Sanity // s.m. [IN EDITING]

[22]

kayyyyy flash forward a few months. sorry the update took so long I changed my mind a while ago on how I wanted the story to end, so I had to decide how to write this chapter oOPS. hope u like my decision, tho!!

Elliot
 
***

"I grew up in Toronto," I say quietly, my voice shaky, unable to come out completely. My hands vibrated in my lap, the sweat from my palms multiplying by the minute.

"I was only sixteen when I moved to Manhattan, alone," I continue, "I got a job at New York Times after a year while still studying at NYU, but I left when I decided to work from home."

"So are you still working from home, then?" The woman on the other end of the table asks me kindly, her gaze narrowing on me. It still gave me chills when we made eye contact, even though we've been talking for the past ten minutes.

"Yeah," I nod, "and I graduated a little less than a year ago."

"So I'm speaking to a young woman who turned down a job at New York Times at only seventeen?" She smiles. "Not good enough for you, I suppose?"

I freeze, my throat suddenly clammy, cheeks hot.

"Well, I mean-- "

"It's okay," she assures me. "It's even better if you use it as a reference. So when did you find Manhattan Literary?"

"A few months ago," I say softly, trying not to show too much relief. "I just couldn't bring myself to apply just yet. But I'm ready to intern and help out wherever you need me. I've seen the work that your company has done and I'm so enthusiastic to begin if you'll let me."

"What have you seen us do, if you don't mind me asking?" She seems interested now, her shoulders drooping the slightest bit, eyes softening.

"Uhm, well," I think back, "I know that you started a magazine publishing area that took off immediately. I was on your cover twice in one week, too."

"I remember," she smiles. "Your sales went up after that, too."

"Yeah, they did."

I remember how embarrassed I was when I saw my own face on one of those magazines at the front of the store-- at the airport, on the streets, in coffee shops, Times Square. I don't know how Sarah hasn't seen any of them; she must be really preoccupied.

Sometimes paparazzi still follow me around, but I never see myself on the cover anymore. I'm pretty much old news by now, which is fine by me.

"Well," the female company CEO stands up from her seat, smoothing out her dress suit and wiping her dark bangs away from her face. She smiles again, and I noticed that some of her teeth were yellowing. "I'm not the only one at ML New York who's extremely impressed with your resume. Our company can really use you. I'll give you a call sometime this week and we can discuss where to place you, and see wherever you're comfortable."

"Great," I grin, hardly able to contain my excitement. "Thank you so much for meeting with me."

"My pleasure," she nods. "Hope to get in contact with you soon."

I could hardly feel my fingers as she walked towards the trash bin to throw away the rest of her coffee. I'd waited so long to meet a CEO from that company-- ever since I saw myself on their magazine. Of course, they do other work, work that could really benefit my novels if I get placed in that area.

I wait for her to leave before I walk up to the counter and wait in line for a refill. I could see out the large window to the north of the cafe, the evening sunset was starting to take place. The sky seemed lower when it was streaked with vibrant colors, golden clouds hovering over the gradient orange and pink reflections beneath.