“We’ll go with you for support if you want,” Wulfe says.
My shoulders relax. “Thanks. I’d like that. We should go now, though. My meeting is in ten minutes.”
My friends do pretty well to keep their concern from me, though I don’t miss the way they exchange looks as we get closer to the Magnus Hirschfeld building, which is the home of Human Resources.
“Are you coming inside?” I ask as I look at the door. It feels imposing today.
“Wulfe will join you, and I’ll be right behind. I have to take this call,” Lane says, holding up his phone.
I nod. Wulfe takes my hand, and we walk inside. I stop at the desk where a woman sits. She greets me with a smile. Her nameplate reads Marny Smith.
“Hi? I’m Brevan Skeeter?” I tell her.
“Thank you for coming in on such short notice. Please have a seat. Miss Boden will be with you shortly.”
To avoid sounding dumb and answering with another statement presented as a question, I nod again. Wulfe tugs me gently to the chairs on the opposite side of the space, where I sit and stare at the clock, watching the second handtick,tick,tickby, bringing us closer to one.
I think my heartbeat matches the seconds. I’m not sure if that’s healthy or concerning. The place is so damn quiet; I think I can hear the clock ticking.
Lane steps inside and joins us. He sandwiches me in instead of sitting on Wulfe’s other side. This is bad, huh? That’s why I’m between them. Ohmygod, what did I do that I was called into HR?
A door opens somewhere, and I hear theclick, click, clickof shoes on the hardwood. As they approach, my tongue feels like it swells.
The woman is wearing a pinstripe skirt suit, and she looks like someone on TV. Her smile is friendly enough, I think.
“Mr. Skeeter?”
I nod and jump to my feet. “Yes?”
“Thank you for making time for us today. This way.”
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I follow. I think I feel a little dizzy. Are there black edges in my vision right now? That’s also probably not healthy.
The office she leads me into also feels like it could be on television. The woman gestures to a chair in front of the desk while she shuts the door. I watch as she rounds the desk and sits behind it. Her smile is still in place. Still friendly.
Probably.
“My name is Dr. Celia Boden. I’m the director of human resources. It’s good to meet you, Mr. Skeeter.” She offers me her hand, and I take it.
“You as well?”
“How are you enjoying Rainbow Dorset University?”
“Oh? Uh… I love it here?”
“You can tell me the truth, Mr. Skeeter. There is no right or wrong answer.”
I take a deep breath. “When I’m nervous, I talk in questions. I’m sorry. Idolove Rainbow Dorset. I love my classes and my team. My coach is amazing. My friends are great. I’m sad to be graduating next month.” If I still get to graduate.
“Very good to hear. You recently joined the provost on his inaugural trip for the Companion Alliance Program.”
“I did. It was amazing. The program is going to do such great things.”
“Good to hear. How did your visit go? Did you get along with everyone?”
“Am I in trouble? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“Not at all, Mr. Skeeter.”
