Just my cup of tea

The Apples are greener on the other side

Hayleighs POV*

"Seems like it's bugging you more than you're letting on!" Kevin shouted over the motor noises. We leaned against the railing, waiting on our turn. "Seems like you trying to get at something that is just not there, besides it would be unprofessional." Kevin raised a brow, "who said anything about being unprofessional? He began to smirk. "Oh don't use your psych techniques on me Mr! But yes truth be told I am a little disappointed that Alice didn't come, and no, it is not because the reason you're suggesting. Its simply because I think she needs it? I don't even know if I can make that statement about her at this stage." Kevin turned to me, "Then don't." 

The instructors gestured to us to step on the platform and prepare to grab a kart. "I just think that if I spend time with her after working hours it might...you know strengthen our working relationship. She won't be so...cut off." I hopped in a red kart two karts away from Kevin. "So you going to pretend that you don't want to hit that?" He shouted. "Does everything have to come down to sex with you?" It was at this stage I realised we were talking a little too loud for other people's comfort so I slumped down in my seat avoiding eye contact with two elderly woman who did not look amused. 

We raced around the track , bumping into one another and then getting stuck in a corner a few times. It was refreshing, moving so fast that everything else became a blur. The sky turned warm orange quickly as Kevin and I walked along the garden path to Mamas Pizza stop. 

"So besides being hung up on your tutor how's the project coming along?" We found a cozy spot and scanned the menus. "For the last time, I'm not hung up on her! The project is moving slow. Actually that's why I want to spend more time with Alice. Maybe it will help to speed things up with the project." Kevin popped around his head trying to find a waitress. "I just don't want you to end up alone, you know. I mean what with all these girls swarming around me. Sooner or later one of them will be lucky enough to catch me, and then what will you do?" I grimaced at him, "I would kick your ass for pushing me to the sideline!" 

We spent the rest of the evening nibbling on different types of pizza and sipping red wine. Kevin told me about his ventures in India and the Netherlands. The night seemed to go on forever and no matter what subject we brought up, I found myself thinking about work the next day. Thinking about the project. About Alice...

Alice's POV*

I kept dropping my fucking backie  while rolling myself a little spliff before work. I could feel my mind heading towards the subject of Kate but before it got to that clear point I would distract myself. I found myself putting focus on everything I could. Work, Robyn, starting a new book. I had no idea what I would do about the novel I started...but to figure that out I would have to get to that topic. 

I made myself some coffee, packed a healthy lunch and headed for the door. I got down to the front door and - "Good Morning Alice!" - Hayleigh leaned on her car with her coffee in one hand and the other in her pocket. "Hayleigh what are - She stepped forward off the car and handed the coffee to me - "You will accept the coffee and the ride to work." I sighed, "Good morning and thank you." I think I just met a very interesting side of Hayleigh and you know what, it's kind of cool. I looked around out the window and then at Hayleigh, giving her a quick smile...she gave one back...it started to feel awkward.."So how was your weekend?" She turned to me a little stunned that I'm starting conversation. "Fun! I think you would have enjoyed it if you came! I went with my friend Kevin, I think you would really like him. He can be a little controlling sometimes but..." Hayleigh's mumbling became background music as we pulled up to work.  An OB van sat outside in the parking lot with "CBK Productions" printed on the side. "What is it?" I felt Hayleigh's hand on my shoulder has she leaned closer to me to get a view of the van. She was a little too close for comfort but I was too concerned about the other van to move right now. "That's CBK, I guess you could call them our rivals...well main rival in the production industry for this area." Hayleigh let out a little growl. "Did you just growl?"

Hayleigh slowly moved back to gather her things, "yeah maybe so what, don't judge me." I let out a chuckle, "cute, you're alright kid." I smiled and got out the van. "Kid?" Hayleigh followed after me.

As we made our way down the stairs I spotted them sitting at the conference table. My boss stood up and made her way over to us. "Alice we have a lot to talk about, come take a seat and bring your intern with you." I looked back to find Hayleigh glaring at the others and felt rather amused; the crew from CBK were undoubtedly taken aback by my 'vicious intern'. "Well I never really thought I would see the day that we'd all be sitting around a conference table, but here it is," my boss started. "I know most of you are aware that the ratings lately on all local stations have fallen short of monthly targets. The networks are in dismay. They are shuffling for shows and films. The writers are baffled by this sudden change of attitude and trend that the audience has presented." Jason Larson, the head of CBK crew cleared his throat in a rather rudely manner, "Yes yes our researchers have made us aware but what is your aim here? Our companies have been rivals since my grandfather sat at the head. If you feel that your company cannot find an audience it understands right now then how is that our concern? This is just a waste our time, we could be out there right now, solving the issue on our own."

Boss gradually shifts his attention to Jason, "If you or I were able to do that Mr Larson, it would be done already. We did not become the top two production companies for our slow reaction time." That aught to shut him up. Hayleigh looked both amused but guarded at the same time. I was pretty impressed by the way she handled herself.

The meeting went on for an hour or two with people from both companies chirping in here and there but finally the decision to work on a joint project was finalised. I was not happy but I understood it needed to be done. I may need extra help which means I would be seeing a lot more of Hayleigh.

Hayleigh's POV*

"Listen, since this new project will kick into swing before anyone expected, I may need more help. I know you only have about two weeks left but - I'd love to help with the project...you know for experience of course." Why was I being so weird about this whole thing? Why can't I just act normal around her? "Oh, great then." Alice let out a sigh, "I think that it would help to cut out this...well honestly am not really sure what to call it but this 'weirdness' or I don't now if we can call it tension?" Ok alright, so out in the open I guess? "Yes please, I was just thinking that this is just too weird, and honestly I have nothing against you at all. It's just that sometimes you're a very silent person...a little tense even and that makes me a little tense." And what are you saying Hayleigh??? "I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean I need a lot of work too. nobody's perfect, I mean what can you even call perfect? Is there really such a thing?" God now I'm just ranting on and Alice probably thinks I'm a dumbass. "And you talk really fast Hayleigh."

"That I know haha, am sorry. A lot of people tend to..nevermind. Ok so do you have any ideas?"

Alice grew a wide smile and for a second I was not sure who I was looking at. "We're going out tonight Hayleigh, that's my idea."