Press Play: A Connor Franta Story

Chapter Two

I awoke, covered in sweat, my heart pounding out of my chest. I glanced at my phone 6:03 am, my little nap had lasted longer than I expected, looking down to see my work uniform I felt slightly pathetic, too lazy to change. I noticed my hands were shaking, these flashback nightmares were becoming way to realistic and occurred too often. I struggled to catch my breath as I went for a glass of water. The cool water hit my dry throat and seemed to calm me down. I felt a bead of sweat drip down the back of my neck and realized a shower was very necessary.

From the shower I could hear a pounding on the door, debating on whether to cut my shower short or to ignore the knock was a struggle. The knocking grew louder and I quickly jumped out, wrapping myself in my robe and sprinting to the door. I swung open the door without even checking to see who might be there. Before my eyes stood a well dressed woman, perfect skin, hair so shiney I could almost see my reflection in it.

"Umm can I help you?" I said wondering why such a well dressed woman would be at my door.

"Umm yes, i'm Melanie Jacobs from Cali Publishing. We had a meeting scheduled for this morning seven sharp, is this a bad time?" I stood jaw dropped, how could I have forgotten something so important!

"Oh my god, don't take this the wrong way but I completely forgot! I feel like such a fool! Come in, come in!" I rushed quickly picking up the living room, trying to make my home look acceptable. Suddenly remembering I was in a bathrobe, I excused myself to the bedroom quickly changing into more appropriate clothing. "I'm so sorry about this! I cannot believe I let myself be so careless!"

"It's alright, we still have about fourty five minutes to interview," the way Melanie spoke made every word she said sound important. "So what made you want to become a writer?"

"Well ever since I could read I have had the utmost respect for writers, I remember being in first grade and hiding under my blankets at night with a flashlight and a Junie B. Jones book. Honestly I can't see myself doing anything else. I spent my entire high school career taking every opportunity I could to write. I took multiple English and writing classes, was part of the newspaper staff and yearbook staff. I have devoted so much time and effort into perfecting my writing, I just want to share it with the world," I gulped hoping the answer I gave would make up for my lack of professionalism.

"I see," Melanie said not glancing up from her notepad. The lack of enthusiasm on her face made me feel as if I was already losing it.

"Look," I had to take a bold risk to try and salvage the rest of this interview. "Have you ever opened a book and started reading and before you know it your done with the first chapter? Without notice you've read twelve pages, the story has captured you and taken you into another world and you hadn't even noticed how many pages you have read. A good story is one that takes you to another world, you fall in love with the characters and the plot, you can't put it down. That's what I want to do for people, I want to show them another world and make them feel things that they didn't know they could. I may be young but I am far beyond my years. I'm sure right now you're thinking that I'm crazy showing up to the door in a bathrobe with wet hair. But writing is the most perfect escape for not only the writer but the reader as well. I'm sure that if you give me a chance that I will not let you down." I hadn't realized but at this point my heart started pounding, my hands were clamy, and I could feel few tears welling up in my eyes.

"Wow," she said taking no notes, her eyes widened as she looked me up and down. "I have to admit that took guts!" I started rethinking everything I had said, I felt like such a fool, I had definitely blown this big time. "Zoey, how soon can you get me a sample piece?"

"A sample piece?" I said shocked.

"Yes, drop a sample piece off at my office by Monday?" She smiled as she spoke. "You have spunk and drive Zoey. You know what you want and I feel that given the opportunity you will shine. So i'm giving you that opportunity," Melanie rose as she spoke, gathering her belongings.