Me, Myself and My Cardiologist

Chapter One

I slip on my shoes quietly in the dingy apartment. I glance around quickly and nervously, making sure nothing is forgotten. Before I leave I glance in the mirror and notice a few stray hairs. I sigh and flatten them as quickly as possible, I don't have time for this. I step out into the brisk, windy atmosphere of downtown Chicago. I take a moment to admire the beauty as people bustle around and the sun peaks over the buildings. A slight smile grows on my face as I begin the pace to my first day at work, just after month of moving here. I reach the glass doors of the Chicago Tribune with ease and glide in. "Good morning Miss Fletcher. Hope your first day goes well." The woman at the desk greets kindly. I say nothing and give her a small nod before heading to the elevator and pushing the button that will take me to the tenth floor.
The elevator dings and I step onto a floor filled with people scrambling around with paperwork and the heavy smell of coffee fills the office. I make my way past many cubicles, earning many estranged looks, to the office where my interview was held. I knock politely before opening the door to reveal my new boss. "Miss Fletcher, welcome." He greets, glancing up from his papers. "Morning Sir." I greet awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot. "Please, have a seat." He gestures to a desk chair and I carefully place myself into it. "So, since you're just starting i'm afraid I have to start you with the boring stuff. I apologize but it will get better. So here's your file for today with the deadlines and all of the information in it and I'll have someone show you around and to your desk." he says, giving me a small smile and shaking my hand. "Thank you very much Mr. Black. I won't let you down," I assure him as a short girl with blonde hair and blue streaks scurries over. I glance her over curiously, wondering why she would pick such a hair color. "Lucy, this is Joanne Fletcher, she's our new sports journalist." Mr. Black introduces us before leaving. "Hi, I'm Lucy! it's nice to meet you! I'm the like pop culture correspondent or whatever you want to call it!" She says a bit too enthusiastically for my liking. "Um, hi." I say uncomfortably. She seems to ignore and gives me a huge smile before she rambles on and shows me to my desk. "This is your desk with your name tag and everything. Isn't this great?" I nod and glance at the bleak desk. It has nothing on it but a few pens, a computer, a legal note pad and my name plate. "Hm, it's quite dull actually. You know what I have the perfect idea. How about you and I go shopping during our lunch break and get some stuff to brighten this place up." Lucy asks. "Oh, um. That's very kind of you but I actually have an appointment I have to make at lunch." I respond sympathetically. Her smile drops, I really do feel sorry but this is an appointment I have to make. "Oh, well maybe tomorrow then?" She asks hopefully. "Sure," I reply, setting my bag next to my chair and falling into it. "Well, I'll let you get all settled in. Let me know if you need anything!" She cheers before skipping away to her desk. Once she's gone I let out a huge sigh and pull out the file from my bag. I take a quick glance over the file to see that i'll be doing a small report on a college soccer game between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. The game takes place tomorrow at five o'clock at Northwestern. Looks like I know where I'll be spending my Friday night.
After a while of researching some facts on both of the collegiate teams I hear a voice saying my name. "Joanne Fletcher. I take it your the newbie?" A guy asks, leaning against the corner of my desk. "That would be me. Who are you?" I ask quizzically. "I'm Oliver James." He says running a hand through his dark, wavy hair. "Nice to meet you." I say curtly, glancing at the clock. "Well if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment to be getting too." I say, standing to me feet. "Well, Joanne. I hate you're in a rush but hopefully we can be friends. My girlfriend seems to be quite fond of you." He says lightly. As I walk past him I ask, "You're Lucy's boyfriend?" "That would be me." He says, pushing the down button for the elevator for me. The doors open with a ding. "Thanks Oliver," I thank the stranger. "See ya around." He says waving his hand in a dismissive way before turning around and allowing the elevator doors to close.