Haven't Had Enough → Chenry

? Chapter Six

     "Of course," He replied, shrugging as if it were obvious. "I knew you were at least half-decent when I approved you for the internship, but I've never had Becca turn in such an amazing manuscript before. I'm sure that it had to be your doing."

     A blazing grin spread across my face. "I can't take all the of the credit, but thank you!" I gushed.

Right away, my mind jumped to thoughts of who I wanted to share the news with. The first person was Lyah, of course, but more shockingly, I thought of Henry as well. However, he and I were hardly on speaking terms, nonetheless listen-to-my-good-news terms.

     "There is something I wanted to ask of you," Mr. Boehman said, snapping me out of my thoughts. He paused, eyeing me for a moment. "Have you ever considered writing for the Penbrooke Award?"

     "Have I ever considered it?" I scoffed at the irony of his question. "Writing for the Penbrooke is a dream of mine!"

     "Well then, I hope you take it seriously," He responded. "I would be proud to have a Penbrooke recipient from our company, and I think that you could be the one to do it. Think about it, Miss Bolton."

     I jumped up from my chair, brimming with ecstatic energy. "I'll do it, Mr. Boehman," I assured him, eagerly taking his hand to shake. "I won't let you down!"

As soon as I pulled open the door to leave, I bumped into Becca, who had clearly been standing there with her ear against it. She scowled at me before grabbing my wrist without warning and pulling me into a nearby corner.

"You couldn't stop at my job?" She snarled, staring me down viciously. "Now you're trying to steal my boyfriend, too?"

I erupted into laughter at the ridiculous nature of her claims. "I'd like to know what gave you that idea, but I'm almost afraid to ask."

Becca jutted her thumb over her shoulder, pointing back to her desk, where none other than Lyah herself was standing. When she saw that I was looking in her direction, she offered me a small wave and a sheepish smile.

"That girl is roommates with my boyfriend," Becca slowly articulated. "I asked her what she was doing here, and she told me was looking for you. She says you're her cousin."

I inwardly cringed at her insistence to use the term 'boyfriend' every time she mentioned Henry. Despite what I had said on the first day I met her, the thought of Becca and Henry together made my stomach crawl.

I decided I was over being scolded and started to take a step around her, but she shoved into my way.

"You must be the girl he's been talking about," She presumed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I might not be able to stop you from writing for the Penbrooke, but I can stop you from canoodling with my man."

I took a deep breath and prepared myself to tell Becca that I didn't even want Henry in that way, but something about the look on her face changed my mind. "Becca, the only thing I'm worried about canoodling with is my Penbrooke Award in three months' time."

I marched past her triumphantly, heading in Lyah's direction. In a final shout across the room, I added, "Besides, Henry isn't your man. He said so himself."

I could tell from where I was standing that her face was reddening. What I couldn't decipher was whether it was due to embarrassment or anger. Either way, I wasn't going to stay to find out, so I grabbed Lyah's wrist and pulled her outside without looking back.

"I can't figure out if that was awesome or idiotic," Lyah said to me once we were outside. "With everything you've told me, it honestly beats me how you've even kept that job."

      "You're right," I replied, stopping in my tracks and turning to face her. "And I'm going to have to change all of that, because Daniel Boehman himself just asked me to write for the Penbrooke!"

     I watched as Lyah's eyes widened and a smile took over her face. "That's great!" She exclaimed, taking my hands and squealing. "We have to celebrate! Cupcakes on me?"

     I nodded and followed her across the street to Quincy's. Although I was happy, part of me felt as if something was missing. I couldn't help but wish I'd gotten the chance to share my news with one other person – one tall, blond, brown-eyed person, to be exact.

     "Everything okay?" Lyah asked me, looking at me dubiously. "You look down for a girl who's dreams are coming true."

     "Who, me?" I scoffed, putting on a smile. I hooked my arm in hers and strolled along with a bit more pep in my step. "What could I have to be sad about? Let's celebrate!"