Beth and the Beast

Chapter 1 - New Start

There were many things Beth thought about in the last month since she had moved to New York. If quitting everything had been worth it? If she would ever find someone to grow old with, like her mom and dad? If she would ever find friends that she could spend time with? Sometimes she looked out of the window of her third-floor apartment in Queens and thought about all those things. She moved to New York a month ago because she wanted to start anew. Her ex-boyfriend betrayed her with her long-term school friend Rebecca and after that she quit her job at the library in Pittsburgh and moved away. It was not too far to visit her parents from time to time, but it was far enough to forget what happened. She was 28 and ready to start something great in the "City that never sleeps". Today she had a job interview at the New York Public Library. That was her dream job since she had visited the building with her father when she was little. Her father was a librarian too and books just fascinated her ever since. When she was ready with thinking, she turned and put her cup of key lime tea on the table. Suddenly she got a little nervous, but she remembered her father's wise words:"sometimes you gotta face your fears." Beth stood in the door, took a deep breath and moved out. She moved towards the next subway station and jumped into the next train to midtown. Beth loved the people in New York. Everyone seemed free to do whatever he or she wanted to be. In some way that made her happy. At Bryant Park Station she got off the train.
When she moved here and the first thing, she did was bring her application here. Standing in front of the library knowing she might work there in the next week, made her heart jump. Beth slowly walked towards the building. For a short moment she stopped right in front of the huge wooden doors. People walked in and out, but Beth just stood there in awe. With one last text message to her father, she stepped into the library building. The big entrance hall was as beautiful as she remembered it. It was hard to breathe for a moment because Beth was so stunned. She moved towards the counter. The tiny receptionist barely looked at her. >>Excuse me miss. May name is Elisabeth Wallis and I have a job interview with Ms. Foster. <<, Beth said. The Receptionist didn't even look at her and said >>is that so? Well because I'm so kind I'll have a look.<< Wow. Beth shortly hoped that this woman would never ever cross her way again. What an unfriendly human being. Without looking at her, she pointed at a big dark brown wooden door on the left side of the entrance hall. >>Thank you.<<, Beth said sharply. The woman just nodded still looking at the screen before her. Beth made her way to the door and knocked. Someone from the inside called and Beth opened the door. Inside she faced a lady that was nearly her age and stumbling over books. She looked at Beth and jumped over a pile of books to great her. >>You must be Miss Wallis, right?<<, she said smiling. Beth thought for a moment and then said >>Yes, that's me. Uhm are you Miss Foster?<< The young lady chuckled and nodded. Then she said >>I just got here. I'm a doctor actually, but I needed something new, and they needed someone who was familiar with superhero stuff, because they are going to make a big superhero section. And I'm doing some research actually.<<
Beth looked at her in disbelief but couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Miss Foster offered Beth a seat and climbed back behind her desk. She ran her fingers through her hair and said >>So, you are the specialist for Nordic myths and sagas?<<. >>Yes. That's me. I studied that for the last 4 years and I just can't get enough.<<, Beth said jokingly. Miss Foster had to laugh and looked at the folder lying on her desk. >>Well...<<, she said, slamming the blue folder shut. >>We would really love to have you here and run the Nordic myth and saga section.<< For a moment it was silent between the two of them. Beth couldn't believe what she just heard. Suddenly it got over her >>Oh my god. Are you being serious? I can't believe it.<< Then it got silent again. Beth realized she might have overreacted in that moment. She excused herself and blushed. >>Thank you so much. I couldn't be happier.<<, Beth said after she took some deep breaths. Miss Foster seemed really happy about Beth's reaction. She stood up behind her desk, held her hand in Beth's direction and said >>Welcome to the team. I'm Jane by the way.<<  >>I'm Beth.<<

When Beth stepped out of the library building, she took a deep breath and then let out a scream of happiness and disbelieve. She couldn't help but dance around on the steps. That was the best feeling in the world. At least she had never felt such luck before. Beth had to send a message to her father right away to let him know. Her dream was finally coming true. On her way home Beth never lost her smile and she her happiness couldn't be ignored. Every stranger she looked at smiling, started smiling too. It was incredible. Back home she fell onto her bed and stared at the old lamp hanging from the ceiling. Her dream really came true. Tomorrow she would start her dream job in the city of a million lights. Without a doubt Beth had to drink something to celebrate her success. And then she remembered she had no contacts in the city to celebrate with. She stood up, went to the fridge and pulled a bottle of beer out. >That must be enough.<, Beth thought to herself and opened the bottle. Maybe with starting the job she would get to know a lot of new people and she wouldn't have to spend the nights alone. After she finished the bottle, Beth made her way to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Since she moved to New York, she had trouble sleeping, because she felt bad energies surrounding her. Getting ready for bed wasn't something she like because of that. Beth looked in the bathroom mirror and said to herself >>From tomorrow on, your life will change, and your days will be lucky again!<< In Bed the last look went to her smartphone. Besides her parents no one cared about her life in New York. It was lonely. And with that thought, Beth fell asleep.