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Chapter Nineteen (Short one today, folks, it'll get messier and longer trust)
♱
"Ariana...? Ariana!" Kelly's sharp tone snapped her back from her daze. Her head shot up, staring at the snapping woman sitting at her desk before her. "You need to file an official status report about your trip to LA, did you hear me? What's going on with you? You're being all spacey and air-headed."
The latter sighed, "Sorry, you were saying?"
"To process your leave, you have to file a status report about the girls and the team with the administrative office. Just fill out the form I sent to your email and hand it into the main office." Kelly instructed, standing from her position behind the desk, patting Ariana on the arm. "You okay? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she smiled, "Lot on my mind."
"Okay... Anyway, I just wanted to say good job for your first field trip, watched your face get plastered on every possible screen around me. Geno's practically taken your name gospel, you're becoming one hell of a fan favourite."
She chuckled awkwardly, "Thanks, Kelly."
"And, uh, I know I said I might pull you out for Iowa, but seeing as you're getting comfortable with the team, I'm sure you'd be great going."
"Really? Wow, thank you for trusting me."
"Of course, make me proud out there, Ari."
Ariana saluted, "You got it."
As Ariana scurried off to her office down the hall, hearing the gently thud of her door shutting, Kelly sighed. If she knew what Kelly had gone through prior to their chat.
PTC, One Hour Ago
A knock on the door disrupted Kelly's rhythm of cranking out paperwork. She took her glasses off, setting her pen down. "Yes?"
A familiar face popped through the doorway, a tight-lipped smile on her face.
Kelly leant back into her chair, raising an eyebrow. "Nika! If you're due for a check-up or anything, Ariana's not in yet."
The Croatian stepped in awkwardly, movement robotic and stiff. She looked around, a hand rubbing the back of her neck. "That's cool. I'm here to see you, actually."
