Page 10 of Ink & Ambition

Dani groans. “Now you’re going to be insufferable and anxious all week!” She teases me with a gentle shove and I roll my eyes.

“Yeah,” I agree as wholeheartedly as I can but it doesn’t connect. Before they can ask me any more questions about the class, I skillfully pivot the conversation. “Wait, but also I stopped by the newsroom this afternoon and Jessy told me about an incredibleThe New York Timesinternship she was told about. Sydney, did you see the board?”

She shakes her head. “No, I didn’t get a chance to stop in there today. What’s the internship?”

I dive into deep detail about the contest and how I have to do some sort of “multimedia” project. “It’s judged in stages so every few weeks I need to send in an update on what I’m working on and the contestants get narrowed down as it goes on.”

“Yikes,” Danika mutters.

I nod, taking another bite. “I need to do something really eye-catching to make myself stand out against the other applicants.”

“Hmm,” both girls hum, and we fall into a comfortable silence as we think of potential ideas.

“A comic strip?” Danika offers.

I shake my head. “Hardly newsworthy.”

Sydney takes a bite of her dinner before offering her idea of a “Dear Margot” column where people write in questions and I give advice.

“Not a terrible idea but it’s not multimedia. Plus, who would want advice from me? I’m a nobody.”

“True,” Danika agrees.

“Thanks,” I scoff.

“What about something audio? You can host a podcast on campus and interview people? Gather enough of an audience, theNew York Timeswon’t be able to resist.”

“Back to my original question, who would care enough to be interviewed by me?”

Danika sets down her fork. “What if we combine the ideas? An advice column podcast.”

“That’s a great idea,” Sydney grins.

I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Are you listening to me at all? No one is going to give a shit about what adviceIhave to give. Half the professors on this campus call me Margie.” I roll my eyes.

Danika’s face drops. “You’re right.” But she gets that grin on her face. That devilish grin that tells me she’s about to say the best idea in the world and I’m going to absolutely hate it.

“They won’t tune in just for you. But if it’s you and say…frat boy royalty Alex Prescott, they’d have no choice but to listen.”

“No. Way.” I reply easily. Grabbing our empty plates, I start hand washing all the dishes, as per our agreement. Danika grabs the towel to dry but doesn't give up the idea.

“Oh, come on!” she whines, drying the clean dish I hand her and placing it onto the shelf. “You know it’s a perfect idea. You just don’t want to hang out with Alex,” she says as if she’s caught me on something.

I give her a pointed look. “Uh, yeah. Exactly,” I reply, handing her another wet dish. Sydney chuckles from her seat at the island.

“No comments from the peanut gallery unless you’re on my side.” Danika points to Sydney who raises her hands in mock defeat.

“Although,” Sydney starts and I whip around on her.

“Not you too.”

Sydney giggles. “A video podcast is a really great idea. You know it’s the way of the future for journalism right now. It probably would stand out in that contest for the internship.”

“And the more successful the podcast, the better chances you have of winning!” Danika cheers and I flick some water in her face. And then I flick water in Sydney’s face too for good measure. “You’re just mad because we’re right.”

I roll my eyes but don’t respond. Because they’re absolutely right. It’s a perfect idea. Just…not a perfect match.

“Let’s get our heads back down to Earth here, people. Even if I did decide to go through with this idea, Alex would never agree to it. From what I’ve gathered about him, he seems like an egotistical arrogant jerk who only cares about himself.” Even as I said it, I know it’s not entirely true. Especially after the way he opened up in public speaking class. But the way he treated me after…the harsh brush off. It is more than a little confusing.

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