It had been a very long year. Gene finally got out of the hospital months before she took six grade over again, but she had almost lost the scholarship to the academy. The fortunate part was the committee let Gene write them a letter about her experience learning to walk again and her struggles to do her homework.
Gene finally got to go back to school, she was still struggling with some motor control and had to use a cane to walk. At the entrance she was attempting, but failing to open the heavy front door, and then someone pulled it fully open for her. It was her friend Leslie who had visited her while she was in the hospital. Maisie followed in shortly behind them.
"We are all in a different grade still, unfortunately, but I'm glad you were still able to manage to come to this school." Maisie smiled. She was currently in fourth grade, and mature for her age.
"I'm in fifth grade now, a little closer to where you are at but we can't have lunch together yet, I'm not in middle school just yet." Leslie was disappointed but not that she was friends with an older student.
"Maybe you can help me with my homework! Then we can spend more time together." They had spent time working with Gene on her homework because they knew she had a hard time typing.
The unfortunate part was, Gene still failed her sixth grade class because of depression and lack of being able to get everything done with the inconsistent help of her friends. Leslie and Maisie could generally only spare time once a week on Wednesdays when they were let out early so their teachers had an extra hour to grade work.
" You both are still in a higher grade than me." Maisie, the youngest pouted.
"You can skip a grade too!" Gene said.
"But then I still wouldn't be in your class." Maisie pouted further. "And I don't want to be bullied by my classmates for being younger. Or still fail a grade."
Maisie stared at Gene, who was visibly annoyed, she should know that was a sore spot with her.
"Speaking of failing, I don't know how I managed to get to stay at this school, although it wasn't entirely my choice. My parents made me write the letter to the committee but I wasn't convinced they would grant me a second chance." Gene said, now getting depressed.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity but not really considering this is the same place I got very injured. I kind of wished to go back to my home town."
"Well I'll have you know I was looking out for you and talked to my mom, Mrs. Lennox about it." Maisie said.
"What does that have to do with my scholarship?"
"Well, duh if you read who was on the committee you'd know that she's the head of the committee and she was the one who reapproved you to get another scholarship and vouched for you to not be expelled!"
"I guess that means a lot to my parents." Gene rolled her eyes.
"Don't you want to still be friends with us, Gene, if you were back in your old school you wouldn't get to see us!" Leslie was about in tears. That was totally true, no one else seemed to care as much about her besides just her parents. She was thankful for their help through the toughest of times.
"Of course I want to stay friends." They all have each other a hug.
_________
Present day:
White Angels HQ:
"Miss. Gene please call the security podium, there's someone waiting."
"Hello, yes?"
"Someone named Leslie Von Rosenberg here to see you!"
"Please send her up."
"Oh wow, I haven't gotten the pleasure to check this place out before, Genie!" Leslie had a kind of pet name for Gene, despite her name already shortened.
"Well you were busy with senior year of college, so I hadn't wanted to bother you, bjt then Maisie up and quit on us." Gene frowned.
"I wish I could of been part of your crew sooner but life got in the way, you know with my father's death and all." Leslie stared into the void.
"I'm surprised you got through college that way but at least you didn't have to work part time to make it work!" Gene said.
"Okay Leslie we have to go check in with my boss Jack, he was to interview you, but I think its a sure thing too!"
Gene knocked on Jack's office door.
"Yes, hello?"
"Right. It's Gene with Leslie to see you."
"Please come in."
"Hello please sit down." Jack had a hardwood oak desk and cozy black leather chairs all on top of a large red circular rug.
"Anywhere is fine, but Gene please leave so I can interview your friend."
"Okay, Sure." Gene left closing the door. Jack looked Leslie up and down. Her hair was long, very black, and straight, complimenting her gray eyes and fair skinned demeanour. She was pretty skinny and tall.
"Okay, this is basically just an internship administrative position with an emphasis on organization. The previous secretary, Maisie kept us together. Do you think you have what it takes?"
"I am completing a bachelor's in office administration and I am very confident in my abilities to keep you on task!" Leslie smiled her shiny pearly white teeth glimmering.
Her smile could kill.
"I don't see why we couldn't give you a try, especially since this is just an internship." Jack winked. "Would you like to start today?"
"Sure, thank you for having me!" Hopefully he could have her. He thought. He gave her a handshake.
"What would you have me start on?"
"Talk to Maisie- oh I meant, Gene." Jack became flustered. He knew Gene wasn't his beloved Maisie. Who he knew he should get over.
"Okay. Thank you, Mr.? You never introduced yourself."
"Mr. Jack Smack. Gene didn't tell you?"
"Yeah she did I just wanted you to tell me personally." Leslie smiled.
"Right, well Gene will be in the office to the right of mine. Thank you for your time." Jack showed her to Gene's office.
Jack went back to his office flustered about the new recruit trying to ruffle his feathers. I'll ruffle her feathers, he thought.
___
"How'd it even go?" Gene smiled.
"Pretty good. I got the job! What does it entail?"
"Didn't you read any of what I sent over to you?"
"I wanted to but had other papers to work on for senior year."
"So you just walked into the interview without even knowing what you were getting yourself into?"
"Relax, Gene it's just an internship." Leslie smiled. "I'm sure I've got this."
"Right."
Leslie had no idea what she was getting herself into. She had no idea the agenda or really didn't care what the agenda was that the white angels had. She was there to be of use and learning the ins and outs of a nonprofit. She had no idea they were a terrorist organization being cruel to the Alucards. She did know she found Jack pretty attractive.
"Your boss is a main attraction isn't he?"
"Well yeah he's the speaker of the white angels."
"He does, oh wow, what a heart throb, handsome and good with his words." Gene had no idea what had happened to Leslie after they parted ways after Gene graduated high school at Maplewood academy and started her education at UW. She wasn't aware of what Leslie had been up to with the boys.
"He sure is." Gene didn't want to give away exactly her affection and admiration for him.
"When did you join the organization."
"After Jack made a speech in one of my classes, I basically was drawn to him like a moth to a flame." Leslie whistled, a cat call.
"Yeah well he's super hot so I can see why."
"Pfft. Well anyways we should probably get to work organizing brochures and hand outs for Jack's next rally instead of sitting here gossiping. We should catch up during lunch not during work time." Gene cut her off to stop talking about Jack.
"What are Jack's rallies even about?"
"The Alucards and helping them. Trying to help the poor." Leslie stared into the void again.
"Oh. How long was this internship again?"
"I mean maybe two months, three tops? But if you do well he said he would hire you."
"Mmm I don't necessarily care about the mission of the company because I'm just an office administrator but I really don't like Alucards." Gene hadn't been aware of Leslie's discontent with the Genalucards or lack of understanding of the being extremely poor. That left her with a bit of a dry taste in her mouth.
"Oh. Okay we'll do your best and then you will probably at least get recommendations from Jack." Gene said. I mean, maybe if he doesn't fall in love with Leslie too... Gene thought.