Not What I Need (A Workplace Romance)

Chapter 1: The Start of Something New

This time last year I was so stressed my hair was falling out. Now, with thinner hair than the day I was born, I enter into the summer after my third year of Law School at New York University. I can't believe I'm almost a lawyer. It's been my dream since I was fourteen years old, and after years of dedication, studying, and double the time spent on each of those crying, I'm almost done. Now, I get to start my internship at Fletcher and Sons Law Firm!

As I walk down the sidewalk leading to my more than modest apartment, I'm filled with jitters at the thought of starting my first day tomorrow. Sure, I've been learning about law religiously for the past two years, but this is no mock trial. This is official, hands-on law experience! I rapidly round the corner, eager to get home and pick out my outfit for the next day, as well as to pester my sister. We live together in Brooklyn, after deciding we wanted to move to the city in order to fulfill our dream careers. Anna is a photographer, and a great one at that. For graduation, she took photos of me and my best friend, Mak, on the campus of Penn State. Who knew with a little editing and some angle correction, you could make that place look glorious? We're also fraternal twins. People aren't shocked when they discover that considering her black curly hair and brown eyes, compared to my light straight brown hair and green eyes. Not only are we opposites in physical features but also in hobbies. She loves computers, technology, and K-pop. Meanwhile, I enjoy reading, studying, and talking to my best friend. That doesn't sound very eventful, even to myself, but it makes due considering my limited hours of freedom.

I quickly jog up the cement steps leading to the front door of the building, attempting to dodge the scent of marajuana and cigarette smoke permeating the air. Unraveling my keys from my knuckles (because you can never be too safe), I pick out the old rusted one, and stick it into the door knob. A few jiggles later, it lets loose and the door gives in. I'm greeted with an eyeful of a mostly empty apartment. Since the internship is in Manhattan, my parents' friends agreed to let me stay in one of their time-shares for the summer. My sister is, sadly, going to stay here since her job is closer.

I walk into the apartment, drop my bag, and hurry to the bathroom. I don't usually use public bathrooms, they feel dirty. Just as I turn on the faucet to wash my hands, the front door opens and closes with a creak—no knock. Anna's definitely here, so now I'm in self defense mode. What if there's a killer out there or something? Holy shit, I'm too young to die. I look around the bathroom and the only item close to threatening catches my eye: my sister's hot pink hair dryer. I wearily open the door, blow dryer in hand, as I'm met with my parents' gazes. I drop my sister's dryer, in shock more than anything, and hurry to my Mom. Standing at about five-inches shorter than me, I greet the petite five-foot auburn haired woman with a quick hug.

"Guys, I didn't know you were going to be here." I say with more of a grimace than a smile.
"That is the point of a surprise isn't it?" My mother mutters, voice muffled by my shoulder.

She's annoyed.

Not that annoyance is out of the ordinary for her, but I figured it wouldn't make an appearance so quickly.
I briefly close my eyes, exhaling out of my nose to calm my rising temper. I pull away from the hug with a false, tight-lipped smile and look at my Dad, who appears less than patient with my welcoming gesture.

"We're here to take you to the apartment."

I'm....shocked. Truly stunned.
My parents, who have never shown the faintest bit of interest in my life, just insinuated that they willingly drove from their prepped up Scarsdale mansion, to make sure I was properly moved into my temporary apartment. I have to be dreaming.

My smile stays on my face as I slightly shake my head reassuringly, "You don't have to do that. Most of my stuff can fit in Anna's car, so we should make it there pretty seamlessly."

"This isn't your decision to make." My father says, patience waning.
"Mr. Baffton is allowing my child to use his apartment while she plays lawyer, the least I could do is make sure she doesn't cause any damage by moving in."

That's more like it.

And, need I remind him that I'm not a child? Does having my Bachelors Degree, making it into one of the best law schools in the country, and, oh I don't know, being well over the age of eighteen not consider me an adult? Why should I be shocked, or even expect him to know this considering he was "too busy" to make it to my college graduation. But, I'm not stupid enough to voice these thoughts. I mean he is the one with the connections that got me the apartment, otherwise I don't know how I would pay for it on my own.

I tip my head in acknowledgment, shooing away the slight hurt in my chest at the reminder that my own parents don't believe in me. It's bad enough that I have my own doubts, but adding on the constant reassurance from my parents that I will have no problem reaching their "unsuccessful and homeless" expectation, just makes me exhausted . No one will ever know that though. I've been trained at a young age to hide all signs that I might be 'weak' or 'apprehensive' so that no one can ever use it against me.

Thanks for that amazing skill set, Dad.
I inwardly roll my eyes at the poor parenting and intruding memories of etiquette training as my sister strolls into the small living room, eyes locked on her phone.

"Annalise!" My Mom chirps with a real, genuine smile this time.

Anna looks up with surprise as she too, smiles wide.

"Mom!"

Pocketing her phone, Anna runs up to my parents and I. Thankful for the diversion, I step away from the tension filled group to grab the rest of my things. Walking on squeaky floorboards towards the back of the apartment, I exit through the left door frame leading to my room.

Grabbing my last two boxes, one filled with blankets, and the other with hair and face products that I needed this morning, I veer to the tiny window opposite my bed.
Looking out at the brick wall I grew so fond of, I sigh.

I'm nervous. Nervous to fail. Nervous to meet my bosses. Nervous at the thought of being disliked by said bosses.

But I can do this, I need to. I have to show my parents, and myself, that I'm capable of success. That I can be an adult.

Quickly getting my mind together, I walk back into the living room. As I enter, I hear my parents laughing about something Anna has on her phone. They always liked her more than me. I used to be curious as to why, and even slightly jealous of the recognition, but now I see having their attention as a burden. Not that I would know, but I'm assuming.
My curly-headed sister looks up and smiles.

I smile back, "Can you unlock your car? I just need to pop these in and I should be ready to go."

"Sure."

She steps towards the window and angles her key downwards, unlocking the dark blue SUV.

"Thanks."

I head for the door, juggling the boxes occupying my hands and vision. After struggling with the doorknob and the laws of gravity, I make my way through the hall, down the steps, and towards the vehicle.

Packing the last of my necessities into the automobile, I re-enter the building and jog back up to my family, slowing as I approach our apartment door. I gently knock on the door, quiet enough as to not upset my Dad, but loud enough so they can hear it over their lively conversation.

"I'm ready to go then."
"You're all packed? Everything you need?" My mother asks, the event of seeing her favorite child reminding her that she has another.
"Yep, I'm good to go."

My Mom looks up at my Dad who slightly shrugs, starting for the door behind me. Coming closer he says,"It's on her if she isn't prepared."

My Mom and sister follow behind him, my Mom seemingly fixated on moving past me. Anna offers me another smile, this time sad, as if she's the one who should be apologizing for their less than nurturing behavior.

"It's fine," I say reassuringly as she nears, my parents a small but decent distance away,"at least they got me the apartment." I wink at her to ease up the mood shift, since it's usually quite positive when we aren't accompanied by our emotionally negligent creators.

With that, we each stepped out and I shut the door behind us.