Blue Skyes

"Here at Blue Skye Publishing we brand ourselves as being the most prestigious publishing company on the entire west coast. With over a hundred thousand clients all on the best-selling authors list, as well as movie and limited TV series projects in the works. There are no books that we can't market, sell, and distribute for a profit. As long as we pick the right manuscripts. This process is very delicate. Our AI system does most of the work for you. It takes every submitted manuscript and finds the best ones with the most potential for success." I try to pay attention as the recruiter flips through her presentation in a very professional manner. They pride themselves on it, while I pretend to belong here. For the last two years, I've been fetching coffee and reading manuscripts that my boss is "too busy" to read. I've lost my entire social life and dedicated myself to this place for it all to come to a head today. "We do the same thing for the employees." The recruiter continues on. "Which brings us to why you're here today. Soon, your internships will be over, and you'll get hand-picked by your leadership to interview with our very own CEO Auden Skye!" I look down at the sky blue lanyard with my ID card dangling from it. The picture of me was terrible, and a bad first day to begin with. My hair was disheveled and my eyes baggy. I even spilled coffee on my blouse trying to make it on time that morning. They never did let me retake it. Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to focus on what's coming next. I haven't been able to sleep, not knowing if I'd even be invited for an interview for a real position here. "Once the interview is over, he chooses who he thinks would be a good fit and places them in a position. Now, you're able to interview for a specific position if you have something in mind. That doesn't mean you'll get it, so do your research and make an impression." Sometimes I question why I am even putting myself through all of this. As an intern, I've gotten scraps that this company has offered me and I thanked them for it. All for a dream that started when I was fifteen. "Please be on the lookout for an email from the CEO's office. It will tell you whether you're eligible for this interview. If you're not, then today is your last day with this company. Any questions?" Multiple other interns raise their hands to ask whatever question they think will save their jobs. For me, I'm not cut-throat like everyone else here. And I'm terrified, because I have no idea which email I'll receive today. I slip past the other interns to head back to my desk. Hiding in the background is my superpower. People barely notice the quiet girl who would rather stick to herself than socialize. It could easily turn into a curse, since making an impression is the last thing I'm good at. How do I make a billionaire believe that I'm worth the position I want? How do I stand out after years of blending in? "Thea, can I talk to you for a second?" Mia Anderson, my supervisor asked. I make my way to her office and stand on the other side of her marble desk. "How are you feeling about today? Good, I hope." She chuckles to herself as she smoothes out her green blazer. "I remember my last day as an intern. I was an emotional wreck." I couldn't picture Mia being anything other than confident. Since my first day working for her, I knew she would grow to be my mentor. Her elegance mixed with true passion for her work reeled me in. I'll never tell her this, but I always looked up to her. I wave off her comment, "I'm okay with whatever happens today." I'm lying, but I've never been good at showing weakness in front of her. Mia squints at me, unsure of whether I'm serious. "You don't have to be so casual about it, Thea. I know what it's like to have your future in the palm of someone else's hand." Smiling, she gets to why she really wanted to talk to me. "Regardless, I wanted to see where you're at with the Wendell manuscript." I scan my memory for where I left off on it. "I'm almost finished. I think I can get it turned in by the end of the day." Winking at me, Mia clicks her tongue. "That's my girl. You're free to get back to it." I nod, exiting her office to return to my cubicle. The Wendell manuscript isn't good enough to publish. I already know this, but I wanted to finish the story anyway. Sometimes, the best stories that cross my desk are ones that we'd never choose. It's not that they're not good, it's just that it's not good enough for Blue Skye Publishing. They only take stories that are exceptional, and as good as this one is, it has a long way to go before it's perfect. I secretly love the ones that never make the cut. I can relate to imperfection far more, and that's where I fall short with this company. "Oh my God, an email from the CEO's office just came in!" Gwen Palmer proclaimed loud enough for the entire floor to hear. Whispers started to spread throughout the cubicles, while I tried not to panic. I'm not ready for this email to come in. I'm not ready for today to be my last day. "What does it say, Gwen?" I look away from the drama, only wishing that I could tune them out as well. I need to finish this manuscript today. When Gwen responds, I can hear it in her voice before she even makes it out. "I-I didn't get it." The entire mood changes, people go back to their cubicles and pray their outcome will be better than hers. "It just doesn't make sense." Gwen muttered to herself. "I thought for sure I'd at least get the interview." Her and everyone else. Everyone but me. It's not like I'm this super sad girl who doesn't think that anything good will happen to me. I just know that it's probably easier to get into heaven than getting a job here. I was lucky for the internship. I'm not expecting more than what I came here for. "That doesn't even make sense, does it, Thea?" "Hmm?" I fix my gaze at Mack Davis in the cubicle next to me. He's always been a little more talkative than I like but supportive and nice. On my first day here, he sat next to me because he said I looked "lonely." I was just trying to do my job, but he stuck around anyway. "How could Gwen not get an interview? She finds the most manuscripts that get pushed through." Before I could respond with something short and vague, a ding came from my computer. Mack rolls his chair over beside me, getting way closer to me than I'm comfortable with. "Is it...?" An email that will determine my very near future? God, I hope not. I open up my email and see the CEO's office at the top of my inbox. "Yeah, it is." I said, my heart falling to the pit of my stomach. "Well? What are you waiting for? Open it." Mack tugs on my arm as he demands me to open it right in front of him. Thankfully, no one else has noticed that I got my email. I don't need the embarrassment today. My cursor hovers over the email, in all of its daunting glory. This is it, I think to myself, the moment of truth. I can feel Mack's breath fanning the back of my neck as he leans in, and I click on the email. Dear Thea Bayron, Congratulations on landing an interview at Blue Skye Publishing! Your interview time will be with Auden Skye at approximately 8am on Monday morning. You will need to arrive five minutes early at the top floor in order to check in with reception. If you are late, your interview will not be rescheduled, and you will not be permitted to come back. Thank you, Blue Sky Publishing CEO Office I can't believe it...I got it?