Life is a Prologue

Chapter 1

The first thing I noticed was his husky voice.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Let me help you."

I was already on the floor, hastily picking up all my possessions.

"Wow. This resume is impressive," he grinned, his green eyes crinkled.

He must have noticed my expression.

"Oh sorry, I'm not trying to be creepy." His cheeks turned bright red.

I still hadn't said a word this entire time, and I guess he noticed that too.

"Are you shy? Mute? What is it?" Again with that laugh.

I shook my head. "No I'm not mute," I laughed, "But I am shy at first. But later on I'm a real talker and won't shut up."

The elevator dinged. "Floor one, I'm assuming?"

I nodded my head and the doors closed.

"So, where're you off to?"

"An interview for a magazine."

"Ahh, man. Interviews are the worst!" He paused. "Why are you staring at me?"

Was I? Oops.

"Sorry... You just look really familiar."

I was trying to think about where I knew him from. An old job? No. School? No. Impossible. He's got a thick accent and I'm from America.

"Never mind that," he stated with a forced smile. "So, what's your name?"

"Claire Marie Winchester."

"Beautiful." He whispered. I don't think I was supposed to hear that because when I blushed, his cheeks copied mine, turning bright crimson.

Now he really was smiling, unlike the forced one from a few minutes ago.

The elevator dinged after what felt like ages, but good ages.

"Well, this is where we part. Will I see you again, My Fair Lady?"

"Possibly," I grinned. "Where shall I meet you?"

"Let me ask you this- when will your interview be finished?"

"Oh, I dunno, maybe I should be done by 1:30."

"Then meet me at the little cafe down the block at 2:00, on the dot." And with that he left.

Did I just plan a date?

•••

I began the trek to my car, which unfortunately, was parked at the very end of the parking lot. He had gone a different direction. This brought me to realize I didn't even know his name.

Twenty minutes and nine traffic lights later, I was finally at the interview building. Still having some time to kill, I plopped down on the bench after signing in.

"Breaking news," cried the overly-cheery news reporter. "One Direction, the popular teenage boyband is doing a surprise signing tomorrow at the Westfield Mall!"

Ugh, all these silly boybands give me a headache.

She continued. "Possibly the most famous, and attractive member of the band, Harry Styles, tweeted about it this morning!" A picture of who I'm assuming is Harry flashed across the screen.

I don't invest any time in bands. I prefer solo artists. Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, the list goes on and on.

"Be at the Westfield Mall tommorow at noon to get some stuff signed by the boys and I," he tweeted, finishing with "I hope to see you all there! Xx"

The peppy reporter finally finished. She was giving me a headache.

I thought about it. Harry Styles. He looked awfully familiar. Almost like I'd seem him in person.

"That's not possible" I whispered to myself.

The man who I recognized as the interviewer walked calmly out of the office, followed by a very cheerful girl around my age.

"Susan," he said to the secretary I signed in with. "This is Morgan, I have selected her for the position."

My heart stopped. What? The position that was supposed to be right on my fingertips?

I stood. "Uh, sir? May I ask why you've already hired someone?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, why did you hire her if there are still more candidates for the job?"

"There aren't anymore candidates," he gave me a confused look. "Can I ask who you are?"

"I am Claire Winchester, another applicant for the job" I reached my hand out for him to shake and he took it wearily.

"I thought there were no more candidates," he turned to Susan.

"Oh! Shoot!" Susan exclaimed, "I forgot to mention she was here! Sorry" she laughed.

"So, may I, um, do the interview now, Sir?" I forced a smile.

"Well," he turned to me. "I've already given out the position and it'd be rude to say she couldn't have it, so, uh, no. Sorry." He gestured to the girl he had previously emerged from the office with. "I don't want to hurt her feelings"

"But.. But I'm very qualified! Please, give me a chance." I realize how desperate I sound, but I really need this job.

"Look," he said. "I'm sure you are very qualified, and I invite you to come back next time there's an opening, but this job is already taken. Sorry again."

And with that, he walked away, taking my dreams with him. Crushing them and stomping on them with every step.