Internship

Cassie

I grabbed the opportunity to enjoy my last fleeting moments of peace. I took a deep breath and slowly, dramatically opened my eyes.

3...2...1...

"What!? You lost the autographs!?" Mel shouted, standing up from the table. Not that it made a difference. She's even smaller than me that she should stand on a chair if she wanted to get my attention.

"Technically, I lost my notebook which contains your precious treasures," I said calmly, not even budging from my seat. I don't really mind losing that notebook. Besides, it’s not as if she was the one who wasted a few hours waiting in line for it. Only to get lost in the end.

"Do you know where you left it? Maybe we can still find it," she said hopefully, pacing the small space of our shared room. I’m staying at one of the university dorms and Mel just happened to be my roommate. I have no complaints about her whatsoever except when she’s being hyperactive like this.

"I knew exactly where I left it," I replied remembering the exact event that led me to losing it. I wonder if that guy found my notebook. I wish he didn't. That would be more annoying.

"Then go back," she ordered. In my opinion, she's being desperate. I’ve never seen her this bossy before. I wanted to whack her in the head with a pillow or two.

"I'll pass by on my way home," I said complacently. I'm not skipping classes just for that. Plus there's no assurance that it's still there.

I haven't told her I still have the guitarist's pick. It's probably not a good time to hold it over her nose. After all, timing is everything.

"Anyway, have you filed our forms for internship?" I asked, changing the topic. There’s much more pressing issues on hand to be addressed rather than a lost notebook filled with stranger’s autographs.

"Yeah," she replied shortly. I'll bet she still isn't finished talking about the current issue. "Where did you leave it? I'll go there myself right now!"

This girl doesn't know how to give up. I sighed. "Ground floor. Near the pharmacy. Ask the guards, they probably picked it up."

Mel's naturally a slow person but for the sake of fandom she dashed out of the room like lighting. She was gone before I could tell her she's being silly again. I just don't get her at all. How can someone be so obsessed with people they barely knew at all? There are people you’ve known all your life only to find out that you never really knew them at all.

Seriously, I don't even know why we're friends. She's an extrovert, I'm an ambivert. She's a fashion expert, I'm the typical shirt and jeans getup. She loves putting on make-up, I hate wearing them. She's a hardcore fan girl, I don't even know what I like.

Since I've been left alone, I decided to walk to school instead. I love walking. My mind can wander freely. I haven't gone too far when a car pulled beside me. I'm not really into cars, but this one is so posh that I just can't ignore it. It's a white convertible and I'm sure it runs fast.

"Get in," the driver said. I turned to see Noodle-hair from last night. I instantly got as far away as I can from the car. The world is such a dangerous place. Who knows, this guy could be a lunatic.

"I have your notebook," he said, his car crawling beside me. I was tempted to see if he was telling the truth but I ignored him and kept walking.

"Cassiopeia," he called and that made me stop in my tracks. How did he know my name? And how did he know where I lived? This guy is seriously creepy.

"Just get in the car," he said getting out and standing in front of me.

From this close, I can see that he isn't just tall, but also muscular. He could throw my body without breaking sweat. There's no way I'm getting inside that car.

So I did what I have to do. I stepped on his foot with my leather boots and ran away as fast as I could. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's running. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. Running away from my emotions. Running away from my family, my friends. And if I could I would have run away from myself, too. Running away for my lif would be no problem at all. He won't be able to run after me with that foot. Nor can he drive either. School wasn't too far away, I'll be safe there.

The world is really scary, I thought as I reached the safety of our university. I should get home before it gets dark. Or better yet, I should ask someone to accompany me.

"Cass, are you okay?" one of my classmates asked.

"No. I almost got kidnapped," I gasped. How long has it been since I last ran? My lungs are bursting.

"I know right. You can be easily mistaken as a kid." he said.

I rolled my eyes. I've been getting that joke for as long as I can remember. The class started and I practically dozed off in it. They say a teacher can only get the attention of the students for only twenty minutes. How could I stay up for a lecture that lasts three hours?

The sun was already setting when I got out of the room. I remembered noodle-hair from earlier. I should hurry home. I was about to leave when my phone rang.

"Mel, thank goodness," I breathed a sigh of relief. "Are you in school? Let's go home together."

"Yeah, stay right where you are," she sounded excited. It can't be about the notebook, noodle-hair has it. I doubt I'll be able to get it back.

A minute later, I saw Mel running towards me. She seemed to be running a lot today. Me, too. She was waving a piece of paper as she came to a stop in front of me.

"I... I..." she started, panting.

"Breathe, Mel. Breathe," I said to her. "What's all the fuss about?"

"I got the letter of acceptance today," she said, referring to our internship.

"And?" I asked. I didn't really know where she sent those letters, as long as we were working together, anywhere is fine.

"We did it!" she exclaimed happily, jumping up and down as usual. I’ll bet her legs will be sore tomorrow with all that jumping starting earlier.

"We're working with Niche Syndrome!" She shouted.

And with that statement, everything else had been forgotten.

*

Matthew

The next day, I went into the studio limping. I already skipped the day before since Landon insisted that I rest and I wish I followed his advice instead of finding her. He'd probably kill me if he knew.

Speak of the devil.

"What happened to you?" Landon asked as I entered the room. I really hoped I came earlier before he did but this guy is so passionate about music that he wouldn't live without it. And to think that he even rejected me more than a couple of times when I asked him to join the band at first.

Should I tell him the truth? That I sneaked out instead of lying in bed. Or should I make up a little white lie instead? Like I hit my toe on the table or something.

I took a deep breath. I'll tell him the truth. Maybe he'll understand. If not, what’s the worst that could happen? He'll just probably nag me all day.

"That stupid girl stepped on my foot!" was what came out instead. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. I don't think I could talk about this without getting infuriated.

"What girl?" Landon asked, confused.

"Are you talking about the notebook girl?" Clark said, picking up his bass guitar. I didn't notice him coming into the room.

"What notebook girl?" Landon said, looking between me and Clark. He looks like a child being left out on adult conversation.

"Have you returned it?" Clark asked, ignoring Landon.

"Can anyone please answer me," Landon frustratingly said.

Before I could open my mouth to answer them, Kasey suddenly burst into the room.

"Good morning everyone! Bagels? Coffee?" he said raising the bagels on his left and coffee in his right hand. That guy always have too much energy especially when there is food.

I took a cup while Landon took a bagel and shoved it into Kasey's loud mouth. He was looking at me expectantly.

"Remember the girl I told you during the fan signing event?" Clark says to Landon. He nodded. "We're talking about her."

"No, I found her but that stupid girl ran away from me," I said, turning to Clark.

"Maybe she thought you were a thug," Kasey said, stuffing his mouth with yet another bagel. "No offense, but you look like one."

"Thanks," I said sarcastically as I glared at him. That stupid guy just grinned at me. He looked even more like a thug than me with all the tattoos all over his body. Not to mention his whole back was covered with it.

"She must be hella strong," Landon said laughing his heart out. I wonder how he's my friend, at all. "Serves you right."

"Maybe you scared her," Clark said thoughtfully. "What did you say to her?"

Clark's uncle instincts really applies to everyone. I just wish someone's taking my side in this case.

"I just told her to get in the car," I answered.

"That's it!" Landon said with a sudden clap of his hand. Clark and Kasey shook their heads in disappointment.

"What?" I asked.

What did I do wrong?

"Matthew, you don't just tell anyone to get into a stranger's car," Clark explained. "Especially to a girl."

Kasey was annoyingly shaking his head at me. “Although I bet most fans would willingly dive into his car even if he doesn’t ask.” He says. “Or better yet, dive into his bed.”

"She probably thought you were a pervert," Landon smirked.

Look who's talking, I thought. He’s the one who blatantly announced to the whole world that he didn’t like fake boobs.

"She probably looked like Landon in American Girls," Kasey snorted, referring to the music video where I was kidnapped and thrown into the back of the van by American girls. "Sorry, Hart, but your acting skills suck."

"What if I tie you up right now and throw your body in the river, huh?" Landon said, choking Kasey with his arm. He's such a bully.

"Well, what are you planning to do now?" Clark asked, watching the two grappling on the floor.

"Beats me," I shrugged. I'd rather not see that girl again. Who knows what will happen next. Who cares about that damned notebook, anyway?

Thankfully, Clark didn't say anything more about the topic. I think he's being considerate of me, too. We just carried on the day, as usual. We practiced a few sets and I momentarily forgot about my injured foot and the one who caused it. If there's one thing that could take my mind off things, it's music.

"By the way, the new interns are coming later," Kasey said as we were wrapping up for the day. Aside from food, he's always the first one to know what's happening around us. I'll bet because he's too talkative for his own sake.

"Matthew, where are you going?" Landon asked as I went to exit the room.

"I'll just go for a smoke," I said, signaling him with my hands.

I bought a pack of cigarettes and went to the smoking area. I know it's bad for my health but unlike Landon, I don't have to worry about my voice. Besides, I can think more clearly when smoking.

Now that I'm no longer holding my guitar, the sense of humiliation started creeping up on me. I can no longer feel the pain on my foot but my ego has been deeply hurt. I should really get a grip on myself.

Why did I even bother looking for that girl? It's because of that silly notebook. No, not the notebook but the drawings in that notebook. Right, it's that silly notebook's fault. I should throw it away. That way I can completely forget about it.

I finished my cigarette and went to get the notebook so I could finally get rid of it. I won't probably remember it in a week. No, maybe tomorrow I'll forget about it completely.

I could hear Kasey's voice as I neared the studio. He'll never get lost, that guy, you just have to follow his voice. It seems like the interns finally came.

"Where's Matthew, by the way?" I heard our manager ask as I opened the door.

"I'm right here," I said as I entered. The intern had her back to me, I guess the other one was late. Or this one was just particularly early.

"She looks like an angel, don't you think?" I heard Kasey say to Landon.

Well, all I can see was long wavy hair from this angle.

"She looks like a doll, right?" Landon said turning to Clark.

The girl should probably feel uncomfortable by now. These idiots were treating her like a specimen under a microscope.

"A fairy, I think," Clark commented.

"Hey guys, cut it out," I said, finally joining them.

I can't believe this, I thought as I saw the girl standing in front of me. Just when I thought this is finally over. Just when I thought I got everything figured out. It's as if the universe conspired to play a cosmic joke on me.

"Ah, noodle-hair," she said in a monotone, looking at me.

It's the notebook girl.