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Chapter 1

Alice Fletcher woke up in her dorm room refreshed. She got out of bed and started getting ready. Today she had an interview for her internship in a major editorial firm. She chose a black pants suit that her mother had bought her just for the occasion. She did her make up and pulled her light brown hair up in a bun. She looked at herself in the mirror and was glad with what she saw.

She left the dorm building and walked towards the student parking lot looking for her car. She got in and drove into the city towards Thomas & Clark's Editorial. There was a lot of traffic and she was glad she left early. She finally arrived at the building and found a parking spot close to the entrance. She grabbed her resume and walked to the entrance. She checked in on reception and followed the receptionist's instructions. She walked to the door she was told and inside there were over thirty people sitting waiting to be interviewed. She sighed with disappointment and found a chair.

It was a competitive internship. She needed it. She was graduating in two months and needed this on her record. An internship with Thomas and Clark's could open so many doors for her. "Alice Fletcher? We are ready for you." She quickly got up as soon as she heard her name and followed the gentleman that called her. Inside the office three editors sat behind a big desk. "This is John Buffet, Gina Kingsley and Matt Hayes. They will be looking at your resume and asking you a few questions. My name is Keith and the executive assistant, if you would take a seat right here. Would you like anything? Water, coffee?"

"No thank you, Keith." She answered and sat down.

"Your resume is very impressive. You were president of your high school newspaper and vice president of your college newspaper and magazine." Said John reading through her resume.

"Plus since you were seventeen you've been working part time at Times Herald, the town's newspaper where your uncle is an editor?" Asked Gina.

"Yes, ma'am. I've been interested in journalism since a very young age." Alice answers shifting on her chair.

"If your interest lays in newspapers and magazines, what are you doing here?" Matt asked, leaning back on his chair.

Three sets of eyes stared at her after his question. Her throat felt dry. She couldn't tell them that it would look good on paper. "I love reading. I love books. One of my dreams has always been to work in a big editorial firm like this one. I love journalism but I would love even more to be an editor for your firm."

Matt looked at John and Gina before looking back at Alice. "I must say, like my colleagues here say, your resume is very impressive and you come with high recommendations."

"And she's getting a bachelor's in journalism and English combined. She could be an asset to the firm." Added Gina.

"We have over fifty people interested in this position and there's only five spots open. Our internship is one of the few that is paid so it's very competitive. There's no room for error. You have to follow rules and put your all into it. It's not just getting us coffee and running errands like other internships in town. Here we actually teach you, you assist us reading books, giving us recommendations or suggestions about those books. Do you understand?" Said John.

"I understand. I would be forever grateful if you would grant me this opportunity." Alice said..

"We'll be in touch. Thank you for coming." Said Matt getting up and shaking her hand. "Keith would show you out." He said as Keith walked into the office.

"This way, Miss Fletcher." Keith said, opening a door for her that led her back into the reception area. "Is your contact information still the same?"

"Yes, everything is the same." She said as he shook her hand. "Goodbye."

She walked towards the elevators and pressed the parking lot button as the doors were closing, a hand stopped them and a man walked in. "Sorry." He said as he startled her. He stood next to her and she took a quick glance. He was tall, handsome, blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore an expensive suit and was holding a suitcase. The elevator stopped and the doors opened into the parking lot. The stranger nodded at her, winking and walked out. After what seemed like an eternity of staring after him, she moved and walked towards her car.