Papillon - HS

Prologue

"I've got news" I shouted as I closed the door to the apartment.

"Good or bad?" April asked from the other side of the room.  I walked over to the table, threw my keys and went over to the couch where she sat.

"Both."

"Bad ones first" she said turning on the TV.  She looked for The Bachelor and clicked on the episode we had yet to re watch. 

I met April back in kindergarten and she has been my best friend ever since then. We have been roommates for a little less than a year now and these nights are always my favorite. Reality TV Thursdays, where we eat a ton of food and shout at the people doing stupid things for dramatic purposes.

I'm going to miss this.

Chris Harrison began talking from the screen and I saw April look at me. "So? Tell me the news" she urged. Just like that, the nerves from earlier invaded my stomach and I closed my eyes briefly. 

When I opened them back up, I sighed and said, "I'm moving out in about a week."

"Oh no, why?"

"That's the good news, I got a job!"

"How is that good news?" she asked, turning her attention back to the girls fighting for the same man.

I took a deep breath, ready to tell her the life changing news that were just revealed to me a few hours ago. "Because, I will be touring with One Direction, that's my new job," I said, feeling the butterflies in my stomach explode with nerves.

April immediately turned to face me again, pausing the show. She looked at me with wide eyes, her jaw almost touching the floor. I tried to keep my posture, to brush it off as it wasn't a big deal but we both knew what this meant. I couldn't keep my act up because after a few seconds of staring at each other, April and I let out the most high pitched scream I've ever heard.

"Those are not good news, those are the best news Vic!" she said hugging me tightly. I laughed into the hug and nodded as I hugged her back. "Tell me, how did you end up there? Where were you today?" she asked, turning to face me completely.

"I was in New York, at the interview. I had no clue that was what I was interviewing for but I guess it all turned out for the best" I said. "Remember the time I tweeted about wanting to see something like journal or blog entries at the One Direction website?" I ask.

April looks at me attentively and nods. "Well, someone from the social media team saw that and contacted me and asked to send in my resumé, so I did," I continue.  "They ended up arranging an interview in New York so I left early and took the train.  When I got to the office I was supposed to, the lady said she loved my previous work and how I would be perfect for a new project and then explained how someone saw my tweet and yeah, gave me the job of my dreams," I finish.

April matched my wide smile and we both hugged again. "That's amazing Vic, I'm so proud. What did your parents say? Do they know?"

"Dad said he's proud and happy that I finally got a job on my own, like I wanted," I explained, braking the hug.

"How about your mom?" April asked with a chuckle as she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Uh, she said that it sounded a bit childish compared to what I've done in the past and that her arms are always open if it doesn't work out," I spoke while rolling my eyes. "Basically said that I can come back and work with them whenever."

"You know I love your mom but sometimes she's just...too much," she said. 

I have to agree with her on that. My parents have been partners for so long, travelling around the world researching and publishing academic and editorial articles. My dad, being a scientist, is the one who does the research, looking for different species, places or people to discover. My mom is the one who takes the pictures and writes all about the discoveries. Both of them make a great team and have worked on so many amazing projects it astounds me. Fortunately, I was able to travel with them and learned so much as I followed along.

It was my mom who gifted me the love for telling stories, who inspired me to become a journalist after her. Given that I decided to travel with them since I was little, I've been homeschooled for most of my life, which ended up with me finishing college online as well. Both my parents were thrilled that I was, in a way, following their path. But this just added to the pressure of achieving success. 

"How do you think you'll react when meeting the guys?" April asked, interrupting my thoughts. 

"I have absolutely no idea," I confess. "I just hope I don't faint or do something embarrassing because knowing me, something is bound to happen," I shake my head smiling.

April laughed with me and we continued to imagine what my new life was going to be like. We did end up watching that episode of the Bachelor, but only because we knew it would be one of the last times we could do it in a long time. 

The next week flew by and when I least expected it, I was boarding the plane to San Diego, where tour was starting.

I hope this is everything I've ever wanted.

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