I hand him the papers from four reliable sources that I sought out to verify the accuracy of what I wrote about the politician who came to speak on campus.
He looks through them and raises an eyebrow. His lips quirk up very slightly before he says, “Good job, Haywood. I’ll send the article to print.” My eyes widen at the first real compliment he’s ever given me. He shoos a hand in my direction. “That’ll be all.”
I don’t say a word as I walk away.
I’ll be damned. He does like me after all.
I’m about to reach my desk when I spot Ben talking to Eric…or should I say,flirtingwith Eric.
He says something that makes Eric look at him as if he wants to jump his bones right here and now. Ben must feel my gaze on him because he turns and meets my huge smile. He winks at me and goes back to talking to his guy.
Whether they’re hooking up, dating, or just talking, I’m gladBen took the initiative, and it seems like I’m officially out of his head.
“But, Amelia, I couldn’t get a quote from her. She refused to speak to me, and she was being rude!” I hear Samantha whine, with everyone turning toward where she and my boss are standing.
Amelia slams the papers she’s holding on to her desk. “This is the second time she’s called the office complaining that you followed her for ten blocks, yelling questions like a lunatic instead of waiting for her assistant to get back to you for a formal interview like she said she would.” I have no idea who or what they’re talking about, only that Samantha has shrunk to what seems to be half her size. “You lost the opportunity to interview somebody else for your piece,again. We are not the paparazzi or a sleazy tabloid. This is a respectable collegiate newspaper that’s been running for almost one hundred and fifty years. I’ll be damned if my work as editor in chief goes down the drain because an immature, irresponsible, and impatient reporter can’t seem to get a quote the rational and logical way.”
“But—”
“No buts!” Amelia says sternly. “One more call from anyone about you, and you’re done, Samantha.”
Samantha scans the room as all of us stare at her, and we quickly look away, acting as if we didn’t overhear the entire conversation. I know Samantha hasn’t been doing well at the paper lately. In fact, she’s been desperately looking for unique pieces and constantly pitching ideas to Amelia that she dismisses because they aren’t good enough. Still, I never expected her to go as far as chasing someone for ten blocks.
As a reporter, asking tough questions is part of the job, and being persistent is also a must, but physically chasing someone is a whole different matter.
“Haywood!” Amelia yells. She startles me so much that I knock my computer mouse to the floor.
“Coming, boss!”
I run to her desk and wait patiently to see what she’s going to ask of me.
“I want the first draft of your article on my desk by the end of next week.”
“It’s already done.”
Amelia looks up at me from her computer. “But you haven’t finished your last two visits to the soup kitchen?”
I nod. “Those are mostly for pictures rather than information, but the first draft is finished. Unless something extremely exciting happens the next two weekends, there won’t be anything else to add.”
She leans back and watches me. “Print it out before you leave. I’ll take a look at it this weekend.”
Nerves churn in my stomach as I swallow past the dryness in my throat. “I’ll do that now.”
I turn to leave. “Elections are next month, Emma,” she says quietly. “Although I should warn you, Oliver is running as well.”
My body freezes. Of course he is, it only makes sense. He’s Amelia’s right-hand man and has been here since the beginning of the spring semester. Honestly, I’d feel bad about taking the spot from him.
“Are there any other positions that are open?” I ask her.
She smiles at me, respect shining in her eyes. “Yes, four more. We have to change positions every year, so many people are staying, but some are graduating this semester. You can run for any of them in December.”
Nodding, I go to print out the article. I’ll do my best to get the editor-in-chief position, but I hope to get one of the other roles if it doesn’t work out. The one thing I’m sure of is that the last position I want is copy editor.
Kamilaand I high-five everyone in our group as we win the last round of flip cup.
“Ha! Beat that, fuckers!” Kamila yells at Jake and Luna, officially tipsy.
“You’re such a terrible winner, Kami.” Luna shakes her head.
