Spotlight (A YouTube/SmoshGames FanFiction)

Go Big or Go Home

I had just finished my McMuffin as I rolled into the parking lot of the office building. We were gathering in the business room, about to discuss video ideas and projects for the month. I brought my notebook. I was nominated a long time ago to be the note-taker as I had the neatest handwriting. I glanced up the clock in my car and jumped at the time. The meeting started in about a minute and though they didn't look like it, Ian and Anthony were actually rather punctual.

I quickly unbuckled my seat belt and scrambled to get out of the car. Grabbing my bag, I shut the door and started jogging to the entrance of the building. Already the hot, California sun was making me hot, so I was quite glad when I made it to the air condition of the office. Now I had forty-five seconds.

I ran through the hallways passing desks, computers, and some of my favorite people. Some of them launched a greeting at me as I sped by, but I was so close to being late that I didn't get a chance to reply. I would make it up to them later.

By the time I reached my destination, I was tired, but miraculously on time. I placed my hand on the door knob and entered, taking my place at the table among my co-workers.

Once I was situated, I let out a breathe and lay back in my chair. Made it!

And now for a three hour meeting...

***********************************

I found it hard to pay attention to the meeting with my mother's warning still fresh in my mind. It progressively made me gloomier until I had a permanent frown on my face. I didn't want to leave; I loved California and my amazing job. My hometown back in Connecticut was a hell-hole, I couldn't wait to leave. The only thing sad about moving was that I had left my boyfriend Jace there. It hadn't been heartbreaking though, we had only been dating a few months. But I had really liked him. I was still waiting for a man here in California that made me feel like Jace had. So far unsuccessful.

About three quarters through the conference, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, but I ignored it, trying to keep my mind on task. It was probably another text from my mom.

Anthony asked me a question about a new sketch and I answered distractedly, "Yeah, that sounds good."

I think he realized I was despairing over something because he looked up at me and narrowed his eyes. He went back to the outline in front of him but not before mouthing "We'll talk later." to me. I nodded feeling exhausted. Of course Anthony would say something, he and Ian tended to get overly worried when I wasn't laughing or cheery. If I was so much as frowning at a misplaced pencil, they'd notice. Seriously, it happened once.

I sat copying down notes when the meeting ended. I was determined to make up for my spacing out by making sure those notes were as goddamn neat as possible. Focusing on the sheets before me, I hadn't noticed that everyone had left. That is, except Ian and Anthony.

As my pen slid across the page, they sat down on either side of me, making the chairs creak. The sudden movement made me look up from my work.

"Max" Ian started, "What's up?"

I tried to conceal my nervousness, how could I tell them that I could not work for them anymore? "I'm fine, just a little tired."

The guys wouldn't have it. "Cut the shit, Maxina Ayers. You never don't pay attention." Anthony was serious; he never used my full name unless he was. And, not to be a Grammar Nazi, but...

"That's a double negative." I corrected, picking up my things and attempting to squish them all into my bag.

They leaned back in their chairs, arms out, protesting. "That's just it, Max. Only people who paid attention in class would know that!" Anthony got up and put his hand on my arm, making me look up at him.