First Day at Work
(Melissa's POV)
As I look at the museum in front of me, I recall the promise I made to Mom six years ago. I promised her that I would work hard to become an archaeologist, the dream she was forced to abandon but she did not force me to do it. I had always shared her interest in archaeology.
I would spend hours looking at her collection of artifacts. I wish she was here with me now.
I walk through the large, fancy iron gates and enter the building. Now, where am I supposed to go? Should I ask someon—absolutely not. I'm sure I can find the way to the main office.
A while later
I don't know how long it has been, but I think I finally found it. This has got to be the office. I twist open the doorknob and...ugh this is the janitor’s closet.
Hmm...Now what? I guess I have to ask someone...
---
After a while of looking for someone I can ask, I finally spot some random — but very good-looking — man who looks like he knows this place.
Deep breaths, Mel, deep breaths. You can do it.
After the little pep talk I gave myself, I walk toward the man and, like some hyper energtic person, I blurt out,
“Uhh, excuse. Office where. I work here—I mean I will be working here.”
And then at that moment, I wished I could erase people's memories. I continue to stand there like a fool while the guy tries to understand what I meant.
"Uhh..I assume...you meant the office, take a right from the artifacts section and then the next left. There's only one door in that hallway so I'm sure you won't get confused." he says really awkwardly- he doesn't look like an awkward person but I'm sure he will be, if he keeps talking to me.
I Mentally facepalm and thank him – of course not without stuttering – and head towards the artifacts section which wasn't hard to find since I already went there like Five times trying to figure out the way.
---
I knock on the door to the office.
"Come in," I hear a voice call out.
I enter and see a middle-aged man who looks like he needs some exercise.
“Uhh, good morning. I’m Melissa Rover,” I say.
“Ah, yes. I’ve been expecting you, Miss Rover. I’m Joshua Menic,” he replies.
“Congratulations on getting the job. For now, I’ll assign you a simple task. You just need to clean up some rocks an employee collected.”
“What?! Clean stupid rocks? Are you kidding me?”
...was something I really wanted to blurt out — but thankfully, I didn’t.
“Okay, sir. Uhm, but... I don’t really know my way around this place.”
"Right. I’ll call someone to accompany you.”
After a while, there’s a knock on the door — but unlike me, the person doesn’t wait for an answer and just walks in.
A woman, dressed like those evil co-workers from a drama, comes into view. She looks way too excited to see me.
And that. Is. Not. A. Good. Sign.
"Hi, I'm Jade! What's your name? You're new here, aren't you? Maybe we can be besties. What do you think?"
Oh, my brain can’t process all that.
"Why aren't you answering?" she asks with a frown.
"Because you aren't letting her, Jade," Joshua saves me from answering.
"Anyway. Accompany her for today. The rock specimens are in storeroom three. You can leave now."
I was the first to walk out, but Jade was quick to catch up.
I should probably say something.
"Uh, I'm Melissa, but you can call me Mel."
Okay, maybe I should've asked her something instead.
"Oh, hi Mel, nice to meet you."
"Uh... yeah, thanks."
SERIOUSLY? I cannot believe I said that. But she didn’t seem to notice. I take a deeeeep breath to calm myself.
---
We’re done cleaning those stupid rocks. Finally. I couldn’t have survived another minute.
This is not the kind of crap I signed up for.
Jade left me when she heard some people gossiping an hour ago.
This woman is the complete opposite of me.
Speaking of the devil, here she comes...
“We’ve been called to the office. Quick, now.” She grabs my wrist and hauls me away.
---
“So, Mel, you have to go on a field trip tomorrow. To Varnak Ridge,” Joshua says.
“You’ll be working with two partners. Since you’re familiar with Jade, she’s one of them. You’ll meet the other person tomorrow.”
Okay, maybe that rock-cleaning was worth it... even though it has nothing to do with this subject.
“What are our tasks?” Jade asks.
“I’ll give you more details tomorrow. Meet me here when you arrive.”
I’m sure no one had a more boring first day of work than me.
