Chapter 2

Kiara's POV

"Get your lazy ass up" Kim kicked me lightly.

"Ten more minutes please" I whined turning away from Kim.

"Not a chance sissy" she poked my side.

"Pretty please" I pouted. 

"Faye get you ass up or you'll be late for your flight" she shouted beside my ear.

"Don't call me that" I said getting up.

That horrible hex just succeeded in ruining my beautiful morning by calling me Faye. It's a very nice name, my middle name and sadly the name given to me by my reprehensible mother. I hated anything that has to do with that woman or links me to her. I still do though.

I dawdled to the washroom to start my dreaded day. Don't get me wrong I'm happy to travel and explore America but I hate to leave my granny and bestie but it's something I can't evade.

Within forty-five minutes I was nicely dressed and done with my final packings. I rolled my suitcase to the living room before making my way to the kitchen for a much needed breakfast.

"Morning darling" granny sat on the round eating table in the centre of the kitchen with a steaming cup of green tea.

"Morning old lady" I gave her a side hug.

"I'm not an old lady. I can still strike your ass naughty girl" she tried to keep a stern look. We both couldn't keep in our laugh. I am going to miss our morning banter. I know it's just for three days but I have this nagging feeling that I'm going to be staying in New York longer than expected.

"Maybe I'm old but not too hold" she said after we calmed down.

"Whatever I love you my favourite old lady" I moved over to the next chair.

"Love you too princess" she said before taking a sip of her tea.

I gave a tight lip smile not wanting granny  to see how her calling me princess affected me. It brings back memories with dad. I miss him so much; I'll kill to see him again even if it's just for a minutes.

"Here" Kim placed three neatly stacked pancakes with bacon and scrambled egg on the side, along side a cup of hot chocolate in front of me.

The meal look deliciously irresistable. I'll have to put aside my anger to devour this delectable baby right in front of me. 

"Hmmm" I moaned after the first bite. Kim is a great cook but me on  the other hand, can't boil water to save my life. It's not from lack of trying to learn but it seems cooking is not in my DNA. I remember the day I almost burnt the house down when I  tried to fry bacon( key word TRIED). Dad was so mad that he banned me from entering the kitchen for two months. At that time he changed the kitchen lock and got me a mini fridge so I have not reason to go to the kitchen. Since then he never let me be by myself in the kitchen.

Strangely I love food way more than Kim but I'm the one that can't cook; it's so sad.

"What" I snapped feeling Kim's eye on me.

"Calm down sissy. No one is taking your candy" she tried to make a joke. I knew she is thinking of how to apologise for earlier so like a good bestie that I am, I decided to put her out of her misery.

"You are forgiven just because you made me such a scrumptious breakfast" I said before putting the last peice of food in my mouth.

"I love you Ki" she hugged me ( honestly she squeezed the life out of me that I was starting to reconsider my decision).

"I won't call you Faye ever again I promise" she assured but I knew she wasn't going to keep that promise.

The sound of the door bell brought me out of my world. "I'll get it" Kim said before heading to the door.

"John is here" she called out.

John is Professor Jones driver. He is quite a nice guy. I've known him since my first year in the university.

" Good morning Johnny" I said in a chirpy voice giving him a hug. 

"Morning how are you today?" He replied opening the door for me.

"You don't have to" I smiled getting in.

"But I want to" he smiled back before closing the door.

While waiting for granny and Kim we did a little catchup as we haven't seen each other for few weeks now. It took twenty minutes before granny and Kim finally graced us with their presence. We instantly left not wanting to be late. 

Getting to the tarmac, we found out I still have one hour thirty minutes before the plane's take off. I decided to give professor Jones a call as he was meant to be here but he had an impromptu meeting which he couldn't be absent from.

"Guys I have to call Professor Jones...I'll be back soon" I said before stepping to the side.

The phone rang continously without response. 'He is probably still in the meeting' I thought before attempting to end the call. "Hey kiddo" his voice rang out before the last ring.

"Good morning professor Jones. I hope I didn't interrupt your meeting" 

"Not at all, we just concluded. Your flight should be called in few minutes I suppose" 

"Actually I have one hour twenty five minutes before the plane takes off" I said checking my wristwatch.

"Oh really...I'll be there in twenty minutes" I could hear shuffling from the other end.

"Okay call me when you get here" I said before hanging up. I head back to meet the others. We had time to spare and I'll be sure to make good use of the time.

"Where to guys" 

"Starbucks" Kim suggested.

My flight has just been announced and I was giving everyone goodbye hugs. I was going to miss them alot. With out wasting more time I head to the concourse where other passages assembly to get checked by customs.

In no time, I was settled in my seat  waiting for the take off. In the mean time, the air hostess was giving safety tips which I wasn't listening to 'cause I knew them already. I used to travel with dad once every year during the summer holidays. It was always fun seeing new places, meeting new people and most importantly trying new foods.

It's a miracle how I can still maintain a good stature with how much I eat.

"What would you have ma'am" a hostess taped lightly on my arm.

"Uhmmm...flavoured water is fine for now" I forced a smile on my face. I really can't wait to get over with this journey.

~~~~~~~~~

"Fasten your seatbelts we'll be landing in the next few minutes" a voice rang out from the speaker. I start to put my things together getting ready to deplane.

I start to move to the baggage area to retrieve my suitcase before leaving the tarmac in search of a cab. I hailed a cab to the hotel where the invited nterns will be staying. We were meant to share rooms but thankfully professor Jones got a personal room for me.  It's quite small but it's not something I can't manage.

The reception was rowdy; filled with lot of college student trying to mingle and make friends. Girls from the same colleges were paired. The same goes to the guys but I'm the only girl from my college.

"Excuse me ma'am in Kiara Hasting from Suffolk University" 

"Give me a second" she said before typing on her system.

"Here. Take the lift to the 3rd flood" she handed over the key card.

"Thanks ma'am" I noded politely.

The elevator ride was smooth. In no time I was in my room. I started to  unpack my stuffs setting aside things I'll need for tomorrow. When I was done unpacking I freshened up quickly and retired to bed early. I was so tired that the moment my head hit the pillow, I slept off.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thankfully, I woke up to the sound of my first alarm so I had extra time to do some cardio exercise. I usually set multiple alarms because I am a deep sleeper so waking up is not an easy task for me.

After my cardio exercise, I had a long soak in the heavenly tub. The room may be small but it's well decorated and equipped with lot of comfort giving appliances. By the time I came out of the bathroom, I had twenty minutes before breakfast. I walked to the chair where I laid out all I needed to get ready and began with the task at hand. There was no time to blow dry my hair so I packed it in a high pony as neatly as I can.

By 8:25am I was double checking my bag to ensure that I had all I'll need for the presentation. When I was certain that I'm not forgetting anything, I head to the  restaurant where we'll be having breakfast to join my Co interns.

By 9:00 we all converged in the provided bus to start the forty five minutes journey to NYU where the presentation will take place.

I had been feeling very nervous from the moment the bus moved from the hotel and now that students from my university are been called to go into the hall, I feel like I'm going to pass out from the way my heart was beating so fast. The presentation is in stages and I hope I could at least finish the first stage without them having to rush me to the ICU. I know I'm being dramatic but I just can't help it.

While I was busy trying to keep my nerves at bay, the other girls were gawking and batting their fake lashes at the judges. Their actions irritated me because this men were way older than them except the gloomy man at the edge. He looks like he is in his late twenties. He is a veeeeeeeeeery handsome eye candy. He has a stoic expression like he didn't want to be here.

"Look Jonas is this not Suffolk's Geeky Queen" Tony's annoying voice brought me out of my thoughts. It seems like I'm bound to always be unlucky 'cause these two fools were sitting beside me. 

Jonas and Tony are best friends but I think they are gay 'cause their level of closeness is abysmal. They are always seen together and annoyingly they have always tormented me from my first year in Suffolk. I wonder how they get good grades when most of the time they are always troubling everyone most especially me. 

Kim used to help chase them off my back but now that she's not here I'll have ignore them and concentrate on the programme. I hope I won't get chosen in the same company as them.

In no time everyone was seated and the programme commenced right away. The board of directors were introduced along side the judges. I found out the name of the gloomy judge. He has a nice name but I can't say the same for his personality. I'm not one to judge people by their expressions but seeing the way he commanded and spoke rudely to the ushers in the last one hour, I am certain that he has a sour personality. I hope I don't get picked by his company, Although, his company seems to be the second richest in America and I'm so sure the pay is going to be so good but I can't work where I won't be free. Who am I kidding, the way he has been sizing up all the intern with his eyes I'm sure he thinks we are all unworthy to work in his prestigious company.

"This presentation will be in stages and this is the first stage. You all are thirty in number and at the end of this stage we'll be picking twenty interns. There will not be second chance for anyone. You all have five minutes for your presentation so you have to make it count to secure a spot in the top twenty interns. Without further ado let get started. The first set of students to come for their presentation will be our own students from NYU" Everyone cheered as the students made their way to the stage.

It's been three hours since the presentation started and they are now on the last participating school which happens to be Suffolk University. I feel like running of this stage and going back home because with the presentations I've seen, I don't think I can be part of the top twenty. I feel sad because I am going to be breaking Professor Jones heart. He put so much effort and resources in ensuring that I'll be here. No one from our school has ever made it past the first stage and this was our last chance. If no one can make it to the next stage this time then our school will be removed from the participants of this programme. 

"Our final presenter for today is Miss Kiara Hasting" the host's voice snapped me back to reality. 

I put a smile on my face and stepped forward. I just have to do as I was told and get off this stage. I know granny, Kim and Professor Jones are watching live at home. I hope I make them proud.

With that, I placed my laptop on the table facing the projector and launched into my presentation.