5. Jolie
JOLIE
I spend the rest of the day on a serious high.
I got an interview for my article.
Well, nearly. I’m just waiting for Ben to text me the details.
He will, though, right?
Like… he wasn’t just being nice only to bail on me… right?
That thought hits me just as I’m leaving my last class of the day. My plan was to pop into the Nolan U Star office now and let Kieran know that I didn’t give up and I’m making progress. But maybe I should wait until I have a definite interview time.
Crap.
Why hasn’t Ben texted me already? He’s had a few hours to check his schedule. I should have asked for his number too.
Why? So you could hound him and completely put him off?
I cringe, remembering the one time… okay, the three times I may have done that in high school. I didn’t mean to. I was just being enthusiastic. Since when is that a crime?
Since it makes guys avoid you like the plague.
But this is different. I’m not asking to date Ben Evers, I just want to interview him.
The fact that he’s divinely cute in that clean-cut, Captain America kind of way is beside the point.
Someone like that would never look at me romantically anyway. I’ve learned that the hard way. But he was nice enough to agree to an interview. I think.
I hope.
Digging my phone out of my bag, I pause by the exit of the building and stare at the blank screen, willing it to light up with a notification.
And God must have heard my prayer, because about ten seconds later, a miracle happens.
I get a text.
From Ben Evers!
Hiya. I can meet for a quick interview tomorrow afternoon. My last class ends at 4 and I can give you about thirty minutes. There’s a coffee shop—Marty’s—I can meet you there. Let me know if that works for you.
I immediately respond with a Yes!
I have no idea where Marty’s is, but I’ll find it.
Four o’clock tomorrow. Yes, yes, yes!
Skipping down the stairs, I practically run to the Nolan U Star office.
It’s in this old, square-shaped building on the east side of campus.
It must have been built in the ’70s, because it looks like it could be on the set of Kojak.
That’s a really old show that my grandfather loves and still watches.
My dad bought him the DVD box set about ten years ago, and last time I visited, he was carefully putting one of the discs into the machine.
We sat there and watched two full episodes before he even started talking to me.
He’s a bit of a quirky guy, but I love him.
Opening the door, I’m too filled with energy to take the elevator, so I bound up the stairs to the second floor, beyond excited to share my news with Kieran.
It’s like providence that I bumped into him last night, and I’m sure he’ll want to know how much his encouragement means to me.
I didn’t give up! And now I have an interview. Yes!
The Nolan U Star door is already propped open, which is great, because I haven’t been given a key card to swipe in and out yet. I’m sure that moment will come once I’ve had my first article published. Please let it be this one!
Walking into the large office space with a bounce in my step, I quickly scan to see who’s here.
Heather is working busily at her laptop, and Carina is hunched in her chair, perfecting some graphic she’s designing.
She’s Vicky’s right-hand girl in the graphics department, and she’s such a good artist. Angelica’s head pops up when I walk in and she gives me a friendly smile, waving from her spot by the window.
“You look happy.”
“I am.” I do a little spin and giggle my way to Kieran’s office door.
I can feel Angelica’s eyes on me and glance back in time to see her smile slip. I know she has a bit of a problem with the guy, but I can’t let that stop me from knocking on the editor’s door.
“One second.”
I thread my fingers together, trying not to bounce on my toes too much. I’m just so excited. This buzzing energy is electric and fun and—
“Come in.”
Turning the handle, I peek my head into his office. “Hi, Kieran.”
“Oh, hey, Jolie. How are ya?” His spiral curls jiggle as he fluffs his fingers through the top of them.
I still can’t believe he remembers my name. My smile grows even wider. “Can I come in?”
“Of course. Yes, please.” He waves his hand to welcome me into his office, and that buzzing energy turns into a swarm of butterflies. “You look happy.”
I giggle, because that’s just what Angelica said, then have to quickly explain myself so he doesn’t think I’m too weird.
“I am. I got an interview for that article I’m writing.
One of the basketball guys has agreed to meet with me tomorrow afternoon.
And I just wanted to come by and thank you for telling me not to give up.
I really appreciated your kindness last night. ”
His eyes take on a sweet, soft quality that has my insides melting.
This man is not superhot like Ben Evers.
He’s on the shorter side. In fact, I think he’s only just taller than me.
He doesn’t appear to be super muscly or athletic, and he wouldn’t be considered any kind of supermodel.
But he’s nice. And kind. And he’s smiling at me right now like he’s proud of me.
And all of those things make him good-looking.
“You’re very welcome. Well done for not giving up. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your interview.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’m going to head back to my dorm now and start working on prep. I want to go into it fully organized, because it might be the only one I get, and I want to make the most of every second. He’s only giving me half an hour of his time, and I don’t want to waste it.”
“That’s good thinking.” Kieran nods. “Do you need any help coming up with questions? I can ask Heather or Jax to give you a hand.”
Jax? No, thank you.
I swallow, then try to make my smile bright and confident. “Actually, I’m feeling pretty good about it. I already have a long list running around in my head, so it’s just a matter of deciding which ones are the best to ask.”
His smile grows. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks.” My head starts bobbing. “And sometimes questions you don’t even plan hit you in the middle of an interview, you know?
Because they say something that triggers a thought, you know?
And I’ve found that those can often be the best questions of them all.
” I quickly bite my lips together, aware that I’m starting to do that “talk too much, too fast” thing that I do, like, all the time.
But Kieran doesn’t mention it. He just smiles and nods. “The words of a good reporter. I can see your potential, and I’m excited to read this article.”
“Wow, really? Thank you.”
“Of course.” He nods. “And if you want, I’m happy to get together with you after the interview. Help you refine what material you’ll include in it.” He stands from his desk, smoothing down his shirt as he walks around it.
The air in the room starts to shimmer as he approaches me, and I hold my breath for a quick second, soaking him in. Button-down shirt, thin brown belt, dress pants… and a pair of white Converse. I love it.
“Why don’t you meet me here afterward? I’ll take you out for a bite, and you can tell me all about it.”
I let out a soft titter, dipping my chin and murmuring, “Sounds like a date.”
“Maybe it will be.”
My head shoots up, my eyes bulging at him.
But he just gives me that sweet smile again and… oh my gosh, I think he’s serious!
He’s asking me out?
On a date?
My heart starts to skip and jump, thudding erratically as I struggle to form a coherent sentence.
Guys never ask me out.
I’ve always wanted them to, but in high school, I was the girl you looked over… or looked past. I’m skinny and awkward and kind of weird. Guys don’t want to have to deal with that.
But Kieran—Mr. Editor in Chief—is standing there looking completely serious.
Holy-Ja-Moly.
“Um… s-sure. Okay. That sounds… nice. I mean great. I mean wonderful.” I let out a breathy laugh.
“I look forward to it.” Kieran brushes past me, our arms connecting for a brief second as he reaches for the door and pulls it open for me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will.” I giggle again, because that’s apparently all I’m capable of right now, and slip back into the office space.
Totally forgetting that there are other people in the room, I do a little twirl… and bump straight into Carina.
“Oh! Sorry.”
She steadies my shoulder with her hand. “That’s okay,” she says, then eyes me up like she’s trying to figure out what I’m up to.
I rush to explain. “I got an interview for my article, and I just wanted to give Kieran an update. He was really impressed.” I blush, my insides jittery as I release yet another giggle.
Carina’s eyebrows rise. “Was he now?”
“Actually…” I lean forward and whisper, “He kind of asked me on a date. We’re going to meet up after my interview, and he’s going to help me sort out all my material for the article.”
Her expression pinches, immediate concern crossing her pretty face.
“What?”
“Just…” She sighs, placing her hand between my shoulder blades and moving me to the other side of the room, away from Angelica. “Just be careful.”
“What do you mean?”
“Kieran is…” She shakes her head, and I try to figure out what she’s not saying.
“I know it’s awkward around here,” I fill in for her. “I’m guessing you’re Team Angelica?”
Her eyes dart to mine, her gaze sharp and penetrating.
I swallow and shuffle back a step, whispering, “I’m sorry. Am I not supposed to say that?”
“We don’t talk about it in this space. It’s best to keep that tension at bay.” She leans in and softly murmurs, “To be honest, I don’t know how Angelica stomachs working with the guy. I would have quit if I’d been in her position.”
“I guess it says a lot about her character. I really like her.”
“Me too.” Carina smiles at me, but then her expression buckles. “But that’s got nothing to do with what I was going to say.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, just…” She tuts. “Be careful. Kieran asks out a lot of girls. I think you should know that going in. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Oh.” My mouth opens and shuts as I try to wrap my head around that.
So he’s a player.
And he asked me out.
Wow! Guys like that never notice girls like me.
But he noticed me!
“I’m just aware that you’re still young and impressionable, and I want you to have all the facts.”
“Well, thank you.” I smile at her. “I’ll go into this knowing it’s just a friendly date and have zero expectations. I won’t read into every nice little thing he does and assume that he’s, like, really falling for me. Is that what you mean?”
“Yes.” She smiles, and my insides deflate just a little.
I mean, sure, I’m stoked that a guy like him would notice me, and for that reason alone, I’m not bailing on this date. But it’s also just a touch disappointing to hear that I’m not anything special. I’m just another girl on a long list of—
My eyes dart to Carina’s pretty face. “Has he ever asked you out?”
“Yes.” She snorts and shakes her head. “But I’m not into guys, so I dodged that bullet.”
She’s not into guys?
She’s… oh. Okay.
I nod, smiling at her. I’ve never met a gay person before.
“Even if I was into them, I’m not sure I would have said yes.” She turns to stare at his office door, pursing her lips to the side while she has a little think.
I let her, shuffling on my feet while I wonder what she’s going to say next.
I’m not loving this conversation and am ready to wrap this thing up and get out of here so I can spend my evening prepping for Ben.
“You know what?” Carina turns back to smile at me.
“You could use this to your advantage. If he likes you, he might publish your article. I’m not saying do anything you don’t want to, but a few cute smiles and laughing at his no doubt unfunny jokes might give you a better chance.
May as well get something out of this date, right?
” She winks at me, and I let out an awkward laugh.
That sounds kind of… wrong for some reason.
I don’t want to use him that way.
I want him to publish my article because it’s well written and worthy of publishing, not because he likes me or doesn’t like me.
Wait.
“Do you think if he doesn’t like me, he won’t publish my work, no matter how good it is?”
“Ugh, I seriously hope he’s not that petty.” She rolls her eyes. “But who knows with that guy. Just… act nice anyway. It’ll only score you points.”
“Yeah.” I nod, swallowing as I look away from her and whisper, “Sure. Good idea.”
And now I’m wondering if this date is just one big mistake.
But Carina’s only one person, and there’s obviously not a lot of love lost between her and Kieran. What if she’s got it all wrong? What if Kieran asked me out because he does think I’m special?
I like that idea way more than the other option, so I cling to that thought as I say goodbye and head back to my dorm. I’m going to ace this interview with Ben and then have a brilliant date with Kieran… and then get my work published in the Nolan U Star!
Yes! Things are finally shifting in the right direction for me.
Maybe this year doesn’t have to suck after all.