Before You Go

EIGHT

The week goes by and my life is a series of classes, studies, and the occasional conversation with Noah. It seems whatever was going on between him and Jenna is over, although she gives me the death glare in class from time to time. Still, Noah’s made no move to take things any further than friendship. I’m thankful for that because I don’t think I’d have the strength to fight him off.

All in all, I’m having a pretty typical college experience, and I couldn’t be happier.

An alert goes off on my phone, reminding me of the meeting. Tonight is the kickoff for my internship with the newspaper. I’m excited to start something new and maybe even meet a few people.

The newspaper staff is housed on the second floor in the mass communications building, where Dad’s office is. Thank God, Dad won’t be there tonight. The last thing I need is for everyone to know I’m Professor Kelly’s daughter. Anonymity is the key for me here, and after having it for an entire week at school, I will do anything to protect it. Good news is the students basically run the press on their own, Dad is really just a glorified resource to help with funding and problems.

Inside the paper’s headquarters, staff and interns gather in the commons area. It’s comfortable and bright with a lounge area filled with TVs, computers, and stacks of magazines and newspapers. In the back are a few offices and photo lab. I recognize a girl from my poly sci class and take a seat next to her on the couch.

Time to play normal.

“Hi,” I say, grabbing a notebook and pen out of my bag. “Aren’t we in poly sci together with Professor Cass?”

“Yeah,” she smiles, tucking her long dark hair behind her ear. “We are. I’m Jules.”

“Tabby.”

“Nice to meet you,” she says as she struggles with her bag, looking for something.

“You too.”

“So, where did you transfer from?”

Crap. So much for anonymity.

“Is it that obvious I’m new?”

“No,” she laughs. “But on the first day, I was behind you on the way out—Aha!” Jules interrupts herself, obviously finding what she was looking for: a Hello Kitty Band-Aid. She slips off her tall black boot and secures the bandage onto a blistered heal. “Damn new boots.” She blows her bangs off her forehead. “Anyway…I saw you walk into the closet instead of the bathroom after class.”

Christ.

“You saw that?”

She chuckles. “I only laugh because I did the same thing freshman year.”

I smile. There’s something that makes me feel at ease with Jules. She’s so different from the girls I hung out with in Illinois with her complete ensemble of black clothes, red glasses, and colorful streaks woven into her long locks.

Then again, I’m different than I used to be. Especially without the shield of my little dance clique.

Still, Jules is so tiny she could be the ballerina. A point made perfectly as a very tall (and very hot) guy picks her up, takes her seat, and plops her on his lap. I’m thankful for the disruption.

“Hey, beautiful.” The guy kisses Jules on the cheek.

“Stop manhandling me, you Neanderthal.” Jules punches him in the arm.

“Come on, baby. You know you like to be manhandled.”

“That may be.” Jules slides off to the other side, leaving the Neanderthal sitting in the middle of us. “But not by the likes of you.” She leans over his lap now and makes introductions. “Tabby, Foster. Foster, Tabby.” Then she pinches Foster’s arm. “Behave,” she warns.

“Hey, Tabby.” Foster turns to me, deliberately shutting out Jules. “You a friend of little Wednesday Addams, here?”

“Watch it, Fester,” Jules yells over his shoulder and I can’t help but laugh.

“Charming, isn’t she?”

“Yes,” I say, honestly. “She really is.”

Foster is on the thin side, but he looks like he’s in shape, a runner maybe. His black hair is short, showing off huge brown eyes. They twinkle as he leans back and puts his arm around Jules.

“I know,” he says. “That’s why we love her. So how do you guys know each other?”

“Just met tonight,” I answer. “But we’re in the same poly sci class.”

I lean into Foster so I can also talk to Jules. The two of them tell me how they’ve been friends since high school and how they have a love/hate relationship with the paper. Jules loves it. She’s a photographer and has won all kinds of awards. Foster hates it because he’s a reporter and Noah only gives him fluff assignments.

“Seriously, Tabby.” Foster lowers his voice. “Last year he made me write a piece on college fashion. Fashion, Tabby.” He stands up to illustrate his point, showing off his black jeans, beat-up sneakers, and orange hoodie. “Does that sound like something I’d even be remotely interested in? That is Jerk-him-off Jenna’s domain if there ever was one.”

“Wait.” My stomach clenches. “Jenna Peterson?”

“Yep,” Foster says. “The one and slutty.”

“Why?” Jules asks. “Friend of yours?” She looks worried.

“No,” I say a little too fast. “It’s just—”

She had something going on with Noah and I don’t like it.

Jules reaches for my arm. “Don’t worry, Tabby. She rarely shows. She just comes in when she absolutely has to. Our kind editor-in-chief pretty much gives her a free pass.”

“I don’t really know her but have two classes with her and she gives me a bad vibe,” I finish.

Not to mention she scares the living crap out of me.

“She gives everyone a bad vibe,” Foster says. “Unless you have a big dick, or bigger bank account.”

Jules pats Foster’s shoulder. “It’s okay, hun. You can’t have it all and you, my friend, have a big…personality.”

“Watch it, fun-size.” He laughs.

Engaged in their banter, I don’t notice Noah walk in. But suddenly I feel his eyes on me. The group quiets down and Noah leans against one of the computer tables. His expression is strained. His eyes are narrowed on Foster until he reluctantly glances in my direction.

Gauging by the reaction of everyone in the room, there is no doubt Noah’s in charge of the entire operation. He sits on the edge of the table in my favorite pair of jeans—I can’t believe I have a favorite—and navy V-neck sweater, welcoming all the newbies. The staff started working before the semester began, so now it’s Noah’s decision where to put the new crop of interns.

He exudes confidence as he describes our roles, gives a rundown of upcoming stories and schedules, and hands out assignments.

It works for him. In so many ways.

“Tabby,” Noah calls on me. “I’d like you to post the stories for the daily online edition. The reporters will have their articles in by five each evening, so that means you’ll have to work on layout once they’re in. It’s not a lot, but it will take a few hours each night. Will that work for you?”

“Yeah, of course,” I tell him. It’s not like I have a booked social calendar or anything, and I need the credits.

“Good,” he says, moving on to the next intern with hardly a look my way.

At the end of the meeting, Foster bumps me in the shoulder. “We’re going to get a drink at Sasha’s. Wanna come?”

The crazy thing is, I do. I open my mouth, ready to accept, before Noah walks over to us.

“We’ll need to start working tonight, Tabby,” Noah says, standing behind me.

“Oh, come on Adler,” Foster says. “Tia has it under control for tonight. Everyone else is starting their new positions tomorrow.”

Noah swings around me. “I need her tonight, Foster. So stop wasting your time here and go hit on one of the other interns.”

What?

There is some definite animosity between these two, but I have no idea why. All I know is that I don’t want any part of the drama.

“Whatever, boss,” Foster huffs. “We’ll catch you later,” he says to me.

Jules shrugs and calls out. “See you in class!”

“Tabby,” Noah snaps, and then continues walking toward the back office.

What an ass!

Still, I follow.