Red Like Roses // BNHA × OC //

{6} The Geo Agency

     It took all my weight to push my suitcase down enough to zip it shut. The internship would only last about a week and a half, but Q insisted I be prepared. Although, his definition of prepared had me packing for every possible scenario. Before I left the house with my two bags of luggage, it looked as if I was moving out.

    Q apparently took it that way despite the paperwork being clear I'd be back in two weeks. I knew how attached to me Q had gotten, so I tried to avoid the tearful goodbye speech by jumping into the car.

    He soon joined me after locking up Hydrogen and Chloride in the house. He started the engine and looked over his shoulder to back out of the driveway, sighing quietly to himself.

    "I suppose this is truly happening. Just remember, Tallulah, that I'm merely a phone ring away. If Huntsman grows too irksome for you, just call and—"

    "Q, come on," I stopped him, having heard this speech since I agreed to this work study. "I'm sure he's not that bad."

    Q laughed shortly in the same way he did when warning us about a tough assignment. He pushed his glasses up as if to tell me he knew a thing or two more than me.

    “Pardon my French, dear, but he is simply one stale pastry of a man. I doubt you’ve worked with anyone of his arrogance.”

     Before Q could lecture me further, I jumped in, “Have you met Siri? I think I have.” I could tell Q was trying to not agree with me as our teacher, but anyone who’s spent a minute with Siri Remata would think they can take on anything.

    I looked to Q as he drove carefully through town. “Don’t forget this is a learning experience. Hero or not, I’ll have to learn to work as a team. I think I can handle this; just trust me.”

    Q smiled, though not taking his gaze from the road ahead. “You’re growing up to be a swell thinker, Tallulah. I have faith in you.”

    He was right. While I still had a long way to go, I felt like I was ready for anything. Hero work was something I had been preparing for since middle school, so I said bring it on!

     How bad can it be, right?

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     I rode with Q for a few hours uptown, playing numerous games of I-Spy and jamming to his ancient music. By the time we arrived at the agency I would be working at, Q took time to give me the same can-do speech.

    “And remember, chuckaboo,” he told me, “There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind first. Use that brilliant head of yours, and carpe diem!”

    Q hugged me once more before giving me a hand with my luggage and walking me up. The Geo Agency wasn’t like your typical Hero office. The building was more wide than tall, decked out with bright stained glass, shiny metal accents along dark wood walls, and doors that could fit a giant through. It was no secret that this Pro loved to show off from the over-the-top statues in the front to the detailed landscape all around. The lush yard looked as if it went on for miles, eventually leading up to the modern-looking home that sat at the top of a hill.

    Q strolled with me up the gravel driveway that curved around statues, fountains, and anything else that told you this Pro had too much money. As an architect nerd, I looked closely at all the intricate details around. The statues were not only of Huntsman, but seemingly all the Pro’s he's worked with. Although, his were the only ones decorated with fine gemstones over a gold exterior and marble base. He might have had a bigger ego than I thought.

    As  I started to lag behind, entrapped with the gorgeous designs all around me, Q called my name and waved me over. Standing at the front entrance was a man that looked a bit older than Q. He stood taller than me, which was an off putting start; his pitch black hair dropped down to his fine-white shoulders. While the upper half of his face was masked with a large brimmed hat, I could spot a growing smile on the man’s face as his arms stretched out to us.