Before And After

By: Shima And Tempis

“Until you’ve lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was.” –Margaret Mitchell

Before

Andrea knew before she got out of the family’s car that the first day of school was going to be full of thrills. She looked out at the main entryway to the large brick building with a large smile. The courtyard was full of young people, but through the tinted back window she could not distinguish any faces.

Her driver told her she could get out when she was ready and she almost scoffed. She did not feel the least bit nervous, which was quite surprising, seeing as she had not seen a single person who might be going to this school in four years. She doubted many had forgotten her, however. Andrea had been fast friends with some of the most recognizeable people at her old school, only the ones who were sure to go on to do great things.

She stepped out without out any fear, slinging her saddlebag over her one shoulder instead of crossing it over her chest. She closed the door behind her and waved to her driver before stepping firmly onto the walkway leading towards the full courtyard.

Here goes, Andrea thought to herself, letting her feet fall into a familiar rhythm as she neared first group of uniformed youth.

“Andrea Ellis?” A voice called in the middle of the crowds, and soon arms were enveloping her from behind in a large hug. She almost sighed audibly at the feeling of breasts against her back—she did not remember any boys from her old school that would hug her like this, and she did not want to suddenly not remember anyone’s name.

“Cathleen Cougen?” Andrea turned around in the girl’s arms and let out a breath when the blonde-haired girl finally let go. “You’ve grown up!”

Cathleen was one of the people Andrea was sure would never forget her—she and Cathleen had been the talk of the school for a whole year after performing a pop singer’s first single with a real band at the school’s talent show. Cathleen was, among other things, her best friend from her old life.

“You sound like an old woman, Andrea darling.” Cathleen supplied, pinching Andrea’s cheek just to make her point. “Italy’s done you wonders too, girly.”

“Italy does wonders to everyone.”

Cathleen returned one arm to Andrea’s shoulders, spinning her around slightly so they returned to walking towards the school. “Andrea, my friend, you and I are not the only ones who have been doing some growing up over the years.”

Andrea moaned. She knew where Cathleen was going with this conversation. Most others could deduce from Cathleen’s appearance that she talking about boys, but Andrea knew her well enough to know Cathleen was talking about one boy in particular.

“Jason has been doing a lot of growing. You should give him a chance.” Cathleen looked at Andrea with a distressed look on her face. “He’s pined for you while you were away, not dating a single girl—“

“—and the arm he has around one must mean nothing, huh?” Andrea cut her off, gesturing to the tall, stocky boy she remembered from elementary school. His jet black hair was still slicked back into the same style he had when he was younger. Jason Reynolds was not a bad boy in any category.

But he is definitely no Peter. The thought hit Andrea quite hard, and she shook it away. She did not want to go through thinking of that again. She was finally getting over being away from him. She did not want to back to that pain anymore.

After

She begged the Powers That Be for the meeting to end earlier than it was supposed to, to no avail. In fact, the meeting ran later than its scheduled hour. Not only did Miss Ellis realized she was under careful scrutiny of one Mister Landon, but also her editor continued to try and hold her hand as if they were having some sort of bonding moment.

When their boss finally announced their would be a change of plans to job assignments, Andrea almost cheered.

“Our writers are doing amazing things lately. As I’m sure you all know, Andrea Ellis has almost hit four thousand copies for a book that has only been out one day. Congratulations.” Andrea feigned a smile and nodded absently to the stuffy applause she received. “However, I feel that we need a bit of a swap of partnerships. We are still behind in polls and sales for the moment, and I believe that a switch in our own employees may be in our best interest.”

The boss’ secretary began passing out pieces of paper to every person sitting at the conference table. They were lists of names, both of writers and editors. Some of the most successful groups were still together, but Andrea was happy to note that her own editor had been switched to working with one of the older, male, writers.

She looked carefully for her name—it took a moment, seeing as the groups were listed by editor. When she saw her name and used to her finger to trail a line to the list of editors, her heart almost stopped.

Peter.

Andrea looked up to the man who had taken a seat not too far from her with nervous eyes. He was not looking at her but down at his sheet. She gritted her teeth because he did not seem surprised. Did he know this was going to happen? That bastard!

Before

Peter was one of two people who got off at his bus stop, no more than one block from the school. The other person was a man who walked briskly ahead of him in the same direction. The man had a briefcase in one hand and was dressed in a dark suit. Peter watched him practically jog away before following him towards the main walkway.

He stopped nervously before entering the courtyard. Girls and guys were already splitting up into groups of people they knew from their previous high class schools. Peter did not see anyone like him, currently lacking a group.

And then, out of all the people he could possibly notice in a crowd, he saw her.

She was standing in one of the familiar groups of obviously well-known people. Every few second someone would pass them and call out greetings. Talking animatedly with a blonde-haired girl, Andrea Ellis also seemed to be ignoring the tall boy trying to get a word in edge-wise.

He took a few deep breaths before beginning his walk towards her, wracking his brain for something to say. What could you say to someone who did not expect to ever meet you again? Someone who belonged in this world that you should not even dream of, so completely unlike you?

The girl talking with his best friend of three years spotted him coming nearer before Andrea did. She tapped the brunette’s shoulder and pointed him, saying something that, by the look on her face, may have been derogatory. Andrea spun around, glancing from side to side as Peter continue to come forward, and then her eyes found his.

He held his breath and let it out quickly when the smile sprung onto her face. “Peter!” She almost shreeked, before running towards him with her arms out, before flinging her arms around him. It had not been the reaction he had expected. He thought that his Andy would act a little bit different now that she was among her peers, but that did not seem to be the case.

“Hey, Andy. I missed you too.”

After

After the meeting, Peter Landon made one of the quickest exists from the conference room that has probably ever been recorded. Although he chosen not to show it, he had seen Andrea’s eyes grow steadily narrower and not quite pleasantly surprised at the piece of information he already knew.

They were going to have to put aside any… previous misgivings for each other and work together civilly in a completely professional manner. And in essence, he was her boss. For once. He could not help the small smile that came onto his face when he thought of it. He was Andrea Ellis’ boss. Andrea Ellis, rich my-daddy-buys-me-everything Andrea Ellis was now practically his underling.

I am very much going to enjoy this.

“Hold it, Peter!”

Or not.

Peter paused midstep, swinging himself around to be face to face with the woman of his current thoughts. “I do not believe we have been properly introduced. I’m Peter Landon, your editor.” He quipped, narrowing his eyes at her own glare.

“You knew, didn’t you? God damn it, Peter! You are grating on my last nerve!” Miss Ellis yelled at him, waving her arms wildly. As she opened her mouth to further degrade him, Peter placed a finger on her lips. He was still over a head taller than she.

“And here I was so certain you didn’t have any nerves left, my dear.”