When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

we can see LIMIT magazine workers approach our table.

 

 

''Nice day for competition huh?'' said one of them.

 

She was the same girl from before. Tall, sunkissed skin and had fierce eyes.

 

 

She rolled a smile on her face as her friends followed behind, leaving elsewhere.

 

 

It's dead silent as Bella tried to rebirth our conversation.

 

''We're obviously gonna win.'' Marybella said abruptly.

 

''Don't worry, you're going to win.'' Mark said to her.

 

 

 

''Come on, the next competition will be on in a few minutes. Better make it back early.'' Rikki suggested.

 

We all threw away our plastic spoons and leftovers, as we walk to the headquarters site.

 

The sun blaring on our skin.

 

  

Lauren and Vanessa sigh in relief as we approach.

 

 

''Finally you guys are here, I thought you'd bail.'' Lauren says.

 

''Well w'ere here, so where is the next competition being held?'' I answered.

 

''In the outside tents, of course.'' Vanessa replies.

 

 

  

''Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats.'' said an announcer.

 

We all found our assigned area of seats, as Rikki wents up to compete for the Camera Mags Competition.

 

She gives me a thumbs up before heading to grab her camera.

 

 

A quiet voice comes onto the mic as judges watch the photographers take pictures.

 

Prepping for real competition.

 

 

''All participants in this category, please take your stand as we prepare for the Camera Mags Company Competition. Again please sign in for provided cameras and take your stand.'' said the man.

 

 

The crowd and company workers quiet down as I watch Rikki in action.

 

 

I was surprised by how many guys were in the photograph category.

 

It seems like Rikki was the only girl.

 

 

''For the 6 magazine companies in competition, prepare for the 3 stages of the photography category.'' says the announcer.

 

''Just get on with it!!'' someone yelled from the seats below.

 

 

The announcer sighs then turns the mic down.

 

''You may begin. First up, FARELLE magazine.'' the announcer says.

 

 

 

Rikki goes at it, taking as many shots as she can. The angle and her fingersare  in place as she changes her position to take more shots.

 

 

Several shots later, she's done and taps the bell on the judges table.

 

I clap excitedly as Marybella does too.

 

 

She smiles into the crowd, looking for us.

 

I couldn't be more proud of her.

 

Chapter Twelve: Paint The Canvas

 

 ''Great competition right?'' Rikki says.

 

''I know, that AUSSIE company worker didn't stand a chance against you.'' I replied.

 

''I know. Now all we need is, you to complete the competition so we can go back home.'' Rikki says putting her arm over my left shoulder.

 

 

I slow down my pace as I look to the ground.

 

I didn't think the writer's write off competition was next.

 

I mean there are no more categories left.

 

 

I guess it's time.

 

 

''Yep.'' I said.

 

Rikki interuppts.

 

''Look, there's my plus 1. The one I told you about. I haven't mentioned him because he was touring Rio while we were doing competition. He wanted to see me win.'' Rikki says.

 

 

Me and the gang stop as we take a look at Rikki's plus 1.

 

I didn't actually believe her at first. until now.

 

 

He was pretty. He was attractive.

 

 

''Guys. meet Chris. Chris meet the gang.'' she says.

 

He shakes hands with everyone as we all stare at him.

 

I didn't know that Rikki was telling the truth. He's real.

 

 

 

''Wow, I thought you just made it up.'' Marybella said, breaking the silence.

 

''Well obviously you guys didn't believe me. Chris is a sweetheart.'' Rikki pushes the slight hair coming over Chris's forehead.

 

He smiles back to her, as we all stare, awkward.

 

Too awkward, if I must say.

 

 

''Okay, competition time is almost over. The writers need to prepare, so come on Elle.'' Lauren says approaching me.

 

 

She grabs my wrist, pulling me into the big ballroom switched up for competition.

 

Crowds of chairs surround my view.

 

 

I was speechless by the outlook.

 

Lauren continously tugs on my wrist as I walked behind her at a fast pace.

 

 

''Okay so competition goes by name and qualification. You'll have to announce your name and company, then you start with an essay writing about your experience at FARELLE. Then the intern experts are called to writing their experience.'' Lauren explained to me.

 

 

''Basically.'' I replied.

 

''Then you'll be asked to write about a big life changing moment about joining a magazine company. Then Walt, our new intern, will write his essay on joining our company so quickly before competition. Does that make sense?'' Lauren says.

 

''I guess.'' I replied.

 

She finally stops walking fast.

 

 

''Great, take your standing position here while the other writers join in a minute. I'll be rooting for you in the front.'' Lauren says.

 

 

Before I knew it, I was standing behind a chair and table with an old desktop computer.

 

The screen was lit with a blank doucment opened.

 

 

The crowd of workers and other magazine competers begin to appear, filling up their seats.

 

I spot Jacob in the far back as he waves to me.

 

I wave back, feeling relief.

 

 

I was still nervous but I had confidence.

 

 

 

Rikki and Marybella give me a thumbs up as they take their seats. Lauren smiles very wide as Vanessa takes a seat next to her.

 

Marcus gives me a small smile and waves, as my fear for being on the spot disappears. Our interns sitting in the back were watching.

 

Sara and Walt approach the stage, beside me.

 

 

''Welcome everyone to the last category and competition for the Annual Magazine Company Face Off's'' yells the announcer.

 

 

The crowd cheers as I felt nervous again.

 

This was happening and I was doing it.

 

Doing competition with everyone.

 

 

During the annoncement I sneaked a peak at Ruby in the crowd. Of course she'd ignore me, but I was confident enough to know she's proud of me.

 

I see her face come into frame with my eye contact. She gives me a small smile as my relaxation kicks in.

 

I was all set.

 

 

Nothing to worry about.

 

 

''Now we will have the writers announce their names and company their representing, then take their seats and write up the 1st half of an essay about their experience in the magazine world. Let's give a round of applause!!'' says the annoucer.

 

 

The crowd claps and cheers one more time before it gets quiet.

 

The mic is passed on to the first competer.

 

 

''Hi my name is Sharon, and i'm from AUSSIE Magazine Company.''

 

''Hi, i'm from BANGCON Magazine Company and my name is Wen Ji.''

 

 

 

The mic gets passed on and on, till it comes to me.

 

I was nervous to take the mic. I took a deep breath and held it in my hands.

 

I looked at the mic then turned to the crowd.

 

 

I had to admit, I was a whole lot more nervous than before.

 

Even just saying my name.

 

 

''Hi,..my name is Elle and i'm from FARELLE Magazine Company.'' I said.

 

I quickly remove the mic from my hand and I passed it on to Sara who passed it to the next competer.

 

I was glad that moment was over.

 

 

''Now that we have the competitors annouced. All writers, interns and expert interns in the competition, please take your seats. We will be starting in a few seconds.'' says the announcer.

 

 

I sat down, bracing myself for the nervous stress to take over. 

 

''It's okay.'' Walt says, grabbing my hand.

 

 

I nod my head, looking at him as the annoucer interuppts.

 

''Alright writers, begin with the 1st category essay. Write 1 paragraph about your experience in a magazine company. Go!!'' they say.

 

 

I brace my fingers to type as I think of the words coming to my head. They were too fast, I spell a few words wrong before I noticed the nervous shaking in my hands.

 

 

''The best thing about working for a magzine companyes....'''

 

 

The nervous moment made me close my eyes, as I tried to find my peace.

 

No one was here to help me except myself.

 

 

I had to think big.

 

I had writer's block for a moment.

 

I was taking the place for writer of the year, I need to win.

 

 

This my year, and i'm taking it back.

 

 

''One of the best things about working for a magazine company, is the hard work and dedication it takes to be involved. I remember my first time. It wasn't bad ,but it got better over the years....''

 

 

My mind instantly went back to the memories I had in the past 3 years. What i've been through and what the company did as the people around me, changed me.

 

It was all a big adventure back then.

 

 

Before I knew it, I had so many sentences I couldn't fit it into a paragraph. I kept typing as if this whole competition was my life.

 

 

 

''Time's up.'' said the announcer.

 

 

My hands were put to a stop by Sara's fingers.

 

I was vigoriously typing away blocking out the time's up announcement.

 

My hands slide off the keyboard as I look back up to reality.

 

 

I look back to my computer filled with long sentences and words i've never seen myself write before.

 

I was proud.

 

 

''We'll have the judges read over the essays after the competition is over. Next up, we'd like to ask the intern experts from the magazine companies to approach the stand, or simply slide down a chair.'' says the annoucer.

 

 

I get up from my chair as I switch seats with Sara to the right.

 

And I'm left to stare at the crowd. Sara sits down in my seat nervously.

 

 

''1 minute to prep before we move on expert interns, get ready.'' says the announcer.

 

''Elle,... I can't do this.'' Sara whispers.

 

''What do you mean, you can't? I just did and so can you.'' I replied, looking to Sara.

 

 

She sighs then nods her head. She looked into the crowd as I sat back in a chair.

 

She was obviously looking for Kyle in the crowd, hoping she'll feel more confident when she sees him.

 

 

 

My attention is brought back to the announcer.

 

He speaks into the mic as we prep for the competition again.

 

''And we're back. All expert interns please take your seats. Your assignment is to write your experience at your magazine company.'' says the announcer.

 

 

Sara faces to the computer, as I wait for the announcer to say the word.

 

 

''Alright, go.'' he says.

 

 

 

She starts typing about her experience.

 

Probably about how fun it was to work for FARELLE.

 

 

I could tell with the light in her eyes she could write anything.

 

Her first job, her first crush...boyfriend....and ex boyfriend.

 

Sara's encounter with me, so many times.

 

 

And everything else in between.

 

  

''Time's up!!'' yelled the announcer.

 

 

Sara's eyes are brought up from the screen as she breathed deeply, looking ahead.

 

I smiled as my eyes shift from her to the announcer again.

  

  

''All experienced interns please exit your seating and slide down to let the new intern writers start for the competition.'' the announcer says.

 

 

Sara moves and Walt's sits, as things begin to shift.

 

Walt was a great kid, and he's gonna be one of the best real writers to join FARELLE.

 

 

 

''Alright interns, get ready.....set...go!'' says the announcer.

 

 

Walt types away fast, sure that he had potential.

 

I've never seen someone so bright and talented write the way he did.

 

 

I was glad Lauren made Walt my new assitant. But i'm also kind of sad to see Sara go, after her spent time making it seem to the judges that she's an actual writer.

 

 

She's done so much. I just hope and wonder if Lauren will take it easy on her when she returns back to FARELLE.

 

We don't miss her at all, but I realized after competition...it'll all be over.

 

 

I'll be back at FARELLE, with Walt and new interns taking up spots next fall.

 

Rikki and Marybella will stay by my side, and Sara will possibly choose who to be with in San Francisco or Wisconsin.

 

 

Everything was ending, this summer and the competition. But I was glad to see my life settle for once and focus on me and