CHAPTER 6

The next time she was at the museum, Avery went and talked to McPhee about her concerns over the museum's finances. Let's just say, it did not go according to plan.

"Dr McPhee, if I may have a moment of your time?"

"Yes, what is it?" Great, he's already impatient.

"Well, the other day when I was looking over some records, I found a copy of finances that indicates the museum might be… in trouble?"

"Those financial records are private! You shouldn't have even seen them! What are you even doing, snooping around in the museum affairs? And what, did you think you could help? You're just an intern! An intern who needs to mind her own business, it's not your problem to deal with."

"Yes, yes I realize that sir. But if this museum is in trouble, I think I should be involved in more than just organizing and filing. I wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty because I love this museum and I want it to succeed! Please, if you would just let me-" She was cut off by a hand, followed by a glare that made her mouth go dry.

Oh boy, did I go too far this time?

"Now listen here Miss Daniels, I'm only going to say this once. I am the director of this museum, not you. I'm the one who had to deal with the board breathing down my neck, not you. You want to be burdened by these demands? I'm not sure you even have the stomach for it, seeing as you crumble at the smallest inconvenience. You are my intern, not a problem solver. Your tasks include organizing and filing the archive room, not gallivanting around the museum finding ways to make these problems worse from your lack of experience. I don't have time to waste on another moment of this conversation. And furthermore, stay out of museum affairs that do not involve you. One more thing, take these files down to be copied before my next meeting. Now, off with you."

Avery was all but shoved out the door. This tongue lashing wasn't as severe as the one on her first day, but it still stung. He doesn't trust her! It was becoming increasingly infuriating to deal with McPhee when he insisted on treating her like she was nothing. She was put into a position where she knew of the magic of this place but was told there was nothing she could do about it. Well at least she didn't cry this time. No, she was more overwhelmed by anger. Gripping the files in her hand, she marched her way down to the security office, barely registering that Rebecca had said hello to her.

As luck would have it when Avery arrived at the security office, Cecil was talking with a candidate for the night guard position. He seemed to be on the fence about being a night guard. She had heard Gus call him a weirdie, to which she just smirked and bit down a laugh. She hovered just outside the door, hoping to wait for a chance to make herself known, rather than just interrupt.

"Do you want the job or not, snack shack?" Gus certainly had a way of being direct.

"No, yeah, I want the job-"

"Then welcome to the night guard life Larry!" Reginald had said and at this moment Avery decided to knock on the door before entering.

"Hi guys, don't mind me. I just need to make copies of this file for Dr McPhee and I'll be on my merry way." She said the word with sarcasm indicating that she already had it in with her boss, as she made her way to the copy machine.

"Ah Miss Avery! What a pleasant surprise, please allow me to introduce Larry Daley, our new night guard!" Cecil was enthusiastic at this new guard.

"Hi Mr Daley, I'm Avery Daniels, an intern here. Pleasure to meet you." She was polite and held out her hand to shake his.

"Oh hey, yeah and just Larry is fine. Good to meet you."

Poor man, I doubt Cecil has told him about the secret of this place.

"Now Larry, Avery here also has special permission from us to come into the museum after hours. I know it seems unusual, but in the best sense, she's an unusual intern. Just remember that in case you see her roaming around these halls after hours."

"Well, it might not be the halls. For the most part, I will be in the archives room trying to make more sense of it all to try and get back on McPhee's good side. Or the equivalent to that. I will be here tonight for a few hours." She shared the universal joke and was met with chuckles and smirking. Larry looked lost. But he would know of McPhee's temperament soon enough.

After she had made the copies and dropped them off Avery headed out the door. Technically McPhee had dismissed her for the day. And whatever she had missed during the day, she could cover it at night. She thought she would get a lot more done at night with minimal time constraints and distractions. Well, minus the obvious magic.

I sure hope I know what I'm doing. A magical museum that comes to life at night? Sure there won't be any distractions… not!

Heading to her dorm she was surprised to see her roommate Bethany.

"Hey, don't you have a class right now?"

"Well it's a PE credit, I doubt I need to go all the time. Besides, I just told the teacher that I have bad cramps." She gave a rueful grin.

Avery missed these moments, when it was just her and Beth, no Josh in sight. They were able to connect on a more personal level, as if they were sisters.

"And you're one to talk! Shouldn't you be at your amazing internship with your amazing boss?" The words were dripping with sarcasm. Avery had told her about what a nightmare it was to work for McPhee and Beth respectfully listened.

"If you want my sage advice, ditch the bastard. Yeah I know he's technically your boss but you could get back at him by showing up and doing the bare minimum. That'll show his British ass what for!"

Beth put on her best English accent and imitated McPhee from the snippets she had heard from Avery.

"Avery, don't dilly dally now. I want things done on time. Pip pip and get me a spot of tea! Off with you now!"

Immediately after her impersonation, both girls dissolved into a fit of giggles, each laughing so hard that it took minutes for them to talk again.

"Well, I suggested to him that I would love to help figure out a way to save the museum's finances and got yelled at for it. Then I got dismissed. But I'm going back tonight to work on things in the archives room."

"You're going back, after hours? What are you sneaking in? Like Mission Impossible style? Do you need a heist name?" Beth was suddenly very invested in her roomies affairs. Avery was like the golden child, always following the rules, doing what she's told. But to hear her thinking of breaking her character by breaking into a museum…well her life just got a lot more interesting.

"What? No! I'm not sneaking in. I already have permission from the night guards that I am allowed to come in after hours."

"Ugh, still following the rules I see. You're no fun!" She threw one of her pillows at Avery, who caught it and whipped it back at her. This resulted in an impromptu pillow fight! But not just pillows were used. Hair ties, old clothes, even small stuffed animals were involved in the warfare. When the room was sufficiently trashed, both girls stopped and collapsed on their beds.

"Well as much fun as that was, I must get to class! You know what they say, 'the late bird catches the…late worm?' And since you don't have anything going on, you can stay and clean the room! Okay bye!"

"Oh no no. I'm not falling for that again! Look, we'll each take our half of the room and be done in no time."

Just as they had finished cleaning their room, Beth's phone began to buzz.

"Oh it's Josh! He's outside the building waiting to take me to dinner! Oh, how sweet he is! Let me just throw on a cute dress, because we might go to the club after and-"

Avery had zoned out. She could care less about where Josh was taking Beth. She said it before and she'll say it again; she didn't like the guy. With a hurried yet practiced hand, Beth applied a face full of makeup and was ready for a night on the town. As quick as she pulled herself together, she was out of the door like lightning. Avery glanced at her phone and saw she still had a few hours to go before she went back to the museum.

Time to catch up on some sleep. Heaven knows I'll need it.