Merch bitch - Ariana Grande

Chapter 2- What's in the box

or how your eyes deceiving you can actually be good

Lena was anxious. Scratch that, Lena had been anxious for weeks and now it was all culminating as she was sitting in the dean of students' office. She didn't even know how she managed to knock on the door and talk to the secretary, it was a blur which her body had magically moved through. Eileen was drumming her nails against the desk - a horrible habit that she never outgrew and tapping her foot impatiently. This was a combination that said  I've been surviving on nothing but caffeine for the past 48 hours, please do not keep me waiting. As if Mr Graham could somehow telepathically communicate with her - which would be a nightmare, yet somewhat convenient at times - he walked into his cabinet. 

''Miss Adams, I see that you have made yourself comfortable. I know you're here regarding your internship and I will admit that the paperwork did indeed some extra time. So, without further ado, let me take a look at your file and I will let you know.'' 

Mr Graham typed something on his laptop and began reading through a document. If he didn't say something in the next 30 seconds, Eileen was going to vomit all over the desk, gracing his family pictures with her lunch. Raegan from the exorcist would pale in comparison. Don't sweat it, Lena, it's only the most important thing in your life and a what will define her entire professional career. No  pressure, take your time, you old slimy piece of

''Sure, here we go, this is your form. Well, I'm glad to say that you have been chosen by your top pick. I  was a bit surprised when I saw your list, but I know that with your ambition and the excellent work you've presented us, you will be able to handle it. So congratulations, your internship will be on the Sweetener World Tour. Hope you've already started packing''

For a moment Eileen was on cloud nine, her heart was beating out her chest, there was no better feeling than this. And then she registered the last sentences. So instead of an ''oh my god'' or a thank you, the ungraceful phrase that fell from her lips was-

''The what now''

''The Sweetener World Tour. Miss Adams, it was number one on your list, you can see it here. So it was our mission to make it possible.''

''No, there has to be a mistake.'' Eileen tried to backtrack.

''We make no mistake, miss Adams.''

''But, I can change it. There's no way this is the only spot left.''

''I'm afraid not. Once you have made the selection, we do our best to connect students and their future employers. So if there's an acceptance of an intern, that means that the person must automatically fulfil the position, and all of this is based on merits. It's written in the fine print.''

''No one reads the freaking fineprint'' Eileen yelled. She had never raised her voice so much, much less at a person in authority, but well desperate measures, am I right. Her dreams were crumbling before her and hell hath no fury like a businesswoman scorned. 

''I understand you're upset. So I will ignore you lashing out, after all, we cannot put you on probation right before you start your assignment. So take this misunderstanding as a learning opportunity.'' Mr Graham said in a condescending tone, yet he sounded like he was trying to calm a frustrated child, and whether or not she wanted to admit it, Eileen was acting like one right now. And she was about to continue doing just that, no matter the consequences.

But before Lena could tell him just where to shove his learning opportunity and potentially get herself expelled, his secretary walked in and announced that there was another student here to see him. Whatever higher power had screwed with her, didn't want her to really mess up, so Lena took that as a silver lining and left. 

When Eileen got to her dorm room, flopped on the bed and screamed into her pillow - hey, some cliches exist for a  reason - and then she checked her phone. She had missed a text from Sandra, so she just called her. What Lena needed right now was her best friend, with her reassurance, thoughtfulness and her advice. If there was one person in the world that could help with this whole damn mess, it was her. So as the call was connecting, all Eileen wanted to hear was her friend's soft voice.

''Hey, biiitch.'' was what she got instead

''Hey, Sandy''

''Did you get, did you get it, did you get it, tell me, tell me, tell me. What am I saying, of course, you got it because you're brilliant and talented and you're crushing it. And if you didn't I'll personally travel those 2500 miles separating us and set Stanford on fire. Not only are they taking your money, as well as you from me, so they better be taking  you seriously.''

''Babes, relax I got it. But it's complicated.''

''What do you mean, it ain't your relationship with your parents, so how can it be complicated?''

''Well I got my first choice, but apparently, I fucked up and put down the wrong number, so now I'm apparently going on something called a sweetener world tour.''

''You're touring with Ariana Grande, oh my god, you have to take it. It's gonna be huge, it will be such a big opportunity for you. And we could sorta meet when you're home, you know she's coming to Florida, well now you do. Please say that you will do it, please, please, please.'' 

''I don't have much of a choice, it's either this or nothing. Better get my passport ready.''

''Bring me souvenirs, bitch. Okay, good luck, love you, bye.''

Lena hung up the phone and thought about the whole conversation. So maybe there was some silver lining in that cloud. How bad can it be,  touring with a huge star, exploring the world? Now all she had to do was find out everything about Ariana Grande tonight. If Eileen could go through the fundamentals of marketing in one night, how hard can this be? That was the spirit, treat this as what it was - an assignment. And in an assignment, everything is doable, measurable, gradable, completable by an already set deadline, etc, etc.  There are no surprises and definitely no emotions.