're here, get what you're presenting prepared."

Lucy nodded her head before she sat down on the couch. She slightly smiled as she scanned the room. "Goodmorning, everyone."

"Same," Sting replied in acknowledgement, "Anyways Mira, since I already have my report ready, can I go ahead and spill the details?"

Mira smiled, as she exageratingly snapped her pocky stick in half, chewing on the other piece.

"I see you're ahead of the game as always, Sting," The man smiled at her praise.

"I wanna go after him, please!" A blue haired female, Levy, eagerly raised her hand.

Lucy sat in a comfortable position as she flipped open her notepad. She scanned through all of her jots, her eyes momentarily getting distracted on her newest entry, before flipping the page onto this weeks story.

Sting stood up from his chair against the wall, as he cleared his throat and glanced down at the sticky notes in his hand. Lucy noted that today, he was wearing white, loose-fitting pants, and a plaid, pink button up shirt. His hair was done in the usual, with his luscious bangs flicked into different directions, but not so much that it didn't look classy.

"So..." he began. Everyone directed their attention onto him, as they waited to hear what he would say. You never knew, because with him, they could be some of the best stories, or some of the most stupid.

"I was walking around town the other day, and I saw a food stand. Seeing as a lot of people were there, and it emitted a pretty warm atmosphere, I decided to check it out."

He paced forward a few steps, before continuing, "Once I finally pushed myself up to the front, I asked the lady what she was selling, because from what I could see, they looked like corn dogs, but the shape was kinda off. And do you have any idea of what she said when I asked her?" He questioned us, as a wide smile spread across his features.

"Was it chicken?" Levy proposed.

Sting shook his head as he turned to me. "Lucy, any guesses?"

"Umm, were they pickles?"

Sting shook his head once more as a small chuckle escaped from his lips. "No! It was even more ridiculous than that. It was...fried butter. Fried butter I tell you. Fried butter!" He hooted into a fit of laughter, as he slapped his hand across his leg, laughing like a hyena.

Lucy raised her eyes in perplexity. Fried butter? How in the world could you fry butter? Wouldn't it melt as soon as it touches the grease?

Mira chomped down on another pocky before halting Sting in his actions.

"Sting?" She questioned.

The blonde haired man wiped a tear from his eye as he recollected himself. "Yes, Mira?"

"Could you explain to me how you would fry butter?"

"Oh!" Sting scanned through his notes. "I actually asked her about that, and she explained it to me. So, you're suppose to get a whole stick of butter and place it on one of those wooden stick thingys. Then you make some special type of batter and you coat the butter before dipping it in the frier. Once it's done, if you bite into it, all of the melted butter just leaks out and into your mouth. That's where the battered outside comes in! If you eat them both at the same time, it's just like eating a buttered dinner roll. The idea was unique and hilarious, so I thought I could mention it here."

Mira nodded her head in contemplation. "I'll consider it. After all, it could provide some comical relief, and also be seen as a treat to society. People could also argue that this type of treat wouldn't be healthy...but others could run against that. I believe it's a fresh idea, and could provide good enough retail for our viewers. Thank you Sting, you may sit. Levy, you're up next."

Levy stood up from her spot on the couch as as she pulled a pencil from her updo, making her wild and wavy blue hair fall onto her shoulders. Lucy noted that she had on an above the knee, blue dress, with small white flats. She wore a white mid-stomach leather jacket to accompany her outfit, and a white head band with blue patterns adorned her head.

She picked up her composition notebook, decorated with butterflies and stickers, off of the couch as she prepared to read her prompt.

"Mines won't be very long, but straight to the point," she told us in advance.

"I believe this city is a major contributor in the causes of global warming. Our temperatures are rising even higher than the average rates, everyday, and at time even winter feels like spring. I took a few tests samples and noticed that over 60% of the air we breath is littered with smoke, and gastial fumes."

"I believe that if we report this on the news, and give statistical evidence, viewpoints of scientists, which I do have, and the benefits of keeping our air cleaner, then we could do something to improve global warming and the air we breath."

"As always, you give good info, Levy," Mira stated, "But I'm not sure if something like that could be featured on the local news. Come back tomorrow with something a bit more prominent, and we'll see what happens. You may sit, now."

Levy nodded as she bowed and plopped back down onto the couch.

"Lucy, you're up."

Lucy nodded her head as she checked to make sure she had her notepad flipped to the right page. Mira gazed at Lucy as she chewed on her pocky stick. Seriously, how many did she have?

"My report deals with recent net activity," Lucy began, "I've been checking around on social media lately, and I've noticed that many girls have been complaining about who they call, "The Watcher"."

"And who exactly is this?" Mira questioned.

"He currently has an unknown identity. Somehow, this person sends females friend requests and they are automatically added as a friend without the users consent. The reason this is a problem is because this unknown user, named "The Watcher", does just that. He is constantly stalking your profile. He likes every picture you post, and comments on every status update. Some girls have even been sent lude, provocative, flirtatious, or even threatening messages."

"Have you checked this persons account?" Mira asked.

Lucy nodded in conformation. "His profile pic is simply a picture of a sunflower. The rest of his profile is empty. No friends, no photos, and no status updates."

"Do you have any proof to back any of your statements up?" Mira inquired.

Lucy reached into her bag as she pulled out a stack of papers. "These are a few of the girls that have been 'watched' recently."

Mira took the papers from her hands as she read through a few of them.

She turned to look at Lucy as a smile adorned her features. "Great work today, Lucy. This is definitely going to be a hit." Lucy smiled as she sat back down on the couch.

Mira stood from her chair. "Great work today, everyone. All of your stories were promising. I'll see you all in two days."

Everyone packed up their work, as they prepared to head out the door. Once outside, Levy began talking.

"That was interesting news you had, Lu-chan. I'm glad to hear this so I can someway find a way to counter this stalkers attacks."

Lucy blushed in embarrassment, "It was nothing really. I had no idea we were one of the main causes of global warming. I hope Mira decides to put it in."

Levy smiled, "Thanks," she stated as she turned to Sting. "I would've never thought to bring up a story about fried butter. That was so creative!"

"I never knew it was possible," Lucy added.

Sting shrugged. "It was just something that caught my eye. No big deal. Your stories were both very interesting too."

Both girls smiled in appreciation.

"Since we have some free time, how about we go somewhere?" He asked Lucy and Levy.

"How about the art museum?" Lucy inquired automatically. She had been wanting to for some time now, but upon realization on what she said, she cringed.

Levy sweat dropped.

Sting burst into a fit of laughter. "The art museum? No way! That would be sooo boring."

Right. Looking at art was boring. Of course Lucy would suggest that, because she was a boring person!

"A-Ahh, right," Lucy agreed weakly. "I was just playing."

Sting plopped a lolipop into his mouth. "Never mind, I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere anymore. But you always seem to crack me up, Lucy. I thank you for that," He smiled as he began to walk away. "See you Monday!"

"Actually, Lu-chan, I've already made plans with my boyfriend. I'm sorry!" Levy bowed as she apologized and ran off. At least Lucy now knew why she was dressed so nicely.

Lucy sighed. Of course she wouldn't want to hang out with her. She had a boyfriend for crying out loud! Maybe she would have a chance with Sting if her ideas weren't so lame...not that she liked him or anything.

She heavily trudged out of the facility as she decided to just go back home, but in order to do that she needed to board her usual train.

...

Once she arrived, she grabbed onto the poll to hoist herself into it. She drowsily walked through the aisles as she realized the train was more barren, seeing as she had gotten out of work earlier today.

Once she reached her seat, she rubbed her eyes to make sure she was seeing things correctly.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the sight in front of her.

A pink-haired male was slouched in the seat, with white earbuds jammed into his ears. The same male that was in here this morning!

Why in the world was he still here, and in her seat of all places?!

Well, there goes my attempt at the second chapter of this story. Hope it wasn't too boring or anything, but this chapter was really just to help you to get the feel of what Lucy actually does in her job.

Hope it was interesting! Thanks, and until next time.