Abroad

Chapter 1

          Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. She was once a newbie to the uncharted territory that was London, but now she could travel around with ease. When she arrived and moved into her dorm she got strange looks because she stuck out like a sore thumb with her black leggings, warn out sweatshirt, and hair in a sloppy thrown up pony tail. It was a complete change for her to have to dress up as much as normal people do in London, but she quickly got used to it. Another reason she would get looks was because she was American. People including her roommate loved her accent but she didn't understand because she'd prefer theirs. She was an American in London for a study abroad program. It was one of her life goals to get to London, but it just so happened her school hosted the program which she just had to do.

          The morning was breezy and with thick grey clouds over head. She bundled up in her black knit cardigan. She pulled it over her light material striped black and white shirt, as she walked down the street. Her black with gold studded flats clicked on the slate under her feet. The cold breeze chilled her open ankles where her dark wash jeans didn't hit her flats. With every stride the wind played with her messy sea-salted lilac hair. One hand held her phone and the other a grande Starbucks cup. A deep brown satchel hung from her left shoulder and bounced off her right hip as she walked. She was on her way to her class and to be honest she was so tired that without coffee she wouldn't be going to make it though class without crashing during the lecture. She walked into the room and took her usual seat next to her roommate who always gets to the class early.

 "It's about time. I thought you were going to sleep in again," said Chelsea with a smile as she sipped her coffee out of her traveling mug.

"I thought about it," she laughed lightly as she sat down in her seat.

          When the professor started speaking she thought she might be able to make it through this class. A half an hour later she was slowly growing crazy with the thoughts about her getting out of class. She wished she would just get picked up and already be in the job world. After the professor was done with class he dismissed everyone and she followed Chelsea towards the door.

"Denise," the professor's voice came from the behind her.

     She turned and told Chelsea to wait for her outside. Great an early morning class wasn't hard enough now her professor wanted to talk to her. What would this be about? She wasn't in the mood to get reprimanded by her professor. She walked up to him and she waited till he was done getting his notes in order to place into his leather bag.

"Denise I was surprised you joined us in class today. Are you planning to pass this class?"

"Yes, it's just I didn't think attendance mattered in your class."

"It's very important to passing you should be here to learn the material for the exams. It's a miracle you have the grades you do."

"It there a way I can do something to pull up my attendance?"

"Usually I don't give extra credit but you need it," He paused to think about something then continued, "There is a get together at a club in the city that I can't remember the name of, but I want you to conduct an interview with anyone you know there. A few famous people are supposed to be there and take your friend Chelsea with you. Tell her she'll get the credit too because I don't want you to go alone. You'll take my place and send the interview in to the schools paper. I'll email you more details on the extra credit. I have to run but see me in my office tomorrow morning."

      He left Denise behind flustered in the lecture hall. How could he expect her to just jump into something like that. Her major had nothing to do with journalism! She scowled then left the lecture hall to see Chelsea sitting on a bench outside the room. Chelsea looked at Denise with a confused look then a "tell me everything" stare. She told Chelsea what she had to do and Chelsea was more excited then Denise. Chelsea reassured her it would be okay and the rest of the day the thought of the article lingered in her mind.