Unlimited Firsts

Introduction - The first 1st

Claire finally had found a job. Just out of college and this was a dream come true. Especially after studying for four years that were fun, don't get her wrong, but very long. She went to school for music production and vocal performance and was so excited to finally work in the industry. Claire had found a job as an assistant to the assistant manger of a recording studio in London. A little position but with the possibility of climbing the ladder and networking. The name of the studio always escaped her but that really wasn't the important part. It was Claire's second week of work and she was starting to feel like she had finally gotten a handle on her role in the company. Her boss Lizzie, who was a middle aged woman who just seemed to love doing her job, was super nice and very peppy all the time. Claire wondered how it was possible that she was always happy but she also appreciated it since Claire's nature was inherently pessimistic.

"Hey honey! I'm glad you came in a little early. We have a big work load today! But that's ok because we will tackle it together!"

Lizzie practically threw stacks of manila folders into Claire's arms. Claire tried to match her enthusiasm with a half-hearted smile. She looked down at the pile and breathed deeply. Today was going to be a long day. Claire looked up and Lizzy was already gone, speed walking down the hallway and calling something back to Claire.

"Pardon?" Claire hurried to catch up. Lizzy stopped short.

"Oh darling! I just said that we can split up which recording room we are checking on." Lizzy spinner around, "I will take 1, 4, 5, 9, and 10. You can cover the other ones. Check if they need anything, make sure a company representative is there and the person who they said was recording is actually recording! Sound good?"

Claire nodded quickly, trying to process the quick gabber that Lizzy just spewed to her. Lizzy spun around and walked toward the first recording studio.

"See ya, darling! Call me if you need anything!" Lizzy yelled over her shoulder has Claire saw her hair bob out of sight.

Claire stared at the folders in her hands and sighed. This was not going to be an easy day. Stressed creeped into her stomach causing somersaults to flip around inside of her. Claire took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. She marched down the hallway to find recording studio 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. Feeling rather professional, Claire tried to open the top folder to read who was recording but proceeded to trip and drop everything at the same time she grabbed the folder. A shockwave shook her body as she hit the ground. This sent the contents flying through the air and landing haphazardly around the floor in the hallway. What a way to start the day, how embarrassing.

"Crap in a bucket" Claire mumbled. Looking down, Claire tried to examine her wounds as quickly as possible since she didn't want to be there when the crowds came out of the studios to investigate. She had rug burn on her palms and her knees. Her hands stung as she pushed herself upright. Her pencil skirt was hiked up and her pantyhose were shredded. The boss ass business lady had disappeared and in her place was a mess of a girl. Claire was all too aware of the massive thud that she had sent echoing through the building. This was so embarrassing for the beginning of her job here. People were going to only remember her as the girl who fell. Claire was mortified. She shoved papers back into the folders hurriedly, pushing through the stinging in her hands, as heads started popping out of the recording studio doors. Four or five people had rushed over to help her but Claire couldn't see anyone's faces through her loose hair that had been released from the professional bun that she had done up this morning. She didn't want to see anyone's face either. Mumbling her thanks, Claire wanted to get out of the situation as fast as she could. She rushed *carefully* into the bathroom and set the folders on the counter so she could hide in a stall for a bit until she could collect her thoughts and her pride.

"Ugh, ouch" Claire sobbed as she examined her knees to determine the extent of the damage and just her luck, she had blood running down her legs. OK, maybe that was a worse fall than she had originally thought. Tears escaped her eyes without her permission. All the stress and worry that she had been holding in for the past three months was spilling out. She was leaking out her hidden emotions. This was her least favorite part of everything. She didn't blame her anxiety for her shortcomings but it sure made things harder. After a few calming breaths, Claire knew she had to get to work. She left the stall and looked in the mirror. She looked like a hot mess. Crapola. Dabbing her makeup didn't help much but Claire tried her best to clean herself up. After she redid her hair and looked better, Claire turned her attention to her knees. As she bent down to try and remedy the bloody mess just as the door to the bathroom opened.

"Oh! Are you ok?" A beautiful girl had rushed in with a paper clutched in her hand. She had dark hair with a long bob and bangs. She looked comfortable and classy but easy going. She seemed to be everything that Claire wanted to be. "I found this in the hall after you fell and I wanted to make sure I got it to the right place. Someone said they saw you head this way so I thought... Oh! Geez! Are your knees ok? Let me help"

She sent the papers on top of Claire's folders and grabbed the paper towel from Claire and started dabbing the blood away. She was gentle and Claire was so grateful she was nearly in tears again. No, not again today, Claire thought to herself aggressively.

"I think your pantyhose are ruined. You should probably just toss them. No one will notice, and if they say anything just send them my way and I'll straighten them out." Claire's new friend said with a giggle and a wink. "Oh! I am the worst, I haven't even introduced myself yet! My name is Clare."

"Oh dang. My name is Claire, too."  Claire just kinda stood there looking at this amazing girl that was helping her. There was no way that she wasn't the better Clare.

Clare laughed. "That's ok. We can share."

Claire laughed as she pulled herself together, "We can be friends then."

Clare stood up as she finished cleaning up Claire's knees and smiled, "I think I'd like that," she sighed, "I think I'd better head out. My band mates are probably getting anxious and wondering where I am. I hope your knees heal fast, new friend."

Claire said goodbye and slipped her pantyhose off after the bathroom had cleared, throwing them away. She picked up the folders, took a deep breath with one last check in the mirror and headed to recording studio 2.

Claire poked her head in and hurried inside the active studio. There was an older man with long hair singing in the sound booth and about five other people in the control booth where Claire was. She sat down at the back on a sofa and opened her first folder. Terror gripped her chest. The folders were completely messed up and she had no idea what went in what. These papers couldn't be correct and she doubted that any of the other folders were right either. Just as the other people were turning to talk to her, she stood up and bolted out of the room to find Lizzy. Today really was going to be rough.