water's edge//mgc

0.3

Louisa's POV

My alarm clock jolts me awake at 6 am, reminding me that I have an internship to go to. I decide to wear my best dress, a black and white striped one that stops just above the knee, with a black cardigan and booties.

After deciding that I look presentable, I go downstairs and I'm greeted by Aunt Holly making me eggs and bacon for breakfast.

"Wow, Louisa, you look like a real working woman!" she exclaims. I smile and try not to look as self conscious as I feel. I'm really awkward when it comes to accepting compliments sometimes.

"Would you like some breakfast?" she asks. I nod my head and sit down at the table. It's weird to have something actually cooked for breakfast, I usually just have cereal at home. It's all I have time for since I have to get up so early for school.

The food is amazing and soon enough I've cleared my plate. Aunt Holly makes herself a plate and sits down next to me, asking me questions about school which I'm not too pleased about answering. Once she's done, we go out to the car.

"I've told everyone at work so much about you. They're so excited to have you as an intern!" My aunt rambles on for basically the whole car ride. As we get closer to the therapy facility I find myself getting nervous at the idea of meeting new people who expect so much out of me. It happens way too often. My family tries to talk about me like I'm some superhuman when they're around friends or colleagues to try and one-up them, and when they actually meet me they're not very impressed. I guess that's what I get for being an honors student in elementary school; parents who will always think I'm some kind of genius even though it's been established multiple times that I certainly am not.

******

"Here we are, sweetie. Hollywood Beach Counseling," my aunt says. I try to hide my nervousness by awkwardly laughing, earning a strange look from my aunt.

We get out of the car and head inside.

"Hello, Dr. Jonas," the man at the front desk says politely, "this must be your niece, Louisa. Hi, Louisa, I'm Mr. Hemmings."

"Hi," I say.

"Mr. Hemmings has a son your age and he comes with him to work sometimes," my aunt explains. "Who knows? Maybe you two could be friends."

My cheeks flush red with embarrassment. Why does everyone always pressure me to make friends?

"Yes, I'm sure Luke would love to meet you," Mr. Hemmings says. "He's not here today, but maybe some other time."

"Okay," I say awkwardly and turn to follow my aunt.

"So dear this is where you'll be spending your time," she points to a small room lined with filing cabinets. Great, what's better than spending your summer organizing other people's shit?

"Therapists, including myself, will come in here and give you records at the start of the day. Your job is to file them alphabetically. Since it's your first day, the papers are already out for you and all you have to do is put them in the cabinets. It's very simple, actually, and you'll probably have quite a bit of free time," she explains before leaving me in the room.

"Have fun dear!" she calls back to me.

******

I finish filing the papers and look at the clock.

10:00 am.

Which means I have four more hours before I leave. What am I supposed to do for four hours?

After about fifteen minutes of counting tiles on the ceiling, I decide to explore the office. I mean if I'm going to be here Monday-Friday from 8am-2pm, I should be familiar with the place, right?