work experience ~ s.w

one

I thought it would be easy. I thought I could block out all feelings. I thought I could stop it. I thought wrong.

*
I've wanted to be a star for as long as I can remember. Every school play, I was in it. Every dance recital, I was in it. Every after school club that would help me achieve my dreams, I was in it. It doesn't matter if I'm singing or dancing or walking the runway or selling out bookstores across the globe. When I want something, I work my butt off until I get it.

That's why I find it so hard to leave my fate in the hands of someone else. That's why I wince at the thought of tarnishing my name. That's why I grimace at a single loss of a follower on all my social media accounts. I don't want to be a diva. I just want to me.

Viola Harper. 18. Senior at Edison High School, Texas. I sing, I dance, I write, I paint and I do pretty much nothing else. Apart from work my 3 part time jobs and juggle school and childcare for my younger brother Zach, that is.

I've always thought that something good would have to come of my life after loosing my mom to cancer and my dad continuing to fight a losing battle with alcoholism. This is my final year to sculpt my future. I can't get distracted. I can't loose my focus. I can't fall in love

*

I sit in class as I wait for the bell to ring for Christmas break. I can't help but doodle on my tanned fingers as I watch the clock tick down.

"Vi" I hear whisper next to me. We're supposed to be watching a documentary about the feminisation of the education system but I honestly couldn't care less right now. I look to my best friend Sophie.

"Yeah?"

"Did you find out your work experience yet?" She asks, twirling her blonde curls between her fingers. Her habit is infections as I copy her actions, braiding a small section of my pin straight brunette hair.

"Not yet. I have to see Mr Turner after school." I inform her. Mr Turner is the 'extra-curricular activities coordinator of my school' so in other words, if you want anything good out of this hell hole, he's the man to go to.

"What did you even ask for?" She laughs. "There's so many things you love to do, I can't even keep up"

"I asked for either fashion, music or writing" I shrug. "I think I want fashion the most though" My mom used to live for the latest trends and styles she can copy and rock the hell out of. I want to make her proud.

"Well I hope you get it" She beams before straightening her glasses and turning back to the board. The programme begins to end as the bell dings loudly. I smile to myself before packing up my bag and heading to the office at the end of the corridor towards the entrance of school. I knock on the door, entering almost immediately. I've spent so many hours in this office doing community service and finding work experience and trying to organise school dances that it's basically my second home.

"Ah Viola. How can I help you today?" Mr Turner smiles. I examine him as I do everyday. The v neck jumper, the wonky tie, the blazer with the stain that just won't come out. I can't help but smile and the familiarity of it all.

"You know why I'm here Sir" I smile, sitting down in the chair opposite.

"Yes I do. Sorry to keep you waiting all day" The middle aged man before me says rummaging through some papers that clutter his desk.

"You know, you should really let me organise this place for you" I say looking around at all the loose sheets around me. "I'm sure you can throw some of this junk away"

"I like to call it organised chaos thank you very much" He says retrieving the sheet that could meet the beginning of my career. What career that is, I don't know. I have so many options that I can't decide. I'm hoping this will force me to choose. "Now where are we? Viola Harper." He says to himself. He looks up at me. "I did the best I could and I managed to get you some work with an upcoming rap/hip hop star."

"So music?" I ask. Huh. That would have been the last of my preferences but I guess it'll have to do. How hard can it be? Mr Turner nods. "When do I start?"

"Next week. 9am. Monday morning. Be here." He says handing me a price of paper with an address scrawled in a purple board marker. I squint to decipher the words.

"Wait did you say Monday?" I say looking up.

"Is that a problem?" He raises an eyebrow, I know how hard he's worked for this opportunity for me. I'll have to figure out some other arrangements for Zach.

"I'll make it work" I tell him. I'm not a fan of people knowing what's going on in my personal life. Not even Sophie knows half the things I have to put up with. I get up to head for the door.

"Oh and Viola?" Mr Turner's voice holds me back. "Don't you want to know who you're meeting?"

"That's probably a good idea. What's their name?"

"Sam Wilkinson"