Contrast [ A One Direction AU ]

chapter eight: clary

chapter eight - clarisse

• Clarisse •

"Hi love, would you please just pass this to Kate? Thanks." says a harried woman, thrusting a full notebook with pieces of paper sticking out into my surprised hands and hurrying away before I can even utter a word. I raise my eyebrows, but turn the notebook over in my hands, starting my trip on to find Kate, whoever she is.

It's my first day of internship in the BBC Radio 1 studio, and I was admittedly, a little overwhelmed. Within seconds of my brief introduction and tour, I had been assaulted with multiple requests and errands from important looking people everywhere. I guess it was the black BBC polo I was wearing, because how else would they have known that I was an intern? Mixed in the intimidation was a slight disappointment, because all I had done that morning was bring multiple busy people cups of steaming Starbucks coffee and photocopy sheets of paper. It was a little underwhelming, but I would take what I could get.

I hum under my breath as I walk, poking my head into various doors and asking for Kate to no avail. I sigh, and turn around to try the other end of the hallway when I bump into someone hard and nearly fall over. I drop the notebook, and ungracefully regain my balance, arms flailing everywhere. The person I had bumped into let out a deep grunt of surprise, and when I manage to look up I saw a tall, lanky man with big hair stooping over to pick up the dropped notebook. When he straightened up, bright brown eyes met mine, accompanied by a wide grin and an intrigued expression.

"Well, hello, may I ask who you are?" His voice was naturally loud and attention-catching, vaguely familiar, and his grin was infectious. I smile hesitantly in return, and answer.

"Clary. I, um, I'm a new intern?" The end of my sentence lilted upwards, making my answer sound like a question. The man let out a noise of recognition, and held out a hand, his other hand still holding the notebook I was supposed to deliver to the still-faceless Kate.

"Oh, so you're the one who brought the coffee this morning! I must say it was rather good, still hot and everything; a lot better than usual. Aren't you adorable?" he says jovially, before reaching out and taking my hand in his. "I'm Nick Grimshaw, but just call me Grimmy. I'm sure you've heard my loud caw in the morning once or twice?"

I start when the information sinks in, and my mouth falls open a little bit. This was Nick Grimshaw? Whenever I had heard him on the radio he'd sounded a lot shorter and way more intimidating. I shake his hand a little dazedly, and say, "Your voice doesn't sound like a caw at all."

I had no idea why that of all things had popped out of my mouth, but then again, I may have a been a little starstruck. Grimmy laughed, throwing his head back unabashedly and cackling. I couldn't help but smile at his exuberance, and he let go of my hand and handed me the notebook gently, still laughing.

"Aw love, you're too kind." he says, shaking his head slightly. He looks down the hallway, and seems to think hard for a moment. "Where are you headed off to eh?"

I look down at the notebook in my hand and sigh a little. Wrinkling my nose and looking back up at Nick's expectant smirk, I say, "I'm supposed to deliver this book to Kate... but she's been very hard to find."

Nick chuckles, and places a gentle arm around my shoulder. "Well, you are in luck Clary m'dear, because I know exactly where she is. I'm supposed to be meeting her now in fact, and oh dear, would you look at that," he said, looking forlornly at his flashy watch, "I'm late. Bloody hell, Fiona's going to kill me."

He sighs heavily, then tightens his grip. "C'mon then, Clary," he says, drawing out the last syllable of my name and starting down the hall, pulling me along with him. "We've got a room of angry important people waiting for us."