The Prodigy by Joe Loughran

Author:Joe Loughran [Loughran, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: bullying, Young Adult
Publisher: Pine Ridge Publishing, LLC
Published: 2021-09-20T22:00:00+00:00

- CHAPTER 15 -

Henrik arrived fifteen minutes early for his first day of work. The facility was less than a mile from Mitch’s house, off Exeter Road, so it was a short walk. Henrik was filled with excitement when he entered the main door. He was greeted by a receptionist who directed him to a conference room at the end of a hallway. Henrik’s senses were stimulated by the smell of fresh-cut lumber. Shortly after he was seated, a young lady walked into the room and greeted him. They recognized each other immediately.

“Henrik,” Caroline Rollins said, “what are you doing here? I thought you were away at college.”

“Hi, Caroline,” Henrik said, “it’s nice to see you. I didn’t know you worked here.”

“This is my father’s company. I started working here full-time a few weeks after we graduated. I’m still pretty new, of course, but I’m learning a lot and doing more each day.”

“Terrific.”

“What about college?”

“I decided to go in a different direction.”

“My word, you were the smartest kid in our class. If you can’t make it, who can?”

“College isn’t for everyone.”

“My dad told me a talented young man was starting today as an apprentice. I would never have dreamt it would be you. Oh, well. I have a packet of forms for you to complete so we can enter your personal information into our employee system. It will ensure you are paid on time and your benefits are properly registered. Here’s a pen. I’ll be back in a little while to collect the forms and answer any questions you may have.”

“Thank you, Caroline.”

“My pleasure, Henrik. It’s nice to know we will be working together. The last time we saw each other was in the gym when we slow danced.”

Henrik was surprised to see her and wondered whether she would continue her flirtatious ways. If so, he figured it was a small price to pay given his recent good fortune. Caroline was tall, lanky, and wore baggy clothes. Her brown hair was cut short since graduation in a style between a pixie and a neck-length bob. It gave the appearance of fuller hair and was a significant improvement for her. Her facial features were disproportionate. Her brown eyes were unusually separated, and her cheeks were slightly sunken. She had a narrow, pointy nose and her lips were thin. She would never be described as pretty.

Henrik completed the forms and smiled when he thought about how Erika would react if she saw him with Caroline. Their dislike for each other went back to elementary school when Caroline blurted out during a spelling bee that Erika was stupid because she misspelled a word. Caroline was reprimanded and forced to apologize, but Erika never forgot the incident and never would. Henrik does not recall seeing them talk to each other, and he never heard Erika mention her name.

Caroline returned in fifteen minutes, collected the forms, and led Henrik to her father’s office. As they walked down the hall, Caroline smiled and reiterated her excitement about Henrik joining the company.

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