Twilight Java

Chapter 13

Stepping inside the brick-enveloped room, I was met with a handful of gazes. The room smelled of dollar-store candles.

"Are you a freshman?" Someone asked. My head turned to the source of the voice, and was met with dark eyes looking into mine. I only nodded in response, for I felt rather shy being surrounded by (whom I thought were) experienced upperclassmen.

The day had come to welcome back returning staff members, and introduce new freshmen into the staff. I was excited and nervous- Awaiting the opportunities that will come for me, and nervous for how everyone will perceive my work.

"We're happy to have you here," she smiled at me, somewhat sympathetically. She took a glance at the clock behind her. "We'll wait a bit more for everyone to arrive," she said to no one in particular, but the dark skinned boy leaning against one of the desks next to her nodded.

As a casual silence overcame the room, my eyes grazed over the entire setting. The rugged brick walls gave the room a simultaneously cold and urban feeling, while also being very warm and welcoming. Lining the walls were rustic wooden desks topped with computers and printers. I thought that it would creak loudly if I sat at one. In the middle of the room were also four wooden desks, but they were barren except for four metal table lamps. Two leather couches sat at the corner- one burgundy, one indigo. The school colors. A couple Vilora U banners were plastered across the walls, but bulletin boards dominated the space. They were mostly barren except for a couple of posters and pictures. There were also some appliances like a coffee machine and a mini fridge. The whole room felt very homey, and my mind eased at the sight of it.

A couple more minutes passed as the room became stuffier from the amount of people that had flooded in. A constant murmur resonated through the room, one that I didn't contribute to. It was getting louder and louder as I retracted farther and farther within myself. Suddenly, a long and piercing screech brought me out of my bubble. I gasped, only to see the girl who had talked to me earlier on top of one of the desks, overlooking all of us. Her tear-drop shaped eyes relaxed as the muttering ceased.

"Thanks," she muttered below her, I assumed to the boy earlier. She rubbed her hands together and beamed at everyone below her. "Welcome back to those who have already been on the staff, and a warm welcome to the freshmen who are joining us for the first time! My name is Akane Anderson and I will be the editor in chief this year, and my assistant editor in chief-" She bends her knees to yank the previous boy by his forearm up onto the desk. Reluctantly and awkwardly, he stands next to her while she maintains a firm grasp on him. "- Julian Adair. Both of us are technically in charge, but don't feel afraid to come to us for any questions. In given time we'll be family anyway!" She beamed at us while Julian simply looked uncomfortable standing next to her. "Now, I want to start the foundation for our roles in the paper. Let me start with the photographers. All of you will generally have something you prefer to photograph and are good at. That being said, we like to have a partner system when it comes to the writers and photographers. We want you columnists and photographers to keep in close contact so that you can work together to make the most compelling content. Pictures won't always be required for certain stories, but that's what we're here for to organize everything for the final product. With that said, I'll announce who our photographers are."

At this mention, my heart began to race. I did after all submit both pictures and an article.

Akane pulled out her phone, tapped around for a bit, then cleared her throat as she glanced at all of us.

"Our photographers are Lara DiAngelou, Jose Ramirez, Angela Knight, Cora Oleni and Callisto Arona," She smiled then gasped as if remembering something. "Actually, Callisto?" She looked around before I piped up, raising my hand until she noticed me. "I want to talk to you after this."