"Fuck-ohshit, I'm sorry." She tried to help pick up the man's books, but heheld up a hand to stop her.

"It'sfine," He gathered his books into his arms, "I'm perfectly ableto do it myself."

"Well,if you say so sir." She waited awkwardly, unsure if she shouldcontinue on her way, or wait until the man was done.

Hestood, his hood just at the right angle so she couldn't see his eyes."You don't have to wait for me miss."

"Oh-okay."She blurted out, standing still for another second, and then hastilyturned around, walking the other way.

"Idiot.I'm such a gosh darn idiot." She muttered to herself as shequickened her pace to reach her interview on time.

Themorning was bright, the yellow rays pouring down onto the bustlingstreets where a long line of cars was already forming. She guidedherself though the light crowd and noise. It was all new to her-thecity life. She had been here a month already, and yet the city ofangels still managed to stun her. The architecture was astounding-modern styles of steel and glass mixed with the older brickcomplexes, a clash of cultures calling the San Fernando Valley home.

Shefound her spot- Valerio Architects Inc. It was a small firm,nestled in the more southern part of downtown LA. Taking a deepbreath, she pushed through the glass door, and strolled up to thefront desk. A young woman was furiously typing away at a computer,her eyes locked on the screen. The woman was a brunette, and had herhair up in a bun, with a pair of black glasses resting on her nose.

"Gav!Your applicant is here!" the woman had a high pitched voice thatstartled her.

Anolder male came out of a hallway in the back. He wore a casual suit,grey with a blue tie. His grey flecked hair was cut short, and he hada professional grin on his face. "My name is Gavin Thorpe, themanager. I presume you are Ms. Lurndan." He stuck out his hand.

"Y-yes,but please, call me Malice." She stuttered, grasping his hand withher shaky one.

"Come,follow me then Malice." He led her back into an office.

Thewalls were a matte grey, while the desk was a smooth mahogany,obviously hand crafted. He settled in his office chair, and gesturedfor her to sit down in the cushioned metal chair. She did with wobblylegs, resisting the urge to fix her skirt.

"So Ms. Lurndan," he gaveher an encouraging smile, "Why is it that a young woman as yourselfwould like to work here?"

Afterthe interview had ended, she found herself in a pleasant mood. Shehad found her footing, and had aced whatever he had thrown at herafter the basic questions had been sorted out. She called an Uber,and sat on a bench, watching the inhabitants go about their dailyroutine while she waited. People watching had long been one of herpassions. It calmed her down, to watch them as they went aboutbusiness, oblivious to much, and insightful to few. She could imagineeach of their intricate lives, who they cherished, and who theydespised.

Shefound herself focusing on a man, not unlike the one she had bumpedinto earlier. He had his hood up, and a black jacket on with darkjeans. His walk was strong, he knew where he was going, yet he kepthis head down, not wanting to be noticed. He briefly glanced up atthe intersection, to check for cars, and then hurried across, leavingher sight. She began to hum a little tune when a black Honda civicpulled up. She rose to her feet and opened the door, sliding inside.

"Whereto, miss?"

Sheglanced out the window before answering. "Normandie Avenue please."

Sheleaned back, and relaxed, gazing out the window as the streets rolledby. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up, and she handed the drivertwenty dollars, and jumped out of the Uber, thanking the driverbefore closing the door. She stood on the curb as she shuffledthrough her satchel to find the house keys. She was sharing a housefor rent with her two best friends, Gwen and Jack.

Sheretrieved the key, and unlocked the door, proceeding inside. Shuckingoff her shoes, she grinned as Jack shouted a hello, and Gwen rushedover to her, her hair dripping all over the floor, the towelforgotten.

"How'dit go?" Gwen nearly screamed in her ear.

Shelaughed, and brushed past. "I'll tell you once you stop floodingthe house."

Gwenpouted and went to grab a towel. While Gwen dried her hair, shechanged into her more casual cargo shorts and an old plain bluet-shirt. She lounged on her bed, snuggling into her fluffy sea greencovers, pulling out her phone, and scrolling through new instagramposts. A couple minutes later a squealing Gwen dashed into her room,and jumped onto her bed, making her drop her phone.

"TELLME!" She begged, clasping her hands together and shaking them.

"Okay,okay." She took a deep breath. "I think I got the job."

"OHMY GOSH! YOU GO GURL!" Gwen pounced on her, hugging her tightly.

Shestruggled for a second, and then hugged her friend back. Gwen let goand raced off to tell Jack. Sighing contentedly, she went to makesome victory pancakes.

 Halfan hour later, she flipped the last pancake, and turned off thestove. Gwen had left for her job-she worked as a photographer for alocal magazine, while Jack was coding a new game idea he had in his'studio'. The house was quiet, the only sounds coming in fromoutside. Malice settled down on her couch and flicked on Netflix,prepared for a session of Criminal Minds with her buttered pancakesand a smores hot chocolate.  

A/N Thanks for reading, and sorry if it was a boring first chapter..can't have everything all at once. I promise stuff actually happens in the next chapter. I swear on my chinny chin chin. That's a thing. OK, it's exactly midnight right now and I should sleep. 

Goodnight 

Onyx