Flashbacks

Between exams and figuring out my work experience (more updates on that...), I have been quite busy so here is another story I wrote a year ago that I have let see the light of day:

First grade, Lexie Williams stole my seat. Second grade, she beat me in a colouring competition. Third grade, her star was placed higher than mine. Fourth grade, she got first taste of the ice cream even though I raised my hand first. Fifth grade, her whole family got uprooted and moved across the country. I never had to see her face again until ninth grade, when her family moved back. I hated seeing her face everywhere I went. Tenth grade, she got top of the year while I came second. To her. Eleventh grade, she chose the same classes as me and I’m still convinced it was purely to make my life hell. Thankfully, I got top of the year. Senior year was basically a competition on who would get the better university. But, shocker, we both got into Yale. University was too big a place for us to be each other’s only competitors. So I haven’t seen Lexie Williams in a long time. But yet here she is, sitting opposite my boss. 

“Miss Cooper. Come in,” my boss, Rachel motions for me to take a seat next to the devil. 

“What's going on?” I ask, staring back and forth between the two. 

“We have an exciting new story for you. Sage Brown is currently in New York, filming his latest travel segment and we want to send an investigative journalist to scope him out,” she explains. 

My heart leaps a little. I’ve been dying to write a news piece of this calibre since I first started at RW Company. But the joy is dimmed a little when I realise I have to write it on Sage Brown. 

“Then what's she doing here?” I glance at Lexie, who doesn’t look at all shocked. 

“We agreed to print the story in our newspaper and the Brettson’s and naturally, they sent someone to oversee the writing,” Rachel hesitates. “You two will have to cowrite the piece,”

“No way,” I fold my arms. As much as I hate to admit it, Sage Brown is one of the hottest new names that everyone knows about. This story could be the one that could make me a household name and I’m not stupid enough to do it with Lexie Williams, who would take all my credit. 

“We specifically wanted you because of your style of writing. It's incredibly similar to Lexie’s which is why we think you two would be a good fit,” Rachel says.

I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “The answer’s no,”

“It could be one of the biggest stories you’ve ever written and you know it. Are you really gonna pass on that?” Lexie speaks up. 

“What's going to stop you from taking my credit?” it comes out of my mouth before I’m able to stop it. 

“Nothing,” Lexie says simply. “I just won’t,”

“And I’m meant to believe your word? Answers still no,” I shake my head.

“You’ll get an all expenses paid trip from London to New York, a platinum card from Mr Brown himself to use on any of your expenses, professional or personal and your names will both be in print. Emphasise on the both,” Rachel says.

“An all expenses paid trip?” I ask. That had to be taken into consideration. It had been a long time since I had flown to New York because the plane tickets cost me twice my rent. 

Rachel nods. “If you can’t make a decision now that's fine but you need to make one by the end of the week,”

“I can do that,” I nod.

“Good. You two are both dismissed,” 

The second Rachel’s door closes, Lexie hisses to me, “Seriously? This could be the story of our lives for both of us and you’re really going to think about it?”

I quicken my stride but Lexie manages to keep up with me. “I’ve had my experiences where my work has been stolen because I agreed to deals like that. Forgive me if I wanted time to consider it,” 

“For the last time, I didn’t steal your maths test and cheat off it,” I can just hear her rolling her eyes. 

“I’m not talking about that,” I snap. “But you so did,” I murmur.

“Well then what can I do to convince you to take this job?” Lexie says, exasperated.

“Why do you need it so badly?” I turn around. 

She gave me a look like I was so dumb, “Money, for one thing and revenge,”

I raise my eyebrow, “Revenge?”

“Yeah,” Lexie turns away. “Don’t bother asking,”

I shrug, “Okay,”